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Dustin down my Eurovision past

16th May 202516th May 2025 funtime65

And with the glitterball up and the party in full flow I’ve been Dustin down my Eurovision past.

And showing everyone who is piling around the house my photo of The Turkey in my Big Book of Celebs.

The Eurovision circus has rolled into Basel in Switzerland this week and hoteliers and hospitality providers have been gleefully counting their francs.

There is a premium, of course, whenever a major event turfs up at any city as any conurbation that Taylor Swift graced with her presence last year will know.

And a cost too to the state broadcaster and the country to putting on the Greatest Music Show on Earth.

Which is why the common consensus in Ireland is that the contest’s most successful country (alongwith Sweden now) wouldn’t want to host it again.

Host with the most

And cynics say that is the reason why Ireland’s contenders haven’t maybe been up to the standards.

Of Dana, Johnny Logan, Linda Martin, Niamh Kavanagh, Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan, and Eimear Quinn.

Dustin’s big moment before he met Yours Truly in a newspaper office in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 was in Belgrade.

When he trilled out Irelande Douze Pointe and alas didn’t manage to persuade the judges to agree.

Not that Eurovision gave him the bird altogether inviting him back for a special appearance at the Liverpool-hosted Ukraine event two years ago.

Feathers fly

Dustin, of course, has never let his feathers be clipped throughout his 36-year musical, and political, career.

And he has duetted with greats of the Irish scene in Chris de Burgh as Christy Burger for Patricia the Stripper.

And paired up with Ronnie Drew and the Saw Doctors for Spanish Lady and Bob Geldof for Rat Trap.

While his political ambitions have seen him compete as Dustin Hoffman in the 1997 Irish Presidential Elections.

And championing the Fianna Fowl and Poultry Party with policies such as ensuring every young person gets a date with a Spice Girl or Pussycat Doll.

All stories I’ll impress our guests when I’m Dustin down my Eurovision past between songs in the final.

Countries, Deals, Music, UK

London’s Theatreland

1st May 20251st May 2025 funtime65

Leave your troubles outside, in here life is beautiful… in London’s Theatreland with dream-makers Keith Prowse Attractions.

And, yes, there was a smile on my face when we whooped and danced in the aisles to Beautiful: The Carole King Story.

Until the mobile started pinging with complaints from the neighbours back in Ireland about our kids’ house party.

And the Earth moving under their feet.

The Emcee from Cabaret was right, of course, a musical night out is the perfect escape from normal life.

And London Theatreland is an alternative fantastical world.

Populated by the likes of Orpheus, MJ, the Phantom of the Opera and Elphaba and Galinda.

Bad, Mad, Wicked or Ghostly

Beautiful: Jesse Mueller in Washington DC

It is one of the many benefits of being a travel professional to be invited to the world’s biggest stages.

And I am eagerly anticipating what Broadway trailers the American Travel Fair have in store for us next month in Chicago.

So whether your tastes are Bad, Mad, Wicked or Ghostly then package up your troubles.

Maybe it’s because you’re a Londoner

And sign up for a deal with a musicals tour operator who is always worth an encore… Keith Prowse Attractions’ Bargain Londoner.

You’ll stay at the 3-star hotels like the Royal National, President Hotel or St. Giles, ideal for stretching your budget without compromising on the experience.

Sample Package:
MJ The Musical! – Travel between 16 June 2025 – 18 June 2025 | From €287pps

2 nights at the 3* Lancaster Gate Hotel (room only)
Grand Circle Seats to MJ The Musical at The Prince Edward Theatre

While the Great Value Londoner balances quality and cost with 4-star hotels.

Such as the Copthorne Tara, Holiday Inn Kensington or DoubleTree by Hilton, all hand-picked for superb service at an affordable price.

Sample Package:
Hadestown! – Travel between 01 November 2025 – 03 November 2025 | From €343pps

2 nights at the 4* Copthorne Tara Hotel with breakfast
Balcony Seats to Hadestown at The Lyric Theatre

And because you are a cut above, maybe try out the Touch of Class Londoner.

Step up your stay with stylish, service-led hotels and top seats in 4-star luxury at hotels.

Like The Royal Horseguards, Park Plaza Victoria or St. James’ Hotel with breakfast included for a refined London adventure.

Wicked entertainment

Sample Package:
The Phantom of the Opera! – Travel between 26 August 2025 – 28 August 2025 | From €439pps

2 nights at the 4* St. James Hotel with breakfast
Stall Seats to The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre

And as ever there is a class above even that, the Posh & Pampered Londoner.

