Seven things to do this week
TODAY: An excuse to use the new footbridge and explore CHQ's mysterious, cavernous hall: the much touted sample sale of discounted clothes and accessories from more than 35 designers, including Ghost and Diane Von Furstenburg is on today. It's called the Billion Dollar Babes Sale - unfortunately - but proceeds from the door go to Action Breast Cancer. Register online at www.billiondollarbabes.co.uk. It starts at a keen 8am and ends at 6pm. Have a pizza or Italian confection afterwards in Il Fornaio in Custom House Square (01-6721852).
TOMORROW: It's Mother's Day, so get out the breakfast tray, run the bubble bath and dazzle her with gratitude. You might also find your way to the Curragh for the first day of the flat season; if in Dublin, the Rathmines Festival continues, with exhibitions, recitals, lectures, a walkabout, poetry readings, projects and games for children, all culminating with a concert by Juliet Turner (below) in the Town Hall at 9p.m. Booking: 01-4975334; info@rathminesinformationcentre.com.
MONDAY: Start the week on a cultural note: spend your lunch hour at Bewley's CafeTheatre, where The End of the Beginning by Sean O'Casey has been extended for a few more weeks. Stars the incomparable Brendan Conroy, among others. 1p.m. Booking: 01-8784001.
TUESDAY: True West, the third of Sam Shepard's over-the-top "family plays", opens at the Peacock Theatre tonight at 8.15. It's a tale of two brothers. "There's gonna be a general lack of toast in the neighbourhood this morning," says Austin, played by Emmet Bergin. Booking: 01-8787222.
WEDNESDAY: The Beckett Centenary Festival will soon be in full flow: this week make your way to the RHA Gallagher Gallery to see work by two important US 20th-century artists, Philip Guston and Bruce Nauman, alongside three filmed plays by the master from Foxrock: Not I, Breath and Act Without Words. Guston's daughter, Musa Meyer, wrote a wonderful biography about her father called Night Studio, an intriguing portrait of the era as well as the trials of having a genius as a parent. Available on amazon.com.
THURSDAY: Kooky Canadian singer Jane Siberry makes a rare appearance on this side of the pond to a savvy crowd at Whelans at 9pm. Melodic, funny, intelligent songs that go straight to the heart of the matter; she's much underrated. Tickets €22 from 01-4780766.
FRIDAY: Beatles fans should flock to The Bootles, a tribute show comprised of songs, slides and anecdotes produced by a group of Liverpool lads - at least they've got the accents right. At the Pavilion Theatre in Dún Laoghaire at 8pm. Tickets €22 with €17 concessions. Contact: 01-2312929.