Comedy from Katherine Ryan, music from Gabrielle and a Nicki Hoyne sample sale are among our top picks for what to get up to this weekend.
Night Dances
27-29 March, Pavilion Theatre, Dublin, more info here
Night Dances is a bold series of four dance vignettes created by Emma Martin in collaboration with the performers and pounding music of Daniel Fox (Gilla Band). A ferociously exhilarating performance of pure dance and live music, eschewing hierarchies of style and form, it is an ode to the body and a visceral, sweaty love letter to dance in all its guises.
Katherine Ryan – Battleaxe
28 March, Leisureland, Galway, more info here
Award-winning comedian, writer, presenter, and actress Katherine Ryan is back with a brand new live comedy show that’s going to have you in stitches. Katherine is the creator and star of The Duchess, along with two global Netflix comedy specials: In Trouble and Glitter Room. This show is a true masterclass in how to enter your Battleaxe era.
Áine Gallagher: For the Love of Milseáin
28 March, Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, more info here
This bilingual comedy is guaranteed to tickle the Irish out of you, even if you don’t have a word. Award-winning comedian and Ireland’s “queen of the offbeat” Áine Gallagher is on a mission to prove that speaking Irish can be both accessible and hilarious. Sit back, feel inspired and enjoy Áine’s tales, like when she met our president Michael D Higgins and other similar disasters in her own journey to learn Irish.
Gift Grub Live ‘25
28 March, 3Arena, Dublin, more info here
Ireland’s most successful impressionist and satirist Mario Rosenstock celebrates twenty-five years of Gift Grub with a brand new stage show, Gift Grub Live ‘25. This milestone event promises to be a jubilant and laughter-filled celebration of the show’s enduring success and cultural impact.
Nicki Hoyne Sample Sale
29 March, River Court Hotel, Kilkenny, more info here
The Nicki Hoyne Sample Sale is back for one day only in Kilkenny. In 2023, this sold out in less than an hour and a half — and this time they’re bigger and better than ever. This is your chance to shop stunning seconds and sample styles from the Nicki Hoyne collection at exclusive prices. With sizes ranging from 36 to 42, expect to find unique and limited-edition pieces that won’t be available anywhere else.
Sprints
29 March, The Grand Social, Dublin, more info here
Sprints are playing a double headline show at The Grand Social this weekend, with an all-ages matinee performance kicking off at 4pm, and an over 18s evening show at 8pm. For those unacquainted, this Choice Prize-nominated garage punk band have had quite the year between debuting their debut album Letter To Self, opening for IDLES and Pixies, and delivering much talked-about sets at Glastonbury, End Of The Road and All Together Now.
Gabrielle
29 March, 3Arena, Dublin, more info here
From the early 90s to the turn of the millennium, Gabrielle was one of the UK’s most successful and beloved artists. With two unforgettable #1 smashes (“Dreams” and “Rise”), a back catalogue full of top 10 hits, two albums which reached 4 x Platinum status, two BRIT Awards, two MOBOs and an Ivor Novello, everything she touched seemed to turn to gold. Support on the night comes from the one and only Tolü Makay.
Thrift & Threads: Sustainable Charity Shop Crawl
29 March, from Wolfe Tone Square, Dublin, more info here
Step into the world of sustainable fashion with Thrift & Threads, Dublin’s one-of-a-kind guided thrift shopping and upcycling experience. Explore the city’s vibrant second-hand scene while learning how to shop smarter, live sustainably, and transform pre-loved pieces into unique, wearable art.
All That Fall by Samuel Beckett
29 March, Tullow Church, Foxrock, more info here
A special one-off performance of All That Fall will take place in the atmospheric surroundings of Tullow Church, where Beckett worshipped as a boy. The play, which has such a strong resonance with the surrounding area, was described by Beckett as consisting of “imprecations from the Brighton Road to Foxrock Station and back […] boyhood memories”, and is located in the village of Boghill, a fictionalised Foxrock, in which Tullow plays a crucial part.
Mother’s Day Ring Making
30 March, Dublin, more info here
During the Forge a Silver Ring workshop at Silver Works, you’ll craft a ring from start to finish, guided by expert jewellers. It’s a hands-on experience and a great way to spend time together while making something that lasts. To mark Mother’s Day, the team are offering a complimentary glass of prosecco or G&T, and 50% off engravings to add a personal touch.
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