With the ultimate indulgence with stays at London’s finest 5-star hotels, such as The Savoy, The Royal Garden or The Mayfair Radisson.

Sample Package:
Wicked! – Travel between 19 June 2025 – 21 June 2025 | From €777pps

2 nights at the 5* Royal Garden Hotel with breakfast
Best Seats to Wicked at The Apollo Victoria Theatre

Just make sure that you don’t leave your kids in charge of a ‘free house’ at home as you party on in London’s Theatreland.

Countries, Deals, Europe, Music

Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy, Mamma Mia after midnight

24th April 2025 funtime65

And because I’ve already showcased Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Mamma Mia after Midnight I’m back for more at London’s 02.

Bjorn Ulvaeus himself has recreated Skopelos from the movie in a Greek taverna and ending with a glittering ABBA disco.

The Beardie One naturally set up his Greek island in his home city of Stockholm.

Before taking the show on the road to London.

That Greek enchanted evening

For the past five years Mamma Mia! The Party London has welcomed over 500,000 guests.

And delivered more than 1000 performances and has been visited by guests from 110 countries.

All replicating the temperature and lavender scent you would experience at dusk on a Greek evening.

Keith Prowse on the house

And the good news that our invitation is in the post.

From our old pals at Keith Prowse Attractions to join everyone on the dance floor.

Keith will give you return flights from Dublin.

And put you up for two nights (Saturday show) B&B at the 4* DoubleTree by Hilton London Greenwich, all from €529pps.

Or an overnight special with a Thursday show from €327pps.

Diggin’ the Dancing Queens

Of course, there will be the Dancing Queens who will be wanting to hit the floor in a super troupe of party girls.

And KP offers a two-nights (Friday Show) Ultimate Girls Getaway. From €486pps.

And even a one-night Family Fun Day (Sunday show) at the 4* DoubleTree by Hilton London Greenwich. From €306pps.

However you put together your party then it’s worth giving Keith Prowse Attractions a Ring, Ring, Ring.

And watch out for the Bandanaman giving it large on the dance floor.

Like he did with his favourite party set, an Irish one, in the Med… and a shout-out here to our Dancing Ian.

Although the real showstopper, is as always, Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy, Mamma Mia after midnight.

America, Countries, Music

Let’s all go peanuts for Elvis’s 90th birthday

8th January 20258th January 2025 funtime65

On a velvet cloud The King will be sitting down for his favourite snack today so let’s all go peanuts for Elvis’s 90th birthday.

Elvis being a good ol’ Southern Country Boy loved his soul food.

And anyone walking in his footsteps in Memphis will naturally want to drop in on his favourite diner Downtown at The Arcade Diner.

Where you can sink your teeth into Elvis’s famed ‘Fried Peanut Butter N’Banana’ with an extra of bacon just to pile on the carbs.

As is the way with Elvis folklore there are competing stories as to its provenance.

The birth of the Elvis sandwich

Some accounts have it that Elvis and his bodyguards refuelled as was their way after a gig in 1976, a year before his death.

And they hit the now-closed Colorado Mine Company restaurant for a bite to eat.

There, he is said to have ordered a Fool’s Gold Loaf.

A sandwich made with a loaf of sourdough bread, a pound of bacon, a jar of peanut butter, weighing in at a not unsubstantial 8,000 calories.

If though you prefer the more elaborate tale more in keeping with Elvis excess then how’s about this one for curing the munchies.

With Elvis returning to Graceland and getting hangry and jumping on his private jet with a couple of friends to fly to Denver.

Where the owners of the restaurant met him at the hangar .

With a pile of the enormous sandwiches (some say they brought 22, others say 30).

And he never left the hangar, washing the scran down with Perrier and Champagne and heading back to Memphis.

Elvis’s people

The more prosaic explanation is that the Zepatos family who knew Elvis well would give him his own favourite food.

At his own booth when he’d park his golf buggy up.

And just chew the fat with him and ask him about dad Vernon and mum Gladys.

Now the Arcade Diner, Memphis, Tennessee‘s oldest, is still in the hands of the Zepatoses, the fourth generation.

Because for all the spotlight Elvis brings Memphis they like to keep things in the family.

And as they’ve always been around here.

The Graceland business

The King and I: Elvis, Priscilla and Lisa Marie

Graceland, of course, is still a family business under the tutelage of the formidable Priscilla.

With the family still rolling in and embracing the greater family, the fans.

