A guide to what's going on this week
The process of adopting a child in Russia led Debbie Deegan, from Clontarf in Dublin, to Hortolova and the discovery of horrendous conditions at orphanages there. Deegan established To Russia with Love to help develop the orphanages and alleviate the emotional damage suffered by the children in them.
The charity launches a photographic exhibition, Dream Big, Little One, at Foodlife (aka Kylemore) in Stephen's Green Shopping Centre, Dublin 2, on Friday, with the BBC journalist Kate Adie as guest speaker. It runs for three weeks. See www.torussiawithlove.ie.
Tonight, at Cork's City Hall, the Italian baritone Paolo Gavanelli and the Irish soprano Mairéad Buicke feature in the Bord Gáis New Year Opera Gala, performing with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. The programme includes pieces by Verdi, Puccini and Rossini. Call 021-4270022.
In the past year the children of RTÉ's Cór na nÓgchoir have broadcast on radio, performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, sung for Bertie Ahern and released a CD. If your child is between nine and 13 and would like the chance to join, call 01-2082977 or see www.rte.ie/music/cornanog. The closing date for applications is next Wednesday.
"Dublin" and "hip hop" are words you seldom hear in the same sentence, but Messiah J & the Expertare changing that. You can hear tracks from their album, Now This I Have To Hear, at Whelan's in Dublin tonight, at Róisín Dubh in Galway on Friday and at the Savoy in Cork on Saturday.
Lovers of guitar music might like concerts by Clive Barnesand Peter Mulvey, who are on tour. Catch them at the Half Moon Theatre in Cork tonight, at Cleeres Theatre Bar in Kilkenny tomorrow and at Mick Murphys in Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare, on Monday.
Lloyd Coleplays Whelan's in Dublin on Sunday and Monday, and the Dublin alternative-rock four-piece Delorentosfollow up a phenomenal 2006 with a gig at Cyprus Avenue in Cork on Wednesday.
Tomorrow night the ISPCC Cheerios Childline Concertat the Point in Dublin sees Westlife, Shayne Ward, McFly and hosts Keith Duffy and Stephen Gately team up for a night of pop.
There's an impressive line-up for the Meteor Ireland Music Awardson Thursday, also at the Point: Amy Winehouse, Clannad, Kaiser Chiefs, Director and The Blizzards. Expect some cringe-inducing moments with hosts Podge and Rodge and Deirdre O'Kane.
In Limerick, Belltable's Unfringedperformance festival - now in its 10th year - has 10 days of events at 10 city venues from Wednesday until February 10th. Highlights include a performance by former Cranberry Noel Hogan and his MonoBand, a one-man show called The Letter, by Italian mime artist Paolo Nani, and a performance of Romeo and Juliet by New York puppeteers Tiny Ninja Theatre. Telephone 061-319866 or e-mail info@belltable.ie for more.
The annual Burren Spring Conferenceinvites residents and visitors to a weekend of talks and events with the theme "Ways of Seeing the Burren". This year's conference runs from Friday to Sunday, at Burren College of Art. See www.burrencollege.ie.