In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, Trocaire will be hosting a poetry event at No Alibis on Botanic Avenue on Thursday 15th May from 6:30-8:30PM to explore themes of exile, dispossession and memory. Speakers include Iyad Hayatleh, Alan Gillis and Gordon Hewitt. Music will be provided by Ruby Colley (http://www.myspace.com/rubycolley). There will be a small charge of £2 entry.

Iyad Hayatleh is a Palestinian refugee poet, who was born and grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria. He started writing poetry early and published his work in Arabic magazines, giving many readings in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. He has lived in Glasgow since 2000 and is now an active member of SCOTTISH PEN and ARTISTS IN EXILE GLASGOW. He has published poetry in anthologies in Scotland, and has just had his first collection published by Survivor’s Press, called, ‘Beyond All Measure’. He is also putting together a book of verse for publication later this summer. Iyad has recently been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK after a long struggle with the Home Office.

Alan Gillis was born in Belfast in 1973. He lives in Edinburgh with his wife and son and teaches at Edinburgh University. He is the author of Irish Poetry of the 1930s (OUP, 2005) and co-editor, with Aaron Kelly, of Critical Ireland: New Essays on Literature and Culture (Four Courts Press, 2001). His first collection, Somebody, Somewhere (2004) was short-listed for the Irish Times Poetry Now Award and received the Rupert and Eithne Strong Award for best first collection. His second collection, Hawks and Doves (2007) was a Poetry Book Society Recommendation.

Gordon Hewitt is a member of the poetry collective Scream Blue Murmur (formerly the Belfast Poets Touring Group). Scream Blue Murmur will premiere a new performance poetry show The Morning After the Summer of Love, at the Linen Hall Library on Tuesday 27 May at 7pm, before embarking on a tour of New Zealand, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Please contact David, by phoning 9031 9607 or by dropping him an email for further information or to reserve your place.

The Errigle Inn and Real Music Club are hosting an evening with Kinky Friedman on Thursday 22nd May. Please note that this event will not be taking place in No Alibis Bookstore, but in the Errigle Inn. No Alibis will be on hand with copies of Kinky's books for those interested in his literary, as well as his musical, side.

All enquiries about this event should be directed to Real Music Club. You can find further information and contact details on their website, at www.realmusicclub.org

No Alibis Bookstore are very pleased to invite you to an evening of poetry with award-winning Hungarian poet, George Szirtes on Friday 23rd May at 6:00PM.

George Szirtes was born in Budapest in 1948 and came to England as a refugee in 1956. He was brought up in London and studied Fine Art in London and Leeds. His poems began appearing in national magazines in 1973 and his first book, The Slant Door, was published in 1979. It won the Faber Memorial prize the following year.

Having returned to his birthplace, Budapest, for the first time in 1984, he has also worked extensively as a translator of poems, novels, plays and essays and has won various prizes and awards in this sphere. His own work has been translated into numerous languages.

Join us as George, as well as some guests, will be reading a selection of poetry and discussing their work.

To book your spot for this event, email David or call the shop on 9031 9607.

No Alibis Bookstore are hosting Karl O'Neill as part of the Young at Art Festival on Sunday 25th May at 4:00PM. Join us for a storytelling event aimed at 6-9 year olds.

A skilled stage and screen actor best known as Tim Carey in RTE’s Fair City, Karl will read from his first children’s novel and give a sneak preview of his newest work. If you had to write the most beautiful letter, what would you say?

Poppy finds a mysterious red envelope in the park. It's addressed 'to you'. Where did it come from and who is it for? It could be for me, Poppy thinks! She opens up the envelope and finds a letter inside - it's the most beautiful letter Poppy has read in her whole life, the most beautiful letter in the world. Follow Poppy on her journey as the letter works its magic on everyone she meets. An extraordinary gift book that opens up just like the Red Envelope Poppy finds. Beautifully illustrated, this heartwarming story will stay with the reader forever.

Tickets for this event are only available through the Young at Art website. (Click here for a direct link to the event.)

No Alibis Bookstore are pleased to invite you to the launch of Sean Donnelly's new album, Beyond the Open Door on Friday 30th May at 8:00PM

Sean Donnelly was born near Omagh, Co. Tyrone and "emigrated" in the early seventies to Newcastle, Co. Down where he now lives with his wife and family. Sean has been a regular on the Folk Club circuit for many years, made countless Radio broadcasts and appeared on T.V. Folk music programmes.

