HAPPENINGS:

First Fortnight festival

The First Fortnight festival aims to challenge mental health stigma through music, film, spoken word, theatre, art and discussion events. More than 150 events, with representation from 22 counties, will take place during this year’s festival running throughout January. For full details of the events taking place throughout Dublin, visit www.firstfortnight.ie. Pictured at the launch in Dublin were Tony Mohan from Clowns Without Borders, Co-Founder and CEO of First Fortnight, David Keegan, State Lights’ Shobsy, Artist Emma Sheridan, The Academic’s frontman Craig Gallagher and Seve Feathers, Clowns without Borders. PHOTO: CONOR MCCABE PHOTOGRAPHY

It’s showtime in Baldoyle

Baldoyle Musical Society proudly presents 'Snow White' in January on Friday 11th and 18th at 8pm, Saturday 12th and 19th at 3pm and 8pm, and Sunday 13th and 20th at 3pm at St Mary’s Secondary School, Baldoyle. 

All tickets are priced at €13. Family tickets and group discounts are available. Bookings can be made at 085 1378329 or at www.baldoylemusicalsociety.ie 

This family show will feature live music, stunning sets and costumes, plenty of audience participation, and song, dance and laughter galore! 

Quiz night in Swords 

A fun table quiz in aid of St Francis Hospice takes place every Monday in the Estuary Pub, North Street, Swords, starting at 10pm. 

The quiz has raised a staggering €190,000 over the last 18 years all of which goes to the Hospice. Why not go along and enjoy the craic? It’s for a very good cause!

Alice in Wonderland

What would you do if you found a talking white rabbit in your garden? You would be curious of course. So it was with Alice when she followed the white rabbit into the rabbit hole, followed by her mother Dame Stuffy. On their journey they meet the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat, Dee and Dum and have a mad hatters’ tea party. Join us for the annual Christmas of music, song and laughter.

This magical panto continues its run at Axis Ballymun until Sunday January 27 at 2.30pm (Sat & Sun) and 7.30pm (Thurs & Fri). Tickets cost €10 or €7 on Thursdays.

Dublin Bowie Festival

The Dublin Bowie Festival is back in 2019 with a jam-packed programme dedicated to the great artist running from January 7-13. 

The week-long event celebrates 50 years of Space Oddity and the greatest Starman of our time.

A Bowie Celebration in The Olympia Theatre on Wednesday (January 9) features key members of Bowie’s band over his long career – Mark Plati, Carmine Rojas, Earl Slick, Dubliner Gerry Leonard and Bowie's longest serving sidekick, pianist Mike Garson.

Other highlights include a double bill at The Grand Social on Friday, January 11, featuring the dynamic Heroes From Mars and the London Boys, while Irish tribute band Rebel Rebel headline The Academy on Saturday, January 12.

Full programme can be seen online at dublinbowiefestival.ie.

Snow White and the Seven Short Stories

Join the WhistleBlast Quartet at the National Concert Hall on January 12 for a musical adventure through popular fairy tales and children’s stories.

Listen out for some favourite familiar pieces including selections from Carmen and Sleeping Beauty, and meet Amadeus Mozart as one of the Three Little Pigs! See how music can bring a story to life, with plenty of opportunity for participation in this engaging concert for the family. Suitable for 4-12 year olds and their families, there’s two shows at 12noon and 1.30pm with tickets costing €12 for adults and €10 for children. More details are available at www.nch.ie

Mary Coughlan

Mary Coughlan is arguably one of Ireland’s greatest female jazz and blues singers, a true artist who has carved out a timeless and highly regarded career and a legion of devoted fans worldwide.

Described as “Ireland’s Billie Holiday’ Mary has overcome childhood trauma, alcoholism and drug addiction to become a musical force like no other.

Her seminal first album ‘Tired and Emotional’ rocketed her to overnight fame in 1985, and 15 albums later, her ability to deeply connect with both the song and her audience remains undiminished, a testament to her inner strength and to the power of transformation and redemption. Catch her on Saturday, January 12 at 8pm in the dlr Mill Theatre, Dundrum Town Centre.

In Precious Metal

In Precious Metal is a spectacular exhibition of sculptural pendants by master goldsmith Rudolf Heltzel, presented by The Office of Public Works in partnership with the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland that has gone on display at the State Apartments in Dublin Castle. 

James O’Halloran, Managing Director at Adam’s, master goldsmith Rudolf Heltzel, and Karen Hennessy, Chief Executive of Design & Crafts Council of Ireland are pictured (above) at the launched exhibition which will run until March 24. 

This exhibition showcases many of his most ambitious and technically complex designs, presenting pieces selected from his personal archive alongside new work in three of his sculptural pendant collections – Rock Crystal, Tourmaline Butterfly and Druzy. A series of spectacular gem rings designed by Heltzel will also be presented in the display. 

Enchanting Escape

This illustration exhibition by Olwyn Whelan has gone on display at the dlr Mill Theatre Gallery – Dundrum Town Centre until January 20. The collection of illustrations includes fairytales, myths and legends from Ireland and around the world.

The Dublin-based illustrator, studied visual communications at DIT and postgraduate illustration at Edinburgh College of Art.

Olwyn worked as a senior graphic designer for design agencies in Edinburgh and Glasgow. She also became a part-time lecturer in Glasgow, before she decided to freelance in illustration full time.

She was a cartoonist and editorial illustrator for the Scotsman Newspaper in Edinburgh, and from that went on to illustrating children’s books, which she is very passionate about.