• Kercem celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Succours today with Mass at 9 a.m., led by Gozo Bishop Mario Grech. The Stella Maris Orchestra and St Gregory Choir will participate. Maria Mater Gratiae band of Zabbar will also play marches at 11.15 a.m. Fr Roberto Gauci will celebrate Mass at 6 p.m. A procession, led by Canon Brian Mejlak will start at 7.45 p.m., with the participation of the St Gregory band. At 7 p.m., the Imnarja Band, under the direction of Mro Joseph Grech, will give a concert at the church square, followed by the Ite Ad Joseph Band, under the direction of Mro Frank Debono, at 9.30 p.m.
• The parish of St Peter and St Paul in Nadur is organising a pilgrimage on Wednesday at 5 p.m. to mark the 125th anniversary of the Virgin Mary's call to Karmni Grima. The activity leaves from the road junction between Għarb road and Ta' Pinu for Mass at Ta' Pinu Sanctuary. The function will be broadcast on Radju Marija.
• The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel will be celebrated at Ta' Ħamet church, Xewkija, on Wednesday. Mgr Carmelo Hili will celebrate Mass at 6 a.m. There will be solemn adoration from 5.30 p.m. Bishop Nikol Cauchi will then lead a concelebrated Mass at 7.30 p.m., followed by a procession with the statue of Our Lady.
• The 11th edition of the Victoria International Arts Festival continues today with a recital at 8 p.m. by Marcello Canci (violin) and Gabriele Campagna (pianoforte) at the Mgr Giuseppe Farrugia hall. The festival reaches its climax tomorrow at 8 p.m. with a vocal and orchestral concert at St George's Basilica, with the participation of the Malta Philarmonic Orchestra, the Laudate Pueri Choir and soloists. The programme includes Dvorak's Cello Concerto, Op. 104, Fauré's Requiem, Op. 48, and Joe Vella's Domine Jesu Christe, Op. 38. On Tuesday, after 6 p.m. Mass, celebrated by Mgr Paul Cardona at the Good Shepherd church, the La Stella band will play marches on its way to St George's Basilica, after which the statue will be carried out of its niche. Solemn vespers will take place from Wednesday to Friday at 6.30 p.m., followed by a sermon by Fr Joseph Gauci. Masses at 9 a.m. will be sung from Thursday to Saturday. Other church functions are also programmed, including the participation of Mgr Grech and Mgr Cauchi.
• Teen Talents, a musical of song and dance with Gozo's finest teen talent, is being held on Saturday, from 3 to 5 p.m. at St Gregory Band Club, Kercem. Tickets at €3.50 can be bought from the bar (tel: 2156 0490) or by calling 7994 2789.
• The annual Golden Cross International Singing Festival will take place between Saturday and July 23 at the Citadel Centre for Culture and the Arts. A pre-festival show on Saturday at 8 p.m. at Xlendi Bay will include dancing and singing by local and foreign personalities. An international cultural evening will be held on July 21, at the same venue. The show, which will feature food, drink and music by the participating countries, kicks off at 8 p.m. A song contest will be held on July 22. The winners will be announced during a gala show on July 23.
• An exhibition of 13 mixed-media photoworks by Sydney-based artist Maree Azzopardi, entitled Humana Shadow , is on display at the Banca Giuratale, It-Tokk, Victoria, until Sunday. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays between 9 a.m. and noon.
• St George's feast will be celebrated in Victoria on Sunday. Mgr Joseph Mercieca will celebrate Mass on Saturday at 9 a.m. at the basilica. Mgr Grech, accompanied by the cathedral chapter and clergy, leads the translation of the relic and pontifical celebration at 6.30 p.m. The King's Own Band, under the direction of Mro John Galea, will give a concert at St George's Square at 8.
cspiteri@timesofmalta.com