lofty ambitionsEvery Saturday Tulia Lopez flies in from Barcelona to Dublin for the weekend to take part in The Loft Market, selling her jewellery and accessories.
She's just one of 24 up-and-coming young designers exhibiting their wares on Saturdays and Sundays at this open space upstairs in the Powerscourt Centre. Others include Wendy Crawford who makes stylish coats, leads, collars and rugs for dogs in currently fashionable floral prints; Margaret O'Rourke with her MoMuse jewellery and Laura de Burca with her painted silks. The exhibitors have been selected by Aishling Farinella, a DCU graduate in film studies who fell in love with fashion working for a photographer, and who has for the past year been responsible for putting together this hip new venue for the Powerscourt Centre. Although it has been in operation for the past six months, today The Loft is officially celebrating its launch with music, New York-style cocktails and canapes from 1-5pm. Deirdre McQuillan
safe drinkingEvery 15 seconds a child dies from lack of access to clean water. The Aveda Dying for a Drink campaign helps support clean water projects through grassroots environmental groups around the world. As part of Aveda Earth Month, the Whetstone Aveda Salon and Spa on South Anne Street, Dublin, is hosting a "Dying for a Drink" event tomorrow (22nd). Clients who avail of Whetstone's hair and beauty treatments will be doing their bit as all monies raised will go directly toward the Dying for a Drink campaign. Staff of Whetstone are giving their services for free and food, drinks and music will be on offer. To book an appointment call the Whetstone Aveda Salon and Spa on 01-6724727. Michael Kelly
swatch this spaceFans of the Swatch - still one of the best,long-lasting watches that won't let you own when you've plunged your wrist into the baby's bath or washing-up by accident - may want to check out some of their colourful new jewellery, at classic stockists such as Weirs on Grafton Street, Dublin, as well as Fields in Arnotts and Jervis Street Centre, Keanes in Limerick and Lazlos in Galway. The Rumbasoul ring is €35, the bracelet €40 and you can check out the full range on www.swatch.com
growing for Africa
Got green fingers? Then put them to work for Africa by helping out with Oxfam's scheme to grow plants for sale in the charity's shops. If you're a gardener who just loves propagating, your local Oxfam shop would like to team up with you. Or maybe your school, resource centre, or community group would like to grow in bulk for the charity? Or perhaps you are a knowledgeable gardener who could volunteer to become your local Oxfam shop's garden expert? If none of these labels fit, then never mind, just get down to your local Oxfam (or go online), and buy seed packets of their cottage-garden annuals: cornflower, sunflower, nigella and sweet pea; or seed mats for a wildflower or herb garden. For further details, see www.oxfamireland.org/oxfamgarden. Jane Powers
language loversThe eighth Franco-Irish Literary Festival takes place from April 27th-29th, at the Coach House and the Chester Beatty Library, both in Dublin Castle. This year's theme is Talking about Islands, A propos des Iles, chosen as a tribute to Michel Déon, who is the guest of honour. At the festival's round-table discussions, writers from different cultures with different languages can exchange ideas. Participants include Chantal Thomas, Loic Finaz and Herve Jaouen. There are readings and lectures with Jean Lemieux, Jose Luis de Juan, Franzobel and Bríd Ní Mhórain. And the Alliance Française hosts a "literary brunch" with Joseph O'Connor and John Banville to close the festival on Sunday (noon to 2pm). See www.francoirishliteraryfestival.com/2007/
beach combersThe airwaves were buzzing with controversy after the Easter bank holiday weekend about the litter on our beaches, with most callers blaming county council staff for neglecting to clean beaches and empty bins. In reality we all have a role to play in keeping our beaches clean, so it's refreshing to see a community group take things into their own hands: Coiste Maisthe na Rinne, a grassroots community group in the Ring peninsula in Co Waterford, has organised a beach clean-up for today from 11:30am to 1pm. Meeting points are Cunnigar car park, Baile na nGall beach car park and Helvick Pier car park. Plastic bags will be supplied for rubbish collection and refreshments will be provided afterwards. Volunteers are welcome, and it is a great way to meet new people. Contact 058-46448. Michael Kelly
team spiritWith Ireland in the final eight at cricket's World Cup, it's time to look beyond football for our international hopes. This week an Irish team takes on the world in yet another sport - this time polocrosse, a hybrid of polo and lacrosse. Running from April 23rd to 29th, the polocrosse World Cup sees the Irish team, one of the top eight nations, visit Australia to tackle the hosts as well as Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, UK, the US and Zimbabwe. At the last tournament four years ago in South Africa, Ireland did quite well (in that we didn't come last, and we managed to beat England). In the meantime, the team has been training in Dublin and Wexford, perfecting their plays and passes in the sport that's described as "hurling on horseback". Polocrosse tournaments take place in Ireland throughout the summer, with the national finals this year at Carrickmines on August 25th and 26th. Follow the team's progress on www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup, and find out more about Irish clubs, where to watch and how to join in by clicking the Ireland link on www.polocrosse.net. Gemma Tipton
superstar djWho hasn't envied the charmed life of the DJ - it's all music, dancing and parties. And when the parties are in the blissed-out party island of Ibiza, you can add sunshine to the mix. If you fancy experiencing the DJ lifestyle yourself but don't know how to turn on a turntable, wonder no more. Dublin-based disc-spinner DJ Papillon is moving her DJing course, DJBasix, to Ibiza for one week only this summer. For €579, you will get VIP tickets to the opening night of the legendary Manumission club, followed by a week of DJing workshops. "The lessons cover everything you need to get started," says Papillon, "from the hands-on stuff such as setting up equipment and mixing, to the business side, like promotion and bookings." DJBasix students range in age from teenagers to people in their mid-40s, she says, and divide pretty evenly between male and female. At the end of the week, the students will throw a party in an Ibiza club and spin some vinyl. Contact 086-3945417 or see www.djpapillon.com for more details. Davin O'Dwyer
high praise for hickeyDelicate trees (above), flowers, the shapes of mountains, the outline of Dún Laoghaire harbour, pineapples and pomegranates - all subjects which took the eye of the late artist Patrick Hickey. One of the founders of the Graphic Studio, Hickey's work captures what has been called a "distilled stillness". A former head of painting at the National College of Art and Design, he told his students to "look clearly at an object, draw it, and get it right the first time". His own works are beautiful and moving, prompting you to return to them time and again. See them for yourself in Patrick Hickey - A Retrospective at Dalkey Arts Gallery until May 4th. "Reputation", Hickey once said, "is about the last thing a serious artist should aim for." Nevertheless, his own strong reputation is very well deserved. Patrick Hickey died in 1998. For more information see www.dalkeyarts.com Gemma Tipton
playing chickenA Slow Food event that doesn't involve eating sounds like a bit of a misnomer. But you might not have much appetite after watching parts of Fowl, a film by Andrew Legge that addresses both sides of the chicken rearing industry in Ireland - the huge commercial producers and the small free-range farmer. The film will be screened at The Future of Irish Food, an event organised by Slow Food Ireland. The Dublin (city and surrounds); Fingal (north Dublin) and Garden (south Dublin and Wicklow) branches or convivia are hosting the event at the Sugar Club, 8 Lower Leeson St, Dublin 2 on Tuesday, May 8th at 7.30pm. Guest speakers on the night will include Davie Philip of Cultivate Sustainable Living & Learning Centre, who will introduce and lead a discussion on a second film, The Power of Community - How Cuba Survived Peak Oil. Tickets are €12 for members and €15 for non-members and can be booked by e-mailing kate@slowfoodireland.com. Marie-Claire Digby