7 Things to do this week...
1 ‘Pigalle! – The Life & Music of Édith Piaf’ will bring its Greystones audience back to 1930s France of the Little Sparrow. Singer Derby Browne will perform this personal tribute to Piaf at Whale Theatre on Saturday, December 1, at 8 p.m. Browne will include songs such as ‘La Vie En Rose’, ‘No Regrets’, ‘Autumn Leaves’ and ‘Under the Bridges of Paris’ in the show. Pigalle is packed with music from the cabarets, cafes and music-halls of Paris, with romantic interludes from Parisian tea-shops, carnivals and market-places. Irish born Derby Browne studied music and drama at the Conservatory of Music in Dublin before pursuing a career on stage and screen that has taken her across Europe. Derby now resides in Dublin, showcasing her eclectic mix of singing and performance styles at venues across the country. Édith Piaf was one of the most beloved singers of the 20th century. From the start of her exceptional career in the 1930’s, her waif-like form and heart-wrenching voice endeared her first to the French, then to audiences around the globe. Tickets are €25 and are available from whaletheatre.ie.
2 Comedian and actor Deirdre O’Kane brings her new stand-up show ‘A Line of O’Kane’ to the Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely on Saturday, December 1 at 8.30 p.m. She comes to Tinahely fresh from her soldout show in The Pavilion, Dun Laoghaire. O’Kane has really hit her stride; footloose from a glittering turn on Dancing with the Stars and revelling in her return to stand-up, don’t miss her at her hilarious best in a straight-talking look at twelve frantic months of this tangtripping, family-minding, tellymaking, house-moving, comedy dynamo. Admission is €21/19.
3 A Christmas Fair takes place in St Coen’s National School in Rathnew on Saturday, December 1, from noon to
3 p.m. There will be stalls either selling or involving books and games, bottles, Arklow Cat Rescue, Brianna’s Bows, Brooke Madison, Button Nose Baby, Craftastic Creations, Croughet Gifts, Diana’s Foods and Cakes, Elena’s Christmas Decorations, face painting, Gemma’s Cakes, handmade decorations from Santa Claus, homemade breads, Littlebooks for little hands, Magpie Gems, Men’s Shed, Ray of Sunshine, White Elephant and Stephen’s Woodwork. There will also be a wheel of fortune, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and mince pies. The entrance is €5 per family.
4 Roundwood and Moneystown Christmas Sale of work will take place in An Tochar GAA Complex on Sunday, December 2, from noon to 4 p.m. This will be a great day out for all the family with something for everyone. There will be lots of fantastic prizes in the grand raffle and also delicious Christmas cakes, Christmas floral arrangements, toy shop and Christmas turkey vouchers to raffle and more to be won on the day. It’s the place to get your Christmas wreaths and floral displays which are all made and donated by local people.
5 Classics by Candlelight returns to Christ Church Bray for its ninth year at 7 p.m .on Sunday, December 2. There will be an hour of wonderful music for string quartet in the church by candlelight, followed by mulled wine and mince pies. The alcohol-free hot punch always goes down a treat and means that drivers need not miss out! The musicians are all players with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra and RTE Concert Orchestra. Tickets cost €10 and can be bought from The Travel Boutique on Bray’s Main Street or by calling the Christ Church Bray parish office on 01 2862968.
6 Blindboy brings his podcast tour to Mermaid Arts Centre on Saturday, December 1, at 8 p.m. Blindboy’s increased notability away from his band Rubberbandits, has allowed for him to explore wider avenues and create perhaps outrageously mind-altering brainchildren which can only be described as courageous, yet bonkers. With a number one selling book under his belt and a podcast that has reached interest not only in Ireland but internationally, the satirist could possibly single-handedly change people’s mind set on mental health and the deafening stigma it surrounds. Tickets are €25 and available at mermaidartscentre.ie.
7 The Aughrim Christmas Fair takes place on Sunday, December 2, in Lawless’s Hotel from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Organised by the Aughrim Business Association, the fair is a source of high quality arts and crafts, cakes, plants, health products, make your own Christmas decorations and much more, all presented by local businesses. The Riverside Arts Gallery from Tinahely will present a collection of paintings and the local restaurant The Stonecutter has a wide range of breads, cakes and other tasteful products on offer. At 2.30 p.m. Santa will arrive. There is a treasure hunt for children with fun prizes. Activities and admission is free.