Cork hosts a number of sell-out shows this week... but there's still tickets for some gigs

STILL a few tickets left (at time of going to press, anyway) for Jarlath Regan tonight at the Everyman with his hilarious new stand-up comedy show, Yer Man (tomorrow night’s performance is sold out.)

Saturday night brings The Rock Icons Show, with the music of Deep Purple, Free, Bon Jovi, Toto, Rainbow, Def Leppard, Thin Lizzy, Kiss, Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd, Status Quo, Van Halen and more. And the following evening brings one of our best-loved events, the Everyman Sunday Songbook, with Burt Bacharach: A Celebration. You will have the time of your life singing along to I Say a Little Prayer, What the World Needs Now, That’s What Friends Are For, What’s New Pussycat?, Make It Easy on Yourself, The Look of Love, and all the other hits. 7.30pm start for that one.

Monday and Tuesday, more singalong music at the Everyman with Irish Annie’s, a musical celebrating the very best of our Irish culture, with live band Shenanigans. Cast includes Ricky Tomlinson (he of the Royle Family), Catherine Rice, and Asa Murphy. This show often includes a special guest who strolls unexpectedly through the pub door. You never know who it might be! Booking for all Everyman shows on 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com

Sister Act at the Opera House is, not surprisingly, completely sold out for the rest of its run until Saturday, but you might still be able to grab the opportunity to hear and see the world’s most celebrated flamenco guitarist, the legendary Paco Peña, and his dance company, on Sunday night. One of the true greats. And a reminder that there is a big event coming up at the Opera House next Wednesday, April 10. The CurrentLee Arts Festival, created by students from the MA in Arts Management & Creative Producing at UCC, is an interactive event, bringing people in and of Cork together through a number of events throughout the day, including Leeside Promenade, a showcase of music, dance and improvised comedy, plus immersive exhibitions, and interactive workshops, concluding with Conversations with Strangers, a one-off, unique event where everyone is welcome to engage in informal and open dialogue facilitated and guided by curious and socially intriguing questions.

“It’s a pleasure to welcome UCC’s Arts Management and Creative Producing MA students back to Cork Opera House this year,” says Opera House CEO Eibhlín Gleeson. “CurrentLee is full of fresh and innovative programming, an ideal platform for these new producers. We look forward to hosting this festival and its audience.”

More information and tickets on www.corkoperahouse.ie or direct from the box office on 021 427 0022.

The Pigeon Factory, written and performed by Aaron O’Neill, is on at the Cork Arts Theatre from tonight until Saturday. A new one-man show that explores work, family, and finding purpose in a broken society, through the lens of absurdity, pathos, and pigeons. Monday to Wednesday of next week there probably won’t be a spare seat in the house as the Montfort College of Performing Arts presents Broadway Kidz, a musical revue showcasing the best of Cork talent. Musical direction by Michelle Cooke, choreographers Laurie O’ Driscoll and Karen Walsh, performers aged nine to 18. 7.30pm start.

Advance notice of a totally unmissable show at the Cork Arts Theatre, essential for all Corkonians – The Echo Boys, opening April 17 and continuing to April 27. A nostalgie jaunt down memory lane for all of us, with the vocal newspaper sellers who were truly legends and part of the fabric of Cork.

Directed by Marion Wyatt, with original music from Jimmy Brockie, and with an all-star Cork cast, this one will bring back our city in the golden days when if something happened at lunchtime, it would be in De Paper’s six o’clock edition! Get your tickets right now. 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com for all bookings.