The Plough and the Stars
Abbey Theatre. Ends Apr 23 7.30 (Sat mat 2pm) €13-€45
abbeytheatre.ie
This Easter Monday represents a symbolic centenary; the dawn of the Rising. Among the 1,200 rebels were a number of Abbey staff and actors, who abandoned the day's performance to participate. Sometimes, the show must not go on. To celebrate the occasion, the Abbey unveils a commemorative plaque and a day of reflective events. From noon, the historian Fearghal McGarry talks about the Abbey rebels, before Ali White's play Me, Mollser gives centre stage to Sean O'Casey's consumptive Plough character. Author Nell Regan discusses her biography of actor and activist Helena Molony, followed by a staging of Alan Titley's new Irish language, pre-Rising themed play for younger audiences, An Filleadh. It's all followed by the Abbey's performance of a stripped-down and contemporary take on O'Casey's The Plough and the Stars – rebellions permitting.
Shine Easter Monday
Shine, Belfast 9.30pm €22/€20
shine.net
This is always one of the biggest nights in the Shine calender and they’ve pulled out all the stops for this year’s run. Regular Shine screamer Green Velvet (above right) tops the bill with support in the main room from Scottish DJ and Numbers label co-founder Jackmaster. Techno freaks can wig out in Room 2 with Hotflush and Drumcode reps Dense & Pika, while Denis Sulta is the main draw in the Bunatee. Support across the night from talents Space Dimension Controller, Ben Martin, Schmutz, Holly Lester and the Inside Moves crew
Circadian
Ben Readman (Gallery 1) Edge: Denis Kelly (Gallery 2)
Municipal Gallery dlr LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin Until April 29
dlrcoco.ie/arts
Two complementary bodies of work. Denis Kelly' Edge takes its cue from the built environment, exploring the use of orderly schemes as a means of dealing with the world. Ben Readman's Circadian presents the natural world as a subject for observation, study and enlightenment, taking it on its own terms.
Tuesday
Kathleen Lynn: Insider on the Outside
Aras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet; Ballina Arts Centre, Barrett St, Ballina; Ballinglen Arts Foundation, Ballycastle; Customs House Studios, The Quay, Westport; Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar
thelinenhall.com
Following on from a bold initiative with artist Niamh O’Malley linking five venues across the county, Mayo offers works by 13 contemporary artists relating to the life and work of pioneering doctor, suffragette, and central participant in the 1916 Rising Kathleen Lynn (left). The line-up features Michelle Browne, Gary Coyle, Patrick Graham, Mary Kelly, Johanna Hopkins, Deirdre O’Mahoney, Margo McNulty, Janet Mullarney, Seamus Nolan, Conor O’Grady, Will O’Kane, Geraldine O’Reilly and Dermot Seymour.
Wednesday
Tommy Sands, Síle Denvir & Liam O’Connor
The Clé Club is a weekly gathering of singers who delve deep beneath the skin of our history through our rich song store. Tonight, in co-operation with the Larkin Hedge School, the Clé Club sponsors another opportunity to explore some of the songs, stories and music associated with Easter Week. Fiddle player, Liam O’Connor joins singer, Tommy Sands and sean nós singer, Síle Denvir for an epoch-marking evening.
Jack Garratt
Olympia theatre Dublin 8pm €23.30
ticketmaster.ie
How quickly a profile rises these days, but just in case you think that Jack Garratt has risen through the ranks overnight, it’s best to remember that the 24-year-old UK singer/performer has been writing songs and aiming for the big time for over 10 years. With a series of sold-out shows in train, and with an acclaimed debut album, Phase, under his belt, Garratt has certainly landed. Judging by his music, he’ll be here for quite some time.
Thursday
Americana: Future Rural
The Dock, St George's Terrace, Carrick-On-Shannon, Co Leitrim Until April 30
thedock.ie
As the world’s population urbanises exponentially, what’s to become of the rural world? Agribusiness, recreation, exploitation and despoliation if current trends are anything to go by. Brian Duggan, John Gerrard, Kim Shively and M12 Studio look ahead in an exhibition curated by Linda Shevlin.
Gregory Porter
Ulster Hall, Belfast, 8pm, £44
ticketmaster.ie
American footballer turned jazz superstar Gregory Porter has it all – a velvet smooth voice, a talent for writing songs that convey authentic emotion, a charming, “gentle giant” manner, and improbable head gear that has (improbably) become his trademark. He arrives in Ireland this week, trailing Grammys behind him, and with a new album coming in May. Continues with two nights in the Olympia, Dublin next week.
Georgie Fame/Hugh Buckley/Phil Ware Trio
Triskel Christchurch, Tobin st., 8pm, €28/25
triskelartscentre.ie
Pianist Phil Ware’s fruitful five concert residency at the Triskel (courtesy of Music Network and Cork City Council) draws to a starry conclusion tonight with 1960s legend Georgie Fame (he said “Yeh Yeh”, that’s what he said) and the ever-popular Hugh Buckley on guitar, backed by Ware’s own hard-swinging trio. Let the good times roll.