He has also played major Folk Festivals at home and abroad, and has released a number of albums on the Spring Records Label.

You can find more information about Sean on his website.

To book a spot for this event, email David or call the shop on 9031 9607.

No Alibis Bookstore are hosting What's the Story? as part of the Young at Art Festival on Sunday 1st June at 2:30PM and 4:30PM. Join us for a storytelling event aimed at 7-11 year olds.

Rory O'Connor of the Creativity Hub will be introducing us to his Story Cubes, a unique new storytelling aid for all ages. Stretch your mind and improve your imagination in this unique interactive event. What’s your story?

Tickets for this event are only available through the Young at Art website. (Click here for a direct link to the event.)

No Alibis Bookstore is very happy to invite you to an evening of music with Devon Sproule on Wednesday 4th June at 8:00PM.

Devon Sproule is a highly acclaimed 25 year-old folk / roots artist whose new CD 'Keep Your Silver Shined' was released by UK's Tin Angel Records in 2007. Combining Appalachian, folk and jazz influences, Sproule has headlined in the UK and Europe this year, as well as supporting such acts as Lucinda Williams, Richie Havens and Lambchop's Kurt Wagner. "Sproule's songs ooze the atmosphere of balmy Virginia days - she grew up in a rural hippie commune - and her sunny outlook is infectious," says the Observer.

You can find out more about the Devon on her website http://www.devonsproule.com

This is expected to be a very popular event, and will likely sell out quickly (Devon's last visit in February sold out in a matter of days). Tickets cost £10, but if you'd like to attend this event and the Stephen Fearing event on the following evening, we are currently offering a special two-night price of £15. To book your place, email David or call the store on 9031 9607.

No Alibis Bookstore is pleased to invite you to an evening of music with Stephen Fearing on Thursday 5th June at 8:00PM.

What is telling about a great songwriter's work is the ability for their lyrics to stand on their own. Left without context, or musical backdrop, the words still flow and have meaning. For almost nineteen years now, Stephen Fearing has been penning some of the most literate, stirring and emotionally charged "folk" music on this planet. Add to this stunning guitar work plus a smooth intimate voice and you have the elements of a unique performer.

Over the course of his career, Fearing has been able to learn from some of roots music's finest producers. English folk star Clive Gregson (Any Trouble, Gregson & Collister) produced his acclaimed 1989 album, Blue Line; Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) was on hand for 1994's The Assassin's Apprentice (also featuring Sarah McLachlan & Richard Thompson), whilst Colin Linden manned the console for 1997's Industrial Lullaby, 2000's So Many Miles and 2002's That's  How I Walk  (which Fearing co-produced).

Like most contemporary songwriter/performers, Stephen is not bound by any particular musical genre or category and the release of Yellowjacket continues this exploration of various musical forms, as does his continued participation in the highly successful and JUNO award winning Canadian roots rock super group, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings with Colin Linden and Tom Wilson. "It's wonderful to be able to work as a solo artist and to be active in such a powerful ensemble as The Rodeo Kings. These guys are my friends and there is no doubt in my mind that my continuing work with them influences my solo playing very deeply".

Although born in Vancouver, Stephen spent most of his boyhood and teenage years in Dublin. There, he picked up the guitar and traces of the Irish and English musical traditions that have informed his music ever since; his musical roots are here and he loves to tour here.

As with all our music events, limited seating is available to ensure an intimate atmosphere. Tickets for the event cost £10, but if you'd like to attend both this and the Devon Sproule event the previous evening, we currently have a special two-night offer of £15. If you would like to attend, call the store on 9031 9607 or email David.

No Alibis Bookstore is pleased to invite you to an evening with Tim Ecott on Friday 6th June at 6:00PM, where he will be reading from and discussing his latest book, Stealing Water: A Secret Life in an African City.

Tim Ecott grew up in Ireland, The Far East and Africa. After studying anthropology he joined the BBC World Service as a producer and correspondent in news and current affairs. A specialist on the Indian Ocean states, he spent two years in Seychelles where he developed a parallel career as a dive leader. He lives in London with his family.

'Tim Ecott's Stealing Water is the greatest memoir to come out of white Africa since Rian Malan's My Traitor's Heart - and what is remarkable about it is that it reads like Angela's Ashes rewritten by Nick Hornby under a baking Johannesburg sun - ultimately it is the story of a family fighting to survive, and a tale told with warmth, humanity and humour to burn.' Tony Parsons

To book a spot for this event, call the store on 9031 9607 or email David.

