HAPPENINGS:

Local libraries

Dublin City Libraries and all public libraries around the country are joining in a campaign running over the next few weeks to encourage people of all ages to join and use the library. There is an Open Day taking place in all libraries around the country on Saturday, February 29, so why not drop into your local library in Dublin city to meet your local librarian and find out what services are an offer.

Leopardstown racing

There’s a great weekend of horse racing at Leopardstown this weekend. The TRI Equestrian National Hunt Finale, which showcases seven exciting jumps races, takes place on Sunday, March 1 while Monday, March 2 is Schools Go Racing day for kids. The objective is to build ties between racecourses and their local community, encouraging an affinity with racing that will hopefully produce future racegoers but it also educate children in the opportunities of working in the horse racing business and what the industry offers. Book tickets and find out more at www.leopardstown.com.

Thrive Festival

Thrive Festival takes place this weekend from Saturday February 29 to Sunday March 1 at Dublin’s Convention Centre. It’s a fitness, lifestyle and wellness event featuring fitness classes, talks and panel discussions with leading figures in sport, wellness and an array of lifestyle topics from sleep to meditation. Over the weekend there will be more than 250 events scheduled so there should be something for everyone. Tickets start from just €25from www.thrivefestival.ie.

Dublin International Film Festival

The Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival takes place at various locations around the city from Wednesday February 26 to Sunday, March 8. From hidden gems to red-carpet spectaculars attended by directors and stars, it’s a celebration of cinematic excellence in all its forms. The Opening Night Gala features Lorcan Finnegan’s superb Vivarium at Cineworld in Parnell Street. Full details from www.diff.ie.

New Music Dublin 2020

Ireland’s foremost contemporary music festival, New Music Dublin, celebrates the very best of new work from Irish and International composers and it takes place from Thursday, February 27 to Sunday March 2 at various venues around the city. It’s supported by partner organisations including the Arts Council, the National Concert Hall, RTÉ, Culture Ireland, the Contemporary Music Centre, RIAM, and Irish performing groups Full details from www.newmusicdublin.ie.

Masterpieces

Masterpieces travels to the darkest places of human desires to confront our attitudes to autonomy and consent. In this fresh take on Sarah Daniels’ classic, Blacklight leverages interviews with prominent players in the fields of sex positivity and kink, real content from recent assault trials, as well as starkly honest interviews with cast and members of the public to explore how we consume porn, and approach consent. It runs at Smock Alley Theatre from March 2-7, 7.30pm nightly with a 2pm matinee on Saturday March 6/7.

Printfest – Engineers Week

In celebration of Engineers Week, discover the ‘engineering’ behind letterpress printing, by going to the National Print Museum at Beggars Bush Barracks, Ballsbridge, on Sunday March 1 and watching live demonstrations of the collection by the museum’s ambassadors, a panel of retired printers and compositors, from 2pm to 4pm. There will also be drop-in PrintLab workshops for a chance to get inky yourself! Suitable for all ages. Free admission.