This week is poignant of course with the passing of Lisa Marie.

And the tributes and performances and retrospection on Elvis.

Nine decades on from his birth in Tupelo, Mississippi.

A host of events are taking place through Graceland.

Nigella’s nutty sandwich

For us, of course, we will watch his films, listen to his music and perhaps even dress up too.

And here with the help of one of our most celebrated chefs Nigella Lawson.

We give you the recipe for his peanut butter and banana sandwich.

From the cookbook Love Me Hunger…

So let’s all go peanuts for Elvis’s 90th birthday and make our own King’s sandwich.

America, Countries, Music

Mariachi y’all with Cassidy in Nashville and Mexico

18th December 202418th December 2024 funtime65

And if Beyonce can fuse hip hop and country then we and Cassidy Travel can mash up Mariachi y’all in Nashville and Mexico.

Well, both musical movements like an oversized hat, bright clothes and fancy boots.

And Tex Mex proliferates in the Lone Star State.

Fingers on the pulse

Cassidy, who always have their fingers on the pulse, have matched Nashville and Cancun for their customers.

With a ten-night package across the border travelling on April 29 from €1,999pps including flights.

With three nights at the Downtown Nashville Hotel.

And seven nights at the 5* All-inclusive RIU Resort Cancun.

Urban Legend

Sunshine on Keith: Country’s Keith Urban

For those lucky enough to be visiting Music City over the festive season there is the chance to see our old buddy Keith Urban.

Keith, a great pal to Country 2 Country, Europe’s biggest Country festival which we witnessed him headlining in Dublin.

And we know Music City will be in for a treat when he does so again at the free and Paramount + Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash.

Do the Cancun

Of course, for many, the pleasures of Mexico’s iconic resort is their 22kms of sandy beaches.

But for the rest of us it’s the sombreros, tacos and tequila, guacamole and the mariachi we’ve enjoyed.

From Boston through Florida to San Antonio, Texas but not as yet, but soon, Mexico.

While those who want to can dip further back into Mexican and Maya culture with its pyramids and ancient structures.

With a day trip to Chichen Itza, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, a match for our own wonders Rome’s Colosseum and Jordan’s Petra.

So get your dancing shoes on and raise your voices for 2025 with a Mariachi y’all in Nashville and Mexico.

Countries, Europe, Music, Oceania, UK

The winner takes it all with ABBA’s global tourism

9th December 20249th December 2024 funtime65

And as London reveals its Avatar show has coined in £1.4bn for the economy it’s true that the winner takes it all with ABBA’s global tourism.

It has, of course, been quite the Voyage for super Swedes Benny, Bjorn, Agnetha and Anni-Frid.

And it should not be forgotten it was Great Brighton where ABBA got their big break with their Eurovision win 50 years ago.

ABBA superfans following the 3m who have taken in Voyage in London should also visit other touchpoints in England.

The Brighton Dome, Birmingham Odeon, where they played their first British gig and the Royal Albert Hall where they sold out two shows in 1977.

And we’ll even forgive Agnetha for dissing my hometown.

When she opined: ‘I was sick and tired of everything when I called you last night from Glasgow’.

ABBAnatics everywhere

ABBA remain at heart a Swedish band but in much the same way as The Beatles and Elvis they belong to the world.

And we can celebrate them from Waterloo in Belgium through Greek and Croatian islands to ABBA-crazy Australia and beyond.

ABBA, of course, have been the gift that keeps on giving across our life.

With the Mamma Mia film franchise introducing the band to a whole new generation.

Isle be bound for Greece and Croatia

And ABBAnatics make a pilgrimage to Skopelos.

And get selfies at Agios Ioannis Sto Kastri, the little church on a rock, where the movie’s wedding scene was filmed.

While my, my, how could they resist the charms of the Croatian islands for the follow-up Here We Go Again.

With Vis , a 35-mile drop in the Adriatic with a population of just 3,600, who all know the dance moves by heart now.

And we’re advised to get the pebbles between our painted toes (you know you do) on award-winning Stiniva beach.

Thank you for the Aussies

ABBA, of course, have an almost Beatles-like devotion in Australia where they toured early in their career.

And where their TV special was watched by more people than the Moon Landing.

Little wonder then that their 1977 tour was immortalised in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.

With, of course, the Fun Four more than obliging for the de rigueur kangaroo shots.

So as Britain shows the way on how to cash in on ABBA’s global reach.

It’s worth remembering that there’s money, money, money for all of us, even beyond their Swedish base .

