March 2006 Limerick

Live Music Listings

Wednesday 01 March 2006
Sean Keane €22.5 8.00pm Belltable Arts Centre
Feckin Fivers Resident DJ Keith €5 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Thursday 02 March 2006
Yesterday Once More A Tribute to the Carpenters €22.5 8.00pm Belltable Arts Centre
Albert Niland (upstairs) €14 8.00pm Dolan's Warehouse
Get Busy @ Trinity Rooms (The Granary) Resident DJ Johnny Da Bomb €5 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Friday 03 March 2006
Open Mic Session 8.00pm Boat Club, Limerick
Republic Of Loose €17.5 8.00pm Dolan's Warehouse
Tall Paul €22.5 10.00pm Market Niteclub
KC (Main Room) + Dj Erick (Trinity 2) €10/7 11.00pm Trinity Rooms
Dave Couse and The Impossible €14 9.00pm Trinity Rooms
The Fureys and Davey Arthur €25/22.5 8.00pm University Concert Hall

Saturday 04 March 2006
Whipping Boy €28 9.00pm Dolan's Warehouse
Trinity Rooms Paul Webb (Main Room) + Johnny Da Bomb (Trinity 2) €12/10 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Sunday 05 March 2006
Pugwash (upstairs) 9.00pm Dolan's Warehouse
Johnny Da Bomb (Main Room) + Paul Webb (Trinity 2) Free Before Midnight €5 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Monday 06 March 2006
Articulate 9.00pm Sally Port
Massive Mondays @ Trinity Rooms (The Granary) Resident DJ Johnny Da Bomb 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Tuesday 07 March 2006
Indie Nation @ Trinity Rooms (The Granary)

Wednesday 08 March 2006
Linley Hamilton and Trio (upstairs) 8.00pm Dolan's Warehouse
Josh Ritter €26 8.00pm Dolan's Warehouse
Feckin Fivers Resident DJ Keith €5 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Thursday 09 March 2006
Luka Bloom (upstairs) €21 8.00pm Dolan's Warehouse
Get Busy @ Trinity Rooms (The Granary) Resident DJ Johnny Da Bomb €5 11.00pm Trinity Rooms
RTE National Symphony Orchestra The Irish Times Spring Tour 2006. Programme: Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Lyadov, Shostakovich €18/10 8.00pm University Concert Hall

Friday 10 March 2006
Nizlopi €22.5 8.00pm Dolan's Warehouse
KC (Main Room) + Dj Erick (Trinity 2) €10/7 11.00pm Trinity Rooms
Tommy Fleming €30 8.00pm University Concert Hall

Saturday 11 March 2006
La Boutique €10 11.30pm Dolan's Warehouse
Brendan Keeley €17.5 9.00pm Dolan's Warehouse
Trinity Rooms Paul Webb (Main Room) + Johnny Da Bomb (Trinity 2) €12/10 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Sunday 12 March 2006
Johnny Da Bomb (Main Room) + Paul Webb (Trinity 2) Free Before Midnight €5 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Monday 13 March 2006
Articulate 9.00pm Sally Port
Massive Mondays @ Trinity Rooms (The Granary) Resident DJ Johnny Da Bomb 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Tuesday 14 March 2006
Indie Nation @ Trinity Rooms (The Granary) Resident DJ Erick 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Wednesday 15 March 2006
Feckin Fivers Resident DJ Keith €5 11.00pm Trinity Rooms
An Irish Voyage The Singalong Players 8.00pm University Concert Hall

Thursday 16 March 2006
Get Busy @ Trinity Rooms (The Granary)
Resident DJ Johnny Da Bomb €5 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Friday 17 March 2006
Stone Roses Experience €18.5 9.00pm Dolan's Warehouse
DJ Andy Smith (portishead/the document) The Wicked Chicken
KC (Main Room) + Dj Erick (Trinity 2) €10/7 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Saturday 18 March 2006
Dominic Kirwan LIT Millennium Theatre, Limerick.
Trinity Rooms Paul Webb (Main Room) + Johnny Da Bomb (Trinity 2) €12/10 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Sunday 19 March 2006
Escapade 8.00pm Dolan's Warehouse
Johnny Da Bomb (Main Room) + Paul Webb (Trinity 2) Free Before Midnight €5 11.00pm Trinity Rooms
Human League €31.5 8.00pm Trinity Rooms

