guy stuffIf you're the sort of fella who has the newest phone, the best PDA and the coolest MP3 player, Toys 4 Big Boys is for you.
Returning to the RDS on Friday, it is Ireland's biggest gadgets show, and will feature all sorts of goodies with weird names and of dubious usefulness, as well as cars and sports equipment. The show has a "ladies' pamper zone", complete with hair consultants and a make-up bar. Everyone's a winner. (www.toys4bigboys.ie)
contemporary classical
Innovative contemporary music group Crash Ensemble (left) will perform experimental music by composers James Tenney, Tom Johnson and Erik Lund in (Ir)rational on Thursday. On Friday the ensemble will premiere new music by Irish composers including Stephen Gardner, Linda Buckley and Julie Feeney, who will sing with the group, in Free State at the O'Reilly Theatre, Belvedere College, Dublin (www.crashensemble.com).
on stage
The St Petersburg Ballet bring Tchaikovsky's classic Swan Lake, starring the renowned Irina Kolesnikova, to Belfast's Grand Opera House on Wednesday. For details call 048-90241919. Kids can't get enough of Dora The Explorer, and a stage version of the hit cartoon is currently touring Ireland. Today and tomorrow, Dora (right) and friends entertain Killarney, while future dates include Belfast, Castlebar and the Olympia (www.ticketmaster.ie). winter music
BudRising Winter starts on Monday in venues around Dublin for a week exciting music - Primal Scream, Tapes 'n Tapes and TV On The Radio (left) should be among the highlights. There is also a free one-off party at the Guinness Storehouse next Saturday, see www.budrising.ie. Meanwhile, Paul Simon plays the Point on Wednesday and Scissor Sisters play Belfast the same night before hitting the Point on Thursday (www.ticketmaster.ie).
irish arts
Whether you play trad a few days a week or make your living in the traditional arts, An Cruinniú @ glór in Ennis, Co Clare will have something for you. From Wednesday to Friday, An Cruinniú will include sessions on international touring opportunities, funding sources in Ireland, traditional arts and media and much more, presented by well-known performers and experts in the traditional arts world. See www.glor.ie for details.
cinema
The 12th Junior Film Fleadh begins in Galway on Tuesday, screening the very best in youth cinema from around the world, while two short films by young film-makers from Tuam and Castlegar will be shown. For details, see www.juniorfilmfleadh.com. Dublin's Docklands present 12 Angry Films, a series of movies concerned with class struggle, at Pigeon House from Friday to Sunday. Call 01-8069012 or 087-9590878 to reserve a free ticket.