HAPPENINGS: A few things worth checking out around the city

Dublin Book Festival

The Dublin Book Festival is one of Ireland’s most successful and vibrant book festivals and this year it’s taking place from November 10-13, with Smock Alley Theatre as the festival hub.

The festival showcases, supports and develops Irish publishing by programming, publicising and selling Irish published books, their authors, editors and contributors – all in an entertaining, festive, friendly and accessible environment that reflects the creativity and personality of the Irish publishing sector and its authors. For a full listing of events visit www.dublinbookfestival.com.

Northside Voices 

The Northside Voices – Our Vision For the Future event will see 15 different speakers providing a six-minute input on their vision for what is required to make Dublin’s Northside a better place to live, work, run a business and raise a family in the future. 

The impressive and interesting line-up includes: Jessica Clohisey, a 17-year-old student from Manor House who is a real go-getter when it comes to raising awareness of mental health issues; Maeve Fitzgerald, an award winning actress from Kilbarrack who will talk about what can be done to foster creativity in young people on the Northside; and Jessica Nalumansi is a nurse and lone parent who moved to Dublin from Uganda eight years ago.

It’s happening in Parnells GAA Club, Coolock Village, on Wednesday, November 9, from 5.30-8pm.

Feeding Garden Birds

Learn how to attract more birds to your garden and solve common feeding problems with BirdWatch Ireland on Thursday, November 10, at 8pm in the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre. This talk is free but booking is essential by telephoning 01-6770095 or sending an email to [email protected].

There will also be a display of recommended bird feeders and bird foods on the night.

Dalkey Players

Following their 2016 All Ireland Drama Festival runner-up success, the Dalkey Player’s autumn production had to be something special.

Dalkey’s own playwright Hugh Leonard would have been 90 years old in November this year, so his Tony Award winning Play ‘Da’ seemed an appropriate way to celebrate one of his best works.

The talented cast includes 2016 award winners Alan Nuzum (winner of four best supporting actor awards this year) John Walsh one of their longest standing members, Alan Stewart, (two acting awards) plus stalwart members Geraldine McGrath, Colm Kearns, Cyrileen Power plus newcomers Emmet Driver and Roisin Scully.

It runs in the Town Hall, Dalkey, from Tuesday, November 15 to Friday 18 at 8pm.

Science Week

November 13-20 is National Science Week, and as part of their commitment to education, Imaginosity in Sandyford will be part of #ScienceRising with a programme of school workshops, and visitor activities exploring the wonder of science.

Join them for their interactive children’s workshops in a unique exploration of chemistry, physics and engineering.

Science Week workshops can be booked online at www.imaginosity.ie.

Art Source

Irish art lovers have the unique chance to get their hands on 100 pieces of original artwork for €100 at Ireland’s premier art fair Art Source, which will be held at the RDS from November 11-13.

Over 15,000 people are expected to view exhibits from artists across all genres in the year’s biggest art show.

And there is an opportunity for visitors to the show to own a piece of original artwork in Art Source’s unique 100 for €100 project, with pieces available on a first-come first-served basis.

Art Source features over 120 contemporary artists and 30 Irish and international galleries gathering together to showcase painting, sculpture, photography, illustration, prints and ceramic art.

Zero Days

On Tuesday, November 15, the Irish Film Institute will present a screening of Zero Days, an interrogative look at how global relations have become more complicated by technology. 

Directed by Oscar-winning documentarian Alex Gibney, the screening will be followed by a panel discussion with guests, Orla Cox, Security Intelligence Delivery at Symantec and Pól Mac Aonghusa, Senior Research Manager at the IBM Research Lab. 

Zero Days sees Gibney go on the trail of cyber terrorism, specifically targeting the so-called Stuxnet worm, a computer virus that appeared around the world in 2012 before arriving at its destination, Iranian nuclear facilities. 

This event is part of Science Week supported by Science Foundation Ireland in partnership with Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin.

Tickets for Zero Days + Panel Discussion are available now from www.ifi.ie or by calling the IFI Box Office on 01-6793477. 

A Feast of Bones

Recently returned from a whirlwind tour of America, Theatre Lovett bring their classic slapstick, song and theatricality to audiences young and old. 

A sell out show at Dublin Theatre Festival in 2013, ‘A Feast of Bones’ is a deliciously dark retelling of Henny Penny, a classic fable of survival. 

It is taking place at the axis: Ballymun at 12noon and 3pm this Sunday, November 13 (visit www.axis-ballymun.ie). Box office: 01-8832100. 

Let Lisa Lambe’s stunning voice thrill you, Louis Lovett’s comical bluster amuse you, and let the joyous music of Nico Brown and Martin Brunsden (Hot House Flowers) set your heart alight. Written by Frances Kay and directed by Muireann Ahern.

Christ Church Cathedral Concert

St Doulagh’s Church in Balgriffin is holding a fundraising concert at Christ Church Cathedral on Tuesday, November 15, which will feature the Garda Band, the Garda Ladies’ Choir, and music from the ‘60s to the ‘00s. 

The Northside church launched a Restoration Appeal Fund with a target of €300,000 and in order to try and raise that amount, is running a number of events including the concert. All proceeds will go towards the Restoration Appeal Fund. 

Tickets for ‘On the Beat, a Night of Music & Song’ are available by phoning 087-6711547 or by contacting Christ Church Cathedral on 01-6778099. The start time is 7.30pm and admission is €20.