7 Things to do this week...
1 LAUNCH OF ‘THE ROUND SOUL OF THE WORLD’ ALBUM: Founded by Wexford woman Laura Hyland in London in 2008, Clang Sayne fuses influences from folk song, jazz, contemporary classical and sound art, and the ‘The Round Soul of the World’ album launch is due to take place at the Wexford Arts Centre at 8.30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28. The internationally acclaimed 2010 debut ‘Winterlands’ was described as ‘showing an uncategorisable approach to songcraft’ and ‘exhilarating in its refusal to conform’. Returning to Ireland in 2011, Laura reformed the group with Irish musicians, Judith Ring, Matthew Jacobson and Carolyn Goodwin and recorded her second album, ‘The Round Soul of the World’. Live visuals from Donal Dineen. Tickets are €10.
2 DAVE AT LARGE: From the team that brought you ‘In Search of Mr B’ comes a sparkling new comedy that celebrates the work of Dave Allen, the iconic Tallaght comedian who broke through internationally as one of the most challenging yet fondly remembered Irish comedians of his day. Funny, irreverent and touching, ‘Dave at Large’ re-invents Allen’s fabled comedy routines about politics, sex, religion and family for a modern audience. Bryan Murray stars as the older as three actors take up the challenge of portraying the complex life of a master comic at the Wexford Arts Centre at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 25. Tickets are priced at €18 with concessions available.
3 SOUTH WICKLOW DRAMA FESTIVAL. The festival, which runs over nine nights kicks off on Friday, March 24, at St Brigid’s Hall, Carnew. It will run until Saturday, April 1, with all shows starting at 8 p.m. nightly with the exception of the final night, when the curtain will be raised in St Brigid’s Hall at 7.30 p.m. There is a very varied line up with drama groups from Wexford, Cork, Armagh and Cavan taking part. Tickets can be bought locally or from any members of the festival committee.
4 BASKET WEAVING COURSE: There will be a one day basket weaving workshop on March 25 at the Irish National Heritage Park, Wexford, at 9.30 a.m. It is aimed at both complete newcomers to the craft of basket weaving and also to those who have a bit of experience and would like to improve on their skills. During the workshop you can expect to make small baskets. Tickets cost €80 and can be booked by ringing the Heritage Park on 0539120733.
5 MINDFULNESS OVERNIGHT RETREAT: Treat yourself and your mother to the Mindfulness Retreat on March 26 at the Marlfield House Hotel, Gorey. Arrive on Sunday and relax into an afternoon of Mindfulness with tutor Lynda Hughes who will teach the skills for seated meditation, mindful movement, body scan, walking meditation and other mindfulness practises. You also get an overnight stay, three course dinner in The Duck Restaurant, breakfast in the Conservatory and lunch before departure. For more information contact the hotel on 0539421124.
6 MIKE DENVER IN CONCERT: Mike Denver will be in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, on March 23. One of Ireland’s most popular ‘middle of the road’ singers has once again had a recent sell-out nationwide tour with ‘Full Houses’. His March 2017 concert tour will no doubt follow a similar pattern. The Galway boy is getting more popular as each year passes. With his excellent band this promises to be the concert tour of the year with guests including the very popular Philomena Begley and Ray Lynam. Tickets cost €30 and can be bought through the hotel on 053 9237800.
7 CELTIC WEAVE CONCERT: The New Ross and District Pipe Band’s annual ‘Celtic Weave’ concert – featuring a variety of musical styles to suit all tastes – takes place this Saturday in St Michael’s Theatre, New Ross. Every year the concert is a big hit with audiences. The ‘Celtic Weave’ concept brings together the traditional pipe band with other genres of music and other musical instruments for what is an attractive and exciting blend. The band will be joined on stage this year by a number of guest musicians, singers and dancers. These include: Skins and Strings – a very talented young Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann traditional group from Taghmon, Niamh Cullen and Kerrie Campbell.