Monday 20 March 2006
Articulate 9.00pm Sally Port
Massive Mondays @ Trinity Rooms (The Granary) Resident DJ Johnny Da Bomb 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Tuesday 21 March 2006
Indie Nation @ Trinity Rooms (The Granary) Resident DJ Erick 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Wednesday 22 March 2006
Feckin Fivers Resident DJ Keith €5 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Thursday 23 March 2006
Get Busy @ Trinity Rooms (The Granary) Resident DJ Johnny Da Bomb €5 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Friday 24 March 2006
Melissa Stott and Quintet (upstairs) 8.00pm Dolan's Warehouse
Bushplant €11 8.00pm Dolan's Warehouse
KC (Main Room) + Dj Erick (Trinity 2) €10/7 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Saturday 25 March 2006
Trinity Rooms Paul Webb (Main Room) + Johnny Da Bomb (Trinity 2) €12/10 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Sunday 26 March 2006
Johnny Da Bomb (Main Room) + Paul Webb (Trinity 2) Free Before Midnight €5 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Monday 27 March 2006
Articulate Sally Port 9.00pm
Massive Mondays @ Trinity Rooms (The Granary) Resident DJ Johnny Da Bomb 11.00pm Trinity Rooms

Wednesday 29th March 2006
The Beatles Story 8pm. €20. Lit Millenium Theatre
RODRIGO Y GABRIELA €22.50. 8pm. University Concert Hall, Limerick.

Every Monday
ARTiculate, upstairs in the Sallyport Bar, Johnsgate, Limerick

THEATRE

The Picture of Dorian Gray
Friday 03 March 2006 @ 8.00pm
By Oscar Wilde. Big Telly Theatre Company.
TICKETS: €15/12
BOOKING/INFO:
VENUE: Friar's Gate Theatre, Limerick.

Me And My Girl
Wed 1st - Sat 4th March
Ard Scoil Rís presents Me And My Girl
TICKETS:
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 322322. Web: www.litmt.ie
VENUE: LIT Millennium Theatre, Limerick.

Eddie Naessens - Little Terror!
Friday 10 March 2006
Time: 8.00pm.
The Scotsman “It’s a little gem”.
“A brilliant raconteur and the type of writer who can squeeze humour out of a surgical scalpel” The Stage.
Naessens makes it an engrossing, fascinating and good-natured ride… Modest in ambition, but quietly effective” Chortle.
TICKETS: €12/10
BOOKING/INFO:
VENUE: Friar's Gate Theatre, Limerick.

Wuthering Heights
Monday 6th March – Saturday 11th March 06

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte SFX City Theatre.

Set amongst the wild Yorkshire moors in the early years of the nineteenth century, the vindictive, passionate character of Heathcliffe dominates this

terrifying story of love and obsession in a strange, savage world where the line between the natural and the supernatural, the present and the past is no more than notional.

Ghost story,love story and revenger’s tragedy, Wuthering Heights is one of the defining moments of the Romantic Age. Since its first appearance in 1847, Wuthering Heights has thrilled audiences not only as a novel, but as play, musical and film. A company of eight actors and musicians collaborate in this new production , adapted and directed for City Theatre Dublin by Michael McCaffery with original music by Michael Scott.

Matinee 11 am Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri. (There is no matinee on Wed). 8 pm Wed - Sat.

TICKETS: €20 Concession: €18 School Groups: €10
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 319866. Web: www.belltable.ie
VENUE: Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick.

Lovers At Versailles
Monday 13 March – Thursday 16 March 06 @ 8pm
Lovers At Versailles by Bernard Farrell Quarry Players. Quarry Players return by popular demand. Lovers at Versailles, is a comedy-drama from Bernard Farrell. It tells the story of Stephen, who has just died, leaving behind three women. His wife, who has always suspected that Stephen is having an affair; his daughter Isobel, who wishes to take full advantage of the opportunity, and his other 'spinster' daughter Anna, who now finally has a second chance at happiness, but is it at too high a price? Stephen also leaves a legacy of a string of love letters to a mystery woman. Farrell manages to weave humour and compassion into contemporary life, which will bring bittersweet laughter and heartfelt longing in equal measure, ensuring an entertaining evening for all.

