Alan Dalton of Notes to Cork, with whom RedFM partnered on the ‘Love Notes to Cork’ and ‘Love Notes to Mum’ campaigns, here talks of a new campaign called Notes 4 Cork ARC, a campaign dedicated to the memory of Alan's late Aunt Breda who passed from cancer in 2019. The mission is to turn Cork purple whilst also raising money for cancer and remembering loved ones who are no longer with us. It’s an installation of over 200 posters across the City and suburbs. Donations gratefully received and you can leave a message in memory of a loved one who sadly passed away or perhaps overcame cancer on a billboard by donating upwards of €20. All donations to Cork ARC Cancer Support House. To support this worthy cause visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/notes-4-cork-arc

Jack Wyse, Kyle Langford and Ciaran Cullinane are taking part in a one month challenge in aid of Breaking the Silence, charity based in Cobh but serving Cork and beyond. The trio will cycle over 430KM, the equivalent of cycling from Cobh to Belfast, while also completing a sea swimming challenge at the same time.The one month challenge will commence on Monday April 5th 2021. The challenge consists of a 30KM cycle on one day and a swim on the next, consecutively for the month, while raising money along the way.Breaking The Silence are a voluntary group who provide FREE Suicide Intervention & Prevention training to communities across Cork and beyond. Their mission is to help “Create a Suicide Safer Community by connecting the person at risk of Suicide with life preserving resources”.An iDonate page has been set up and donations can be made by clicking www.idonate.ie/cycle4bts

Broken Crow have had a residency at the Everyman Theatre for the last couple of years, at present they are working on the "Play It by Ear" series which is a number of audio dramas such as Martin McDonagh's A Skull in Connemara which Gavin helped produce recently.There are a number of shows in the series being live streamed from the stage in the Everyman Theatre, if you are interested in checking any future productions visit: https://www.facebook.com/EverymanCork/https://everymancork.com/

Eighteen-year-old Corkman Tristan O’Donovan’s “Bottle O’Red” is a sunny reggae-tinged track with rock and R&B notes. A cheeky and full-bodied debut single, it has already racked up thousands of hits on Spotify and for its music video on YouTube.“It was pure chance,” Tristan explains, humbly. “Last year, me and my friend Daniel Duffy started making music in my stepdad’s mobile home in Kealkill. This song is about a girl I never got the chance to have a second date with, due to the lockdown. I uploaded it to Spotify, and then I forgot about it to be honest!” Lucas Skannel, a blacksmith shared it on his popular Facebook page, Colla Forge, after which interest exploded, unbeknownst to Tristan. ‘Bottle O’Red’ is a swaggering and confident track. Tristan’s vocals sail assertively above rhythmic guitar slashes and a bright drum beat. Hard to place in terms of genre, his sound borrows from the spirit of Bob Marley’s output as much as it does from the surf-rock stylings of Ocean Alley, with perhaps a pinch of the lovable cheekiness of Anderson Paak. Tristan O’Donovan began playing guitar at the age of the 12, after his father died, popular local musician Tony O’Donovan. In 2020, he dropped out of the Leaving Cert to focus fully on music, producing songs in his stepfather’s mobile home in Kealkill, in West Cork. ‘Bottle O’Red’ was produced, mixed and mastered there, with his long-time friend and collaborator, Daniel Duffy.To hear more of Tristin's music visit: https://www.tristanodonovan.com/

5 years into recovery Kieran chats about how Focus Ireland is still a massive support to him, this comes about after 19 months of treatment in a residential facility. He also talks about how now more than ever homelessness is on the rise as a result of the pandemic. Focus Ireland have helped give Kieran a purpose and routine in life again. On the 24th of April Focus Ireland want you to do the virtual Big Rebel Sleep Out.To support or take part visit: https://www.focusireland.ie/

