A series of lectures investigating the relationship between history, politics and theatre kicks off today at the Peacock Theatre, "as if we hadn't enough on our plate already", comments the press release. The first lecture, "Theatre and Commemoration", with Artistic Director, Patrick Mason and dramaturg Aideen Howard, will take place today at 1.05; tomorrow's lecture is "Co-operation and Politics: Sir Horace Plunkett and Social Reform", with former Senator Trevor West and West Belfast Festival Director, Caitriona Ruane, at the same time and place.

On Saturday, the forbiddingly titled "Ernest Blythe Lecture" takes place at the Peacock at noon. Enrique Pardo will speak on "Alchemy and the Schools of Theatre". Pardo is a theatre director, actor, writer, whose Myth and Theatre Festivals at La Chartreuse in Villeneuve-lez-Avignon have been, it seems, very inspirational to people working in the areas of dance, mythology, philosophy and archetypal psychology. Although this lecture is free, booking, on 01-8787222, is advisable. On Thursday of next week, again at the Peacock at 1.05 p.m., Luke Gibbons, of DCU, and Carol Coulter, of this newspaper, will talk on the subject of "The Return of the Native", while on the following day, same time, same place, Declan Kiberd of UCD and the playwright and UCD lecturer, Frank Mc Guinness will speak on "The Idea of a National Theatre".

The third DIY Music Festival takes place at the City Arts Centre, Dublin, from Monday until Saturday next, and features work- shops and gigs which explore community, ethnic and independent music. Irish participants include The Plague Monkeys and the Harvest Ministers, and international participants include Bisi Adigun (above), who hosts an African drumming workshop, and Hombre Rosso from Milan, who play a mix of Afro-Brazilian, Caribbean, Latin and reggae rhythms. Information: 01-6770643