TICKETS: €13 Concession: €11
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 319866. Web: www.belltable.ie
VENUE: Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick.

Metamorphosis
Saturday 18 March 2006 @ 8p.m.

Metamorphosis by Stephen Berkoff Bruiser Theatre Company. Steven Berkoff's “Metamorphosis” is part of a three-play trilogy inspired by Franz Kafka's renowned novels The Trial, The Metamorphosis, and In the Penal Colony - the parable of Gregor Samsa, a humble, industrious man who, upon waking one morning, finds himself transformed into a gigantic beetle like insect. His metamorphosis is both physical and psychological, and through his harrowing and absurdly comic journey Gregor comes to represent the quintessential outsider and alien. The play is visually stunning as the actor/beetle crawls and writhes in a metal frame, symbolising his multi facetted body. By using creative ensemble choreography, mime and choral work, Bruiser will match the language and pace of the text, with fast moving and beautiful visuals. The five actors will remain on stage for the entire performance, helping to drive forward the story’s narration, once more establishing the message that with Bruiser nothing is hidden, stripping the performance down to the essentials: the actors, the space and the audience.

TICKETS: €16.00 Concession: €14.00
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 319866. Web: www.belltable.ie
VENUE: Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick.

The Biggest Adventure in the World
Monday 20 –Friday 24 March 06

The Biggest Adventure in the World By Shaun Prendergast Barnstorm Theatre Company. A new play for children aged 8 to 12, commissioned by Barnstorm. Jonty has moved to a new area. His parents are over-protective and confine him to the back garden. When Mickser comes over the wall en route to a fair, Jonty gets the whiff of adventure. At the fair the boys meet Nadia, who is also there without permission. The three adventurers go treasure-hunting on a half sunken boat, but when they find the remains of Captain Flint, things get hairy! That’s the trouble with adventures; they often turn out to be darker and more dangerous than you ever expected, and when Jonty is accidentally stabbed in a crocodile incident, Mickser and Nadia have difficult choices to make. A whirlwind tale dealing with family, friendship and fears, “The Biggest Adventure in the World” sweeps the audience along in the thrills and spills of one child’s extraordinary day: Children’s Theatre: Mon - Thurs 10.00am & 12.30pm, Fri 10.00.

TICKETS: €9.00 Group Rate €8.00
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 319866. Web: www.belltable.ie
VENUE: Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick.

ISLAND THEATRE COMPANY SCHOOLS' PLAY CHALLENGE SHOWCASE AND AWARDS
Saturday 25 March 2006 @ 12 noon.

Having staged another successful challenge in December last year Island Theatre Company now welcome back the "Top Three" schools to showcase their productions. Also attending will be representatives of all ten participating schools to collect "Little Oscars" awards in a number of categories. This event is organised by Island Theatre Company in association with the Belltable.

TICKETS: Free but pre-booking essential.
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 319866. Web: www.belltable.ie
VENUE: Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick.

On Our Way to Lisbon
Saturday 25 March 2006 @ 8pm

On Our Way to Lisbon Isosceles Productions. On our way to Lisbon (or the Italian Job) tells the story of how in 1967, Glasgow Celtic became the first British team to win the European cup with victory over the mighty Inter Milan. Two fans look back and fondly recreate how the Bhoys in Green and White beat the hardest team in the world and draped Europe in green, white and gold. The whole mad and magnificent campaign comes to life, as the two supporters become everything from a vicious Swiss football team to the entire population of Lisbon. Put on those scarves dust off your passport and come with us once again as Celtic steam-roll over the best teams in Europe to become immortal Lisbon Lions. “this two man team play a cast of thousands… physical theatre at its best…hilarious slow motion scenes …high octane stuff and marvelously executed” Mail on Sunday.

TICKETS: €12.00 Concessions: €10.00
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 319866. Web: www.belltable.ie
VENUE: Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick.

