7 Things to do this week...
1 THE BIG CHRISTMAS SWITCH-ON: Christmas is coming to Co Wexford on Saturday as Wexford, Enniscorthy and Gorey embrace the festive cheer with the official turning on of the Christmas Lights. In Wexford, things will get under way at 4.30 p.m. with the Wexford Winterland Parade kicking off at Selskar Square, travelling down the Main Street, down Anne Street and arriving on the Quay for the turning on of the lights at 5 p.m. The parade will feature Santa and his Merry Elves and is sure to be a real spectacle as it makes its way through town. In Enniscorthy, things also kick off with a big parade, this time into Market Square at 6 p.m. before Santa flicks the switch on the lights at 6.30 p.m. There will also be an Enniscorthy Elf Treasure Trail and the launch of Santa’s Enchanted Castle. Finally, Gorey’s festive fun will kick off from 6.30 p.m. with plenty of entertainment for young and old to enjoy Santa and Mrs Claus are expected to arrive by sleigh at 7.15 p.m. and will collect letters from Santa’s postbox on the Main Street before turning on the lights at 7.30 p.m. 2 THE National Opera House will reverberate to the sound of Neil Diamond on Friday, November 23, when it plays host to the ‘Hello Again: The Neil Diamond Story’. The state-of-the-art show will take the audience on a music journey through the glittering 50-year career of the music legend. Neil Diamond’s songs provided the soundtrack to generations of people growing up and he is still recording very highly regarded albums today. The songs in the set will include ‘Sweet Caroline’, ‘Cracklin’ Rosie’, and ‘Forever in Blue Jeans’. Tickets for the show, priced €25, are now available from the National Opera House box-office on 053-9122144. The show will get underway at 7.30 p.m. 3 CHRISTMAS MARKET: A giant Christmas Market and craft fair is being held this Sunday from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m. in Ramsgrange Community School. More than 100 local crafts people and exhibitors have booked stalls for their unique, handmade crafts. There is a student cafe and a chance to visit Santa’s grotto. This annual event is always a great family day, ideal for picking up stocking fillers and Christmas gifts in plenty of time for Christmas. 4 SILVER BRANCH SCREENING: The multiaward winning IFTA film, ‘The Silver Branch’ will receive a special screening at The Presentation Centre in Enniscorthy on Saturday at 8 p.m. The film depicts the life and insights of the inimitable philosopher, poet, and fifth-generation farmer, Patrick McCormack, owner of ‘Fr Ted’s House’ in the beautiful, austere Burren, Western Ireland. Tickets are priced at €8 and are available from The Presentation Centre. 5 Following a sell-out run of three performances last winter, Cursed Murphy’s Laboratory is returning to Wexford Arts Centre this Friday night at 8.30 p.m. Curated by Cursed Murphy (aka writer and spoken word performer Peter Murphy) it is an evening of public performances from national and local artists from all disciplines. It is, at once, an art happening, a social event, a club night, and an opportunity for experimentation and interdisciplinary adventure. Guest performers will be announced over the coming weeks. Booking advised; tickets are €5. 6 JACKIE HAYDEN IN GOREY LIBRARY: Wexford-based author and journalist Jackie Hayden will discuss how he discovered Dylan Thomas through Bob Dylan and The Beatles in Gorey Library on Tuesday, November 20, at 7 p.m. Jackie goes back to his days as a teenage Beatles fan who then found Bob Dylan. With rumours that Bob had changed his name because of Dylan Thomas, Jackie sought out the work of poet Dylan Thomas. This talk aims to encourage people to engage more with the work of both Dylans. Booking essential, call the library on 053 94 21481. 7 IF ever there was a music act that garnered respect from music fans of various genres it’s Abba. The band’s songs are the most played on radio stations all over the world. The Abba Forever Christmas Show will be staged in the National Opera House, Wexford, on Saturday and Sunday, November 24 and 25. The concert will feature a stunning production complete with mesmerising audio visual effects. However, it’s the songs that will really make this a night to remember and they will include ‘Waterloo’, ‘Knowing Me Knowing You’, and ‘Mamma Mia’. The shows will get underway at 8 p.m. each night and tickets, priced €25, are now available from the National Opera House box-office on 053-9122144.