It's showtime for West Cork music festival... 

THAT big West End hit, Pretty Woman - The Musical, is pretty well sold out to the end of this week at the Opera House, there were just a few tickets left for today (Thursday) and Saturday’s matinees at 2.30pm.

Last chance to see this wonderful feelgood show!

Then, something very different at the Opera House on Sunday night, June 30, when Danny Robins presents Uncanny: I Know What I Saw.

The creator of the BBC Radio 4 paranormal podcasts Uncanny, The Battersea Poltergeist and The Witch Farm, plus the award-winning West End play 2:22 - A Ghost Story, now offers you the chance to be part of the biggest investigation into the paranormal - ever.

Brand new, real-life stories of the supernatural, from ghosts and poltergeists to UFO sightings and other strange encounters. Whether you are a believer or a sceptic, you won’t want to miss this. 8pm start.

All Opera House bookings on 021 427 0022.

See https://www.corkoperahouse.ie/

At Everyman tonight, The Kings Of Irish Country Show has a stellar line-up: Declan Nerney, Mick Flavin, John Hogan and Paddy O’Brien. This is a rare opportunity to see four of the very best all together on one super show which would not look out of place in Nashville itself!

And two for the youngest theatregoers this weekend: Three Little Pigs, and Bo Peep Live on Saturday at 11am and 2.30pm, followed on Sunday by The Family Shark Show at the same times. Presented by FairyTale Stage Show, both of these are ideal for families with children aged 2-6.

Mary Byrne is here on July 5 & 6 with Check Me Out, while the 7th brings a very special Sunday Songbook, a celebration of the late, great Alf McCarthy. All those who loved his radio shows on RTÉ, and enjoyed to the full his appearances in more recent years on Sunday Songbook, will appreciate the poignancy of this commemorative concert. 7.30pm start for that one.

Booking for all Everyman shows on 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com

King, written and performed by Pat Kinevane, is currently running at the Cork Arts Theatre. It tells the story of Luther, a man from Cork (named in honour of his gran’s hero, Martin Luther King Jr), who only leaves his apartment for essential journeys, and to perform as an Elvis impersonator.

Presented by Fishamble, with direction by Jim Culleton, the play explores prejudice, privilege, and resilience in today’s world. Until Saturday at 8pm. 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com

The West Cork Chamber Music Festival opens tomorrow, and runs for a full week to July 7. The streets of Bantry will be alive with wonderful sounds, and the programme is packed with tempting events, from masterclasses to candlelit late night concerts. Lots of free events too, in quirky locations!

A recital by the Aradia Quartet at Cork Airport at 2.15pm tomorrow; later, the opening concert of the festival in gracious Bantry House features Fanny Clamagirand and Roustem Saitkoulov in Beethoven Cycle 1. And it goes on from there!

A coffee concern in St Brendan’s Church on Saturday at 11am; the Allegria Quartet at Levis Corner House in Ballydehob at 1.30pm; The Signum Quartet at 7.30pm; and a late night candlelit concert with clarinettist Matthew Hunt.

And that’s just the beginning. Look up the programme at https://westcorkmusic.ie/chamber-music-festival/programme/.

Clonmel Junction Arts Festival starts this weekend, and The Hills Of Love, a new play written and directed by Áine Ryan is featured. A story of intergenerational women dating in rural Ireland, navigating the complexities of love, lust and longing. This witty and apt story delves into the lives of three lonely women seeking connnection.

That’s July 1-3, at the White Memorial Theatre. Book on https://www.junctionfestival.com/events/the-hills-of-love.