Coming up

• San Lawrenz today celebrates the feast of its patron saint with a pontifical Mass led by Bishop Mario Grech at 9 a.m., and Mnarja Band marches at 11 a.m.

Solemn vespers in Maltese will be led by parish priest Fr Daniel Xerri at 7 p.m., followed by marches by the Victory band at 7.30 p.m.

At 8 p.m., La Stella Band will play the titular hymn of Professor L. Billion, composed by Mro G. Giardini Vella, followed by a concert on the main square. The Victory Band will accompany the procession. A concert by the Precursor Band of Xewkija will take place at 9.30 p.m., followed by the antiphon, sacramental blessing and the translation of the relic at 10 p.m. The Precursor Band will play the closing marches.

• The Gozo Sailing Club is holding the Amand Family Day in Qbajjar Bay, Marsalforn, today from 2 to 7 p.m. Club members can try out various boats and windsurfers. After 7.30 p.m., members, family and friends will attend a pasta buffet night at Amand Restaurant in Qbajjar.

• Xewkija council is organising a Gozo Beer Festival at Gnien il-Haddiem, Xewkija, today from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Entrance is free. Entertainment will be provided by Rug (Ganni and band), New Harmonics, Chris D'Alfonso, Ivan Filletti and band, Johnny Cash and band and Klinsmann Coleiro and band. There will also be a children's play area, while the Maclaren F1 racing car will be on display.

• Ta' Pinu Sanctuary is organising a night vigil led by Bishop Mario Grech, on Tuesday, eve of the feast of Santa Marija, from 8.30 to 10.30 p.m. The public is urged to bring a red candle. The Gozitan Eucharistic Movement will lead the adoration, followed by Mass at midnight. The vigil will be broadcast on Radju Marija 102.3 FM and 107.8 FM. Transport is available from parishes. Phone 2145-3105 for more information.

• The feast of Santa Marija is being celebrated at the Cathedral this week.

The Leone Band of Victoria and St Margaret Band of Sannat will play marches today at 9.30 p.m., followed by ground fireworks on Savina Square.

Tomorrow a demonstration with the statue of Our Lady leaves the Cathedral at 9.30 p.m., with the participation of the Leone Band and the Mount Carmel Band of Gzira, followed by ground fireworks in Republic Street, while a concert by the Santa Marija Band of Zebbug, Gozo, directed by Mro Joseph Grech, will be held on Independence Square.

On Tuesday, the Chapter will concelebrate Mass at 8 a.m. The Chorus Ecclesiae Cathedralis will sing the Te Deum. At 10 a.m. Mass for children will be said by the archpriest, with the participation of the Cathedral Youth Choir. The Leone Band will play marches on the cathedral square. A reception at the Leone Band Club will be held at 11.30 a.m.

At 5.30 p.m. the Leone Band will play marches from the parish centre to the Cathedral, accompanied by the palji won in the horse and donkey races. At 6 p.m. Bishop Grech and the Cathedral Chapter lead the translation of the relic, followed by pontifical vespers, the singing of the Salve Regina, the litany and sacramental blessing.

At 7.45 p.m., Bishop Nikol Cauchi will celebrate a thanksgiving pontifical Mass on the 32nd anniversary of the crowning of the titular painting of the Assumption, with the participation of the Chorus Ecclesiae Cathedralis. Prayers led by Fr Franco Fenech, together with the Mhabba Divina group, will be said at 8.45 p.m. in preparation for the feast of the Assumption on Cathedral Square. At 9.30 p.m., the Leone and Victory bands will play marches along Republic Street. A fireworks display will be held on Savina Square.

On Wednesday, Bishop Grech concelebrates pontifical Mass with the Cathedral Chapter at 9 a.m. The Missa in Solemnitate Sanctae Mariae Assumptae will be performed.

Awards following the agricultural exhibition at Villa Rundle will be presented at 10.30 a.m., followed by marches by the 12th May Band of Zebbug and the Precursor Band of Xewkija at 11.

At 2.30 p.m., horse races will be held, followed by marches played by the Leone Band from the parish centre to Cathedral Square at 5.30.

At 5.45, the Rev. Chapter will sing solemn vespers led by the Vicar General, Mgr Giovanni Bosco Gauci, followed by marches by the Victory band from the parish centre to the cathedral square.

The procession with the statue of the Asumption start at 6.30 p.m., led by Bishop Mario Grech. The Leone band, the Chorus Ecclesiae Cathedralis, the Cathedral Youth Choir, tenor Joseph Aquilina, and baritone Alfred Camilleri, led by Mro Colin Attard, will play Mro Orlando Crescimanno's A Maria Assunta In Cielo, lyrics by Professor Ramiro Barbaro.

At 8, the St Joseph Band of Ghajnsielem will play marches from Republic Street to Cathedral Square, followed by a concert directed by Mro Sunny Galea at 8.30 p.m., while a concert by the Victory Band is directed by Mro Joe Galea on Independence Square.

There will be a fireworks display at 10 p.m., followed by sacramental blessing by Bishop Grech. The Leone Band will play marches.

• The Friends of the Sick and the Elderly in Gozo are organising their second fund-raising "Klondike" Dig in Ramla Bay on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be games, music and over 100 attractive "treasures" buried in the sand.