MUSIC NEWS:The programme for Culture Night 2011 has been finalised, with a huge number of free events taking place tonight.

In addition to the many performances (mentioned previously on these pages), some extra-special events have been lined up for the public.

One of them will take place at Dublin's Hello Operator venue at Rutland Place, where soon-to-depart Today FM DJ Donal Dineen will host a special recording of his Small Hoursshow as part of the "ode to radio" programme dubbed Sounds Alive. Although the event is fully booked, listeners can tune into the show when it's broadcast on Today FM next week. There will also be music from acts including singer-songwriter EleventyFour at the National Gallery and the Chester Beatty Library.

Another one-off will take place in Cork, where Choice Music Prize-winning musician Julie Feeney will play a special gig to a limited number of fans at a secret venue that will be disclosed on the night. Cork City Council has put a special emphasis on music at this year’s Culture Night, in order to strengthen their bid for UNESCO City of Music status. www.culturenight.ie

"Like stripped-down Ray LaMontagne meets Van Morrison."

Actor Robert Pattinson is characteristically modest about how his debut album is going to sound