7 Things to do this week...
1 WILDERLAND: The film festival ‘Wilderland’ will take place at the Mermaid Arts Centre on Wednesday, October 16, at 8 p.m. Admission is €14.50 or €12.50 concession with tickets available at mermaidartscentre.ie. Wilderland is a brand-new film festival bringing important, breathtaking stories from the natural world to the big screen, made by independent filmmakers from around the globe. These ground-breaking short films will offer audiences unparalleled insight into some of the world’s most incredible wildlife, from snow leopards to orangutans to humpback whales. Wilderland Film Festival is the brainchild of zoologist filmmakers Dan O’Neill and Isaac Rice, who recruited some of the most acclaimed wildlife filmmakers to whittle down a shortlist of over 50 short films to the chosen nine films that will be seen during the tour. Judges include award-winning cameraman Doug Allan (‘The Blue Planet’, ‘Planet Earth’, ‘Frozen Planet’), naturalist and author Stephen Moss (‘Britain’s Big Wildlife Revival’, ‘Springwatch’), and producer/director Louise Heren (‘Big Cat Diary’).
2 VALES AROUND CLOUGHLEA FESTIVAL: The Vales around Cloughlea Festival is a one-day festival taking place in Manor Kilbride Hall on Sunday, October 20, from 12 noon, celebrating local music and historical heritage. The festival aims to celebrate the rich musical and cultural heritage of the Manor Kilbride area. Things start off with some tea and a good chat with friends at 12 noon. June Blake will deliver a local history story from 12.30 p.m. Then, at 1 p.m., the Kilbride ad Lakeside Youth Group will perform. The festival draws to a close at 1.30 p.m. with some wonderful music by members of Mór Ceól Group and some very-talented local singers.
3 JAZZ: Two Divas and a Piano will perform at the Asgard Theatre in Arklow on Thursday, October 17 at 8 p.m. Singers Flo McSweeney and Carmel McCreagh will be accompanied by Fiachra Trench on the piano to perform works by songwriters, including Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Billie Holiday, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell and many others. Tickets cost €20. To book, visit www. gr8events.ie.
4 STORYTELLING: Enjoy an afternoon of spooky stories at the Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely on Saturday, October 19, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Halloween storytelling event is suitable for children aged 3 or older. This is a free event that promises to be a great afternoon’s entertainment for the entire family. For more information, visit www. courthousearts.ie or call the Courthouse Arts Centre box office on 0402 38529.
5 FILM SCREENING: Courthouse Arts Centre’s Film Club will show ‘Green Book’ on Friday, October 18, at 8 p.m. A critically acclaimed film, ‘Green Book’ stars Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen. Italian-American Tony Vallelonga takes a job as a driver for the AfricanAmerican concert pianist Don Shirley on a tour of the Deep South states. Witnessing the injustices of racial segregation, the film charts an unlikely friendship that develops between the pair. Tickets cost €6/€5. To book, visit www.courthousearts.ie or call the box office on 0402 38529.
6 MR SHINGLES: The Hot Spot Music Club in Greystones presents Mr Singles Old School Rhythm n’ Blues with a Twist, taking place on Friday, October 18, at 8 p.m. From a classic blues base, this Irish-Spanish band have developed their sound, mixing blues and swing with Latin beats and touches of jazz and gospel. They play in Barcelona’s most renowned venues and have played in many local festivals. Mr Shingles are currently touring their first studio album, ‘Green in Blue’. They define it as a coming together of African-American and Irish cultures. Tickets are €12 at eventbrite.ie.
7 OUR WICKLOW WOMEN: West Wicklow Historical Society (WWHS) launch the ‘Our Wicklow Women’ exhibition on Friday, October 18, in Baltinglass Library. The exhibition celebrates the achievements or tribulations of 13 women historically associated with County Wicklow. Four of the subjects included in the exhibition were from the western half of the county – Elizabeth Smith, Dame Ninette de Valois, Eliza Davis and Jennie Wyse Power. Cora Crampton of the WWHS will deliver a talk and the tenth WWHS journal will also be launched. The event lasts from 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. and the exhibition will remain in place for a month afterwards.