7 things to do this week
TODAY Those visionary folk at Convergence bring us a festival of sustainability, The Slow Fashion Cabaret, with drama, graffiti, skateboarding, comedy, fantasy and a stunning set as a backdrop for the eco and ethical clothes designs. For tickets and information call 01-6745773. Cultivate, Temple Bar. €15/€35/€50 depending on proximity to stage.
TOMORROW The "East Meets West" event sees an intriguing mix of musicians performing in The Sugar Club on Dublin's Leeson Street tonight. Everyone from Ronan Ó Snodaigh from Kila, Mandalla, Patala from London, Myles the Mandolin from Edinburgh and the man they call the Jimmy Hendrix of chanters, Bhagavan Das, will be there. Tickets €7/€10. Doors 8 p.m.
MONDAY It's 20 years since Irish pianist John O'Conor first took to the stage at the National Concert Hall to perform the complete Piano Sonatas of Beethoven and now they have invited him back to do it all again. O'Conor will give a talk, "The Unheard Beethoven", before each of the concerts. Tickets €15/€18/€20/€25 or €10 for the choir balcony from 01-4170000 or www.nch.ie. Concert begins 8 p.m.
TUESDAY Colm Tóibín will be biting his nails tonight as he waits to see whether his book The Master has landed him the prestigious Booker prize. After the announcement of the winner, a panel of experts including Carlo Gebler, Ian Hill and Gail Walker discuss the shortlist and whether the winner was worthy in the Downpatrick Library, Co Down. Admission free. Phone 048-44612895 for details.
WEDNESDAY Take a "Quantum Leap" into the world of colour at Dublin's Cabra Library today. This art exhibition lets you "interact with colour, gain deeper insights into yourself" - or you could just enjoy the art and get to grips with colour theory. A special session with the facilitators Gráinne Daly and Eilish Kelly starts today from 10.30 a.m. Contact 087-6344641 for further details.
THURSDAY The second National Culchie Festival takes place in Lisselton, Co Kerry until Monday, with last year's winner Eoin Coffey - "a well-known personality in Macra circles" - handing back his crown. Phone Paddy Rock for more details: 087-2439760.
FRIDAY The theme for the 42nd Belfast Festival at Queens is "Journeys and Migrations" and features 300 artists from 20 countries including jazz from the US, close-up theatre from Canada and hip-hop from the Middle East. The festival opens today with Veles E Vents (Sails and Winds) a free family outdoor event with fireworks, music and mystical adventure. Show starts 6.30 p.m. sharp at Lanyon Place, Laganside, beside the Waterfront Hall. www.belfastfestival.com.
