Kings of the northside bluegrass

IM NOT ENTIRELY clear who the Tolka Delta Boys are or, in fact, if there is a Tolka Delta, but the geographically suspect performers…

IM NOT ENTIRELY clear who the Tolka Delta Boys are or, in fact, if there is a Tolka Delta, but the geographically suspect performers will be exposing DCU students to their own brand of bluegrass music this afternoon as part of the university's arts week.

The "Boys", as they shall heretofore be known, are part of an eclectic selection of musicians who will be serenading students and their neighbours in and around the Glasnevin campus. Tonight, harpist Cormac De Barra, the Saoca Salsa Band and De Danaan perform in the Larkin Theatre, while the National Chamber Choir gives a free performance in Our Lady of Victories parish church.

The programme of events for the week also includes magic, comedy and jazz and continues until Saturday in university venues and the surrounding community. Among the highlights tomorrow are seanachai Eamonn Kelly, Russian pianist Vladimir Ovchinnikov and comedy trio the Nualas. In the evening the college bar will ring to the divine tones of a jazz/gospel ninepiece band. On Friday, Caribbean storyteller and musician Tuup will perform, accompanied by Annemarie Farrell. The week ends with a gala performance, presented in association with the Royal Irish Academy of Music, on Saturday evening.

Further details are available from DCU (tel: (01) 704 5000).