If you have yet to pay a visit to the Copper House Gallery which opened last September then the exhibition currently on display is the perfect excuse to do so. In these doom and gloom times it’s fantastic to see that quality spaces are still setting up shop in the city offering a platform for the most burgeoning artists. One such bright young thing is Polish native Darek Fortas. Graduate of DIT and winner of the 2011 Fire Propeller Competition he has been making some serious waves in the photography world of late.

The opening of his exhibition was teeming with people on the 11th of January with the likes of John Duncan, editor of Source Magazine and guest speaker Anthony Haughey making appearances. Fortas’ father was a miner and this perhaps acted as an early impetus to explore the subject in detail. The fruit of his creative endeavors culminated in this project entitled Coal Story, a social documentary project focusing on the largest coal mine companies in the European Union located in the most industrialized part of Poland known as Silesia. According to the artist “the 1960’s was a period when Poland experienced significant economic and industrial expansion. This resulted in migrant workers moving from rural and non-industrialised regions of the country in search of work and a better life. In the early 1980s, the the coal mines were a major site of struggle and resistance against the communist regime. Workers’ protests resulted in the creation of Solidarity a movement under that eventually led to the collapse of the communist regime and the end of the Cold War.”

Perhaps the most interesting facet of the exhibition is that Fortas’ documentary work is combined with archival research dating back to the 1960s. This affords a further dimension to an already fertile concept and italicizes the rich history which supports the whole project. So while confronted with these worker’s living reality we are prompted to consider what came before. It also adds variety to the viewing experience with visitors being able to offset appreciating wall hung images with the more tactile experience of examining an array of prints to be found scattered on a table (however tempting that might be to the kleptomaniacs among us!)

A deep sense of history and humanity are all-pervading in this project. Impressive portraits are balanced by images of small details plucked from the minutiae of the worker’s lives which are amplified and decontextualised by the lens. What the project essentially does is pique an interest in the lives of the subjects and is that not a central goal of social documentary? But while adhering to documentary photography norms there is something strikingly picturesque about the photographer’s still life shots. Fortas seems to be straddling two genres and quite successfully we might add.

We highly recommend scooting on down to check out Coal Story which will be running until February 3rd.

Words: Sarah Allen.

We are absolutely spoilt for choice with the amount of Christmas Markets in Dublin this year, so take your pick. Markets at the Docklands, Christchurch, Dun Laoghaire and The Square Tallaght all have their own unique offerings so indulge in festive gifts, food and drinks or just soak up a sparkling atmosphere.  While we missed the boat for Dun Laoghaire’s free firework show, Farmleigh House offer the chance to enjoy free storytelling, puppetry, carol singing and barbershop melodies as well as a Christmas Food Market on the 17^th and 18^th of December.

If you can’t justify spending €35 to see Jedward and the Beanstalk, there’s no reason not to enjoy live performances or music.  Cracked Light productions present Romeo and Juliet from Monday 12^th to Thursday 15^th at Dublin Castle.  Admission is free just request tickets from dublincastletickets@opw.ie. Regarding music, there is an abundance of choir concerts and carol singing across Dublin.  For a very special evening join Gloria, Dublin’s LGBT choir’s at St. Patricks Cathedral this Thursday December 15^th at 8pm for a free Christmas concert.

To celebrate their 30^th year this Christmas Powerscourt Townhouse presents an array of free events and concerts during the run up to Christmas.  Free performances on the 16^th, 22^nd and 23rd from acts like Maynooth University Choir, The Gospel Choir and Il Coro Italiano Di Dublino singers provide a cheerful break from frantic last minute Christmas shopping.  With a number of free Christmas workshops for the children you can also avail of complimentary gift wrapping in the centre in aid of the Simon Community.

Whether it is a family tradition or your first time, visit the Live Crib at The Mansion House on Dawson Street from 8^th of December to 24^th for some wholesome festive fun.  Now a well known institution, celebrate the true traditions of Christmastime and stop by for the chance to see live sheep, donkeys and cows free of charge.

It might sound formidable but a swim at 40ft on Christmas morning could be your new favourite Christmas tradition, once you work up the courage to actually get in.  Yes the water is always freezing and of course there will be crowds, but it does wonders for a hangover and is certainly a refreshing start to Christmas morning.  It is imperative to bring some hot whiskey or strong spirits, as after a swim in the Irish Sea, you definitely deserve it.

Words: Sofie Rooney

Words: Sofie Rooney

7Up Winter Wonderland will run between the December 8th and January 8th at the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham, home to IMMA. We know you’re terrified of Funderland, ok? This ice-skating opportunity presents an altogether more comely way to spend your first date - the IMMA hedges are a much better location for necking than the back of the Terminator. TD website fans - we’ve got two pairs of sweet VIP passes to the first frosty night of Winter Wonderland, this Thursday the 8th.

All we want to know is what your worst ever Christmas present was below. The two people to earn the most pity from us get tickets. Go!

