Tom Jones show, and folk fest too on Cork's stages this week

The Everyman is gearing up for its best autumn and winter season yet! Anna Marie Coughlan, the new CEO, has been joined by Des Kennedy as Artistic Director. So what’s on the schedule?

Well, Bafta-nominated comedienne Rachel Parris is in tonight, Thursday, October 3, (7.30pm), The Dirtbirds are here on Saturday with their Girls’ World Tour (8pm), and Sunday sees the welcome return of the Sunday Songbook team with It’s Not Unusual: The Tom Jones Story.

Everybody has a favourite Tom Jones number, and you will not only be able to hear them here, but sing along as well! Michael Grennell as guest narrator joins Linda Kenny, Damian Smith, Alan Carney (MD) and the Songbook band. That one has a 7.30pm start too.

Fishamble are in with Amy Kidd’s Breaking on Tuesday and Wednesday next (October 8/9), The Illegals with Niamh Kavanagh are in on the 11th; renowned comic Ruby Wax is on stage on October 17, and Camille O’Sullivan on the 18th, when she will celebrate her dear friend, Shane McGowan among others.

Plus, great tribute shows to Simon & Garfunkel, Abba, and so much more - ,you will be busy filling your diary.

And don’t forget that booking is now open for Red Riding Hood which opens on November 30. That’s not as far off as you think!

Check it all out on www.everymancork.com, or book right now on 021 450 1673.

Now, a reminder - you are almost too late to submit a Ten Minute Play for the Cork Arts Theatre, but not quite. It will have to be in by this Sunday, October 6. You barely have time to polish that script and send it off!

Only writers this year from Ireland and the UK, and remember the play must be no more than ten minutes in duration and have a very simple setting.

The final shortlist of 10 will be performed from December 3-7. Send a Word doc or PDF to theatre @corkartstheatre.com with the subject line 10x10 Submission 2024. Didn’t you always fancy yourself as a playwright? Then get ON with it!

Meanwhile, this week the fascinating show at the Cork Arts Theatre is Cortisol, written and performed by Megan and Shannon Haly. A whirlwind story, Cortisol isn’t just a play - it’s an adrenaline-fuelled odyssey through the messy, beautiful, and utterly exhilarating journey of crash landing into adulthood. Until Saturday at 8pm, with an additional matinee on Satursay at 2pm.

From Tuesday to Saturday next week, After Luke, by Cork playwright Conal Creedon, is a darkly comic exploration of the relationship between a father and his sons. See www.corkartstheatre.com or call 021 450 5624.

My Heart Will Go On, the ultimate tribute show to Celine Dion, at the Opera House tomorrow night, is already sold out, as is the opening gala of the Cork Folk Festival with Paul Brady, on Saturday.

On Sunday, the Festival will stage a 45th Anniversary Concert with Frankie Gavin & De Dannan, plus Jack O’Rourke. Plus, events on all week until Sunday October 6, all over the city (check them out on www.corkfolkfestival.com).

Rob Lamberti is on stage at the Opera House on Tuesday and Wednesday next, October 8/9, with A Celebration of George Michael, while on Thursday, October 10, it’s the Comedy Store Gala with Micky Overman, Sofie Hagen, Aurie Styla, and Andrew Mensah.

Call 021 427 0022 or see www.corkoperahouse.ie

This Saturday, Oct 5, Music Network brings together three extraordinary artists at Triskel Christchurch: Mike McGoldrick, Nollaig Casey, and Niall McCabe. The concert will feature the world premieres of three new Music Network commissions: a song commission by Niall McCabe and instrumental commissions by Nollaig Casey and Mike McGoldrick. 8pm. Call 021 427 2022.

Jon Kenny is at the Glen Theatre in Banteer tomorrow with Words, Lies, And Songs, and on Saturday it’s Ann Kirrane, Garry O’Briain, and Ronan Greene in concert. Both 8pm start, book on 029 56239.