January 5 - 11th
weird science
There were just over 200 entries for the first Young Scientist competition which was held in 1965. In 2007, students submitted 1,278 projects but only 500 make it to the RDS exhibition which starts Wednesday at 2pm. The 2008 BT Young Scientist of the Year will be announced on Friday. www.btyoungscientist.ie
dinky rinks
While some of the festive ice-rinks have melted leaving only broken hearts and sore limbs, many are still open and not as crowded as they were pre-Christmas. It's the last weekend of action at Clifden on Ice, Co Galway; Tralee on Ice, Co Kerry; Galway Bay on Ice, Salthill; and Ireland on Ice in Limerick. GoSkate at Booterstown, Smithfield on Ice, Howth on Ice and 7up Christmas on Ice at the RDS and Liffey Valley, all run until January 13th.
music
If you missed last night's 22nd Vibe for Philo concert, there is an all-ages drink-free matinee at 2pm today at The Button Factory in Temple Bar. Nice idea (01-6709202). Icelandic tenor Gardar Thor Cortes apparently has the voice of Pavarotti and the looks of Brad Pitt - judge for yourself as he performs on Thursday at the National Concert Hall in Dublin with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
biodiversity
The environmental information service ENFO hosts an exhibition and workshops on biodiversity at St Andrew's Street, Dublin this week. On Thursday, there's a seminar entitled "What you can do for biodiversity" with talks on beekeeping, going organic and the spirituality of biodiversity. On Friday at the RDS, there will be discussion on the impact of climate change in nature, particularly hedgerows and wetlands. www.enfo.ie
give dance a try
Dance Ireland celebrates the anniversary of its arrival at DanceHouse, Foley Street, with a week of free events. There are performances all week, plus free taster classes in ballet, contemporary, jazz, pilates, salsa, flamenco, bellydance and hiphop. See www.danceireland.ie
theatre
Garry Duggan's Dedalus Lounge is a jet- black tale of desperation, casual sex, bereavement, copious drinking and Freddie Mercury impersonations. It stars Neill Fleming, Steve Gunn and Aenne Barr and opens this Tuesday at the Mill Theatre, Dundrum, Dublin, until January 12th (01-2969340). I,Keano starts its final run at the Olympia on Tuesday. The cast includes Dessie Gallagher, Gary Cooke, Jamie Beamish and Caroline Morahan, until January 26th. www.mcd.ie
and finally...
Of Songs and Sonnets is a lecture-recital on the history of early vocal music at the National Concert Hall on Tuesday. Featuring Karishmeh Felfeli on piano and Naomi O'Connell, mezzo soprano, it includes music by Handel, Purcell and William Byrd. www.nch.ie