FILM: THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME
How many filmmakers can you identify from a single frame from one of their movies? The incomparable Wes Anderson returns for a spy thiller (of sorts) with a cast that includes - deep breath - Benicio Del Toro, Jeffrey Wright, Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Cera, Scarlett Johansson, Bryan Cranston, Rupert Friend, Hope Davis, Mathieu Amalric, Riz Ahmed, Richard Ayoade, Tom Hanks, Mia Threapleton and Anderson regular Bill Murray (Cinemas nationwide)
EVENT: WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MADE
The 10th anniversary of the Marriage Referendum is celebrated with a free day-long event at Collins Barracks, Dublin featuring vibrant lineup of performances, music, and talks, shining a spotlight on the progress made and the work that still lies ahead in the fight for equality. Musical guests include Tolü Makay, Niamh Bury and Bobbi Arlo, alongside choral performances from Gloria, Choral Confusion, The Belle Harmonics, and Dublin Gay Men's Chorus. Attendees can also enjoy a céilí, and over twenty LGBTQ+ community organisations will also be present on the day – offering an opportunity to connect or volunteer with the groups working on behalf of LGBTQ+ people across the country (Saturday May 24th, Collins Barracks)
MUSIC: VARO
Five years in the making, The World That I Knew is the epic new long-player from Dublin-based folk duo Lucie Azconaga and Consuelo Nerea Breschi; Its foundations were laid during the first lockdown in 2020, as the duo began working on a meaningful project related to the challenging and historical times the world was experiencing. They selected ten songs, written between 30 and 300 years ago, that speak powerfully to our present moment. Produced by John 'Spud' Murphy, the record features John Francis Flynn, Alannah Thornburgh, Ian Lynch (Lankum), Ruth Clinton (Landless/Poor Creature), Cormac Mac Diarmada (Lankum/Poor Creature), Inni-K, Anna Mieke, Niamh Bury, Lemoncello, Junior Brother, Branwen and Slow Moving Clouds (Out now)
BOOK: NEVER FLINCH
When the Buckeye City Police Department receives a disturbing letter from a person threatening to "kill thirteen innocents and one guilty" in "an act of atonement for the needless death of an innocent man," Detective Izzy Jaynes has no idea what to think. Are fourteen citizens about to be slaughtered in an unhinged act of retribution? As the investigation unfolds, Izzy realizes that the letter writer is deadly serious, and she turns to her friend Holly Gibney for help... Stephen King returns with a thriller featuring characters old and new; he's been keeping readers on the edge of their seats for over 50 years now, and - trust us on this one - he's still in absolute command of his formidable storytelling powers (Simon & Schuster, out now)
OPERA: BLACKWATER VALLEY OPERA/INO
This year's Blackwater Valley Opera Festival returns to the beautiful Blackwater Valley from 27th May – 2nd June with the most ambitious programme in the festival's 15-year history. featuring 23 events, two full opera productions, and over 100 world-class artists performing in ticketed and free events across 12 unique venues. Elsewhere, Irish National Opera have Donizetti's comedy opera L'elisir d'amore starring acclaimed soprano Claudia Boyle in the Gaiety Theatre from 25th – 29th May, then on tour to Wexford and Cork - find out more here.
Hear the Culture 5 every Friday on Aedín in the Afternoon on RTÉ lyric fm, from 1pm - listen back here.
