7 Things to do this week...
1
THE GINGERBREAD MAN – ‘Run, run as fast as you can, you can’t catch me I’m the Gingerbreadman’. In this rendition of the age-old tale at the Mermaid Arts Centre, puppeteer Miriam Lambert, using herself as a humanette, will bake the cheeky gingerbread man before the freshly-baked biscuit runs for it, eluding the hungry grasp of everyone – until he meets one very clever fox. Miriam Lambert has been at the heart of the Irish puppetry industry since her childhood, having grown up with the Lambert Puppet Theatre in Dublin. Miriam was trained by her mentor and father, the late master puppeteer Eugene Lambert, and has played an integral part in the creation of many of the legendary puppet characters and performances in the renowned Lambert productions. Her unique and creative style of puppetry is a theatrical joy for both child and adult to behold. This family friendly show at the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray will take place at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, January 4. Tickets are available from the Mermaid and cost €8 per person or €30 for a family (four people).
2
NOLLAG NA MBAN LUNCH: This year’s annual Nollaig na mBan Ladies Lunch will take place on Little Christmas – Sunday, January 6 – in the Woodenbridge Hotel. The Little Christmas Ladies Lunch has become a popular event in the calendar for the ladies of Arklow over recent years. This year, guests will be treated to drinks on arrival, a four-course meal and entertainment. There will be a raffle with lots of gifts and vouchers donated by local businesses, as well as prizes for the best dressed on the day. Proceeds will go to Arklow Community Action Resource Centre. For ticket information call Irene Sweeney on 087 2530191 or Allison Ryder on 089 4414442.
3
TINAHELY GOAL MILE: A Goal Mile will take place at noon on New Year’s Day in Tinahely. This is a national family event open to all to help raise funds for Goal’s work globally. Donations will be accepted on the day. The start and finish will be Murphy’s Hotel, Tinahely. Refreshments will also be served there afterwards, which have been kindly sponsored by Sam and Colin Horan. For further information, contact Hugh at 087 6207193.
4
COMMUNITY DINNER: Arklow Community Action Resource Centre is hosting its annual community dinner in Arus Lorcain at 1.30 p.m. on Sunday, Januay 6. It will be a free afternoon of food, dancing and lots of fun. A raffle will be held with all proceeds going to cover costs. Call the centre on 0402 33837 for more information or to reserve a place.
5
SONGS AND CAROLS: Wicklow Community Choir, The Inver Ladies Choir and members of the Avondale Voices present a celebration of songs and carols to round off the festive season. The concert will feature works by Britten, Kinsella, Caccini, Simon & Garfunkel, Traditional Carols and Songs from the Shows, accompanied by pianist Yvonne Collier and conducted by Anthony Norton. The concert takes place at 7.30 p.m. on Saturday, January 5, in Wicklow Parish Church. Tickets cost €10 and are available from eventbrite.ie
6
REELING IN THE SHOWBAND YEARS: This Ronan Collins show returns to the Parkview Hotel in Newtownmountkennedy on Saturday, January 5. The show is part of a tenth anniversary tour. Performing on the night will be Red Hurley, Linda Martin, Dave Lawlor, Keith and Lorraine McDonald, The Conquerors Showband, and Tommy and Jimmy Swarbrigg, amongst others. RTE’s number one music presenter Ronan Collins is the host and compère. Red Hurley is a living legend of showbiz for the past 40 years. Tickets are now on sale at the hotel and can be purchased by contacting 01 201 5600.
7
TEAM WITH THE DAMES: Greystones Film Club presents this gem of a documentary at Whale Theatre on Friday, January 4 at 8 p.m. The idea is simple: get four witty, wise and wily old dames together for a weekend away, and let them riff on life, love, lumps, laziness, laughter and whatever else springs into their still-agile, still-playful minds. Of course, it helps that the dames in question are Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Eileen Atkins and Maggie Smith. Directed by Roger Michell (Notting Hill, The Buddha Of Suburbia), ‘Tea With The Dames’ is not only a heartening, chucklesome natter between four old friends but a bold declaration for living a full and adventurous life, no matter what age you might be. Tickets at Whaletheatre.ie.