Tiger Beer presents ‘ A Night of Asian Distinction’ this Thursday at the Lost Society on South William Street.  Starting at 7 and continuing into the later hours, Tiger collaborates with OFFSET, Ireland’s most exciting curator group to create an evening which combines art, music and photography with Asian influences. OFFSET  who have quickly grown since their inception in 2009 have worked with many of the leading creatives in the world and will on Thursday bring together two very exciting and original innovators ; Gisèle Scanlon and Will Barras.  While the gorgeous Gisele is famed due to her bestselling style bible ‘The Goddess Guide’, Barras’ dynamic and psychedelic mixed media pieces are renowned worldwide.  Each will produce an individual and unique installation influenced by their personal interpretations of Asian influences creating a very remarkable live art exhibition.  In addition to this, Kaori and Ninja from The Go! Team will be indulging lucky attendees with a DJ set which will only add to the unique atmosphere. If for some reason art, music or fashion doesn’t entice you, I suggest you go simply for the Asian inspired cuisine provided by head chef Tao of award winning Thai & Vietnamese eatery SABA.  The evening provides a once off chance to embrace ‘Asian distinction’ in the spirit of Tiger Beer while having a grand old time.

GIMME TICKETS! We at TD have three sets of free tickets for the event this Thursday - if you want one for yourself, tell us your favourite Asian meal below. The ones that make us salivate most get the tickies.

WWE RAW will come crashing in to the Dublin o2 Arena on the 2nd November. Tickets are selling out fast but thanks to WWE, Totally Dublin have a pair of WWE World Tour tickets to give away to 5 lucky readers. For your chance to win this amazing prize just answer the following question…. Which WWE Superstar will face off against The Rock at WrestleMania XXVIII in The Rock’s hometown of Miami, Florida next April

a) John Cena

b) Rey Mysterio

c) R.Truth

Answers below, folks, and be sure to include your email address. Cut-off is Halloween night!

If you aren’t lucky enough to win a tickets, head over to http://www.wwe.com/worldtouruk to buy your ticket. And some classic WWE action to get you in the mood:

Trinity Orchestra have spent the last few years cultivating a refreshing and exciting new way of performing, taking music from well-loved bands such as Radiohead and Daft Punk and rearranging them to excellent effect. The latest in this series: Trinity Orchestra Plays Arcade Fire, had its largest performance of the term in Trinity’s exam hall on October 26th.

Including songs from all of Arcade Fire’s acclaimed back catalogue, the performance switched between various vocalists and this led to each song having it’s own specific atmosphere. From Joe Carroll’s pitch-perfect rendition of ‘Keep The Car Running’, Karen Cowley’s lilting ‘Haiti’ and Andrew Hozier-Byrne’s haunting attempt at ‘My Body Is A Cage’. The arrangement (expertly crafted by Rob Kearns) was, as ever, extremely well executed. Unfortunately the sound engineering of the performance suffered from some glitches, ironically taking hold as conductor Peter Joyce extended his endless gratitude to the hard work of the sound technician. This left the voices of Karen Cowley, Joe Carroll and Cian McCarthy slowly dwindle from three to one as the mics cut out one by one during ‘No Cars Go’. There was a fumble and a series of awkward moments but once Joe Carroll broke into ‘Wake Up’ during the encore all was forgiven and the hall was filled with energy once more.

The Orchestra themselves have enjoyed massive success following the run of Daft Punk concerts last year, taking them from the confines of Trinity to closing this year’s 10 Days in Dublin festival in Belvedere College and then playing Electric Picnic’s main stage mere hours before Arcade Fire themselves played a set. While the programme for the Arcade Fire performance places emphasis on the fact that Trinity Orchestra are ‘first and foremost a classical ensemble’ – something which they will attest to at their November 30th concert in Christchurch Cathedral – there can be no doubt that this tradition of reworking modern classics has certainly created a great buzz both on campus and off. If they are to build upon the impressive successes of the last academic year it seems only natural that they would continue to showcase their talent in this manner. While there aren’t, as yet, more dates planned for this arrangement it’s unlikely that the orchestra won’t have anything else up their sleeve to continue to add to the innovation and excitement surrounding the society.

Words: Emily Carson

The exhibition will run from the Sept 8th - Nov 16th. Entrance is free.

Words: Sarah Allen.

Yeah, Yeah is a continuation of the style of comedy that has made Dylan Moran so famous. Using his Irish audience to his advantage, Moran spends most of the first half delving into our favourite topics: the recession and Irish politics. While it seems we Irish can’t get enough of our own misery and political ineptitudes, Moran’s material isn’t as on point as usual. His tried and tested method of using carefully crafted, ludicrous analogies (such as an Irish Rugby team made of Crunchies) seem less well rounded.

These shortcomings however are more than made up for once Moran gets back onto well-trodden ground. His diatribes on new technology, dinner parties, and the gripes of middle age and family life are where he really shines. The subject matter is nothing new, Moran’s previous shows have often drawn on the same idiosyncrasies of humanity to great effect, and it is these fundamentals that allow Moran’s talent to really shine. The second half sees the audience follow Moran further and further down the rabbit hole of his bizarre outlook on life and once he is on a roll it’s difficult to stop him. A prompted description of presidential candidate Dana shows Moran’s capability to work this to his advantage; once he is totally ensconced in familiar material he can deviate quite effectively when necessary.

It’s certainly not covering new and exciting ground, but Moran has an incredible capacity to rework the same themes to brilliant new ends. His rambling, sauntering style still captures the audience and he utterly commands the stage. A thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Words Emily Carson