The diary your essential whats on guide

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30


CHARITY FOLK GIG
A line-up of top local folk music acts will be performing at Athlone’s Dean Crowe Theatre this Friday in a fundraising concert (doors open 8pm). The event will feature five acts performing a mixture of ballads and folk songs, both traditional and contemporary. The talented line-up includes The Two Tommies (Remembrance), The Skillet Pot (reunion), The Driftwood Manor, The Blaggards, and Hickory Wind. Tickets are €10 and the proceeds will go to the South Westmeath Hospice.

BALLYCUMBER BINGO
Bingo continues in the community centre every Friday night at 8.30pm.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 31

JOHNNY MCEVOY
Roscommon Arts Centre presents highly acclaimed singer/songwriter Johnny McEvoy on Saturday at 8pm. This nostalgic evening of 'Song and Story’ features all of Johnny’s many hit songs, including Muirsin Durkan-Boston Burglar, Those Brown Eyes, and Long, Long Before Your Time. For more information call the Roscommon Arts Centre on 09066 25824. Early booking is advised.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1

WEDDING WORKSHOP
The Sheraton Hotel in Athlone are hosting a wedding workshop on Sunday from 2-5pm. With unique wedding favour ideas with Ballinahown Craft Village, first dance lessons, and menu planning with award winning Executive Head Chef Rory Gabriel this event is not to be missed.

BOOK LAUNCH
Author Angela Hanley’s new book 'Whose à la Carte Menu?’ will be launched by Fr Tony Flannery in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone, on Sunday at 5pm.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2

PILATES
Pilates (STOTT) takes place at the studio in Irishtown on Mondays. Beginners and intermediate women’s pilates at 6.30pm, pregnancy pilates at 7.30. Intermediate pilates on Tuesday at 6pm in the studio. Contact 086 440 3110 for more information or to book a place.

SLIMMING WORLD BALLYMAHON
There is a Slimming World group which meets in Ballymahon GAA Club every Monday at 5.30pm and 7.30pm. For details, call Sinead on 087 6820759.

CHAKRA DANCE
A new chakra dance course has begun in The Dancing Soul, Monksland, on Mondays at 8pm. For more information, check https://emerdee.clickfunnels.com/freechakradance or call The Dancing Soul at 096 490607.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3

SLIMMING WORLD ATHLONE
A Slimming World group meets in Athlone’s Shamrock Lodge Hotel every Tuesday, at 5.30pm and 7.30pm. For more information, call Sinead on 087 6820759. There is also a morning group which meets at the Athlone Springs Hotel at 9.30am and 11.30am on Wednesdays. Call Pauline on 087 1878701.

LINE DANCING
Line dancing classes take place in Athlone GAA Club, Ballymahon Road every Tuesday. Beginner 7-8pm. Admission €8. For more information contact 086 1099388.

TODDLER GROUP
Tang Toddler Group meets every Tuesday morning in Tang Community Centre from 10.30am to 12.30pm. This is a great way to meet other people with babies and young children in the area. Adults can chat and share their experiences while children play in a safe environment. Parents, guardians, grandparents and minders all welcome.

COMING SOON

CATHERINE FULVIO
A cookery demonstration with Catherine Fulvio takes place in the Athlone Springs Hotel, Monksland on February 5 next at 7.45pm. Wine reception at 6.30pm. Artisan Food and Lifestyle Fair in the night. Tickets are €20 and are available from Savoury Fare in Irishtown, Monksland and Fernhill, or Cáca Milis in Athlone Regional Sports Centre. Alternatively, call 087 7668294. The event is organised by Athlone Hockey Club.

GAA DINNER DANCE
The annual Clan na nGael dinner dance will take place in the Athlone Springs Hotel on Saturday, February 7.

TOMMY FLEMING
Tommy Fleming will be performing in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone, on Sunday, February 8. Tickets cost €30.

NEVEN MAGUIRE
Chef Neven Maguire will give a cookery demonstration in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, on Wednesday, February 11. The event is being hosted in association with Club Rossie, who are encouraging supporters of all codes of Gaelic games to attend. Tickets, priced €25, are available from the Hodson Bay Hotel or call 086 8399584.

HARRY POTTER
February 5 next has been designated Harry Potter Night in Moate Library. To celebrate, two events have organised for young fans of the wizard and his friends. A table quiz, with at least two rounds about the Harry Potter world, is aimed at children aged 8-12. In addition, entries are being sought for a Harry Potter-themed art competition for children aged 5-12. The closing date is February 4 next. All entries will be displayed in Moate Library on Harry Potter Night. For more information call 090 6481888.

MARY BLACK
Popular singer Mary Black returns to the Radisson Hotel, Athlone, on Friday, February 13, next. Tickets are €30 and are available from www.ticketmaster.ie or from hotel reception at 090 6442600.

ANNUAL SPORTS AWARDS
The Westmeath Independent’s annual Sports Awards will take place in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, which sponsors the event, on Friday, February 20, at 7.30pm. RTE’s Robbie Irwin will be the host on what is always a memorable occasion on the local sporting calendar. The highlight of the gala night will be the announcement of our overall Sports Star of the Year 2014, while Readers’ Choice and Hall of Fame award winners will also be announced. Tickets, priced €45, are now on sale.