Theatre Nights: Host of events for Cork Midsummer Fest’

At the Opera House this evening, 6.30pm, Billie-Jean’s RDC & School of Performing Arts is staging Follow The Yellow Brick Road, a vibrant dance and musical theatre production bursting with colour, energy, and heart.

It’s likely to be a full house, but try to get there to see the talented students of all ages. Note the early start.

Tomorrow night, it’s the electrifying tribute show, Taylor Fever, which sold out here last year in no time at all. 7pm start, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

And on Saturday afternoon, another great end-of-year show, this time from Connolly Dance Studios. 2pm.

All Opera House shows can be booked on 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie.

The Cork Midsummer Festival opens tomorrow with an amazing range of events of all kinds across the city, from drama to dance, circus to céilí, meaningful literature to mesmerising music.

So many to choose from – will it be Isabelle Huppert reading Maupassant at UCC on the 14th, or the amazing Ten Thousand Hours gravity-defying acrobatic circus at the City Hall June 19-21?

You can’t miss the shocking and savage Pool, No Water, in the (empty) swimming pool under the Metropole, which previews from tomorrow to the 16th, then runs June 17-21. Theatre and dance combine in several happenings, notably Housework at the Triskel, Constellations at the Cork Arts Theatre, and The Lost Tapes of Lydia Howell at the School of Music. Or could any of us bear to miss the closing Solstice Céilí at Elizabeth Fort on the 21st?

For something really different, head for The Pavilion on Carey’s Lane tomorrow or Saturday to see Drink Rum With Ex-Pats, from Sh!t Theatre. Or The Everyman on June 18 & 19 for musical extravaganza 0800 CUPID, a blend of nightlife gatecrash, raucous cabaret, and musical extravaganza in a genre-defying queer countercultural opus. Cork-born cabaret star Emer Dineen, teams up with playwright and director Phillip McMahon to create an epic and unforgettable musical odyssey.

The best way to make the most of Cork Midsummer Festival is to look it all up on corkmidsummer.com, decide for yourself! Only you know what you like best!

At the Briery Gap in Macroom, they had barely announced the exciting news that Scullion will be there, live, on June 19, than tickets started flying out the door.

Formed in the 1970s, Scullion is revered and feted as one of Ireland’s most innovative, original and brilliant live bands. Robbie Overson, Philip King and Sonny Condell are now back on the road, and adding new friends to their huge following. 8pm start. More info on https://www.brierygap.ie/events/scullion-2026.

A reminder that two big festivals are coming up in Bantry: first the West Cork Chamber Music Festival from June 26 to July 5, with ten days of world-class music-making on offer, shaped around the theme ‘Music in Time of War’. Special focus will be given to Ukraine, represented by violinist Diana Tishchenko, pianist Anna Fedorova, and works by two Ukrainian composers.

The festival also includes lunchtime recitals, masterclasses, youth performances, a contemporary music focus with premieres including a new quartet by Donnacha Dennehy, and of course the Festival Fringe with free concerts across West Cork.

All the info plus tickets on www.westcorkmusic.ie or from the Festival office at 13. Glengarriff Road, Bantry, on 027 52788.

Then the West Cork Literary Festival runs from July 10-17 with a packed programme of well-known names discussing their art as well as a rich mix of workshops, masterclasses, readings, in-conversation events, and unique literary experiences See all the events on www.westcorkmusic.ie/LFProgramme.