Well whaddya know, the weekend is almost upon us again. This is a special weekend for a lot of people because...it's around the time of the most bestest time of month - Pay Day! Yayyy! Oh, and it's Mother's Day on Sunday.

Don't worry if you've spent all of your hard-earned cash already though (it happens) or if you're not paid till next week, or if you're one of those lucky paid-weekly so and sos or even if you don't get paid at all, there's plenty of stuff to do around the country, many of which are totally free or at least cheap as chips.

We say you should go ahead, hop to it and start planning your weekend now. So here are two helpful things: our handy weekly guide to help whet your appetite and a gentle reminder to buy a card and some flowers or something for the Mammy.

Friday, March 28th

What? Play: Adventures in Failure
Where? Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin
What time? 8pm
How much? €20

The Smock Alley Theatre is one of Dublin's secret gems. If you haven't experienced a play there yet, now's a great time to go. Adventures in Failure is 'a joyous physical production, a surreal imagining, a fantastical jaunt' - intriguing, eh? - and going to the theatre is just a really nice way to get the weekend off to a good start.

What? Gig: Can’s Jaki Liebezeit and Burnt Friedman with Drums Off Chaos
Where? The Grand Social, Dublin
What time? 8pm
How much? €20

The legend that is Jaki Liebezeit is coming to Dublin for the first time this century. A member of the first European Jazz Wave in the 1960's known for his distinct 'reduced' style of drumming - this is a really cool opportunity to see a true maestro (and his frequent collaborator Burnt Friedman) at work.

What? Art: Urban Coup Takeover
Where? Temple Bar and St. Stephen's Green, Dublin
What time? 2 - 4 pm

Lucky you if you're out and about in Dublin city centre on Friday because you can see four live art pieces that will take place in Temple Bar, St. Stephen's Green and surrounding areas. Urban Coup want to surprise the public by using the urban landscape as their platform and YOU as an integral part of their piece. It's a mystery as to what on earth the art will be - don't forget your camera!

Saturday, March 29th

What? Gig: Wild Beasts
Where? The Olympia Theatre, Dublin
What time? 8pm
How much? €23.40

I'm telling you now, this indie band from the UK are on their way to stardom and if I were you I wouldn't miss this gig. It would be almost like missing Hozier's pop up gig in Whelan's that sold out in, like, seconds, except you have a bit more time to decide. Go!

What? Gig: Forum Final Fling
Where? Forum Waterford
What time? 11pm
How much? €10

Forum Waterford have been hosting the Fling for over a quarter of a century and sadly, this will be the very last one. Expect the Final Fling to be a night of epic proportions - King Kong Company will play the main venue with support from DJ Travis Bickle, while The Jam Tarts Orchestra will play the Lounge with support from Shakedown & Traffik DJs Tommy Boy, Louis & Zoe. Enjoy it while you can - it's going to be emotional. Sniff.

What? Gig: Little Green Cars
Where? Seapoint, Galway
What time? 8pm
How much? €20

The Irish band du jour are heading West for what's sure to be a storming gig in Galway. The Cars will be raring to go since it's their first gig of 2014 so it's bound to be a good 'un.

What? Gig: Laura Elizabeth Hughes
Where? Cyprus Avenue, Cork
What time? 8pm
How much? €8

Another Irish artist making waves is Laura Elizabeth Hughes who starts her Irish tour on Friday in the INEC, Killarney. She plays Cork tonight, in the iconic gig venue Cyprus Avenue. She is heading towards 2 million views on You Tube and appears to be on the brink of stardom - catch her before the bigwigs do! For under a tenner, how could you afford not to?

Sunday, March 30th

What? Comedy: Fred Cooke, Michael Downey, Eve Darcy, Dermot Roche
Where? Ha'penny Bridge Inn
What time? 9.15
How Much? €5

If laughter is the best cure, then head down to the Ha'Penny and soak up the good stuff. Fred Cooke from the telly, Michael Downey, Eve Darcy and Dermot Roche will have you facing the week ahead in the much lighter mood.

What? Event: Styleflash
Where? Blachardstown Centre, Dublin
What time? from 1pm

Who doesn't like a spot of shopping on a Sunday? Ok, loads of people don't but this is a special occasion - it's Mammy's Day and yours wants a treat. The Styleflash event at the Blanchardstown Centre is not only about shopping, there are fashion shows and advice stalls and free stuff, I repeat, Free! It's on Saturday too, if that suits you better. Just, just think about mother dearest.

What? Event: Discotekken's Mother's Day Party
Where? The Sugar Club, Dublin
What time? 7.30pm

Now this is where I would expect to be brought if I was the producer of some offspring. The lovely Discotekken peeps have organised one hell of a Mother's Day shindig: there's to be a screening of lovely Irish flick His & Hers, Sallay will perform live, there'll be a DJ too and The Open Door Supper Club will serve delicious scones with home made jam and chantilly cream with a cup of tae for a very reasonable price.