Rachel Gleeson announced as the new company manager at Corcadorca Theatre Company.Rachel worked as an actor for 15 years, performing on the main stages across the country as well as abroad on international tours. She holds a BA in Drama & Theatre Studies from Trinity College, a Law Degree from The Honorable Society of King’s Inns and an MA in Arts Management & Creative Producing from UCC. Rachel has been working as Assistant Producer at Corcadorca since July 2020. Rachel: “I am thrilled to be embarking upon this new chapter with Corcadorca; a company that not only has stood at the heart of civic celebration in Cork for 30 years, but is also one of Ireland’s leading producers of off-site theatre. In taking on this role, I hope to bring fresh eyes, new perspectives and a renewed dedication to supporting new work and emerging artists. I want to thank the board for putting their trust in me to take on this legacy and greatly look forward to rolling out our exciting plans for this year and beyond, alongside Pat Kiernan.” If you would like more information on Corcadorca email: [email protected]

Asha saw off 2 of her male competitors to become the first female student union president in 18 years, picking up 53 % of first preference votes. Just after competing her undergraduate in Environmental Science Asha is now doing a masters in environmental law. She is using what she learnt from her time as a student to put back into focusing on sustainability in her term as president. Also discussed is how important the college experience is from a social point of view and how she is looking forward to a day when on campus learning can go ahead again.

Set up by local West Cork man Jack O’Regan West Talk is an Instagram page that promotes West Cork business and recently he ran a socially distanced fundraising initiative for Lisheen House in Skibbereen, who provide support to those who are struggling with mental health.Since starting West Talk I’ve wanted to find a way of using the page to give back to the community. I have set up a fundraiser in aid of @lisheenshouseLisheens House provides support to people who are struggling with their mental health or who are in crisis. It’s a great charity that offers a lot of services such as support, training and counselling. They also have a “Phone a friend” service for the elderly people in the area who are experiencing loneliness. For more information on Lisheen House visit: https://lisheenshouse.ie/tag/lisheens-house/

An exceptional evening of celebration, awards, great food, light entertainment and networking, and panel discussions with business and civic leaders, has been planned for the President’s Dinner At Home and Cork Business of the Year Awards, which takes place virtually this year on April 17th. The dinner is always a stunning showcase of Cork produce, and this year will be no different. Attendees will enjoy a Taste of the City at Home culinary experience, which is a collaboration between Cork’s top hotel chefs and well-known Nash19 owner and past CBA President, Claire Nash. Claire, who has been a leading organiser in Cork’s famous Long Table Dinner over the past few years, says “the quality of the food will be on a par with the Long Table and will showcase our favourite local producers and the extraordinary talent of local chefs who are pushing the boundaries with their food.” The Cork Business of the Year Awards will also be presented on the evening. The finalists were announced last week and 7000 public votes have already been received. Voting is open on CBAAwards.ie for the remainder of the month. The chefs involved in the food experience are from the Metropole, the Imperial, the Cork International, the Kingsley, Nash19, and Vienna Woods. The Cork Business Association is encouraging everyone to dress up on the night and to share their experience on Twitter. They will be linking into people’s homes via social media and there’ll be plenty of prizes for the best dressed, the best presented meal, and the best tweet!” The charity partner is Marymount University Hospital & Hospice, and the awards and event are sponsored by JCD, Centra, Peninsula, and The Irish Examiner is the media partner. Tickets are priced at €95 per person (€190 for the dinner for 2) and are on a first come first served basis. To book or for more information see CBAAwards.ie, contact (021) 427 8295 or [email protected] . If you would like to cast your vote visit: https://cbaawards.ie/

Having featured on the Indie episode of the series my tribe which looks into the various music scenes in Ireland in the past and present. They talk about being Cureheads and the tattoo they got of the band to literally mark the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the last time they had seen them live. Other Cork contributors to this series include Michelle Ring (Dance) and RedFM’s Stevie G (Hip Hop).Aside from this they also chat about how they became friends and shared a love of the same music. Watch this production by mind the gap now at :https://www.rte.ie/player/series/my-tribe-mo-threibh/SI0000008291?epguid=IP000066495