Theatre Nights: Choirs galore, and Tubridy is in town

Cork’s wonderful International Choral Festival began yesterday, and will continue until Sunday.

Dizzying numbers of choirs, local, national, and international, have descended on our city to fill everywhere with music and song. Not just the big names, but so many keenly committed local ones who deserve a mention too.

The Local Vocals, for example, a community-based group based in Macroom whose ethos is based on fun and friendship while at the same time stretching collective and individual singing abilities.

Up to now they have performed on local stages, each time supporting a charity, including Senior Citizens, Macroom Hospital, and the Alzheimer’s Association. The Choral Festival is their big leap, and they claim that Broadway will be the next stop! Get all the info on the Festival from corkchoral.ie.

There are very few seats left for The Bookshelf Live With Ryan Tubridy tonight at the Opera House. An interactive evening of stories, craic, conversation – and you, the audience, can ask questions too!

Aisling Bea’s Older Than Jesus tomorrow night is sold out, but there are still a few tickets for Norma Sheahan’s delightful Shirley Valentine on Saturday night.

Showawaddy are here on Sunday, still billing themselves as The Greatest Rock & Roll Band In The World, a title they have proudly worn for the last five decades!

K-Pop on Tuesday next are fully booked out though. You have to be quick with big events coming up at the Opera House!

Because of that, advance notice now of a tribute concert to Cork-born singer Joe Corbett which will be staged at the Opera House on Saturday, May 9. A stellar line-up including Majella Cullagh, Mary Hegarty, Molly Lynch, John Molloy, Ryan Morgan, Richard Morris, and Kim Sheehan, plus Joe’s niece, Eva Corbett, collaborator on many of his songs. All proceeds go to The Irish Cancer Society.

Call 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie for all bookings.

Killian Sundermann, a rising star in Irish sketch comedy, is at the Everyman tonight with Killian Dollar Baby, followed by Curtis Stigers, acclaimed singer, songwriter and saxophonist, tomorrow, and a special fundraising concert by Dezperado in aid of MS Ireland Cork branch on Saturday night, with all the greatest Eagles hits.

Plus, don’t forget that from next Wednesday, Mick Flannery’s new musical drama, The House Must Win, will receive its world premiere, with Tommy Tiernan in the role of Ray. It runs to May 16, but do note that demand for tickets is already heavy. 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com.

The 10x10 minute show season is now under way at the Cork Arts Theatre, with the theme of Views from a Deckchair. Just ten chosen from over 100 entries, and every one unique. Until Saturday, nightly at 8pm.

Next Tuesday to Thursday, Agnes of God, a compelling play by John Pielmeier, asks uncomfortable questions about the meaning of faith and the power of love.

Call 021 450 5624 or see www.corkartstheatre.com.

A fast-moving comedy, Don’t Tell Dad About Diana, is coming up at Briery Gap in Macroom on Saturday, May 9, after a celebrated run at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Dublin, 1997. Two friends prepare to compete for the crown of Alternative Miss Ireland with a Princess Diana drag act, under the nose of their hardline nationalist families. But as they race to competition night, Diana’s death changes everything. 083 143 6884 or www.brierygap.ie.

Finally, a new album is being launched by 1990s group Floating Opera, at the White Horse in Ballincollig on May 15. They are also announcing their retirement at the same event. “We have spent the years since 1992 recording and preparing this album,” explains guitarist Johnny Campbell. “Since we are now somewhat older, we thought it would be a fitting occasion to launch it and shut down at the same time!”