Fancy a good film?:

Friday, 23rd March 8:30pm: A Fantastic Woman – Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta & Friday, 23rd March at 9pm: Friday Movies - A Man and a Woman (1966) – The Cinema Bar at Citylights, Valletta

The beauty of cinema is on display this weekend with two special screenings. Spazju Kreattiv is offering the multi-award winning Argentinian film A Fantastic Woman, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival last year to rave reviews – it was THE film everyone was talking about. The story centres on Marina, a trans woman who has to deal with the fallout resulting from the death of her partner. You can buy tickets here. On the other side of the capital, the Cinema Bar at Citylights, as part of their classic Friday movie nights, is showing the French Palme D’Or winner A Man and a Woman (1966), free of charge. Yes, free! 

For the love of art:

Saturday, 24th March 10am – 3pm: Art Additives | Dislocated Geographies - Meet the Artist– Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta & Sunday, 25th March 4pm – 6:30pm: Times of Dilemma – St Roque Chapel, Valletta and Manoel Island, Gzira.

Two intriguing art events are happening this weekend. On Saturday, artist Mario Abela will be discussing his series of work, Dislocated Geographies, which forms part of Spazju Kreattiv’s contemporary visual arts programme this season. The event will start with a tour at 10am led by the artist and aims to increase the public’s participation in the appreciation of the visual arts. Mario Abela will also be leading the Another Reality workshop for MCAST students at 11am, and members of the public are welcome to observe the workshop. And, if you have some time on Sunday, don’t miss Times of Dilemma, part of the major multi-site exhibition Dal-Bahar Madwarha being set up under the auspices of Valletta 2018. In this session, two megaphones - one placed next to St Roche Chapel at St Michael’s Counterguard in Valletta, and the other across the harbour, on the public foreshore of Manoel Island - will be used to transmit contemporary Ghana dialogue, addressing current urban and social issues on the island.

Celebrating the natural and the artistic:

Saturday, 24th March 10am – 6pm: Spring Garden Gathering – Villa Bologna, Attard.

Celebrate the first day of spring with the Veg Box at the stunning Villa Bologna in Attard. This promises to be a truly bucolic experience, with visitors having access to the famous gardens, which is part of the estate where the anthropologist Desmond Morris spent some time in the ‘60s while on the islands. Stalls, selling artisanal and hand made items, will be set up on Saturday and there will also be activities for the kids. For those inclined, yoga and talks will also take place. 

Sunday, 25th March 12pm – 5pm: Made with Love - Craft, Design and Handmade Pop up Market – Souvenirs that Don’t Suck, Sliema.

If you want a gift with a difference, head down to Souvenirs That Don’t Suck on Saturday, which will be hosting Made with Love, a pop-up market bringing together independent sellers of vintage inspired clothing, cool fashion, jewellery, homeware, and a crafter or two. Funky, soul and alternative music will be played, guaranteeing a chilled-out afternoon. Entrance is free. 

No days off if you want to save the planet:

Sunday, 25th March, 2pm – 5pm: Repair Café – Xrobb L-Ghagin, Marsaxlokk.

The huge waste problem currently facing humanity may not go away soon, but we can all do our bit. Friends of the Earth are organising a Repair Café this Sunday to encourage a culture of reuse and recycle and help mitigate the damage caused by an attitude of disposability. There will be four repair stations at Xrobb L-Ghagin in Marsaxlokk: one for clothes repair, one for bicycle repair, one for electronic repair, and one for up-cycling items from trash to treasure. The event is free and you can register here.

Live music and a few drinks:

Friday, 23rf March from 9:30pm: Jam with Jamesons – StrEat, Valletta.

If whiskey is your thing, StrEat in Valletta is once again sorting your Friday night out. Head down there for some Jameson and music played by Kyle & Petra. Whether you drink the spirit straight (good on you!) or mixed, in which case the Jameson Ginger & Lime, the Irish Millionaire and Leppy would be your thing, this promises to be a great night out. 

Friday, 23rd March from 9pm: The Areola Treat Live at The Garage – The Garage, Zebbug.

Indie band the Areola Treat are returning to The Garage in Zebbug to play some of the new tracks they’ve been working on the past few months. Influenced by Japanese psychadelia, punk, and rock 'n' roll, there’s bound to be some surprising sounds. The entrance fee is 6 euros and tickets can be bought at the door. 

Saturday, 24th March at 3pm to Sunday 25th March at 9pm: YMCA Music Festival – Maori, Valletta.

The YMCA Music Festival is an event with heart and soul. The two-day celebration of live music, taking place at one of Valletta’s most popular hipster haunts, will kick off at 3pm on Saturday and all proceeds will be going to help support the homeless in Malta. Some of the island’s best-known alternative bands and DJs will be playing, such as Pyramid Suns, Super Sponge Trio, The PlaKard Project, Double Standard, Steven Meli, and Zizza and Friends.

It’s farewell to a legendary club:

Friday, 23rd March at 10pm: Junky Pescio Reunion – Tattingers, Rabat & Saturday, 24th March at 10pm: Tattingers Closing Down Party - Ruby & Friends: The Reunion – Tattingers, Rabat.

This is the weekend we say goodbye to Tattingers in Rabat, the club which saw many a late night (or early morning) reveller stumble out of its doors, looking forward to the next party. Friday night will see the classic Junky Pescio Reunion with DJ Gianni and a special set by Ziggy. But, the real closing night is Saturday which will feature a massive reunion of the Ruby & Friends parties which ruled the underground dance music scene in Malta for 14 solid years. Get your tickets here.