7 Things to t do this week...
1 WEXFORD HAS TALENT AUDITIONS: The Wexford Has Talent auditions take place on Sunday, January 14, at Clayton Whites Hotel from midday until 6 p.m. More than 70 acts have already pre-registered for a free audition place over the weekend but there are still some places for those who turn up on the day. A panel of at least three judges from a total of 15 judges will help performers through the audition stages. The competition is open to performers of all ages and talents. There is no cost to audition and the winner will walk away with a €2,000 prize fund and there are two prizes of €500 each for the two runnersup. The judges and MC include well known personalities from around the county with Cllr George Lawlor as guest master of ceremonies. The successful participants will go forward to the two semi-finals. For more information contactwexfordhastalent.com or check out the Facebook page WexfordHasTalent or Twitter. Tickets for the semi-finals and final are now on sale in Clayton Whites Hotel and all live shows take place at 8 p.m.
2 CINDERELLA IN WEXFORD: Wexford Pantomime Society’s great cast is treading the boards at the Dun Mhuire Theatre this week with their unique take on Cinderella, which runs at 8 p.m. each night until January 13. Matinees are already sold out, so if you want a ticket book now before it’s too late. A chorus and choir of over 100 young Wexfordians make up the team that is bringing the panto magic to town, a 50th anniversary celebration that you don’t want to miss. Book now at wexfordpanto.com or phone the box office between 1-4 p.m. daily on 053 9123061 and make a date with Cinders, her cat Pippa and Buttons as they set out on their adventure. Tickets start at €10.
3 CONCERT: Vocalist Niamh Parsons, fiddler Ciarán Tourish, flautist Liam Kelly and guitar virtuoso John Doyle will perform at the National Opera House at 8 p.m. on Sunday, January 14. It’s time to come in from the cold and gather round as four leading lights of Irish trad join forces in what promises to be an unforgettable tour. At the forefront of the Irish music scene for over 25 years, they’ve performed in every corner of the globe. Leading the charge is Arcady’s Niamh Parsons, with one of the most distinctive voices in Irish music. Donegal fiddle maestro and Altan member, Ciarán Tourish is fêted for his incendiary improvisation and cascading arpeggios, providing the perfect foil for flautist Liam Kelly. Book at the National Opera House by calling 053 9122144 or online at nationaloperahouse.ie.
4 CHARLIE LANDSBOROUGH: The legendary Charlie Landsborough makes a welcome return to The Riverside Park Hotel on January 12. A veteran of the country and folk scenes, Charlie has been playing music professionally since the 1970s. Renowned for his live show, he promises to blast through the eras and hits including such classics as ‘What Colour is the Wind’ and ‘I Dreamed I Was in Heaven’ Tickets are available now from hotel reception.
5 MOVIE SCREENING: The Drummer And The Keeper, a film starring the Wexford-born actor Dermot Murphy, will be screened in Wexford Arts Centre on Thursday, January 11 and the Presentation Centre in Enniscorthy on Friday, January 12, at 8 p.m. each night as part of the First Fortnight Festival in partnership with the Irish Film Institute. First Fortnight is a charity that challenges mental health prejudice. The Drummer and the Keeper, which was written and directed by Nick Kelly, is the story of an unlikely friendship between two young men – Gabriel, a drummer with bipolar disorder who revels in rejecting society’s rules and Christopher, a teenager with Asperger’s Syndrome.
6 CINDERELLA IN GOREY: Cinderella Pantomime will be held in Gorey Little Theatre and will begin on Friday, January 12, until Saturday, January 20. Ticket prices for performances on Friday, January 12, until Monday, January 15, are €12, and all other shows are €15 thereafter. Producer Alan Corcoran, musical director Fintan Cleary, choreographer Frances Ryan and chorus mistress Mandy O’Callaghan have been working hard over the Christmas period to produce a fun-filled show. To book tickets, call 053 94 21474 or 087 9890352. Phone bookings by credit card only.
7 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST – THE PANTO: New Ross Pantomime Society will hold its production of Beauty and The Beast from January 13 to January 20 at St Michael’s Theatre. This version of the magical tale of Beauty and the Beast was penned by Wexford man Thomas O’Leary and is a departure from the Disney fairytale people are familiar with. There’s be no talking furniture in New Ross! There will be plenty of Disney songs and wonderful new characters. Starring Niamh Cullen as Belle and Keith Flanagan as The Beast this show is a must see. The panto is produced by Carmel Rowe and choreographed by Ann Marie Cooney. Musical director is Seamus Power and set design is by Mark Hayden. Have you an event for our What’s On pages? email the details (with a picture, if possible) to: whatson@peoplenews.ie