Thank you for the music:

Tuesday, 22 January from 8pm – 10.30pm: Arrival, The Hits Of Abba - Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta; Friday, 25 January from 9pm: Queen Tribute DJ Night - The Garage, Zebbug; Saturday, 26 January from 8pm – 10.30pm: The Romantic Symphony - Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta

There’s nothing like a good dose of rhythm to put your week on the right track. And, over the next few days, there’s more than one opportunity to hum, sing and tap your feet. Tomorrow night, head to the Mediterranean Conference Centre for some of the best-known (and corniest?) tunes to have come out of Sweden. A packed line-up of Abba classics will hit the stage at the Mediterranean Conference Centre (MCC) and will ring in your head long after you’ve gone to bed and turned off the lights (you have been warned). The MCC will host music of a different sort altogether on Saturday with Wagner’s compositions echoing through its wide halls: the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Lawrence Renes, and accompanied by British soprano Emma Bell, will be performing the master’s symphony as well as Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 in E-flat major “Romantic”, inspired by Wagner’s work. For a little bit more rock n’roll, however, Friday promises a kind of magic with a Queen Tribute DJ Night at Garage, Zebbug. 

Take a chance on me:

Thursday, 24 January from 7pm: Talk ‘Is the ftira a marker of identity?’ – The Inquisitor's Palace, Birgu; Thursday, 24 January from 7pm – 9pm: Campari Art Competition Launch - Allura Gallery, Valletta

Food and drink are the likely sources of inspiration this Thursday with two events designed to get your grey cells crackling. In homage to the more-ish Maltese ftira (a ring-shaped type of bread), the Inquisitor’s Palace in Birgu is hosting a discussion on the history and culture of this leavened loaf, beloved by the Maltese who miss no opportunity to fill their hungry bellies with a stuffed-to-the-brim slab. But, if you fancy getting creative, the Campari Art Competition might be just the ticket to fuse your love of drink and culture. The launch is taking place at the Allura Gallery in Valletta. Grab yourself a Negroni and let your imagination take flight. 

Saturday 26 January: The Whisky Festival 2019 - Limestone Heritage, Triq Mons Mikel Azzopardi, Siggiewi

If your tipple for the colder months is a smooth scotch, brave the elements (in other words, get off the sofa and rip off that blanket) and head to Limestone Heritage on Saturday for the third edition of the Whiskey Festival 2019. Savour the silky Japanese Nikka, or the smoky Isle of Jura; try something new with Glenfiddich's Project XX expression; or just savour the vibe created by four-piece band The Busker, while grabbing a bite from the spread of grub on offer. And, remember to book that taxi if you’ve had one too many!

Super Trouper:

Saturday, 26 January from 9am – noon: Try abseiling and rock climbing for the first time! - Xaqqa Cliffs, Siggiewi; Sunday, 27 January from 10am – 5pm: Gozo Challenge 20km Hike West Coast – meeting at the Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal, Mellieha

Broken your New Years’ resolutions yet? Let’s hope not! You’ll have ample opportunity to tear apart those promises you made to yourself in the months to come. But, for this week, keep your body moving and trying new things by venturing into abseiling and rock climbing (yes, you heard right!). On Saturday, you’ll have the opportunity to try these sports out, in the company of other like-minded (and similarly inexperienced) enthusiasts. For something a little more grounded, test yourself in the Gozo Challenge 20km hike on Sunday. You’ll deserve a treat after that!