After her sold out shows at Dublin Fringe, Jess Kav takes to the stage for her first ever gig as a solo artist. On her birthday! Featuring songs from her show "Fermented Dreams", Kav's songs explore, hope, chaos, rage, healing and humour. Etta James meets Bjork meets Pink. Joined onstage by Louis Younge and Korey (Bricknasty) and Finn 'O Reilly (Left iris) it will be night of celebration. Dress for a birthday. Let's get lit.
Read MoreWhat happens when your private family story, your deepest secret, is also a national secret of shame and silence? Caelainn Hogan author of the ground-breaking ‘Republic of Shame’ is the guest of Panti Bliss in this episode and she’s joined by singer Jess Kavanagh, whose mum was born, black Irish, in a mother and baby home, and film-maker Paul Duane, who was himself born in Sean Ross Abbey, the home depicted in the film ‘Philomena’.
Read MoreI’m not a fan of weddings, but I made sure not to miss my cousin Jamie’s big day. Jamie and I always got along; racially ambiguous like myself, he looks more indigenous Latin American via Dublin 3 but is actually southeast Asian-Italian. After the wedding another cousin, annoyed at her lack of an invitation to the dinner, is spitting some low-grade venom as I roll a cigarette. I tune in at the worst moment.
“I don’t know why anyone ever told you your grandfather was a doctor. He was a sailor – and everyone knew that.”
I’m taken aback. I don’t react. If you’ve experienced racism you know this moment: a surreal outburst, wildly out of context. It happens so quickly you tend to be left feeling only confusion and mild amusement. The rage creeps in hours, maybe days later.