TOSCA
Friday 31st March @ 8pm

Tosca, this most popular of operas with its tender moving arias, Recondite Armonia, Vissi d’Arte and E Lucevan le Stelle, is a heady mixture of true love, torture and treachery, with two of the best roles for tenor and soprano, plus a truly blood curdling villain for the baritone. This will be an exciting, fully staged production set in the original time of the story - June 17th, 1800 - in Rome.

Opus 1 is a vibrant company that brings you the brightest young stars being produced today. Formed only eighteen months ago, it has quickly established itself as a mid-scale touring opera company with exceptionally high production values and the best of young singers performing in the UK today.

Distinguished members of the team include Conductor, Fraser Goulding - former Professor of Opera at the Guildhall School of Music, London and conductor of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company – and Director, Jonathan Clift, formerly of Opera North, Welsh National Opera and 25 years with Leeds Youth Opera.

Artistic Director, David Heathcote, comments: “Director Jonathan Clift encourages the cast to add their own contribution to develop the characters, resulting in more intensity. The fun, humour and tragedy are not lost in the overall spectacle. Our performances are not mediocre, they are stunning and that is what we are very proud of.”

The production is part of a tour throughout England and Ireland by Opus 1 Music from February to June 2006.

TICKETS: €25 / Concessions €23
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 331549. Web: www.uch.ie
VENUE: University Concert Hall, Limerick.

The Tailor and Ansty
Monday 27th March - Saturday 1st April 2006 @ 8 p.m.

The Tailor and Ansty by Eric Cross Adapted by P.J. O’Connor. The Tailor & Ansty is a historic play set in the townland of Garrynapeaka, West Cork. Eric Cross, an Englishman, who lived in the area for twenty years, wrote a book based on two local characters, Timothy Buckley (the Tailor) and his wife Anastasia (Ansty). The Tailor & Ansty was published in 1942 and subsequently banned. The play – The Tailor & Ansty, highlights their characters, earthy humour, sociability and the national and local reaction to the book. Ronan Wilmot (the Tailor) plays the role he was “born to act” and Nuala Hayes who has immersed herself in story telling plays Ansty.

TICKETS: €18 Concession: €14. All tickets Monday 27th €14
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 319866. Web: www.belltable.ie
VENUE: Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick.

DANCE

Beginning Tuesday 24th January and March 7th
Limerick Tango
Argentine Tango with an Argentine teacher.
Beginners 7.15pm
Improvers 8.30pm
Free Milonga 9.30-10.30
TICKETS: 6 classes €60 Single class €12.50.
BOOKING/INFO: www.limericktango.com
VENUE: Limerick Boatclub,

Beauty & the Beast and Giselle (Versions)
Monday 20th & Tuesday 21st March at 8pm
Limerick School of Ballet presents Beauty & the Beast and Giselle (Versions).

Limerick School of Ballet bi-annual show is presented in two halves. The first half, Beauty and the Beast, is performed by the 4 to 15 year olds, and is based on the classic Disney cartoon. The second half, a condensed version of Giselle, will be performed by the 14 to 24 year old students of the Limerick School of Ballet. The choreography is taken from the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Creole Giselle.

Beast – Andrew Kelly
Belle – Susan Mangan / Emily Waters
Giselle – Krystal O’Grady
Albrecht – Andrew Kelly

TICKETS: €15
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 331549. Web: www.uch.ie
VENUE: University Concert Hall, Limerick.

SLEEPING BEAUTY
Monday 27th March 2006 at 8pm

Ellen Kent & Ballet International present SLEEPING BEAUTY. Breathtakingly beautiful and classically staged boasting an impressive corps de ballet of over 50 dancers and a 40 piece orchestra offering the best of Russian ballet. Ellen Kent & Ballet International are delighted to bring Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty and Petipa’s Swan Lake to University Concert Hall, Limerick on Monday 27th & Tuesday 28th March.

