It's a wonderful time to be alive! If you're questioning why exactly, well it's because we're smack bang in the middle of summer by now and there's loads of cool stuff to do. The world and their mammy is on holidays (and while technically we're not it sure feels like it) so many, many, kind people have pulled out all the stops to keep us entertained. Let's just not mention a certain someone with friends in low places...

The name of the game is still festivals - if there's not a series of events going on somewhere near you I'll eat my fedora. But before you make me, let me point out that even if you're not in the vicinity of a fest, well there is definitely going to be a gig, concert, theatrical performance, sad clown mooching by a lonely street corner somewhere close by. Actually scratch the last one, there are no lonely street corners in oh my, my, my, my July, only bustling and happy ones flanked by buskers and shiny, happy, generous, people just like you.

We do agree that with all the choice decision making can be difficult, that's why we have compiled this little taster to give our dear readers some inspiration. Onwards!

Friday, July 11th

What? Festival: Galway Film Fleadh
Where? City of the Tribes
When? July 8 - 13

Everyone knows that Galway is the place to be during the summer months (and I'm not just saying that because the most beautiful and best county is where I hail from. I'm not!) Seriously, a whole load of top-class festivals will be getting underway in the next few weeks. You'll be in the thick of one of them, the world-renowned Galway Film Fleadh 2014, by Friday. Screenings start at 10 am and continue on till late into the night. Closing the festival on Sunday night will be An Bronntanas, playing in the Town Hall Theatre and in between there'll be cool films, interesting talks and mighty craic.

What? Concert: State presents Faces of July
Where? The Mercantile, Dame St, Dublin
What time? 8.30pm
How much? FREE!

State continue their series of gigs celebrating the best of new Irish music by presenting up and coming acts The Wonder Villains, The Statics and Handsome Handsome this fine Friday night. The party continues in Whelan's with Simi Crowns and Yong Buddha playing the Midnight Hour - and there's no entrance fee with a Mercantile stamp. Oh how we love free music that happens to to be great.

What? Play: My Brilliant Divorce
Where? Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoighaire
What time? 8pm
How much? €16 - 18

I saw this one-woman play years ago - in the Town Hall Theatre, Galway no less - with American actress Glenne Headly in the lead (and only) role. I enjoyed it so much I've tried to catch it whenever it has been presented in Ireland - and this version definitely won't be an exception to my rule. Starring the brilliant Tara Flynn (Irish Pictorial Weekly) it follows the recently deserted Angela who sets on on a hilarious and moving journey to survive and enjoy life on her own – she hopes!

Saturday, July 12th

What? Gig:  Souljazz Orchestra
Where? The Sugar Club, Dublin
What time? 9.00pm
How much? €12.50

Now celebrating their 12th year, the multicultural collective from Canada, Souljazz Orchestra, bring their percussive explosion of soul, jazz, afro, Latin and Caribbean rhythms to The Sugar Club, Dublin.

What? Outdoor Performance: On Baile's Strand by WB Yeats
Where? Cummeen Strand, Sligo
What time? 1pm

The Blue Raincoat Theatre Company present a unique outdoor performance of the Yeats' classic On Baile's Strand on Sligo's beautiful Cummeen Strand with the glorious Knocknarea Mountain as its backdrop. This drama about the madness of poor oul Cuchulainn is sure to be an incredible and memorable event.

What? Festival: Letterkenny Home Grown Food Fest
Where? Letterkenny, Donegal
When? Saturday and Sunday

Celebrate all that Donegal and Ireland has to offer from the land and the sea at the inaugural Letterkenny Home Grown Food Festival. See brilliant food demonstrations from the likes of Rachel Allen, Paul Rankin, Ian Ore, Brian McDermott and Martin Anderson and thoroughly enjoy yourself in beautiful Donegal.

What? Gigs: ORB All-Ages Matinée ORB Over-18s Evening Show
Where? Cyprus Avenue, Cork
What time? 2pm and
How much? €15 and €16

ORB are that popular they are putting on two shows in one day. While the over-18s Evening Show may be a hefty 1 euro extra, we think it's best to leave the matinée to teens and, eh, their chaperones. The boys' new summer single Can't Let Go is already shaking the airwaves and HMV will be hosting pop-up shops at these gigs and the ones in Dolan's, Limerick on Friday 11th, Monroe's, Galway on Sunday 13th, INEC Killarney on Wednesday 16th and the Spirit Store, Dundalk on Thursday, 17th so get your tickets while they're hot!

Sunday, July 13th

What? Festival: Laya Healthcare City Spectacular
Where? Dublin and Cork
When? July 11 - 27

Some may be looking at the title of the event and the images and thinking they recognise what's going on but they're not quite sure how. That's because Ireland's biggest family festival - Laya Healthcare Street Performance World Championship - has undergone a bit of a make-over. The elements you know and love will still be there, the only difference is that there will be loads more stuff to enjoy! Fun events will be going on in Dublin's Merrion Square over this weekend (and in various other locations form July 11 - 27) and it will move to Fitzgerald Park in Cork for July 19th and 20th. Spectacular Spectacular!

What? Music: Wave Forza presents Dust - Live and Alessandro Adriani
Where? Odessa, Dublin
What time? 10.30pm
How much? €10 / 12

Let 4-piece international group, Dust add a dimension of ker-azy to your Sunday night. Making up the collective are Seoul native and Noise/Visual artist Green Jellyfish, Berlin-based Psych vocalist Angela Chambers, and Brooklyn-based producers John Barclay and Michael Sherburn. Singer-Songwriters they certainly are not - and yes, that's a good thing. DJ Alessandro Adriani aka Newclear Waves will continue to heighten your senses with his blend of droned out acid, techno and wave. That's exactly what we want this Sunday night - to rave into the working week. Yeahhhh!