A weekly guide to going out, staying in and generally living the life
cumann merriman
. . . Or Camp Merriman as it is fondly known by its devotees. Maeve Binchy wrote a wonderful story for this magazine about a marriage saved and the friendships made at this twice-yearly celebration of the art of conversation, conviviality and, of course, Irish language, arts, music and literature. Head for Spa Wells, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, today and catch some if not all of the week's events, which continue until next Saturday (www.merriman.ie).
music
City of Derry Guitar Festival, like the jazz festival earlier in the year, is helping to breathe new life into Derry. Top international guitarists will offer masterclasses, workshops and talks for those with pluck, including a composition course by Frank Lyons. There is also a good programme of performances to choose from (www.cityofderryguitarfestival.com). The festival starts on Thursday at the University of Ulster
bluegrass
Guinness Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival opens on Thursday. For four days the dotey Co Waterford town will host Ireland's largest bluegrass festival, with a selection of top acts, such as Boxcar Preachers and King Brothers from the US and Europe's Bluegrass Boogiemen and the Jack Danielles String Band. The bands play in six venues, both indoor and outdoor, and all gigs are free. More details from 051-878832.
global culture
From Friday the Festival of World Cultures will bring the sights, sounds and rhythms of more than 50 countries to Dún Laoghaire for the weekend. Events will include street theatre, classical music - some with a Russian twist - dance routines from the Orient, some Latin American grooves and a traditional costume show. Good ethnic food stalls, too. For more information, see www.festivalofworldcultures.com.
electronica
The brilliantly named Tetris Safari, a new electronic dance festival, will take place near Downpatrick, Co Down, next weekend, Friday to Sunday. The five music areas, including a trance stage, a minimal techno stage and a chill village, will feature plenty of innovative visuals and sounds. It's a first - so the organisation might be patchy - but all profits go to the Meningitis Research Foundation. See www.thegreenmonster.org for details.
art
Don't forget to plan a visit to the National Gallery of Ireland, in Dublin, for the exhibition devoted to Samuel Beckett's favourite works: A Passion for Paintings. It invites you to look anew at several of the pictures in the gallery's collection, including Nicolas Poussin's Lamentation over the Dead Christ, Perugino's Pieta and A Morning by Jack B Yeats, once owned by Beckett. Admission to the exhibition is free. It ends on September 17th.