Sleeping Beauty’s magic and enchanting music, used by Disney in his famous cartoon version, transforms Charles Perrault’s classic fairy tale into a bright and overwhelmingly joyful ballet masterpiece full of wonderful treasures: the Lilac Fairy, the Rose Adagio (a great testing piece for a ballerina), the Bluebird and a cast of fairy-tale characters gathered for the sparkling final wedding celebration. Colourful sets, lavish costumes and Tchaikovsky’s lush score make this classical ballet a favourite for all ages.

Performed by dancers from a leading theatre of the former Soviet Union, the Chisinau National Ballet, Sleeping Beauty boasts a large corps de ballet of over 50 dancers and a 40 piece orchestra offering the best of Russian Ballet. The company’s leading dancers will be back after winning praise from the British press on earlier tours.

“…For sheer skill and talent there can be few to match it” Daily Post, Liverpool.

“Superb” Daily Express.

TICKETS: €40 / €37.50 / €25 Children €30 / €27.50 / €15
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 331549. Web: www.uch.ie
VENUE: University Concert Hall, Limerick.

SWAN LAKE
Tuesday 28th March 2006 @ 8pm

Ellen Kent & Ballet International present SWAN LAKE. Swan Lake is one of the most successful and popular of ballets the world over. Classically staged and set against enchanting German fairytale castles, dense forests and moonlit lakes. Featuring Tchaikovsky’s hauntingly beautiful music, romantic tragedy, two great pas de deux and the dual role of Odette/Odil, made famous by Markova and Fonteyn, Swan Lake is widely regarded as the greatest Russian ballet, an undisputed classic that is loved all over the world. This spectacular ballet is here played with the original choreography by Marius Petipa.

Swan Lake’s traditional denouement was altered by Stalin in Communist times when doctrine demanded a happy ending and the lovers lived happily ever after. Ellen Kent took the initiative to correct this back to the original ending after receiving a letter from a 12 year old girl who expressed her sadness that the swans did not die!

Working with Radu Poclitaru, Ellen Kent reinstated the original ending of Swan Lake. Radu Poclitaru was the ballet master of the Chisinau National Ballet before becoming choreographer of the Bolshoi Ballet, shooting to fame from working closely with director Declan Donnellan on the recent production of Romeo and Juliet seen in Covent Garden in July 2004. Radu worked closely with the ballet dancers of the Chisinau National Ballet to deliver the original ending of Swan Lake, which Ellen wanted, in this spectacular production with the dramatic finale of the deaths of Odette and her lover, Siegfried.

TICKETS: €40 / €37.50 / €25 Children €30 / €27.50 / €15
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 331549. Web: www.uch.ie
VENUE: University Concert Hall, Limerick.

Monday - Wednesday
SHALL WE DANCE
Limerick Dance Classes Monday nights in Pery's Hotel Glentworth Street. 7p.m.
Ballroom, Latin American, Jive & Swing Classes.
January 2006 timetable available on: www.shallwedance.ie
Mondays Beginners Latin @ 7p.m. Intermediate Ballroom @ 8p.m. & Latin @ 9p.m
Tuesday Beginners Singles Ballroom @ 7p.m. Beginners Couples Ballroom @ 8p.m. Intermediate Ballroom @ 9p.m.
Wednesday's Beginners Jive & Swing @ 7p.m. Beginners Couples Ballroom @ 8p.m.
TICKETS:
BOOKING/INFO: Bridget Harte A.I.B.B.D on 086-3811065
VENUE: Pery's Hotel Glentworth Street

Every Thursday
Salsa!
Salsa! Classes from 9 till 10 then salsa party till late.
TICKETS:
BOOKING/INFO: T: 00353(0)61411177 F: 00353(0)61217130 E: joe@trinityrooms.ie.
VENUE: Trinity Rooms, The Granary, Limerick.

Limerick School of Ballet
Limerick
Co. Limerick

Mc Inerney Cronin SchooL
Limerick
Co. Limerick

Niall Toibin
Saturday 4th March 06 @ 8pm.

A Vintage Evening with Niall Toibin and special guest Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan.

Niall Tobin has long been recognised as one of the outstanding stars in the firmament of Irish Show business. His one-man shows have delighted audiences for many years. As a raconteur his skill is unparalleled. This current vintage show is not to be missed.

TICKETS: €25.00
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 319866. Web: www.belltable.ie
VENUE: Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick.

