The Guide: The events to see, the shows to book, and the ones to catch before they end

Event of the week

They Gave the Walls a Talking

Until Wednesday, January 31st, Epic, Dublin, €21, epicchq.com

Presented in collaboration with Hot Press, this exhibition, curated by the magazine’s editor Niall Stokes celebrates The Pogues and Shane MacGowan. Topics covered include the emergence of punk rock in the mid- to late 1970s, the development of The Pogues and their music, the crucial impact of the Irish diaspora on the UK music scene, and the story behind their best-known song, the evergreen Fairytale of New York. Contributors include MacGowan’s sister, Siobhan; wife, Victoria Mary Clarke; former Pogues Jem Finer and Cáit O’Riordan; the band’s original manager, Frank Murray; and MacGowan’s close friend Nick Cave.

Gigs

Night Tones

Friday, January 19th, Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, Co Louth, 9.30pm and 11pm, €10, droichead.com

As part of Night Moves, a series of curated night-time events in Drogheda, Co Louth, and east Co Meath, Night Tones features all-enveloping ambient music (by Ógy Collins) that will act as a mindful soother as well as background music to a yoga session by the professional teacher Elaine Tobin. Bring your mats, a cushion or pillow, and a blanket or duvet, and leave your earplugs at home for some deep listening and sweet dreams. The Night Moves series continues with events in February, March and April.

Spoken word

Dublin Story Slam: First Steps

Tuesday, January 16th, Sugar Club, Dublin, 7pm, €13.50, thedublinstoryslam.com

We all have a story, and the people behind Dublin Story Slam (which is hosted by the comedian Colm O’Regan and produced by Julien Clancy) aim to make sure that your four- to seven-minute tale is heard – in front of a live audience. As befits its debut event in 2024 (in collaboration with First Fortnight), the theme is a truthful, personal first: it could be a kiss, relationship, job, date, friendship or something else altogether. “Think of us,” says the Dublin Story Slam team, “as a close friend you’re sharing a personal experience with rather than a performance you need to script, rehearse and memorise.”

Arts festival

Out to Lunch

Until Sunday, January 28th, various venues, times and prices, Belfast, cqaf.com

Music, comedy, film, spoken word, public interviews, poetry, theatre, classical music and whatever else you might be having yourself. In other words, it’s a month-long series of events at Ireland’s first big arts festival of 2024. Highlights include The Magic of Terry Pratchett (Sunday, January 14th), the music documentary Hung Up on a Dream: The Zombies (Thursday, January 16th), Brigid Mae Power (Thursday, January 25th), An Elvis Gospel Brunch (Friday, January 26th), the launch of Anne Madden’s debut novel, The Wilderness Way (Saturday, January 27th), Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery folk/Americana tunes (Sunday, January 28th) and a conversation with Mark O Connell (Sunday, January 28th).

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Musical

The Rocky Horror Show

From Monday, January 15th, until Saturday, January 20th, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin, 7.30pm, from €19, bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

One might have thought by now that Richard O’Brien’s 1973 musical tribute to sci-fi, horror B-movies, glam rock and sexual liberation would have passed far beyond its sell-by date, but its intrinsic message of celebrating differences and the virtues of staying true to what you believe in has rightfully endured. For those needing a plot outline: when their car grinds to a halt close to a spooky mansion, scrubbed-up college teens Brad and Janet are welcomed in and soon exposed to the sexually fluid ways of Dr Frank-N-Furter. Expect some audience interaction. Unusually for a musical, there is a recommended age guideline of 12+, aided by a programme note of “Be warned – this show contains rude parts.” Form an orderly queue?

In conversation

About the Word Is Terry Christian

Friday, January 19th, Sugar Club, Dublin, 7.30pm, €20, thesugarclub.com

Back in the days of five-channel television (the early 1990s – ask your parents), Channel 4′s The Word was a boon for fans of alternative rock music and its late-night slot meant it could give free reign, more or less, to any band that wanted to create a stir (Google performances by Nirvana and L7 for proof). One of the show’s primary presenters was Terry Christian, a second-generation Irish Mancunian who eagerly fanned the flames of controversy, and who has enjoyed much success recounting (with the aid of excellent video clips from the show) band performances and interviews. Sounds like fun.

Stage

The 24 Hour Plays: Dublin

Sunday, January 14th, Abbey Theatre, Dublin, 7.30pm, from €35, abbeytheatre.ie

The 11th annual presentation of The 24 Hour Plays: Dublin acts not only as a fundraiser but also as a remarkable display of Irish playwriting and directing talent. Count the numbers: a team of more than 30 skilled theatre people will facilitate the writing, rehearsal and presentation of six short plays within the titular timeframe. The creative team includes Tara Flynn, Michael Fry and Hannah Mamalis (who won a gong for best performer at the 2023 Dublin Fringe Festival). All proceeds go to Dublin Youth Theatre, which currently has a membership of 100 young people aged 14-22 attending weekly workshops, rehearsals and performances.

Still running

Exposure: A Woman in Three Parts

Sunday, January 14th, St John’s Arts Centre, Listowel, Co Kerry, 4.30pm, €15, stjohnstheatre.ie

Power struggles, knowing when to make a point, and motherhood’s requirement for patience, strength and humour are all explored in three playlets: August Strindberg’s The Stronger, Arlene Hutton’s I Dream Before I Take the Stand (costarring Jessica Plunkett) and Samuel French’s The Momologues.

Book it this week

Stephen Mullan: Liberty Hall, Dublin, April 12th, ticketmaster.ie

Cúirt International Festival of Literature, Galway city, April 23rd-28th, cuirt.ie

Patti Smith Quartet: Vicar Street, Dublin, June 27th and 28th, ticketmaster.ie

Sepultura: 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin, November 9th, ticketmaster.ie