FIVE THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

While the weather continues to remind us winter isn't over just yet, the community is preparing for spring with cultural and musical events that will remind you warm days are ahead, says Jocelyn Bennett.

1. Experience an Irish Céilí celebration

The Claddagh Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann presents a pre-st. Patrick's Day Irish Céilí. Celebrate the coming spring season with a family-friendly party featuring traditional Irish music, dance performances, social dancing and food. The dancing can be learned on the floor, so no experience necessary. The party is Friday at St. Joseph's Parish Hall at 7 p.m. Learn more at saskatoonirish.com.

2. Celebrate Blues music

The Saskatoon Blues Society presents the annual Saskatoon Blues Festival. Local, national and international musicians come together to celebrate the blues with performances at venues around town. Artists include Saskatoon's B.C. Read, along with John Primer, the Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer, and Russell Jackson Band. The festival features mainstage events Friday and Saturday, Blues in the Schools Friday, free shows March 21 and 22 and a variety of outreach performances. Learn more at saskatoonbluessociety.ca/festival.

3. Learn the Ukrainian art of pysanky

The Ukrainian Museum of Canada presents The Art of Pysanky. The pysanky writing workshop series runs several Saturdays until Easter. Create designs on eggs with beeswax and different coloured dyes, using a kistka. All supplies are provided and kits are available to purchase and take home. The workshop is at the museum Saturday at 10 a.m. Learn more at umcnational.ca. 4.

Embark on a musical adventure The Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra presents an evening with Kinan Azmeh. The multi-faceted clarinetist joins the SSO and guest conductor Cosette Justo Valdés for a colourful music adventure. An artist whose music spans diverse genres, Azmeh performs his own Suite for Improviser and Orchestra. The concert is Saturday at TCU Place at 7:30 p.m. Learn more at saskatoonsymphony.org.

5.

Spend an evening with musical theatre

Ppl r Ppl Productions presents the Tony Award-winning musical Spring Awakening. Journey from adolescence to adulthood as late-19th-century students search for truth and belonging among austere adults who refuse to hear them. In a coming-of-age celebration of youth and rebellion, teens navigate self-discovery and anxiety through a fusion of morality, sexuality and rock

'n' roll. Recommended for ages 16 and up due to mature content, the show runs through Saturday at The Refinery. Learn more at ontheboards.ca.

MICHELLE BERG FILES Charmaine Hrynkiw decorates her pysanka (Ukrainian Easter egg) during a workshop at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada last March. The museum is holding a pysanky writing workshop series on several Saturdays until Easter. Participants can create their own designs on eggs.