Relive the classics:

Friday 13th April, 7:30pm to 8:45pm:  Hearing Orpheus Today 2018 – Casino Maltese, Valletta; Saturday 14th April: International Spring Orchestra Festival Closing Concert – Teatru Manoel, Valletta & Sunday, 15th April at 8pm: Opening of Malta International Music Festival - Robert Samut Hall, Floriana

Classical music will ring from the ramparts this weekend with three events highlighting the beauty of tone and depth of meaning accompanying some of the world’s greatest work. On Friday, head to the Casino Maltese for the third concert in the annual series Hearing Orpheus Today, while Saturday night will see the closing event of the 12th edition of the International Spring Orchestra Festival at the Teatru Manoel. It’s programme will consist of Karl Fiorini playing Weinende Frau; Witold Lutoslawski with Funeral Music; Dimitri Scarlato and In Limbo while Bela Bartok will play Divertimento for Strings. Buy tickets from here. Then see the weekend out with the opening event of the 6th Malta International Music Festival, which will consist of a grand recital by the famous Cosmopolitan Trio Vienna featuring well known Trios by Beethoven and Dvorak. A real treat for all chamber music lovers. Tickets from here.

For a little bit from the East:

Sunday, 15th April, 12:30pm: Good Thaimes Beer Fest – Funky Monkey, Gzira.

There’s nothing better to wash down a flavoursome Thai meal than some beer, as the good guys at Good Thaimes know. The famous beer bar in Gzira is hopping over to Manoel Island to Funky Monkey on Sunday for their first event of the year: The Good Thaimes Beer Fest. Chefs will be busy working up lots of tasty meals and there is, of course, plenty of those signature Good Thaimes brews. 

Sunday, 15th April, 8:30pm – 11:30pm: Sunday Anime - Akira (1988) - Special Japanese Month – The Cinema Bar at City Lights, Valletta.

Head further East (mentally, at any rate) and relive the classic, legendary Akira (1988), the Japanese anime which thrills audiences today as much as it did when it was first released. The plot, straightforward to some, impenetrable to others, concerns a futuristic neo-Tokyo biker gang whose lives are impacted after an accidental collision with a secret government-run project dealing with telekinetic powers in children.

Look to the land and sky for a burst of colour:

On Friday 13th April & Saturday, 14th April from 18:30pm and Sunday, 15th April from 12pm: Colour Fest: A Festival of Colour – Valletta Waterfront, Valletta.

Valletta Waterfront will burst with colour, music and entertainment this weekend with the annual Colour Fest. Free activities will include live bands, stalls, giant outdoor games, arts and crafts, healthy living information, children's entertainment and more. Find out more here. Keep an eye out for the stilts walker!

Saturday, April 14th, 10:15pm: XII Malta Mechanised Ground Fireworks Festival – The Granaries, Floriana.

And there’s more colour further up, at the Granaries with the 12th Mechanised Ground Fireworks Festival (locally known as Nar tal-Art), being organised by The Floriana Local Council, and held in Saint Publius Square on Saturday, the eve of the feast of Saint Publius – Floriana’s Patron Saint. Ground fireworks are a unique Maltese pyrotechnic tradition and an extremely important part of the outdoor festa celebrations in Malta & Gozo, so this is your chance to see the energy and passion which goes into them live!

One we’ve all been waiting for:

Friday, 13th April & Saturday, 14th April, 8pm, and Sunday, 15th April, 3pm & 7.30pm: Mamma Mia - The ABBA Musical, Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta.

Finally, it’s here! Mamma Mia, produced by FM Theatre, the guys who brought you My Fair Lady a few weeks ago, will hit the boards this weekend. Starring West End leading lady Charlotte Gordon, as well as an all-star local cast including Izzy Warrington, Pia Zammit, Antony Edridge, Ray Calleja, Edward Mercieca, Maxine Aquilina, and Tom Camilleri, this promises to be a corker.  Catch the last few tickets (if you can) from here.

Food to the tune of good music:

Sunday, 15th April, 11am – 4pm: Sunday Brunch Live – Dr Juice Gzira, Gzira.

Go all New Yorker and enjoy a healthy brunch this Sunday at Dr Juice in Gzira. The trendy spot is organising a bespoke menu and DJs will be playing a three-hour set from their personal collection of Sunday Grooves. Grab a mimosa while you’re there. Brunch will be by reservation only and you can book for one of two sittings: at 12pm or at 1.30pm. 

Commemorate Maltese history:

Saturday, 14th April, 9am: Commemorating the George Cross – the Siege Bell Ceremony – Great Siege Bell Memorial, Valletta.

For something a little bit more serious – and requiring more contemplation – visit the Great Siege Bell Memorial in Valletta to celebrate the anniversary of the presentation of the George Cross to Malta. This was awarded for “the heroism and devotion of its people" during the heavy military bombardment suffered by the island in the early part of World War II. For a detailed programme, visit the official site.