Three big tribute shows take to a Cork stage this weekend... plus other great shows planned

Three big tribute shows are coming up at the Opera House: Nights On Broadway: The Bee Gees Story tomorrow, Friday September 27 Bird On The Wire: The Songs Of Leonard Cohen, on Saturday, September 28; and The Andrea Bocelli Experience on Sunday, September 29. All of those start at 8pm.

Daniel O’Donnell is back in town on Tuesday, October 1, and the G4 20th Anniversary Tour on Wednesday. Plenty to choose from there! Booking for all Opera House shows on www.corkoperahouse.ie or 021 427 0022.

You still have time to enjoy that sparkling Noel Coward comedy, Present Laughter, at Everyman, as it runs until Saturday at 7.30pm, with an extra matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm. A gifted all-Cork cast, directed by Mary Curtin.

Tuesday, October 1, brings Bangers and Crash Percussion Sextet in a resounding performance featuring 50 young participant musicians from across Cork.

Rachel Parris is here on Thursday next, October 3, presenting her signature blend of stand-up and songs.

And don’t forget the Sunday Songbook is back on October 6 with It’s Not Unusual - The Tom Jones Story. Michael Grennell as guest narrator joins Linda Kenny, Damian Smith, Alan Carney (MD) and the Songbook band.

All those shows start at 7.30pm, note. See www.everymancork.com or call 021 450 1673.

At Cork Arts Theatre, something very much worth seeing right now. Icarus And The Man God by Derry Cotter is a searing, extremely topical tragicomedy that delves deep into the enigma that is Donald Trump, and the repercussions of Trumpism for friend and foe alike.

As a charismatic Trump storms the country, spreading his gospel of fear and awe, Jordan, the son of a typical American family, like Icarus, is helpless to resist the lure of his flame, plunging his entire family into a crisis that threatens to destroy them. Directed by Pat Lehane, the cast comprises Denise Goggin, Tomás Healy, Denise Marcos, John McCaffrey, Sam Torres, and Alex Walsh.

Until Saturday at 8pm. 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com

Now, some rather good news. Reggie from the Blackrock Road is so determined to spread the posh upper-class culture of Cork city to deserving people everywhere that he is setting out on tour!

Yes, Reggie For President will be at the following venues: This Friday at St George’s in Mitchelstown; the Park Hotel in Dunmanway on Saturday, October 5; the Hibernian Hotel in Mallow on Friday, October 11; The Purty Kitchen in Dun Laoghaire on Friday, October 18 (steady on, Reggie, are you sure they’re ready for you up there?); Bandon GAA on Saturday, November 7; and finally Live at St Luke’s on St Stephen’s night, December 26. Details on Reggie’s website, https://www.reggieblackrockroad.com/#Tour.

Hey, the Folk Festival is almost on us! In this, its 45th year, it runs Wednesday to Sunday next week with stars like Paul Brady and the launch of a new book about the festival, Reeling Down The Years by William Hammond.

Frankie Gavin will be there of course, Ger Wolfe, Jackie Daly, Matt Cranitch, Jimmy Crowley, Iarla O Lionaird, and many more, plus a lively crowd of musicians coming in from Clare.

Festival venues include the Opera House, The Triskel, The Corner House, An Spailpín Fanách, The Long Valley, The Phoenix, the Gallagher Theatre at MTU Bishopstown, UCC Music Department, and The Crane Lane.

In addition to concerts, the festival will feature a céilí, an art launch, lectures, traditional music sessions, a singing tour of the city, a Cross Roads Dance, and a food market at Emmett Place. A Community Concert will be held at Elizabeth Fort.

So much packed into that programme that we just don’t have enough space here to mention it all. Check it out yourselves on https://www.corkfolkfestival.com/.