No Alibis Bookstore is pleased to invite you to an evening with Adrian McKinty on Wednesday 11th June at 6:00PM, to celebrate the launch of his latest novel, THE BLOOMSDAY DEAD.

Adrian McKinty was born and grew up in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, when terrorism in Ulster was at its height. Educated at Oxford University, he then immigrated to New York City, where he lived in Harlem for five years, working in bars and on construction crews, as well as a stint as a bookseller. He is the author of Hidden River and Dead I Well May Be, which was short-listed for the Crime Writers' Association Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award. He lives in Denver, Colorado.

Michael Forsythe might be unkillable, but that doesn’t seem to deter people from trying. He’s living in Lima, reasonably well-hidden by the FBI’s Witness Protection Program, but Bridget Callaghan, whose fiancé he murdered twelve years ago, has an enduring wish to see him dead. So when her two goon assassins pass him the phone to speak to her before they kill him, Michael thinks she just wants to relish the moment. In fact, out of desperation, she is giving him a chance to redeem himself. All he has to do is return to Ireland and find her missing daughter. Before midnight.

Tenacious and brutal, with the hunted man’s instinct for trouble, Forsythe leaves a trail of mayhem as he tries to end the bloody feud once and for all. The Bloomsday Dead pulsates with break-neck action and wry literary references; McKinty’s distinctly Irish voice packs a ferocious punch.

To book a spot for this event, call the store on 9031 9607 or email David.

Saxophonist Jean Toussaint returns to Belfast for further collaboration with Irish drummer David Lyttle, this time in a truly unique trio setting that features the world-renowned New York bassist Carlo DeRosa. You can catch this unique evening of music on Friday 13th June at 8:00PM.

Originally from St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, saxophonist Jean Toussaint left Berklee College of Music, Boston in 1982 to join Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. It was the beginning of an inspired four and half years with musicians such as Terence Blanchard, Kenny Garrett, Mulgrew Miller, Donald Harrison, Lonnie Plaxico and Wallace Roney. Whilst in New York, Jean also worked with Gil Evans, McCoy Tyner, Wynton Marsalis and regularly led the jam session at the Blue Note. In 1987 he left Blakey to visit London and has kept his base there ever since. Jean's performing credits include world-renowned musicians such as Roy Ayers, Donald Brown, Gary Bartz, Gil Evans, Julian Joseph, Kenny Kirkland, Lionel Loueke, Bill Mobley, Ralph Peterson, Max Roach, Cedar Walton, Horace Silver and Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts.

Known for his unusual virtuosic technique, US bassist Carlo DeRosa has been one of the most in-demand musicians on the New York and international scenes since the early nineties. His performing credits include with notable artists such as Ravi Coltrane, John Scofield, Vijay Ayer, Ed Thigpen, Jason Moran and Ingrid Jensen. Proficient, creative, clearly an in demand bassist, Carlo De Rosa is earning a reputation of very high standards.

23-year-old Irish drummer David Lyttle’s recent activities include high-profile performances with US saxophone heavyweights Dave Liebman, Jean Toussaint and Greg Osby, with whom he toured earlier this year. He also released his debut CD ‘True Story’ which features Irish saxophone icon Michael Buckley, and continues to perform with leading Ireland-based musicians in addition to on-going projects in Toronto, New York and Eastern Europe.

Places at this event are strictly limited, so to avoid disappointment we recommend that you book a place immediately, by emailing David or by calling the shop on 9031 9607.

Matthew-April 10, 2008 13:36 pm

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, this event has been cancelled.

No Alibis Bookstore are very happy to invite you to an evening with two of Ireland's finest crime writers, John Connolly and Declan Hughes, to celebrate the launch of their new novels, on Friday 9th May at 6:30PM.

Join us as we host the launch of John Connolly's latest Charlie "Bird" Parker novel, THE REAPERS and Declan Hughes' latest Ed Loy novel, THE DYING BREED.

THE REAPERS

They are the Reapers, the elite among killers. Men so terrifying that their names are mentioned only in whispers. The assassin Louis is one of them. But now Louis, and his partner, Angel, are themselves targets. And there is no shortage of suspects. A wealthy recluse sends them north to a town that no longer exists on a map. A town ruled by a man with very personal reasons for wanting Louis's blood spilt. There they find themselves trapped, isolated, and at the mercy of a killer feared above all others: the assassin of assassins, Bliss. Thanks to former detective Charlie Parker, help is on its way. But can Angel and Louis stay alive long enough for it to reach them?

