Seven things to do this week
TODAY The family that plays together stays together, and Family Day at the National Gallery is packed with fun things for all ages. There are children's art workshops, and tours of the gallery for the adults, and the children's choir Cór na nÓg provides a musical start to the day in the Shaw Room at 10.30 a.m. Admission free.
TOMORROW If you want to have a party but don't fancy clearing up the next morning check out Sunday Roast, the new club night at Spy, South William Street, Dublin. The downstairs bar hosts all manner of emerging talents, while in the pink room you'll find clubbers reading Sunday papers and playing Twister, Jenga and Connect 4. They even serve roast potatoes. 8 p.m.-1 a.m.
MONDAY Dion Boucicault's classic, The Shaughraun, is now previewing at the Abbey (official opening Wednesday), with a cast including Aidan Dunbar, Fiona O'Shaughnessy, Jasmine Russell and a stage dog - but all eyes will be on the directorial style of Riverdance impresario and Abbey board member John McColgan. Tickets start at €15 from 01-8787222.
TUESDAY The puntastic tap dance company Tapestry presents Hoofers, a show based on the legendary Hoofers Club of 1920s Harlem. Backed by the Derek O'Connor Quartet, the show pays homage to old-time tappers such as John Bubbles, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and King Rastus Brown. Samuel Beckett Theatre, Dublin, until Friday. Tickets €15 and €12 (concession). Booking: 01-6082461.
WEDNESDAY Aoife McElwain and friends have already raised hundreds of thousands of euro for Outreach Moldova, a charity working with handicapped children in the Hincesti Orphanage. Tonight they are staging a charity gig at the Temple Bar Music Centre in Dublin. Musicians and DJs, from 9 p.m. till late, include Susan Enan and Sean Needham and the Maladies. Tickets 12 on the door. www.outreachmoldova.org.
THURSDAY If you missed out on Morrissey, there's plenty more music on offer during the Heineken Green Energy Festival, which starts tonight with Australian rockers Jet (below) in the Ambassador, Dublin. Other festival highlights include Amy Winehouse at the Village and Iggy Pop and the Stooges at Dublin Castle. Jet tickets: 22.50 from Ticketmaster outlets and www.ticketmaster.ie.
FRIDAY The first Dublin Docklands Maritime Festival may not sound like a barrel of laughs but it's the only place to get a trip on the Grand Turk, the 1790 replica tall ship and star of the Hornblower series. Other vessels, including the Jeanie Johnston, are available to tour or you can have a look at the Liffey from another angle by boarding the Sea Safari. Continues until June 7th. www.dublindocklands.ie. Contact 01-8183300.
