Arts and Ents in brief

Student poetry competition Its that time again when students begin to think of summer... and poetry! Windows editors Heather Brett and Noel Monahan are holding their 19th poetry competition, in association with Cavan Crystal who provide a spectacular award ceremony annually, this year on May 19 in the luxurious Cavan Crystal Hotel. Entries are already arriving from Galway, Dublin and Donegal as well as from local schools. Closing date is March 31 and all students from 10-18 years old throughout Ireland are eligible. Usual rules apply, any theme and make sure sure the poem is your own work. Contact details on the back of each entry and post to Cavan Crystal Hotel, Dublin Road, Cavan or email to heatherbrett22@hotmail.com. Junior, Senior and Irish categories. Enquiries to 086-0650908 Bon Jovey Relive the glory days of Slippery When Wet and New Jersey this Saturday, March 12, in a Cavan nightclub! The over-23s club in the Farnham Arms Hotel, Cavan are set to feature Bon Jovi tribute act, Bon Jovey. With a set list packed with hits from 1983 right up to 2011, Bon Jovey have it all covered. Bon Jovey were formed in 2002 by some of the finest musicians on the Irish Circuit. By bringing Bon Jovi's iconic stadium rock to the venues of Ireland they have established themselves as the best Bon Jovi Tribute in Ireland. They've featured on RTE and TV3 with their authentic tribute act. Doors open at 11pm, the band take the stage at 11.30pm and admission is free to the first 50, with concessions after that to anyone with flyers. Check out www.bonjovitribute.ie. McGinnity's on Friday Irish Australian songwriter Peter Baxter is set for McGinnity's Bar, Cavan this Friday, March 11. You may know Baxter for his third album, The Blue Black Waves, which was produced with Dónal Lunny and Dave McCune and features ten songs that bear the influence of his journey. Baxter has played at festivals and venues throughout Europe and supported acts such as Ben E King, Ralph McTell and Andy Irvine. He is the founder and co-director of Songschool and delivers songwriting workshops in schools and centres in Ireland, Spain and the UK. Gig starts at 10pm and admission is free. Happy birthday Gonzo! Gonzo has turned the grand old age of one! The birthday bash is this weekend. There's drama on Friday, and on Saturday there's a round-up of 'the best bits' from the Gonzo over the past year. Top Dog Theatre Company presents Bardot Bites and Lucy Bastible at The Gonzo on Friday. On Saturday's line-up is the launch of Philip Doherty's spoken word album with Daragh Slacke, with 'the best bits' from Mysterious ways, Rum and Vodka, Raindrops, The Game Of Chase, Love Sonnets, Pure Brothers and The Gonzo Club. There will be a short film of the Fleadh created by Dane McDonald and a slide show of happenings during the year. Take a sneak preview of the newly refurbished Gonzo Late Lounge which officially open on March 19, as Cavan's only boutique bar! Doors open at 8pm with show starting at 8.30pm. Admission is €10. Invite to filmmakers The Gonzo theatre is hosting Cavan's first ever short film festival. The Gonzo Film Festival is open for submissions from innovative filmmakers from all around the midlands area. The festival takes place in the Gonzo Theatre, Cavan on Friday, March 18, and is free to enter. The closing date for submissions is March 14. Email kevinmcgahern@hotmail.com or check out the Gonzo website for details on how to enter. Sean nós dancing A four-week sean nós Dance class will start at Ballyhugh Cultural Centre, Ballyconnell on Tuesday, March 15, at 8pm. Sean-nós, meaning old style, is a traditional form of dancing, in which the dancer is free to interpret the music. This dance is suitable for all age groups, and a great way to keep fit. For further information, contact 049-9526044. Sound of music Verity Rushworth will star as Maria alongside Jason Donovan as Captain Von Trapp in their production of the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The Sound Of Music. Jason and Verity will play the roles when the show visits the Millennium Forum in Derry from March 22 to April 2. Verity is best known as Donna Windsor in Emmerdale; Jason's television credits include Neighbours. Evening of culture On Sunday, March 13, at 7.30pm an evening of Culture, Siamsa An Chabháin, will be held in Hotel Kilmore in Cavan. It is being organised by the GAA cultural officers in the county, led by Pádraig Mac Diarmada. They're promising plenty of Irish music, song, dance and drama, including Scór performers. Tickets for this event have been distributed to every club by Cavan County Board and will also be available at the door.