THE DYING BREED

Even the best private eye needs more than a name to find a missing person, but that's all that Father Vincent Tyrrell, the brother of prominent racehorse trainer FX Tyrrell, will offer Loy when he comes to him for help. A dwindling bank account convinces Loy to delve into the deadly underworld of horse racing, but fortune soon smiles on him: while working another case, he discovers a phone number linked to FX on a badly beaten body left at an illegal dump. Loy's been around long enough to know that there's more to the Tyrrell family than meets the eye -- and then a third body appears. At Christmastime, on the eve of one of Ireland's most anticipated racing events, the intrepid investigator bets his life on a longshot: finding answers in a shady network of trading and dealing, gambling and breeding.

This event is likely to be popular, with spaces filling up fast. To guarantee a spot, please contact David, by phoning 9031 9607 or by dropping him an email to reserve your place.

No Alibis Bookstore are pleased to invite you to an evening of music with the David Lyttle Group, featuring Toronto-based alto saxophonist, on Friday 2nd May at 8:00PM

Exploring the possibilities of swing in contemporary jazz, David Lyttle introduces rising-star Toronto saxophonist Nick Morgan to Irish jazz audiences for this exciting spring tour which also features Australian bassist Damian Evans.

23-year-old drummer David Lyttle emerged onto the Irish scene in 2005 and has gone on to become one of the country’s most sought-after musicians. He is a regular performer in New York, Toronto and Eastern Europe, and has worked with world-renowned musicians such US saxophone heavy-weights Greg Osby, Dave Liebman and Jean Toussaint, and Ireland’s Michael Buckley, Ronan Guilfoyle and Louis Stewart. His debut album ‘True Story’ was released in November 2007.

Toronto alto saxophonist Nick Morgan has been performing for over a decade across Canada, Europe and the US. A former student of Pat LaBarbera, he has worked with Don Thompson, Dave Liebman, Steve Gadd, Dave Douglas and Randy Brecker.

Australian bassist Damian Evans has been based in Ireland since 1998, and is constantly active on the Irish jazz scene with the likes of Honor Heffernan, Richie Buckley, and visiting artists such as US players Bill Carrothers and Willie Jones III.

For more info visit www.davidlyttle.com and www.myspace.com/davidlyttlejazz.

To book a spot at this event, email David or call the shop on 9031 9607.



Matthew-April 14, 2008 1:43 pm

No Alibis Bookstore are pleased to invite you to an evening with Brendan Martin to celebrate the launch of his critical work, PAUL AUSTER'S POSTMODERNITY, on Friday 18th April at 6:00PM.

Brendan Martin completed his PhD at Queen's University Belfast and presently works at St Mary's University College in Belfast. This work is one of the latest editions published by Routeledge in its series, "Studies in Major Literary Authors".

The premise of this book is to provide a detailed critique of Paul Auster’s major writings. Auster’s most popular work remains The New York Trilogy and to date the majority of literary criticism focuses on this groundbreaking novel. This book’s intention is to show that Auster has matured as an author and that his subsequent writings have been largely overshadowed by critical reaction to The New York Trilogy.

To book a place for this event, call the shop on 9031 9607 or email David.

No Alibis Bookstore and Blackstaff Press are very pleased to invite you to an evening with Glenn Patterson, to celebrate the re-launch of two of the finest novels to come out of Northern Ireland in the last 25 years, BURNING YOUR OWN and FAT LAD, on Thursday 24th April at 6:00PM

Glenn Patterson was born in Belfast in 1961, and still lives there having studied on the Creative Writing MA at the University of East Anglia.

His first novel, Burning Your Own, was published in 1988 and won a Betty Trask Award and the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature. His second, Fat Lad, was shortlisted for the Guinness Peat Aviation Book Award in 1992 and he has since published three more novels: Black Night at Big Thunder Mountain (1995); The International (1999); and Number 5 (2003). His new novel, That Which Was, will be published in 2004.

Glenn has been Writer in Residence at the Universities of East Anglia, Cork and Queen's University, Belfast, and was one of two writers selected by the British Council and the Arts Council to attend the Literaturexpress Europa 2000 international literature tour. He has also presented a number arts and culture documentaries for television.

