So... What to do do during the first weekend of spring? We've got a quartet of suggested cultural happenings for your delectation...
DUBLIN: The Hennessy Portrait Prize, National Gallery of Ireland
With the Hennessy Prize, the National Gallery aims to “encourage interest in contemporary portraiture and raise the profile of the National Portrait Collection”. For the past three years, artists from all disciplines and backgrounds apply to have the chance to participate in the annual HPP show at the National Gallery - the winner receives a prize of €15,000 and a commission worth €5,000 to produce a portrait for inclusion in the National Portrait Collection.
This year’s winner is Gerry Davis for Sean, his sensitive and mysterious portrait of an enigmatic young man. The other thirteen portraits on show make the Hennessy well worth a visit, one or two of them highly recommended. Which ones? Go and find out for yourself, you’ve got until March 26, and admission is free - details here.
CORK: Quarter Block Party
The three-day music and arts festival comes returns for another lively weekender; the North and South Main Street in the heart of Cork City will be filled with art, music, theatre, performances and discussions, with an eclectic line-up that includes everybody from Portland-based performer Allie Hankins to electro duo Le Boom and local heroes Lords Of Strut to one-to-watch Rowan to the 'Don of weirdo Irish beats' Naïve Ted. Elsewhere, you'll can discover ‘How Music Works’ with the mighty Nialler 9, attend a community dinner party, tour the marshlands of Cork or take a DJ workshop - it's all good. Get the full line-up here.
GALWAY: Jason Byrne Is Propped Up
The one and only JB returns with his brand new show to Galway's Town Hall Theatre this Saturday, with an 8pm kick-off. He's been doing rather nicely on the box of late with the likes of Wild Things and The Snaptastic Show, but there's really on one way to see Byrne in full flight, and that's in his natural habitat, the live stage. Expect ducks, false chins, portable igloos, bewildered owls and much, much more, all coated in a liberal sprinkling of total anarchy. And be careful - his energy is positively contagious. Details here.
BELFAST: The Bowie Experience
This popular show celebrating the late (and very great David Bowie) pops by Belfast’s SSE Arena this Saturday - the crew will also stop by Dublin's Helix on April 27th, forthcoming. His greatest hits will be played with full theatrical flair, from 'A to Ziggy'. "We pride ourselves on doing the music justice,” says Laurence Knight, who plays Bowie in the show. “We aim to faithfully recreate the sound and vision that made Bowie’s songs so timeless." Don't let Laurence's uncanny resemblance to Bill Nighy put you off. Details here.
