Flamenco, tales of Limassol’s witches, Georgian ballet, stand-up comedy and classical music are on the agenda for this weekend. As spring continues, more annual festivals return, packing the cultural calendar with events and performances for all tastes. Read on to discover what’s on this Friday, Saturday and Sunday around Cyprus.

Friday, March 21

Following concerts in Nicosia and Limassol, the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra will present its Premiere 4 concert this Friday evening in front of Paphos audiences. The 8.30pm concert at Markideio Theatre will feature a rich repertoire of works by Mozart, Haydn and Rossini, performed by the orchestra’s esteemed musicians.

The people’s favourite Greek comedian, Katerina Vrana is back on the island with a brand-new show titled Derbederissa. Her latest performance looks at where society is today, how she feels as a woman and a comedian touching on gender bias and if her disability has affected her femininity, sexuality and humour. On Friday night she will perform in Nicosia at the Strovolos Municipal Theatre and on Saturday, at the Rialto Theatre in Limassol.

Saturday, March 22

Also happening in Limassol this Saturday is the Science Festival for children at the Paradox Museum. In collaboration with CP Foodlab, the museum will encourage children to become scientists for a day.

From 3pm to 5pm, young visitors will be able to solve paradoxical puzzles, learn about the secrets of science through interactive games and exciting experiments and explore STEM activities. There will be hands-on experiments in chemistry, biology, physics, astronomy and engineering. Children aged 4 to 12 will be able to join the workshops running every 30 minutes, in both Greek and English.

In Nicosia, the mesmerising dance-theatre performance Daibar Masal will present the forgotten story of the witches of the Four Lanterns of Limassol. Four performances will be held at Mikri Arktos, following sold-out shows in Limassol, shedding light on a lesser-known aspect of Cyprus’ cultural heritage.

The tale focuses on the struggle of women against the social restrictions imposed on them during Ottoman and British rule. Through the art of flamenco, contemporary dance, acting and interactivity, the performance highlights the determination and courage of these women, who were labelled as witches for defying social norms and the patriarchal system of their time.

Sunday, March 23

This weekend a series of performances by the famous National Ballet of Georgia – Sukhishvili will begin with shows around the island. Fifty artists, dancers and musicians who have preserved the traditions of authentic Georgian dance for 75 years will present a unique cultural and historical show.

After two performances in Larnaca on Saturday at G Lykourgos Theatre, two more will be on in Paphos on Sunday at Markideio Theatre and next week more will follow in Limassol and Nicosia.

In Larnaca, Sistema Cyprus will present the Roots in Rhythm concert on Sunday at 6pm featuring young musicians from the Nicosia Juniors Orchestra and the Larnaca Wind and Percussion Orchestra. Their union will deliver a remarkable musical performance inspired by diverse musical genres and historical periods with works for winds, strings and percussion.

Renowned international compositions will sound alongside contemporary works like Modus Cyprius, a piece dedicated and composed for Sistema Cyprus by the talented Cypriot composer Andreas Michalopoulos.

Sunday’s music proposals also include jazz melodies as The Leonid Nesterov Trio takes the stage of the Limassol Music Hall, delivering a mesmerising blend of original compositions, jazz standards and modern mainstream jazz. The show begins at 8pm to serenade listeners with the soulful rhythms of jazz to wrap up another weekend.

Premiere 4

Cyprus Symphony Orchestra concert featuring Mozart, Haydn and Rossini. March 19. Pallas Theatre, Nicosia. March 20. Rialto Theatre, Limassol. March 21. Markideio Municipal Theatre, Paphos. 8.30pm. www.cyso.org.cy

Katerina Vrana – Derbederissa

Brand-new comedy show. March 21. Strovolos Theatre, Nicosia. March 22. Rialto Theatre, Limassol. 8.30pm. In Greek. €25. www.soldoutticketbox.com, www.rialto.com.cy 

Science Festival – Become a Scientist for a Day

Interactive workshops, experiments and games for children. March 22. Paradox Museum, Limassol. 3pm-5pm. In Greek and English. www.paradoxmuseumlimassol.com/science-festival

Daibar Masal

Flamenco, dance and theatre performance on the legend of the Witches of the Four Lanterns of Limassol. March 20-23. Mikri Arktos, Nicosia. May 31 and June 1. Cornaro fine arts Centre, Limassol. Thursday-Friday: 8pm. Saturday: 8.30pm. Sunday: 7.30pm. €20. Tel: 97-620902

Georgian National Ballet – Sukhishvili

Ballet ensemble and orchestra from Georgia performs live. March 23. Markideio Theatre, Paphos. 4pm and 8.30pm. March 24-25. Pattihio Theatre, Limassol. 8.30pm. March 26-27. Strovolos Municipal Theatre, Nicosia. 8.30pm. www.ticketmaster.cy

Roots in Rhythm- Wings in Harmony

Concerts by Sistema Cyprus. March 23. Municipal Theatre G. Lykourgos, Larnaca. April 6. Satiriko Theatre, Nicosia. 6pm. www.soldoutticketbox.com

The Leonid Nesterov Trio

Live jazz music. March 23. Music Hall, Limassol. 8pm. €20. www.livemusiczone.fun