And the Abba Museum, Stockholm and their Swedish haunts.

Because the winner takes it all with ABBA’s global tourism.

America, Countries, Music

The Merseyssippi Blues

4th November 20244th November 2024 funtime65

It’s 4,351 miles between Jackson and Liverpool but nothing between them musically which is why today we’re celebrating the Merseyssippi Blues.

The blues and rock’n’roll-inspired Beatles and Merseybeat assured Liverpool’s place in the musical landscape.

And so it was only natural that when the string-plucking musicos of the Magnolia State decided to branch out.

To mark the Blues beyond their borders they decamped to Liverpool.

To unveil a Mississippi Blues Trail Marker, their first in Britain, at the Cavern Club where the Beatles made their names.

And where the Sixties British musical invasion of America took shape.

And where now stands a special Blues plaque at the Club to commemorate the special relationship.

Devilishly good music

How better then to mark the occasion than through music?

And who better than a Johnson… award-winning Mississippi blues artist James ‘Super Chikan’ Johnson?

Known for his electrifying shows at Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale.

Super Chikan obvs has a Blues birthright as a Johnson.

Nobody did more for the Blues before BB King than Robert Johnson who sold his soul to play guitar at the crossroads at Dockery Plantation.

Which is the centre point for any music fan’s odyssey on the Mississippi Blues Trail.

Love, love me Blues

If Johnson is Blues royalty then Lennon is Beatles royalty.

And Julia Baird, John’s half-sister, represented the Fab Four, was there to roll out the Blues carpet for the Mississippians.

Of course, just as Johnson’s Crossroad should be on anybody’s visit to Mississippi.

Then the Cavern and the Beatles Story and any one of The Beatles tours out of the club should be on a tourist’s Liverpool itinerary.

And what better than the Magical Mystery Tour, run by Holly Johnson’s brother Jay.

See, it’s all circular.

So if you live on this island why not start your Deep South odyssey at the Cavern Club, the home of the Merseyssippi Blues.

America, Countries, Music

The power of a music festival

7th October 20247th October 2024 funtime65

For the day that’s in it we celebrate the power of a music festival.

And look back and forward on how gatherings of the lovers and the dreamers will always prevail over nihilism.

Woodstock stands as a watchword for peace, libertarianism and inclusivity.

We are stardust

Mitchell’s self-drive: Voice of the Sixties

And still promotes these values today at the Bethel Woods Center in upstate New York.

Fifty-five years have passed since 400,000 free-livers and lovers descended on Yasgur’s Farm to join the musical giants of the day.

Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, Creedence Clearwater et al but not Joni Mitchell.

Who tried to get there but was snarled up in traffic and wrote about it in the classic Woodstock.

Bethel ethereal

You can relive that last summer of the Sixties with an interactive tour from $20.

And don’t worry if you weren’t there, you probably know more about it than those who were!

Of course music fills the museum and footage and even a hippie bus.

But Bethel Woods being true to the spirit of Woodstock is a living museum.

Visitors from this Friday will be able to enjoy and participate in the Peace, Love & Pumpkins celebrations which last until October 27.

We are golden

Woodstock is well within the reach of day trippers from New York, 114 miles north.

And can obviously be accessed by car, and our Joni might recommend that now the traffic has abated.

Particularly if you ramp up her Woodstock on your playlist.

Or bus from £23 with Trailways.

Stay the night in rather more comfort than those campers of 1969, at the Great Western Hotel from £112 per night.

Of course the town of Woodstock, which is actually an hour and a half away from Bethel, draws today’s New Age free spirits.

Karma chameleons

And one of those I’ve stumbled across is Holly Habeck who advises us of the best places to eat, shop and visit in Woodstock in Ulster County.

And so for the first two that’ll be Tinker Street for the best merch and Tinker Street Taco, for the best, er, Tacos.

While this being hippy trail then you can’t leave without getting some karma.

And the best place for that is the Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Tibetan Buddhist Monastery where it’s all about the meditation.

And maybe pray for peace and for the safety of music goers all over the world.

New York is obviously served by everyone who can put a motor on a big bird.

But we return to Ireland’s national airliner Aer Lingus with flights and pre-clearance from Ireland from £216.04.

America, Countries, Music

Where Y’all Country roads lead

30th September 202430th September 2024 funtime65

And as the world remembers the Kolossal Kris Kristofferson today we take the opportunity to revisit where Y’all Country roads lead.

