Waterford Today | Waterford's free weekly newspaper

The National Crime Victims Helpline has welcomed the commitment in the programme for government to enact legislation to strengthen the rights of victims of crime.   Maeve Ryan, Helpline Co-ordinator said today, "Victims of crime have very few rights in the Criminal Justice System.  This commitment in the programme for government to ensure that victims of crime are 'at the heart of the justice system' is very good news.   Many callers to our Helpline feel alienated and isolated by their contact with the justice system:  as there is little recognition of the importance of the part played by victims of crime in reporting crime and giving evidence in court.  This promised legislation could profoundly change the experience of many victims by recognising their central role in the criminal justice system, and by acknowledging the significant impact of crime – even 'minor'

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The phenomenon known as Smash Hits returns to the Forum Waterford for a MASSIVE Easter Sunday Party on 24 April. At their last show The Forum was full by 11pm and hundreds were turned away, so this time around advance tickets are on sale now at Next Door Forum Waterford and 051 871111. Smash Hits' mission is to bring the FUN back to the clubs of Ireland and their winning formula is very simple; fully decked out in 90s gear they perform a fun filled and high energy set of 90s dance, pop and R'n'B chart classics. Just take a look at their current set-list highlights… "U Can't Touch This", "Rhythm Of The Night", "Gangster's Paradise", "It's My Life", "Ice Ice Baby", "Pump Up The Jam", "I Like To Move It", "Mr Vain", "Free From Desire", "Jump Around", "Ebeneezer Good",

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The Forum Lounge continues to present the very best live tribute bands on the circuit, with The Roadhouse Doors playing next on Saturday, 2nd April, followed by Harvest (Neil Young) on 9 April, Mystery White Boy (Jeff Buckley) on 16 April, Legend (Bob Marley) on 23 April, and The Springsteens on Easter Sunday, 24 April. Admission to all these hugely entertaining live tribute shows is €10 and that includes free entry to the Lounge's late night BoHo Club, featuring more live music by the Jam Tarts Orchestra, Butterfly Band and Big Lebowski.

The Roadhouse Doors Show is a complete tribute that recreates the look, feel and sound of a live 1960's Doors concert as closely as possible. To get that edgy, authentic Doors' sound, the band use genuine vintage equipment – the same ones that The Doors themselves used, including Vox

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There's 2 great gigs coming up at Forum Waterford for the City's Mod and Ska fans. First up at the Venue on Friday 1st April, Mod legends The Lambrettas make their first appearance in Waterford. Then the Lounge plays host to Ska pioneers The Beat on Friday 8th April. Tickets for both gigs are on sale now at Next Door Forum Waterford, 051 871111 and http://www.forumwaterford.com

The Lambrettas were an English mod "revival" band, active in the late 1970s and early 1980s, named after the iconic Italian Lambretta scooter brand popular among Mods. Their biggest hit was in 1980, with a cover version of the 1950s Leiber and Stoller song, Poison Ivy, which reached no. 7 in the UK Singles Chart. They scored another hit with the follow-up, Da-a-a-nce and in the same year, they released the album Beat Boys

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February 2010 saw the beginning of Chimpanbee. Five young yet matured musicians entered a room with the mutual idea of creating a unique brand of indie rock n roll. Hence with a fresh approach and the rust shaken off the sound started to construct itself and the band decided that it was time this sound become available. Until now they have been working incredibly hard in the studio writing recording mixing and applying the finishing touches to there debut EP The pressures of free money. On the 22nd of April Chimpanbee released three songs for free download from the E.P, Title track "The Pressures Of Free Money 2, "She Done Too Much" and "60s Man" all tracks have been receiving great words and Chimpanbee have receiving a lot of attention via their downloads, their MySpace and the radio play and

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The Boho Club at the Forum Lounge transforms into Liverpool's legendary Cavern Club again this Saturday, 26th March, as the Beatles Tribute returns. A huge amount of planning and rehearsal has gone into creating this show, which features a host of Waterford's most talented musicians, either as band members or in special guest slots. The set list includes everything a Beatles fan could want, from early hits like "Drive My Car", "Help", "Ticket To Ride" and "Day Tripper", through to later classics like "Hey Jude", "Come Together", "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Get Back". Of course it always turns into one big singalong and don't forget your dancing shoes !

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The Forum Lounge

Mick Flannery makes a return visit to the Forum Lounge this Friday, 25th March, after a sold out show at the same venue last year. Special guest this time around is Ian Whitty, who has been receiving glowing reviews for his debut album. Advance tickets priced at €17.50 are available now at Next Door Forum Waterford, 051 871111 and http://www.forumwaterford.com

In the last 2 years, Mick Flannery has gone from part time stonemason to one of Ireland's most sought after musicians. Since the release of his critically acclaimed album 'White Lies', he has played a string of sold out shows all over Ireland, been nominated for the Choice Album Awards, and won 'Best Male' at the Meteor Awards. With a rollercoaster year behind him, including his sterling hometown performance at the

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Theatre Royal on Friday 25th March at 8pm.

As the name suggests, this is a story – a story that begins even before the curtain opens to a narrative and musical underscore. It's a story of 3 brothers who from singing close harmony as children grew to become world superstars by their early twenties; got to a point where they broke up and could no longer speak to each other; only to reform and reinvent disco music in the form of 'Saturday Night Fever'.

