7 Things to do this week...
1 LITTLE TINY CHRISTMAS: The Courthouse Arts Centre presents Little Tiny Christmas, a special event aimed at under fives with complex needs (Profound and Mulitple Learning Difficulties or PMLD), on Friday, December 7 at 2 p.m. The Courthouse will transform into a gentle magical wonderland of gorgeous harmony singing, little lights and enticing textures for your little ones this Christmas. There will be a special magical and calming world of sensory experiences and beautiful live singing designed especially for children under five with complex needs. The event is created by Anna Newell, who was one of the very first artists in Ireland to create works for audiences of children with complex needs, and features music by award-winning composer David Goodall. Each child can bring one adult guest with them to this playful and gentle show. Audience capacity is limited, so people are advised to book early. Little Tiny Christmas is made in a partnership between the Civic Theatre, Draiocht and Mermaid Arts Centre, funded by the Arts Council. Mermaid, in collaboration with The Courthouse, will present these shows in Tinahely. Tickets are €10 for a parent and child and availanle online at courthousearts.ie or on 0402 38529.
2 JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK: Greystones Players presents Juno and the Paycock by Seán O’Casey, from Thursday, December 6, until Saturday, December 8, at 8 p.m., and on Sunday, December 9, at 4 p.m. Tickets cost €16 and are available from whaletheatre.ie. Set in a working-class tenement of Dublin in 1922, during the Civil War, Juno and the Paycock is not only of one of Seán O’Casey’s finest plays but a masterpiece of Irish drama. The play is peopled with a host of great characters – among them the razorsharp, hard-working Juno Boyle, her work-shy husband ‘Captain’ Jack Boyle and his soak and manipulative friend Joxer Daly.
3 LAUNCH OF ‘HEATHER, HILLS AND HEARTHS’: A new book about the local history of Rathdangan will be launched at 7.30 p.m. on Friday, December 7, in the O’Toole Memorial Hall. Over four years in the making, ‘Heather, Hills and Hearths – Rathdangan: A Book of History and Memories’ contains a wealth of local information and pictures, all pieced together by Rathdangan History Group. Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh will perform the launch.
4 FUNDRAISING CABARET AND DINNER: Wicklow Sudbury School is holding a dinner and cabaret night in Common Ground, Bray, on Sunday, December 9. The evening is a fundraiser for Ireland’s first ever democratic school. Although located in Kilpedder, the school has outgrown its current location and has started a fundraising campaign as it seeks to find a new home. The dinner and cabaret begins at 5.30 p.m. and will include an Italian tasting menu, a raffle, music, magic and more. Tickets can be booked at wicklowsudburyschool.com.
5 PIERCE TURNER AT THE HOT SPOT: Irish singer-songwriter Pierce Turner brings his spellbinding show to the Hot Spot Music Club in Greystones on Friday, December 7. Over the years, Pierce has gathered many fans including Joseph O’Connor, who referred to him as ‘a true and beautiful and utterly unique artist’; Jim Sheridan who said he’d been so inspired by one of Pierce’s concerts that it drove him on to make ‘My Left Foot’; Eoin Colfer, who wrote that he was the only artist to make him laugh and cry during the same song. Doors will open at 8 p.m. and tickets, costing €20, are available from the Hot Spot.
6 HAVE A MERRY, HEALTHY CHRISTMAS: As part of Healthy Library Ireland, Ilona Madden will be giving a free talk at Bray Library on Friday, December 7, at 11 a.m. on the topic ‘Have a Merry Healthy Christmas 2018’. She will be explaining why too much sugar and alcohol is not good for us, and by this giving the motivation to avoid over-indulgence this year. She will explain where our habits stem from and how we can break the cycles, with practical tips. She will give plenty of alternatives and simple tricks. Everyone who attends will get hand-outs with practical tips and also a free eBook to download with Christmas recipes.
7 CHRISTMAS MARKET AT THE ABBEY GROUNDS: A brand new festive market kicks off in Wicklow town this weekend, as a winter wonderland opens its (cabin) doors at the Abbey Grounds on Saturday and Sunday, December 8 and 9. From noon and 6 p.m., visitors will be able to browse a wide selection of artisan foods, decorations and gift ideas while the smaller folk can take the opportunity to visit Santa in his grotto. An Alpaca experience, a funfair and entertainment will only help to ensure there is something for all at this family-friendly event. Further markets will take place on the weekend of December 8 and 9 and on December 22.