Tennessee and Mississippi, the centres of the music world, billing themselves as the birthplace of Country, as well as Blues and rock’n’roll.

You can follow in the footsteps of those titans of their genre, as we did, along the Mississippi Blues trail.

And converge at the crossroads where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for playing the guitar.

And pay pilgrimage at Sun Studio and Graceland to the King of Rock’n’roll in Memphis, Tennessee.

A night at the Opry

Y’all Country roads, we know, end up leading to The Grand Ole Opry which celebrates its 100th centenary next year.

The world’s longest-running radio programme will have more shows on their calendar than ever before in 2025.

All of which give visitors more opportunities to see a performance live and in person all year long.

And all year long too you can live Country music at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum in downtown Nashville.

The world’s largest music museum, it boasts more than 350,000sqft of galleries and displays.

The collection includes Carl Perkins’ blue suede shoes, Elvis’ Cadillac and gold piano and Hank Williams’ Western-cut suit with musical note appliqués.

The current exhibition is Luke Combs: The Man I am.

Get Carters

Dynamic duo: Johnny Cash and June Carter

For those who wish to take the journey on at the Smithsonian The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Tennessee.

And hear the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and the Carter family and Jimmie Rodgers shaped Country music.

Through multiple theatre experiences, interactive displays, texts and artifact.

Pathways to success

For a state with only 7 million natives, Tennessee sure punches above its musical weight.

And you can learn more if you take the Tennessee Music Pathways which tells the story of the state’s musical heritage and its influences around the world and its live music scene.

The lives and careers of Mississippi’s trailblazing country music artists, from the “Father of Country Music,” Jimmie Rodgers, to the “First Lady of Country Music,” Tammy Wynette, are immortalized on the state’s Country Music Trail.

Historic markers have been placed throughout Mississippi to mark important country music sites.

And commemorate Mississippians who have contributed to the music genre.

With, of course, Elvis’s birthplace Tupelo, Jimmie Rodgers’ grave in Meridian and Charley Pride’s hometown of Sledge.

New on the scene

And introducing Mississippi’s newest country music attraction Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music in Philadelphia, Mississippi.

The five-time Grammy winner is developing a 50,000sqft campus featuring a performing arts centre.

And, coming soon, a world-class country music museum stocked with items from his personal collection.

Countries, Europe, Ireland, Music, UK

Party on Italian dudes

4th September 20244th September 2024 funtime65

Keanu Reeves’ ears were ringing at the love bombing he got at his exclusive concert for us in LA… party on Italian dudes.

Classy Keanu, unlike his alter ego Wyld Stallyns‘ William S Preston Esq., prefers to blend in at the back of his band DOGSTAR, as the bass guitarist.

But the giddy senorinas at the front at the lunchtime entertainment between meetings at our American Travel Fair, IPW, wanted a shout-out.

And hollered Keanu to come to Italy with them which he acknowledged with a soft ‘grazie’.

La Musica

Now we all know from growing up with Italian-Scots their passion for music, food, football, life.

But we’ll keep our eyes peeled now for Italians at gigs.

And we’ve been fortunate enough to take them all over Britain and Ireland, and in America, the Caribbean and the High Seas.

Particularly as we’re told that they’re continental Europe’s biggest concert travellers.

Of course, gigs are on all our minds with the circus around Oasis’s reunion.

With the chat among our circle on first and last gigs with mine The Wombles and The Stranglers certainly not as cool as others.

Have tickets, will travel

EDreams and online travel agent, Opodo have done the heavy lifting for us in tracking concertgoers’ travel trends.

Between July and August this year and the same months next year.

And there has been a significant uptick in tourism to tour destinations.

So that on the day of the Oasis announcement, August 27, global searches to Oasistown, or Manchester as it’s also known, rose by 700%.

While for Dublin they increased 635%, with Edinburgh 557% and London 212%.

Searches to Cardiff increased by 12,186% from a low search base in 2024.

The Italian Batallion

Thanks for that: And easy with prices doubling

Now while British fans are spoiled with the range of bands on our doorstep our European friends often have to travel here.

With Italians leading the pack in searches for all tour destinations in 2025.

Cardiff: Italy – 24%, France – 17%, Germany – 16%.

Manchester: Italy – 25%, Spain – 13%, Germany – 13%.

London: Italy – 23%, Spain – 11%, Germany – 10%.

Edinburgh: Italy – 29%, Germany – 14%, Spain – 13%.

Dublin: Italy – 24%, UK – 14%, Germany – 12%.