Seven things to do this week.
TODAY Put your dancing shoes on and head to Dún Laoghaire for the 5th Irish Youth Dance Festival which features more than 50 young dancers and choreographers all showcasing their work. Check out the Dublin Youth Dance Company, the Junk Ensemble, Wexford Community Youth Dance Company and UK-based Las Tertulia Dance Project. For tickets and more details of workshops being held tomorrow call Pavilion Theatre on 01-2312929.
TOMORROW Six renowned sculptors put their skills on display today as part of the International Sculpture Symposium 2005. Three Irish and three international sculptors are creating six unique works in the grounds of Farmleigh, affording visitors a unique opportunity to watch the artists at work. The sculptors discuss their pieces today at 2pm and 3.30pm and the pieces made from limestone, granite, bronze and wood will remain on permanent display.
MONDAY Dublin comedian James Goldsbury previews the new show he is bringing to the Edinburgh Festival tonight in the International Comedy Cellar, Dublin. The show, entitled Da Bitchy Code, raises some interesting questions, such as who brought Mary Magdalene along on a lads' night out to the Last Supper in the first place? Find out at the lunchtime shows (1.10-2pm) all this week. Admission: whatever you can spare.
TUESDAY Maeve Dunphy has been causing a stir of late and tonight she plays her second gig with her band at the Irish Blues Club in JJ Smyths, on Dublin's Aungier Street. Her own blues stylings combine jazz, funk and soul and can be found on her debut EP Let It All Hang Out. Fans of good, original and Irish music should not miss this gig. www.irishblues.com.
WEDNESDAY The King Kong live music club is so popular these days that a decibel counter has been brought in to measure the cheers, ensuring fair play for all contestants battling for a coveted slot on the Hard Working Class Heroes Festival. Tonight, contestants Lucera, Les Bien and Heather fight it out under the watchful eye of host Keiron Black. As always, admission is free. Pravda, Liffey Street Lower, Dublin. 8pm-2.30am.
THURSDAY Younger folk will enjoy a special children's tour in the Natural History Museum today on Madagascar and the animals that are unique to that country, tying in nicely with the new kids' movie of the same name. 11.30am-12.30pm. Further information from www.museum.ie.
FRIDAY The inclusion here of Karen Egan's Cabaret at the Oriental Room in Bewley's on Grafton Street has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Egan sends boxes of chocolates in with her press releases, and everything to do with the fact that she is Dublin's drollest diva with a nice line in multi-lingual cabaret. But it's her incredibly funny semi-autobiographical ballads that will have you in stitches. Tonight and tomorrow, 8.30pm, €15/€12. For bookings call 086-8784001. Bring your own chocs.