BURNING YOUR OWN is the story of the friendship of a Protestant boy with an older Catholic rebel in the first summer of the troubles in 1969. It interweaves their individual coming of age and the rebirth of the violent, sectarian stalemate in Ulster.

FAT LAD deals with Drew, who, returning to Belfast, determines not to repeat the mistake of his friend, Hugh, and get involved there again. But he is precipitated into confrontation with the ghosts of his past.

To book a place for this event, call the shop on 9031 9607 or email David.

No Alibis Bookstore are pleased to invite you to an evening of music with Sarah McQuaid on Wednesday 2nd April at 8:00PM.

Born in Madrid, Spain and raised in Chicago, singer/guitarist and songwriter Sarah McQuaid lived in Ireland from 1994 to 2007.

Having discovered Irish music and the DADGAD open tuning during her stint in France, Sarah went on to found the traditional band Carnloch. The band toured folk clubs, colleges and universities for several years, and released a self-produced CD, The Crooked Road, in 1993.

In 1994, Sarah moved to Ireland, where she became a weekly folk music columnist for the Evening Herald and a contributor to Hot Press magazine.

In the autumn of 1997, she recorded her debut solo album, When Two Lovers Meet.

In May 2007 she returned to Trevor Hutchinson’s Marguerite Studios in Dublin, to make a new album with Gerry O’Beirne once again in the producer’s seat. The focus this time round is on old-timey American folk songs and tunes, plus two original songs; guest musicians include Hutchinson, O’Beirne, percussionist Liam Bradley and violinist/violist Máire Breatnach. Provisionally entitled I Won’t Go Home ’Til Morning, the album is set for release in early 2008.

You can find more information about Sarah on her website.

Tickets for this event, cost £10. To book your spot at Belfast's most intimate music venue, call the shop on 9031 9607 or email David.

No Alibis Bookstore are very pleased to invite you to an evening with one of our favourite authors, Colin Bateman, to celebrate the launch of his latest novel, ORPHEUS RISING, on Thursday 13th March at 7:00PM.

Colin Bateman was born in Northern Ireland in 1962 and educated at Bangor Grammar School before joining the County Down Spectator, where he became the deputy editor until 1996. In 1990 he received a Journalist's Fellowship to Oxford University for his reports from Uganda and has received a Northern Ireland Press Award for his weekly satirical column. He won the Betty Trask Award in 1994.

Michael Ryan was the author of a runaway bestseller, "Space Coast", but its publication coincided with his wife's murder in a bank raid. Now he's back to face the ghosts of his past.Michael met Claire when she was dragging Paul de Luca, detective novel writer and owner of a porn shop, out of the sea after he'd lost his feet in a shark attack. Claire was living with local hard man Tommy, a Gulf War vet, at the time and Tommy was not impressed with Michael's interest in his girl. When Tommy leaves town to be a roadie for a band playing a six week stint on a cruise ship, Michael falls in love with Claire, they marryand he writes his novel. But then Claire is killed in the bank raid. Ten years later Michael returns to the scene of the crime to exorcise the ghosts of the past and try to write his second novel. But he discovers the grim truth behind his wife's murder andencounters the strangest of small-town behaviour...

To book a place for this event, call the shop on 9031 9607 or email David.

No Alibis Bookstore are pleased to invite you to an evening with Brian McGilloway to celebrate the launch of his second novel, GALLOWS LANE, on Friday 4th April at 6:30PM.

Brian McGilloway was born in Derry, Northern Ireland in 1974, and teaches English at St Columb’s College, Derry. Previously he has written plays, short stories and his first novel, BORDERLANDS. He lives near the Borderlands, with his wife and their two sons.

Taking its title from the name of the road down which condemned Donegal criminals were once led, Gallows Lane follows Inspector Benedict Devlin as he investigates a series of gruesome murders in and around the Irish borderlands. When a young woman is found beaten to death on a building site, in what appears to be a sexually-motivated killing, Devlin's enquiries soon point to a local body-builder and steroid addict. But days later, born-again ex-con James Kerr is found nailed to a tree - crucified - having been released from prison and returned to his hometown to spread the word of God.

Increasingly torn between his young family and his job, Devlin is determined to apprehend those responsible for the murders before they strike again, even as the carnage begins to jeopardise those he cares about most.

Gallows Lane is the heart-stopping follow-up to Brian McGilloway's acclaimed debut Borderlands.

To book a place for this event, call the shop on 9031 9607 or email David.