Eddie Naessens - Little Terror!
Friday 10 March 2006

Time: 8.00pm.

The Scotsman “It’s a little gem”.

“A brilliant raconteur and the type of writer who can squeeze humour out of a surgical scalpel” The Stage.

Naessens makes it an engrossing, fascinating and good-natured ride… Modest in ambition, but quietly effective” Chortle.

TICKETS: €12/10
BOOKING/INFO:
VENUE: Friar's Gate Theatre, Limerick.

DES BISHOP - FITTING IN TOUR - NEW DATE ADDED!
22nd & 23rd March and Tuesday 18th April!!!

Firmly established as a major force on Ireland’s comedy circuit, comedian Des Bishop will be return to University Concert Hall - following 2 sell out performances here last November - with his third nationwide stand-up comedy tour, Fitting In.

This focuses on some of Des’s experiences filming his new RTE documentary, which features the comedian teaching stand-up comedy whilst living in a range of marginalized communities. Des’s explosive brand of comedy continues to draw on his efforts to fit into his adopted country, as he takes another hard look at modern Ireland.

Fitting In is a hilarious and energetic look at just how well Des fits or fails to fit into the margins of Irish society as well as the different communities and indeed personalities he encounters along the way!

TICKETS: €22.50
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 331549. Web: www.uch.ie
VENUE: University Concert Hall, Limerick.

Festivals

17th Cork French Film Festival
March 2 to 11

This year’s programme includes a delightful and diverse selection of French films, Mainstream, Documentaries, Francophone and Education Section with special school screenings. The highlight of this year’s Festival is the presence in Cork of the acclaimed French Director Bertrand Tavernier for the screening of his latest film ‘Holy Lola’ at the Gate cinema on 9th March. Monsieur Tavernier will introduce and discuss his film and will take questions from the audience, following the screening.

TICKETS:
BOOKING/INFO: 021 4272022
VENUE: Triskel, Tobin Street.

Cork St. Patricks Festival
Friday 17 March - Sunday 19th March

The theme of the parade this year is ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND and it promises to be the most COLOURFUL, LOUD and FANTASTIC Carnival Parade ever to hit Cork. There will be magical floats, dancers, street theatre performers, marching bands from Ireland and America, samba bands, and hundreds of community groups from all over the City and country.

This year the Festival is launching a professional Pageant grant for up to three companies adding a new dimension to the parade. This is all part of the Festivals desire to make Cork the place to see the best of what Irish pageantry and street theatre has to offer.

We are very proud to introduce our new Community Carnival Programme. We have over 1000 volunteers taking part in this carnival extravaganza. The initiative is taking place all over the city. We’ve split the city into four quarters; Fire, Earth, Wind and Water. Each area has been designing, making and performing its very own parade since October 2005 and will be dancing to its own tune when it hits the streets on St. Patrick’s Day.

TICKETS:
BOOKING/INFO: Web: www.corkstpatricksfestival.ie
VENUE: Cork City.

2006 IRISH MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL
29th and 30th March. Starts at 7:30pm.

From winter climbing in the French Alps to summiting Himalayan peaks, kayaking first ascents rivers in Colorado to base jumping from high peaks in Baffin Island, crack climbing in Utah to mixed rock and ice climbing in Scotland mountain adventure has many avenues and this years Banff Film Festival World Tour captures the lot when it appears in Cork, Dublin and Belfast this coming March and April.

The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is presented in Ireland by Summit Sports with the support of sponsors Lowe Alpine and MSR, two of the world’s premier outdoor brands. The tour includes award-winning films from the Banff Mountain Film Festival, an annual event held in early November at The Banff Centre in Banff, Alberta, Canada. This year over 300 entries from 31 countries were in competition.

Films in this year's tour bring the spirit of adventure to life on the screen. A wide variety of stories - from mountain and water sports, mountain culture and the environment - will entice and inspire viewers. Get a taste of mountain adventure from around the world; the tour's lineup includes films from Canada, the United States, Poland, Norway, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia.

