7 Things to t do this wweek...
1 SINGFEST AT OPERA HOUSE: Singfest takes place at the National Opera House on Sunday, March 12. The singfest is open to individual singers and choirs who would like to perform in one of the best venues in the country. Singers are asked to rehearse two selected pieces, Requiem by Gabriel Faure and Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria. Rehearsals with Musici Ireland and soloists from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 12, with the concert, performed by a 250-strong choir and conducted by Kevin O’Carroll, set for 4 p.m. Scores can be downloaded free of charge from the Internet. Useful sites include www.cpdl.org and www.chicagoartistesresource and www.encyclospace.org Don’t worry if you don’t sing, you will be most welcome on the day to come along and to enjoy the concert in the sumptuous surroundings of the National Opera House. Tickets are €20 and are available from the opera house www.nationaloperahouse.ie or by calling the box office on 053 9122144. All proceeds go to the Wexford Festival Opera, which is now in its 66th year, see singfest@wexfordopera.com 2 WEX-FACTOR: The Gorey Ballygarrett branch of Comhaltas Ceoiltóirí Éireann is inviting talented acts from the surrounding area to take part in its very own Wex-Factor talent competition which will be held on Sunday, March 12, at 2 p.m. in Bunscoil Loreto, Gorey. Entries are invited in solo and group categories in music, dancing and singing, as well as recitation, drama or sketch, and miscellaneous. A ranking system will be in place for both juniors and seniors. The organisers are inviting everyone in the wider community to show case their talent. To enter, or for more information, contact Margaret on 087 6127224 or 053 9420138. 3 TRADITIONAL WOODCARVING COURSE: A traditional woodcarving course with Tommy Kelly will be on March 11 at the Irish National Heritage Park, Wexford. This day-long course is a relaxing and mindful experience of learning the traditional skills of bodgers – skilled woodworkers who used green timber. The course is €85 and all material is included. For more information contact the Heritage Park on, 053 91 20733. 4 ISLA GRANT IN THE RIVERSIDE PARK HOTEL: Singer-songwriter Isla Grant will be in the Riverside Park Hotel on March 9 at 8 p.m. In the last year she has completed successful tours of New Zealand, Australia and the UK. Her highly entertaining concert show will feature all her hit songs, including a guest appearance from husband Al Grant. Tickets cost €25 and can be bought through ticketmaster or contact the hotel on, 053 92 37800. 5 FASHION SHOW: A monster fashion show will take place on Friday, March 10, in the Horse & Hound, Ballinaboola, at 7.30 p.m. Amazing collections from Pamela Scott, Wallaces, Charles Pierce, Lu Lu, Boutique, Candy and The Loft will be modelled by local teachers, pupils, members of the local GAA club, the Forge Vintage Club and the Rosebuds ladies group. A free goodie bag will be handed out and there will be some great spot prizes on the night, including vouchers for some of the shops. The event is in aid of Clongeen NS. Tickets cost €10 and can be bought at Clongeen NS, Foulksmills Post Office and from any member of the parents’ association. 6 HAMLET: First performed at Wells House in January to substantial acclaim this sharply assertive, dramatically presented production will be performed in traditional Elizabethan costume when Hamlet comes to Wexford Arts Centre on Thursday, March 9, at 8 p.m. The cast includes Andy Doyle, Rónán P Byrne, Declan Dempsey and Benny Redmond. Devised by ARENA Productions, Prince Hamlet returns to Elsinore where his late father’s ghost tells him his brother murdered him to seize his throne and his wife, throwing Hamlet towards reluctant revenge and possible madness. Bookings on 053 9123764. 7 COMING HOME: The landmark documentary ‘Coming Home’ will be given a charity screening in Movies@Gorey at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, in aid of the NWSPCA. Admission is €10. The documentary maker Cathal Kenna will be in attendance to introduce the film and to take part in a question and answer session. ‘Coming Home’ charts the journeys of five Irish emigrants spread across four continents as they pursue a common dream of returning to live out their remaining days in Ireland. It captures the joys and sorrows in the life of an Irish emigrant and is also a love letter to the romantic vision of Ireland.