The Bee Gees' catalogue of hits from the 60s to the 90s is presented by a full live band featuring Ireland's finest musicians with guest artists appearing as some of the many musical legends that the Gibb brothers wrote for.

Whether you favor the golden era

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Limehouse Lizzy - the definitive tribute to Irish rock legends, Thin Lizzy return to Forum Waterford on Friday, 8th April. Now celebrating their 18th anniversary as a band, Limehouse Lizzy have firmly established themselves as not only the world's finest tribute band, but also one of the busiest and most successful touring acts on the live circuit and with a huge worldwide fan base, they truly are the benchmark by which other tribute shows are judged.

With the tragic and premature death of Philip Lynott in 1986, the music world mourned the passing of one of its most original and exciting stars. It would take a very special band indeed to honour such a talent in a way that original fans of Thin Lizzy could appreciate, and in a way that would

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Theatre Royal Waterford

Southeastern Youth Theatre Group are proud to announce that they will stage the worlds favourite musical LES MISERABLES at the Theatre Royal Waterford from Monday 18th to Saturday 23rd April at 8pm nightly.

LES MISERABLES recently celebrated 25 years of tremendous success been staged all around the world and became the longest running musical in the history of London's West End. With a hugely talented cast from Waterford and the south east area audiences are in for something special as this musical is definitely not to be missed and early booking is highly advisable.

Rehearsals are currently in full swing under Director David Hennessy and Musical Director Wayne Browne and we are also delighted to announce that Spraoi will be designing the set that includes the hugely iconic Revolving Barricade that will amaze audiences, we will also be using a

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Spring is in the air. The longest, coldest winter has departed. Come and celebrate with the sweet voices of Waterford's only soprano trio Dulcet.

You will see and hear lyric soprano Rachel Breen together with mezzo sopranos Jacqueline Hutchinson and Annette Howley. Their musical director / piano accompanist Siobhan Mannix will be there to cover every move and note.

This Waterford trio are enjoying a decade together and are now presenting a Spring concert on Saturday 2nd April at 8pm.

The intimate and beautiful Edmond Rice Chapel on the grounds of Mount Sion School, Barrack Street is the chosen venue. Three beautiful singers and their accompanist at this historic setting - how can you resist? all of this with programme for just 10. Tickets available only from City Jewellry Repairs at City Square Shopping

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The Arts Council, the Irish government agency for funding and developing the arts, said it would invest in 10 Waterford-based organisations with a proven track record of delivering great arts experiences for people all over the county and beyond.

The ever-popular Waterford Spraoi will swing into action on the August bank holiday weekend. The festival will incorporate original work by local, national and international companies in 2011; in a programme that is likely to enthral audiences from Waterford and beyond.

The Waterford Healing Arts Trust, a leading hospital-based arts and health organisation has again been awarded funding by the Arts Council. The trust will offer innovative visual arts and music programmes to service users, staff and visitors to Waterford Regional Hospital and community groups in the locality. In addition, it will continue to support practice development nationally among artists working in the

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Shortlisted for National Aontas STAR Award 2011!

'Waterford Life: Now and Then' recently reached the shortlist of the Aontas National STAR Awards 2011! The 'Waterford Life' book comprises of stories and memories of growing up and living in Waterford past and present, from the perspective of both the older and younger generations of Waterford City. The publication of the book was the result of an Intergenerational Project organized in 2010 by St Brigids F.C.C., Respond! Housing Association, Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School and Waterford City VEC.

The National STAR Awards organised each year by Aontas (National Adult Learning Organisation in Ireland) focuses on showcasing teamwork and awarding recognition to adult learning projects across the country.

Participants and Organisations involved in the 'Waterford Life' Project were thrilled to reach the Awards Shortlist.

A group representing the 'Waterford Life' Project attended the STAR Awards ceremony

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Youth Groups from Co. Waterford are now invited to enter the 2011 '

permanent tsb Forige Youth Citizenship Awards', which recognise young

people who are doing their bit for society and working to make their

communities a better place. The awards are all about positivity and energy, and are an opportunity for local youth groups to showcase the valuable work they do in the community. As well as being involved in Regional Awards and a National Citizenship Awards Event in the Helix in Dublin, a number of groups will have the chance to be profiled in a two-part TV series called 'Ireland's Top Teens' which will be aired on TV3 later in the autumn.

Groups interested in entering should check out http://www.youthcitizenship.ie

or contact Rosie O'Brien, Citizenship Programme Officer, Forige on rosie.obrienatforoige.ie or on mobile 086 6064110.

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Made in Dagenham (15A)

Made in Dagenham stars award winning Sally Hawkins as Rita O'Grady who is the catalyst for the 1968 strike by 187 sewing machinists in the Ford Dagenham plant which led to the advent of the Equal Pay Act.

Working in extremely impoverished conditions for long arduous hours which they must balance with their domestic lives, the women at the Dagenham plant finally lose their patience when they are reclassified as 'unskilled'.

With humour, common sense and courage they take on their corporate paymasters, an increasingly belligerent local community, and finally the government itself.

Daring to stand up and push boundaries, the women changed a system that no one wanted to admit was broken. No one thought the revolution would come to Dagenham, until one day, it did. Made in Dagenham will be screened in Garter Lane Arts Centre on Monday,

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