TICKETS: €15, Purchased at: Freedom Gear, Midleton (021 4630010), Hillwalkers, Cork (021 4554334), Mahers Sports, Cork (021 4279233).
BOOKING/INFO: Web: www.irishmountainfilmfestival.com
VENUE: Boole 3, University College Cork.

The Fresh Film Festival
Mon 27th March – Saturday 1st April 06

Limerick’s annual film festival for young people returns for its ninth year of film fun. This years programme includes workshops and both feature and short film screenings. The Irish Schools Film Competition has changed to Irelands Young Film-maker of the Year reflecting the growing interest from individual young film-makers and our position as Irelands largest film festival for under 18’s. Closing date for entries is Friday 24th February 06. Happy filming!

For full programme, entry and booking information: contact info@freshfilmfestival.net. Tel: 061 319555

TICKETS:
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 319866. Web: www.belltable.ie
VENUE: Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick.

WZN Kids?

THE CHINESE STATE CIRCUS
Mon 6th @ 8pm. Wed 7th & Tues 8th March @ 5pm & 8pm

The Circus that changed traditional entertainment forever explodes into 2006 with the greatest family entertainment ever assembled beyond the Great Wall of China.

This new, action-packed production will be at University Concert Hall, Limerick this March combining, in a 2 hour spectacular, the martial arts warriors from the Shaolin temple, artistes from Peking Opera and acrobatic stars of the Chinese State Circus.

Hosted by legendary, fabled characters from the world-famous Peking Opera and narrated by one of the most famous characters in Chinese folklore – the Monkey King - The Chinese State Circus includes a dazzling spectacle of flying warriors, Acrobatic terracotta soldiers and the sensational “woman of a hundred faces’ which all collaborate with the unique art form created for the Emperor in the “Forbidden City”.

Come and see back-flipping acrobats spiralling through rotating hoops and a dizzying succession of gymnasts catapulting terracotta jars from head to head. Further spice comes from candelabra balancing knotted contortionists, Chinese pole balancing and a lusciously set and costumed performance of the Lion Dance.

And then of course the deadly grace of martial arts from the Shaolin school of Kung Fu, Wu Shu and Qigong!

“The most exhilarating Circus it has ever been my privilege to see” Evening Standard

“Fantastic show …truly sensational” The Liverpool Echo.

TICKETS: €30 / €25 / €20 Concessions €27.50 / €22.50 / €18
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 331549. Web: www.uch.ie
VENUE: University Concert Hall, Limerick.

Beauty & the Beast and Giselle (Versions)
Monday 20th & Tuesday 21st March at 8pm

Limerick School of Ballet presents Beauty & the Beast and Giselle (Versions).

Limerick School of Ballet bi-annual show is presented in two halves. The first half, Beauty and the Beast, is performed by the 4 to 15 year olds, and is based on the classic Disney cartoon. The second half, a condensed version of Giselle, will be performed by the 14 to 24 year old students of the Limerick School of Ballet. The choreography is taken from the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Creole Giselle.

Beast – Andrew Kelly
Belle – Susan Mangan / Emily Waters
Giselle – Krystal O’Grady
Albrecht – Andrew Kelly

TICKETS: €15
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 331549. Web: www.uch.ie
VENUE: University Concert Hall, Limerick.

The Biggest Adventure in the World
Monday 20 – Friday 24 March 06

The Biggest Adventure in the World By Shaun Prendergast Barnstorm Theatre Company. A new play for children aged 8 to 12, commissioned by Barnstorm. Jonty has moved to a new area. His parents are over-protective and confine him to the back garden. When Mickser comes over the wall en route to a fair, Jonty gets the whiff of adventure. At the fair the boys meet Nadia, who is also there without permission. The three adventurers go treasure-hunting on a half sunken boat, but when they find the remains of Captain Flint, things get hairy! That’s the trouble with adventures; they often turn out to be darker and more dangerous than you ever expected, and when Jonty is accidentally stabbed in a crocodile incident, Mickser and Nadia have difficult choices to make. A whirlwind tale dealing with family, friendship and fears, “The Biggest Adventure in the World” sweeps the audience along in the thrills and spills of one child’s extraordinary day: Children’s Theatre: Mon - Thurs 10.00am & 12.30pm, Fri 10.00.

