Film
If Beale Street Could Talk - 8 February: Based on the novel by James Baldwin, a young African-American couple (KiKi Layne and Stephan James) in New York in the 60s fall passionately in love, but are soon separated when Tish becomes pregnant and Fonny is sent to jail for a crime he did not commit. With just a few short months until the child is born, Tish must do everything in her power to see her husband exonerated.
Theatre
And Thank You - 15-16 February: Award-winning writer, director and actor Seamus O’Rourke returns with his hilarious take on rural life with And thank you. This is a play about an ordinary man, John O’Sullivan, living in rural Ireland, who gets saved from a life of pub talk and prophesising. The story is told by Reverend Thaddaeus Clancy and O’Sullivan’s two sons, Larry O and Martin. The sons run the family shop while Daddy, the King of McKenna’s bar makes up the rules. It’s a story of hard work and success, and when the ‘Divel’ starts to gnaw, the kingdom will fall. And thank you plays in Abbylara, Co Longford on 15 February and in the Garage Theatre in Monaghan on 16 February.
Music
Mike Denver - 9 February: One of Ireland’s most popular country singers, Mike Denver is taking his show to Treacy’s West County Hotel, Co Clare on 9 February. Mike Denver lovingly known as ‘the Galway Boy’ has been selling out venues all over Ireland. His outstanding live show will have you singing and dancing all night. His show is an excellent mix of Mike Denver hits and country classics. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.ie.
Comedy
Jason Byrne - 15 February: Frantic and hugely exciting comedian Jason Byrne brings his You Can Come In, But Don’t Start Anything show to Vicar Street on 15 February. A judge on Ireland’s Got Talent, Byrne is one the most electrifying live comedy performers in the country. Tickets can be found at ticketmaster.ie.
Dance
Lord Of The Dance: Dangerous Games - 9 February: Lord Of The Dance: Dangerous Games is a spectacular new staging of the much-loved traditional master piece. The show stars James Keegan, Morgan Comer, Mathew Smith, Cathal Keaney, Fergal Keaney and Andras Kren as the Lords of the Dance and is choreographed and directed by Michael Flatley. Featuring 40 of the world’s most outstanding young performers and new staging, costumes and choreography, this latest iteration combines the best of tradition with all the excitement of new music and dance. Lord Of The Dance: Dangerous Games plays in the Waterfront Hall Auditorium in Belfast on 9 February.
Dancing Diary
Connacht
Galway: Ballinasloe, Shearwater Hotel, 10th February, Gerry Guthrie
Mayo: Claremorris, McWilliam Park,
Social Dancing: 10th February, Pat McKenna
Big Band Dancing:16th February, Michael English
Leinster
Dublin: Dublin, Red Cow Inn, 7th February, Eamonn Jackson
Kilkenny: Slievrue, Rhu Glenn, 9th February, Johnny Brady
Kilkenny: Piltown, Piltown Gaa Complex, 10th February, Finbar Dennehy
Munster
Clare: Ennis, West County Hotel, 10th February, Declan Nerney
Cork: Mallow, The Hazel Tree, 8th February, Robert Mizzell
Cork: Glanmire, Vienna Woods, 13th February, Gerry Guthrie
Cork: Macroom, Riverside Park Hotel, 11th February, Southern Pride
Kerry: Tralee, Kerin’s O’Rahillys Clubhouse, 13th February, Bernie Heaney & Boz, 20th February, Frank Nelson
Limerick: Kilmallock, Bullgaden Castle, 13th February, Peter Burke
Limerick: Newcastlewest, Longcourt House Hotel, 7th February, Dermot Lyons, 21st February, Nellie O’Connor Band
Tipperary: Cahir, Cahir House, , (3-6), 10th February, Michael Sexton
Tipperary: Roscrea, Racket Hall, 16th February, Jimmy Buckley
Tipperary: Newport, Ballymackeogh, Aherns, 9th February, Mike Condon
Ulster
Cavan: Cavan, Hotel Kilmore, 9th February, Eamonn Jackson
Derry: Coleraine, The Bushtown House, 11th February, Jim Devine
Donegal: Bundoran, Allingham Arms, 8th February, Gerry Guthrie & The Indians, 9th February, Ciaran Rosney & Paul Kelly, 10th February (afternoon dance), Robert Mizzell
Down: Newry, Mourne Country, 9th February, The Indians
Monaghan: Monaghan, Hillgrove Hotel, 17th February, Gerry Guthrie
Monaghan: Castleblayney, The Glencarn, 13th February, Limelite
Tyrone: Omagh, Silverbirch Hotel, 8th February, Mike Denver
Tyrone: Moy, The Ryandale, 9th February, Jimmy Buckley