Coming up

• Victoria today celebrates the feast of St George. Gozo Bishop Mario Grech, accompanied by the basilica chapter and clergy, leads a procession from the episcopal palace in Republic Street, to the basilica at 8 a.m. Mgr Grech will lead Pontifical Mass at 8.30 a.m. St George's Band of Qormi and Stella Maris Band of Sliema play marches at 11a.m. Bishop Nikol Cauchi leads solemn vespers with the participation of Laudate Pueri choir at 6 p.m. The procession with the statue of St George leaves the basilica at 7 p.m. The La Stella Band will participate. Festivities end with band marches by the La Stella Band on St George's Square at 11 p.m.

• A Marian manifestation will be held on the Marsalforn promenade on Tuesday. The recital of the rosary at 7.30 p.m. will be followed by a concelebrated Mass led by Mgr Grech.

• Gozitan poet and writer Ġanninu Cremona launches his book L-Assedju ta' Għawdex 1551 - Ballata at St John's Demi Bastion in the Cittadella, on Friday at 8 p.m. The evening will include the reading of excerpts with the participation of singers Ruth Portelli and Mario Caruana accompanied on guitar by Joe Engerer and Mario Attard. The book will be sold in aid of Arka Respite Centre.

• The Fondazzjoni Kumittiva Għawdex is holding a barbecue at the Ramla Parking Area on Saturday at 8 p.m. There will be traditional music on ethnic instruments. Tickets can be obtained from Noel's Daily Picked Fruit and Vegetables at the Victoria car park for €10.

• Għasri parish is holding a pilgrimage to mark the 125th anniversary of Our Lady's call to Karmni Grima on Wednesday at 5 p.m. starting at the junction between Għarb and Ta' Pinu road. Mass will be celebrated at Ta' Pinu Sanctuary. The function will be broadcast on Radju Maria.

• 'It's a small world', an ecumenical, socio-cultural event will be held on Qala square, on July 30 between 9 and 10.30 p.m. Foreign residents and visitors to Gozo are invited to attend. An arts and crafts fair will also be held on the parish square.

• The University Gozo Centre is holding a foundation course in economics and accounting, starting on August 1. Sessions will be held on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. A short course in criminology starts on August 1. Sessions will be held on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Contact the University Gozo Centre on 2156 4559, 2156 2054, e-mail: ugc@um.edu.mt or write to the University of Malta - Gozo Centre, Mġarr Road, Xewkija, Gozo VCT 111, for more information.

• The Gozo Youth Orchestra is holding an open-air concert, 'Opera vs Pop under the Stars' in the Gozo Ministry's courtyard, Victoria, on August 4 at 8 p.m. Well-known operatic arias will be interpreted by guest soprano Pamela Agius and other singers followed by an array of pop and semi-classical instrumental and vocal pieces.

• The Heineken Beer Festival will be held at Ġnien il-Kunsill, Nadur next weekend. There will be plenty of food and entertainment for all ages.

cspiteri@timesofmalta.com