Seven things to do this week.
TODAY If you are in the Limerick area, check out the Hothouse Flowers. Liam still dances barefoot on stage oozing wayward charm, and the music is still top class. Dolan's Warehouse, 34 Alphonsus Street, Limerick. 9.30 p.m. €15. Phone 061-314483 to book.
TOMORROW Take some jazz with your afternoon tea today as the critically acclaimed Zrazy play the George on George's Street, Dublin. If you are missing Bewley's already you will love their "uniformed waitress" service, which includes white linen on the table, china tea sets and a pastry trolley. A great way to beat the shopping blues. Admission is free.
MONDAY Although we are finding it hard to forgive Ronan Keating for his remake of Father and Son, this is one concert you could bring your mother to. The Odyssey Belfast, £30. www.odyesseyarena.com. 8 p.m. In the capital, the Dublin Bach singers, with the Orchestra of St Cecelia, will be performing Handel's Messiah at the Pro-Cathedral, in aid of the Rotunda hospital. Performances of the Messiah helped raise money for the original Rotunda in the 1740s. St Mary's Pro-Cathedral 8 p.m. Tickets, €20/€15 from the Pro-Cathedral and from 01-6396024, or on the door.
TUESDAY What better way to mark the shortest day of the year than with a short film season at UGC cinemas, supported by Bord Scannán na hÉireann and the Irish Film Board. All day at 10.30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3.30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. you can catch 12 of the finest Irish short films in the UGC Short Screen. These include Daniel O'Hara's award-winning Yu Ming Is Ainm Dom and the wonderful Give Up Your Aul Sins. For further information contact Emer on 086-8062465.
WEDNESDAY Grab a bit of culture during the holiday with the Christmas Exhibition at Graphic Studio Gallery, Temple Bar in Dublin, which features a host of artists such as Yoko Akino, Colm MacAthlaoich, Cliona Doyle and Noelle O'Keeffe and a number of studio regulars. Opening hours Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-5.30 p.m. Sat 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun 2-5pm.
THURSDAY There is an unmissable double bill at Whelan's on Wexford Street tonight when the elder statesmen of rock and favourites of Morrissey, Sack, strut their stuff alongside the wonderful Chuzzle, an enigmatic performer with a penchant for top hats. 8 p.m. €14
FRIDAY It's worth finishing that last-minute shopping early to make it down to St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, where the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is taking place. Admission is by ticket only and must be booked in advance. See www.stpatrickscathedral.ie for more details. 3.15 p.m. daytrippers@irish-times.ie
