What’s on this weekend

This spring weekend, comedy shows, plays, open mic nights, exhibitions, alternative concerts with unusual musical objects and charity book sales are happening all over the island. Here’s what not to miss this Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

Performances

In Paphos, the Stage One Theatre presents the Farndale play‘Chase Me Up Farndale Avenue S’il Vous Plait’, bringing all sorts of comic situations to the stage of Emba Theatre.

Performances have already started, and this week, there are shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings – and you can be sure, they are all in English.

If you want to take the stage yourself and show off your vocal skills, an open mic is happening at Sto Dromo Bar in Limassol this Saturday. The Singer’s Open Mic Night welcomes talented voices of all levels and backgrounds to perform their favourite songs alongside pianist George Morfitis. The night begins at 8pm.

If it is comedy you are after, Savino Live in Larnaca will welcome back the European comedian Dragos, who will present a stand-up comedy set this Sunday. His upcoming show will deliver new material and a work-in-progress set, as well as crowd work. More shows will follow in Limassol on Monday night and in Nicosia on Tuesday night.

Live music

This week’s live music choices are particularly interesting as they bring young musicians and peculiar instruments to the stage. First up is the Toyful Musical Festival Spin-Off Concert on Friday at Nicosia’s Kastelliotissa Medieval Hall.

The Toyful Music Ensemble will recreate impressive moments from the festival, performing with musical instruments as well as children’s toys and everyday objects to rediscover the act of ‘play’ in music creation.

On Saturday, the musicians of Sistema Cyprus, the Intermediate Wind and Percussion Orchestra of Larnaca and the Intermediate Strings and Percussion Orchestra of Nicosia will perform live in Larnaca.

This is the first performance part of the Crossing Paths Concert Series, happening at the Lykurgos Municipal Theatre at 6pm.

Exhibitions

A series of art exhibitions opens this week in Nicosia, Limassol and Paphos. At the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation in Nicosia, the NGO EndoMarch Cyprus presents the one-day ‘Behind Her Smile – Two Portraits, One Truth’ exhibition this Friday.

Featuring photographic portraits and interpretive narratives of eight well-known actresses, the exhibition highlights the personal stories of women living with endometriosis, raising awareness of the condition.

In Paphos, Sergei Trunin presents the Wabi-Sabi exhibition dedicated to the unpredictability and imperfection of analogue photography, where the process guides and alters the final result of an image.  It opens on Friday at the Pafos Underground gallery, where it will remain until April 5.

Families and toy fans will have fun exploring the LEGO exhibition in Limassol this Saturday, finding rare toy collections, building their own creations and interacting with the large photo zones.

Charity events

Two fundraising events are happening in downtown Nicosia this weekend. First is the PIFF Souvla/BBQ Fundraising Event at Meltemi, which invites the public for a bite, a jam session and to support the Palestinian International Film Festival as it gets ready for its third edition.

The festival seeks the community’s help to raise funds so that it can remain independent without sponsors and a political agenda.

Finally, the Buy a Book – Save a Stray book bazaar at Yfantourgeio by P.A.W.S. (Protecting Animals Without Shelter) on Saturday and Sunday will offer new and used books at low prices, where all of the money raised will go towards the charity organisation to cover the medical expenses of the stray animals it helps.

Books, coffees, music and good vibes will await crowds from 11am to 6pm, bringing a giving mood to March’s second weekend.

Chase Me Up Farndale Avenue S’il Vous Plait

Farndale play directed by Geoff Greavey. Presented by Stage One Theatre. March 12, 13, 14. The Emba Theatre, Paphos. 7.30pm. €15. www.stageonetheatre.net

Singer’s Open Mic Night

Performances by local singers, accompanied by George Morfitis. March 14. Sto Dromo Bar, Limassol. 8pm. €5

Dragos Comedy Show

Stand-up comedy with a work-in-progress show as part of the Source of Sadness Tour. March 15. Savino Live, Larnaca. March 16. Kyklos Mousiki, Limassol. March 17. DownTown Live, Nicosia. doors open 7.30pm, show 8pm. €22-40. In English. https://www.tickettailor.com/events/firebearou

Toyful Musical Festival Spin-Off Concert

The Toyful Music Ensemble performs with musical instruments, musical toys and ordinary objects. March 13. Kastelliotissa Medieval Hall, Nicosia. 8pm. Free admission

Crossing Paths Concert Series

Concerts by Sistema Cyprus with the Intermediate Orchestras of Nicosia and Larnaca, the Junior Orchestras of Nicosia and Larnaca. March 14. Lykurgos Municipal Theatre, Larnaca. April 5. Satiriko Theatre, Nicosia. 6pm. www.soldoutticketbox.com

Behind Her Smile – Two Portraits, One Truth

Photography exhibition raising awareness on endometriosis. March 13. Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, Nicosia. 6.30pm

Wabi-Sabi

Analogue photography exhibition by Sergei Trunin. March 13-April 5. Pafos Underground gallery, Paphos. Opening night: 7pm. https://pafos.gallery/

First LEGO Exhibition in Cyprus

LEGO exhibition, photo zones, building labs and shops. By Hauteart. March 14. 36 Ayia Zonis, Limassol. 1pm-7pm. Adults: €10. Children: €5. www.hauteart.eu

PIFF Souvla/BBQ Fundraising Event

BQQ and jam session, fundraising event for the 3rd Palestinian Independent Film Festival. March 14. Meltemi, Nicosia. 2pm

Buy a Book – Save a Stray

Charity book bazaar to support P.A.W.S. (Protecting Animals Without Shelter). March 14-15. Yfantourgeio, Nicosia. 11am-6pm