Theatre Nights: Students get into the spirit of music

Renowned Irish balladeer (and much-beloved Corkman) Jimmy Crowley has been busy recently, working on his 15th album, Life. 

Life receounts his life through his own honest, sardonic view of the world.

And the first single from that album, Haunted, is released tomorrow, February 28. #

The full album will be launched on March 14 at Cork City Library, with a further launch date in Dublin on March 16, for those not fortunate enough to live here in Cork.

Dowtcha, Jimmy!

And here is news of a big new event involving hundreds of students from all across the diocese of Cork and Ross in a huge concert at the City Hall on Thursday, next, March 6.

Almost 500 young people from more than 20 schools will participate in Maranatha 2025, which has been created to bring young people together to celebrate faith and identity through music, while having fun at the same time.

A morning workshop for participants, followed by a full musical rehearsal in the afternoon, will lead into the evening concert, which is open to the general public.

“The Church is finding new ways of engaging with young people,” explains Bishop Fintan Gavin, “and I am grateful to the schools for coming on board and supporting the Diocese in creating this new and exciting initiative.”

Tickets for Maranatha are available via Eventbrite.ie: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/maranatha-tickets-1223123317769?aff=oddtdtcreator.

Smokie are totally sold out tonight at the Opera House, as is Mario Rosenstock’s Gift Grub on Friday and Saturday. You can try for Gift Grub in October though, as the Opera House has arranged additional shows on the 9th and 11th of that month.

Mike Denver is here on Sunday, with special guest the evergreen Red Hurley; and next Wednesday, Tap Factory arrives on its very first trip to Ireland as part of its international 10th Anniversary Tour. A sensational blend of dance, acrobatics, music, and comedy, for audiences of all ages.

And next Thursday, March 6, Giovanni, the Italian maestro of movement, takes centre stage in The Last Dance, a mesmerising production that claims to transcend the boundaries of live performance. What a lot to look forward to! Call 021 427 0022 or see www.corkoperahouse.ie.

Over at Everyman, they’re packing them in for the talented students of the BA Musical Theatre at MTU CSM and their smash hit musical – Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5. Wonderful fun, wonderful music from start to finish, as downtrodden office women finally break loose and create a smooth and friendly working environment – without men! Until Saturday at 7.30pm with an ISL-interpreted Sat matinee at 2.30pm.

Sunday, March 2 brings Peter McGann with a hilarious new comedy show, Ah No, involving the Chicago mafia, a flying column from Cork, and D-list Irish content creators, among others. 8pm start for that one.

See www.everymancork.com or call 021 450 1673 for bookings.

At Cork Arts Theatre, there’s still time to catch the bittersweet comedy Same Time Next Year, which runs to Saturday at 8pm, with a matinee that day at 2.30pm.

An intriguing tale of two people in love who can’t or won’t leave their married partners, but agree to meet once a year.

Next week, the new play from Patrick Talbot, Vera&Son, has unfortunately had to be cancelled, due to unforeseen circumstances.

Bookings on 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com.

There is lots coming up at INEC in Killarney in March, including Paddy Casey, Sounds Country, The Blindboy Podcast, Bernard Casey, Foster & Allen, Des Bishop, and Tommy Tiernan.

And Killarney Musical Society is in the throes of final rehearsals for its big production, Evita, coming up from March 11 to 13. Booking for all INEC shows on 064 667 1555 or inec.ie.