HAPPENINGS: A few things worth checking out this week

First Fortnight festival

A number of events are taking place across Dublin as part of the 2018 First Fortnight festiva,  which aims to challenge mental health stigma through music, film, spoken word, theatre, art and discussion events. 

The festival is currently taking place in 17 counties across Ireland and runs until January 21.  For more information about the events taking place in the capital, visit www.firstfortnight.ie

Parkrun

All walkers and runners are welcome to take part in parkruns every Saturday at 9.30am at a number of local venues including St Anne’s Park, Fairview Park, Poppintree Park, Darndale Park, Father Collins Park, Newbridge Demesne and Ardgillan Demesne. 

Parkrun is a timed 5k walk/run and is a completely free to participate community-based, volunteer-led initiative, and a great way to meet people and keep fit.

Junior Parkruns for four to 14-year-olds take place on Sundays at a number of venues over a 2km distance. For further details and to register, visit www.parkrun.ie

Alice in Wonderland

Join the whimsical fun-filled world of Lewis Carroll and follow Alice as she chases the White Rabbit on a journey into Wonderland. It’s a topsy-turvy place that gets ‘curiouser and curiouser’ as Alice meets unforgettable characters – the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, Queen of Hearts, Tweedledum and Tweedledee and many more.

Filled with spectacular song and dance, this is a classic pantomime for all the family performed by Coolmine Panto Group.

It’s happening at Draoicht in Blanchardstown on various weekend dates from now until January 21.

Winter Funderland

Funderland at the RDS has been part of winter in Dublin for over 40 years and this year’s event finishes up this weekend. It comprises almost three acres of attractions housed inside the Simmonscourt Pavilion with many more located in the complex outside.

Exciting attractions include the Power Wave, Break Dance and the amazing Star Flyer called ‘Around the World’. All the old favourites are there too along with the Funderland Loop, Ireland's only looping roller coaster! See www.winterfunderland.ie for booking and details.

Ice Skating Blanchardstown

Running since 2014, Ice Skating Blanchardstown takes place in a stunning 1,000 sq mt ice rink is located next to Blanchardstown Shopping Centre

All levels of experience are catered for on the rink from beginners to advance skaters. There’s a large main rink and a separate rink for kids aged 3-10 years, which is always supervised, while the penguin club will help little ones find their ice legs. There’s also Flying Ducks junior ice hockey, figure skating with the ISAI, schools skate, student skate deals, group and midweek offers, special events and tasty festive food. See www.iceskating.ie/dublin-information for full details.

Rapunzel

The Gaiety Theatre has hosted a Christmas Panto each year since 1873 and tickets for this year’s show, Rapunzel, are selling like hot cakes. 

Let down your hair and let a star-studded cast give this marvellous tangled tale a magical, lavish and fun-loving touch. A pantomime extravaganza with singing, dancing and laugh out loud shenanigans – hair, there and everywhere! 

Legendary panto dame Joe Conlan, who celebrates his 28th year in the industry, will play ‘Nanny Ninny Noonah’ and he’s joined by Ciara Lyons as ‘Rapunzel’, Johnny Ward as ‘Johnny B Goode’ and Nicholas Grennell as the King ‘Larry Lilly Loolah’.

Running now until January 21. See www.gaietytheatre.ie.

Polly and the Beanstalk

X Factor Sensations Sean and Conor Price are special musical guests in this year's Olympia Theatre Panto, Polly and the Beanstalk. They’ll join the all-star cast that includes hilarious Rory Cowan, Dustin the Turkey, Fair City's Ryan Andrews and RTE's Sorchio star Michaela O'Neill. 

Running until Sunday January 14, there’s matinee and evening shows most days. Tickets priced from €26. See www.olympia.ie for details.

Sleeping Beauty

It’s become one of Ireland’s favourite festive traditions and this year’s Cheerios Panto at Dublin’s Tivoli Theatre is finishing up this Sunday (January 14).

The smash hit panto starring TV3's Alan Hughes as Sammy Sausages tells the well-loved children's classic tale, Sleeping Beauty, and it’s expected to be another roaring-with-laughter success. The hilarious Rob Murphy plays the part of 'Buffy' while Mary Byrne and Michelle McGrath also star.

Tickets are available from Panto.ie or the Tivoli Theatre box-office on 01-4544472.

Beauty and The Beast

Baldoyle Musical Society presents ‘Beauty and The Beast’ on Friday, January 12 at 8pm; Saturday, January 13 at 3pm and 8pm; and Sunday, January 14 at 3pm in St Mary’s Secondary School, Baldoyle. Lots of fun guaranteed for all the family! 

General admission is €12. Discount price of €10 for groups of 20+. Family ticket (two adults and three children) priced at €50 (online booking only). To book, visit www.baldoylemusicalsociety.ie, or call 085-1378329. Book now to avoid disappointment!