Cork Has Her Heart Back
Plugd Records opened its doors on Saturday morning to a gathering of hungry vinyl/music collectors keen on getting their hands on limited edition 7″s and more. It could not have been more fitting that the day in question, April 16th, was International Record Store Day.
Many would agree that Jim and Albert’s store, whether they like it or not, plays a role that could possibly be described as the heartbeat of Cork’s music scene. It is this heart that keeps the blood pumping through the city be it by spreading the word of local music events, actually organizing some of these gigs themselves, introducing people to great music or simply introducing great people to great people. The new premises look great and the addition of Gulpd (their new café situated downstairs from Plugd itself) is set to ensure that the new Triskel Hub will be a hangout hotspot for young and old alike for years to come.
Saturday also provided us with our first look inside the refurbished Christchurch and I have to say the place looks incredible. In these troubled financial times the feeling of hope and optimism that I could feel bubbling up inside of myself as Triskel Director Tony Sheehan spoke, proudly welcoming everyone to the new Arts complex was both refreshing and relieving. Cork can and should be very proud. So much hard work has gone into the place but the work is not yet finished.
The Triskel, Corcadorca, Plugd, The Black Mariah and more have laid the incredible foundations. It is now up to us to go. Lisa Hannigan, Ger Wolfe, Gemma Hayes, Brad Mehldau have already been announced to play the Christchurch. Even if you are not a big fan of the acts I still urge you to go to at least one as the church itself exudes such an amazing atmosphere when empty to hear music fill the space would be an experience in itself.
It is not all music as The Cork World Book Festival will be held next weekend and plans for an Arthouse cinema four days per week are afoot. The somebody-else-will-go approach does not work so if you like your arthouse movies please attend as much as possible as it was too little too late with The Kino and, if we needed any reminder, Dublin’s Light House Cinema closed its doors last week.
The bottom line is go. Be it for an art installation from sculptor Vivienne Roche or The Black Mariah, to browse through records, to see a movie, to attend a live gig, to view the crypt below the church or simply to sit down and have a cup of hot coffee just go.
The entrance to Christchurch is located on South Main Street. Visitors can gain access to all sections of The Triskel Arts Centre Hub from the church.
Photo by Vicky Langan, there like!