TICKETS: €9.00 Group Rate €8.00
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 319866. Web: www.belltable.ie
VENUE: Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick.

ISLAND THEATRE COMPANY SCHOOLS' PLAY CHALLENGE SHOWCASE AND AWARDS
Saturday 25 March 2006 @ 12 noon.

Having staged another successful challenge in December last year Island Theatre Company now welcome back the "Top Three" schools to showcase their productions. Also attending will be representatives of all ten participating schools to collect "Little Oscars" awards in a number of categories. This event is organised by Island Theatre Company in association with the Belltable.

TICKETS: Free but pre-booking essential.
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 319866. Web: www.belltable.ie
VENUE: Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick.

Miscellaneous

RTÉ NSO / The Irish Times. Spring Tour 2006.
Thursday 9th March 2006 @ 8pm.

Rimsky-Korsakov The Three Wonders from Tale of Tsar Saltan Suite, Op. 57
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35
Lyadov The Enchanted Lake, Op. 62
Shostakovich Symphony No. 9 in E flat major, Op. 70
Soloist: Olivier Charlier violin
Conductor: Alexander Anissimov

The Russians are coming...the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and its Conductor Emeritus Alexander Anissimov bring an all-Russian programme full of drama, colour and wonder to the University Concert Hall in Limerick for their concert on Thursday, 9 March, 8pm as part of the RTÉ NSO/The Irish Times spring tour. Anissimov is particularly famous for his ardent, rousing performances of Russian music, and the spectacle and sound of this mighty orchestra and acclaimed conductor playing music of such passion and power promises a moving and exhilarating experience for all.

Tchaikovsky’s gloriously melodic violin concerto is overwhelmingly lyrical, passionate to the core. Scorned as a failure at first, this masterpiece is now one of his best-loved pieces, and it will be performed by the brilliant, award-winning virtuoso Olivier Charlier.

Magical fairytale worlds are conjured up in Lyadov’s charming fantasy The Enchanted Lake and music from Rimsky-Korsakov’s Tale of Tsar Saltan Suite: one gently impressionistic, the other an exotic fairy story.

Shostakovich’s Ninth Symphony is music of forced gaiety and kaleidoscopic moods, tinged with satirical unease. It was premiered at the end of World War II, when a ‘victory’ symphony might have been expected. Instead, many believe he wrote this symphony in protest against both Stalin and anti-Semitism.

‘You have the wrong sound,’ said conductor Evgeny Mravinsky, rehearsing it with the Leningrad Philharmonic, ‘I need to hear the crunch of boots.

TICKETS: €18 / €15 / €10 Concessions €16 / €13 / €8
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 331549. Web: www.uch.ie
VENUE: University Concert Hall, Limerick.

Pery Square Fair
18 March 2006 @ 2pm.

Music, food, market stalls, bouncy castles, street entertainers, jugglers, fire breathers, theatre groups, dancers, puppet shows, face painters.

TICKETS:
BOOKING/INFO:
VENUE: Pery Square, Limerick.

Liam Clancy
24th Friday March

Seventy Years A Growing. 8pm.

TICKETS: €22.50.
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 322322. Web: www.litmt.ie
VENUE: LIT Millennium Theatre, Limerick.

IRISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA WITH ANTHONY MARWOOD
Thursday 30th March 2006 @ 8pm.

Anthony Marwood introduces a programme of classics in Limerick and Dublin with a twist featuring Mendelssohn’s long-lost concerto for violin and strings and two famous quartets by Barber and Beethoven in new guise, arranged for string orchestra. Puccini's. TICKETS: €20 / €15 / €10 / €5 Concessions Available €18 / €13.50 / €9
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 331549. Web: www.uch.ie
VENUE: University Concert Hall, Limerick.

March Dates
LIMERICK JAZZ SOCIETY
LIMERICK JAZZ SOCIETY run gigs regularly in Dolans 'Upstairs'. Here are details for March 2006:

TICKETS:
BOOKING/INFO: Tel: 061 314483. Fax: 061 312963.
VENUE: Dolans Warehouse, Dock Road, Limerick.