THE weekend’s entertainment starts tonight (Thursday) with Borderline Players’ production of ‘Cinderella’, followed by the fabulous Grainne Duffy blues band in the Gallery Bar on Friday.

Tribute to the legendary Luke Kelly, Chris Kavanagh will perform on Saturday.

Cinderella Tonight is the last chance to catch Borderline Players’ production of everyone’s favourite fairy-tale, ‘Cinderella’. With a huge cast and chorus, including for the very first time – two dames, the show will put a new twist on the story in a thrilling production filled with laughter, and possibly a few tears.

Will Cinderella find her Prince Charming, or will someone or something stand in her way? Find out when Borderline Players present ‘Cinderella’ at 3pm and 8pm today. Please note this exciting production will include pyrotechnics and strobe-lighting.

Grainne Duffy Recently returned from another European and UK tour, Ardhowen is delighted to have Grainne Duffy perform once again in the Gallery Bar tomorrow night (Friday) at 9pm. Grainne will be accompanied by her talented band, featuring Paul Sherry on guitar, Davy Watson on bass, Gerry Morgan on drums and John McCullough on piano.

With early influences ranging from the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac and the Pretenders; Grainne has developed her musical skills to become a unique talent with a raw, powerful edge, paying homage to guitarists such as BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and, of course, Rory Gallagher. Vocally she is inspired by listening to artists as diverse as Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Linda Rondstat and Bonnie Raitt.

Grainne performs with passion, emotion and a unique presence which is hard to express in words. Her wonderful mix of blues rock and soul in her original material and her treatment of a few carefully selected standards charged with true sentiment and feeling can win over any audience and leave you begging for more. The Legend of Luke Kelly Chris Kavanagh returns with his popular tribute to the iconic Luke Kelly of The Dubliners in what promises to be another memorable performance on Saturday at 8pm. Luke Kelly remains an Irish icon and his music is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s cultural treasures. The influence of his Scottish grandmother was paramount in Kelly’s help in preserving important traditional Scottish songs along with the many Dubliners’ hits. ‘The Town I Loved So Well’, ‘School Days Over’, ‘A Song For Ireland’, ‘Raglan Road’, ‘Scorn Not His Simplicity’ – all the favourites are here plus many more including several new songs written by Chris Kavanagh.

Dublin man Chris Kavanagh was born and reared on Irish music and has been singing Irish folk songs since he was three years old. He learned by ear to play piano, and played different styles of music in various bands as a teenager. His passion for Irish music inspired him to form the successful band ‘Legend of Luke Kelly’, a tribute to the late great singer of ‘The Dubliners’. Chris is a multi-instrumentalist and began writing original material a few years ago. His first single release, entitled ‘Paddy’s Day’ (co-written by Hilary Kavanagh) is available on iTunes and has been causing quite a stir on Youtube! The song was written to reflect the current political climate in Ireland, and its Dublin wit and lively tune are sure to get your feet tapping no matter where you are from. Derek Ryan The wait is nearly over for those lucky enough to have attained tickets for Derek Ryan’s sell-out concert on Wednesday, April 30 at 8pm. Derek Ryan’s rise to become one of the biggest stars of Irish Country Music has been phenomenal. In just over two years few artists have made such an impact on the Irish Country scene like the County Carlow singer songwriter. The young heartthrob has brought a distinctive fresh sound to Irish Country. His theatre shows contain much of the music featured on his three albums along with new material that allows him to show off his guitar playing and vocal quality.

Apex Jazz Band Formed back in 1966 by trumpet player George Chambers, the Apex Jazz Band, Ireland’s longest established and most successful jazz band, perform on Friday, May 2 at 9pm in the Gallery Bar. Steeped in the tradition of New Orleans, their repertoire includes material from Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, George Lewis, and more. Marches, spirituals, rags, blues, stomps and pop tunes from the jazz age are all present in a well balanced and entertaining programme. Without compromising artistic integrity, the Apex Jazz Band presents music in an enjoyable and entertaining manner and this has contributed greatly to the popularity of this fine group of musicians.

Bird of Chicago Birds of Chicago is a collaboration between Chicago’s JT Nero (as in JT and the Clouds) and Vancouver’s Allison Russell (Po’ Girl) and together their organic harmonies and wistful styles sustain the sheer variety and complexity of their music. JT and Allison have emerged as two of the most compelling new voices in North American Roots music. Nero’s fractured country-soul voice wrapped in Russell’s silver and gold tones is a fine thing; not too perfect, not at all saccharine, you’ll hear echoes of mountain gospel, street corner doo-wop and classic soul. Accompanied by just a banjo and a guitar, it’s haunting; fired by the band, it’s a full tilt revival.

Birds of Chicago thrive on genuine musicianship, melodies, and songs steeped in worldly beauty and communal joy. “One of the finest pieces of American music – of any form – I have heard in years” Music News. Enjoy an evening of sublime Americana roots music with the Birds Of Chicago on Saturday, May 3 at 9pm in the Gallery Bar.