Strong performances, captivating stories:

Friday, 11th May – Saturday, 12th May, 9:30am - 5pm: Trikki Trakki, Malta Youth Theatre - The Malta Visual And Performing Arts School, Hamrun & Saturday, 12th May, 5pm - 6:30pm: Dare to dream - MPO Family Fanfare Concert - St Agatha’s Auditorium, Rabat.

Theatre for the younger members of society has come forward in leaps and bounds. We’ve had the Nuna Palk series of performances, which really raised the bar, and this weekend, two events promise to deliver more of the same. On Friday and Saturday, the Malta Visual and Performing Arts School in Hamrun are organising Trikki Trakki (Malta Youth Theatre), a theatre festival organised by Malta’s national theatre company Teatru Malta in collaboration with the school. Three shows of less than half an hour each will take place in different areas of the school, creating a unique visual and topographical performance. In the meantime, on Saturday, St Agatha’s Auditorium in Rabat will host the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra’s Family Fanfare Concert, storytelling made powerful through music. 

Friday, 11th May, 8:30pm – 9:45pm: Solar Cinema (Family Friendly Films) - Misrah ir-Repubblika, Zurrieq.

Let the summer begin! With the warmer weather the season brings, we have lots of outdoor activities to look forward to. Solar Cinema definitely promises to be one of the favourites: a solar powered mobile cinema will hit the road and travel to different towns and villages, screening films in their squares. Zurrieq is the lucky one this week, with a series of family-friendly films being screened so all you have to do is bring a chair!

Genuine, locally made products:

Saturday, 12th May – Sunday, 13th May, 10am - 6pm: Gozo Spring Fair - Villa Rundle, Victoria, Gozo.

The Gozo Spring Fair, happening on both Saturday and Sunday in Victoria, Gozo (where else?) will be celebrating all the bounty the season brings by offering locally-produced fare. And if your store cupboard is full, why not buy yourself a beautiful flower arrangement instead? Should you be watching your pennies, you can still take the kids - there will be lots of fun activities for the young ‘uns to enjoy.

A load of laughs:

Friday, 11th May, 5pm: Let’s Gin Up! – Kingsway, Valletta.

Celebrate the end of the working week with a gin and tonic from Kingsway in Valletta tomorrow. There will be music (from 7:30pm onwards) to entertain you but what will bring the crowds are the cheap prices, with G&Ts being offered for five euros. And, for every one G&T you buy from 5pm-6pm, you get one free! Just make sure to book a cab home. 

Saturday, 12th May, 8pm: Eurovision Final – at almost any bar near you!

One event you will not be able to avoid this weekend is the Eurovision Final – an extravaganza of song, dance and colour. It may not always be tasteful, it can very often be weird, but it’s the event we all love to laugh with (or at?). Most bars will be screening the event, but if you want to watch it somewhere unique, why not try the Cinema Bar at Citylights? They are offering the full experience, with finger food and bubbly for the reasonable price of 15 euros. A cash bar will also be on hand, so you can sing and have a good time, even if you don’t end up loving the songs. 

Something to think about:

Starting this weekend: Vernacular - Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta.

The weekend is also the time in which you can catch up with all your arts events and, this weekend, head to Palazzo de la Salle in Valletta for Karen Caruana’s much anticipated exhibition, Vernacular. The paintings were put on show for the first time earlier this week, but if you didn't make it to the launch, you can still experience these thought-provoking works – and perhaps buy one or two?

Saturday, 12th May, 8:30am: Fragments - Gran Salon of the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta.

Heritage Malta have really upped their game over the past year or so when it comes to organising standout events, designed to instil a deeper appreciation of our historical and cultural heritage. If archaeology is your thing, don’t miss Saturday’s event, a half-day seminar designed to discuss archaeological fragments from prehistory and medieval times, many of which can be found in the museum’s collections. The event is free, but you need to register by sending an email to [email protected].

Experiences to remember:

Sunday, 13th May, 8am - noon: Breakfast at Ghar Dalam - Ghar Dalam, Birzebbuga.

Breakfasts don’t come more unique than this! On Sunday, you have the opportunity to enjoy the most important meal of the day at Ghar Dalam museum. A guided tour will follow, highlighting the several archaeological, historical and natural features found in this area designated to become a national park, and participants will have the opportunity to visit an underground cistern and the foundations of a Roman villa, as well as Casa Ippolito (a derelict 17th Century farmhouse in Wied Has-Saptan). Just remember to wear comfortable shoes!

Friday, 11th May, 8pm – 11pm: European Jazz Jamboree - Pjazza Teatru Rjal, Valletta.

Pjazza Teatru Rjal, the open-air theatre at the entrance of the capital, are putting on quite a show for us this month, with three (yes, three), events showcasing live music. This Friday head there for some jazz. Some of Europe’s most well-known jazz musicians will be on the island to perform alongside Malta’s masters of the genre. Though the venue is large, this is bound to be a popular event, so get tickets while you can!

Move your body:

Sunday, 13th May, 8:30am – 12:30pm: Victoria Lines Trail Walk – Mgarr.

You might spend all week slouched over your desk, but that doesn't mean you need to spend the whole weekend doing so too! Get some fresh air by taking the trail along the Victoria Lines, starting and ending in Mgarr, in the north of the island. Wear comfy shoes and bring lots of water. Hopefully the weather will hold!