7 Things to do this week...
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AIMS CHORAL FESTIVAL: Musical societies and choirs from all over the country will descend on New Ross town this weekend for the annual Aims Choral festival. The festival runs from Friday until Sunday at St Michael’s Theatre. The weekend begins with the junior competitions on the Friday, followed on Saturday night by a gala concert on the Saturday of the festival in St Michaels Theatre at 8 p.m. Sunday sees adult competitions reach new heights with a range of music to suit all tastes. This year the Saturday night concert will feature musical societies from all over the south east including New Ross Musical Society, St Michael’s Theatre Musical Society, Oyster Lane Musical Society, Enniscorthy Musical Society, and Carnew Musical Society, to name but a few.
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CASSAGH VINTAGE ROAD RUN: A weekend of great entertainment is in store in Cassagh with a vintage road run, barbecue and a night of live music. Vintage vehicles large and small will be taking to the roads for what promises to be a great day in south west Wexford. The Cassagh Vintage Run is leaving Alan Morrissey’s pub at 1 p.m. on Sunday and everyone is invited to join in on the fun, This year’s event is in aid of the New Houghton Hospital Residents’ Activities fund. There will be a DJ and a barbecue in the pub from 4 p.m., preceded by live music and a raffle the previous night. Support for this road run, which is for a good cause, is greatly appreciated.
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WE BANJO THREE at the National Opera House in Wexford for performances at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 20. Their new album String Theory appears to be a change in their tack, but only slightly. Half traditional covers, half original material, it finds the band’s reverence for their roots given a contemporary twist, further solidifying the common bonds between the two styles. The various jigs and reels underscore the band’s celebratory stance, but on a tender ballad like the 17th Century soliloquy ‘Two Sisters’, the mix of love, jealousy and evil intent sound tailor-made for modern times. While the instrumental interplay is in evidence as always with each individual musician adding his own style. Bookings on (053) 9122144.
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THE HENRY GIRLS: Karen, Lorna and Joleen McLaughlin, aka The Henry Girls, will take to the stage Saturday, May 20, at 8.30 p.m. in the Wexford Arts Centre. Their music is infused with cultural heritage of their native Donegal but with a transatlantic flavour, haunting Celtic melodies and native traditional Irish folk with a hint of Americana, bluegrass and blues. Tickets are €18 and for further information contact the Arts Centre on, 053 91 23764.
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A NIGHT OF STUNNING MUSIC: The awardwinning Cor Meibion Trelawnyd, one of the largest male voice choirs in North Wales, will perform under the musical direction of Ann Atkinson at a special concert in Christ Church, Gorey, on Friday, May 19, at 7. 45 p.m. Another award-winning choir, the Wexford Male Voice Choir, the longest established male choir in the Republic of Ireland, will also lend its vocal talents to the occasion, as will soloist Liz Smyth. Tickets at €15 are available from 089 4463166 or on the door on the night. All proceeds go to Talk to Tom.
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HIGH HOPES CONCERT: The High Hopes Choir from Waterford, directed by Gorey native Phil Brennan, will perform in a magical concert a St Michael’s Church, Gorey, on Friday, May 19, at 7.30 p.m. The choir found fame in an RTÉ television documentary several years ago, when conductor David Brophy set about forming choirs with people who were homeless. The evening will also include performances by the Bunscoil Loreto choir and orchestra. Tickets for the concert are now available from the school office at €10 per adult and €5 per child. Proceeds to the Bunscoil Loreto playground/pitch fund.
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HYPNO MAGICK: The world’s number one hypnotist Keith Barry brings his brand new Hypno Magick show to the Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey, this Saturday, May 20. Keith is the world’s leading television hypnotist, mentalist, and brain hacker. He has toured for many years, showcasing his mind-blowing skills in every corner of the globe. He has starred in over 40 international television shows, his most recent being the ITV1 hit show ‘You’re Back in the Room’ hosted by Philip Schofield. Tickets are going fast. Book on Ticketmaster or from the hotel on 053 9480500. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are €30. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.