Day Trippers

7 things to do this week

TODAY Spring into the new season in style and help raise funds for the Beaumont Transplant Foundation at the same time by attending their inaugural ball in the Burlington Hotel in Dublin tonight. All money raised goes to aid vital research into kidney transplants in Ireland. Tickets are 1100 and can be purchased at 01-6688041.

TOMORROW If you haven't seen this hectically paced spectacle yet, it's worth going along to a special performance of The Shaughran in the Abbey this afternoon. Tickets for the musical are 120 and all proceeds will be donated to the Tsunami appeal fund. To book phone 01-8787222. 2.30 p.m.

MONDAY A chance encounter by a man and a woman in an urban park has the potential to change both their lives. Winter, by Jon Fosse – Norway's most important living playwright – is an intense, spare and poetic work that marks the author's Irish debut. Presented by Rachel West, Winter runs at the Project theatre until the 19th. Tickets ¤14 from 01-8819613.

TUESDAY Art lovers should head to Dublin's Liberties this week for an exhibition of Bridget Flannery's beautifully textured "internal landscapes". The exhibition from one of Ireland's leading abstract artists is being held at the Cross Gallery in Francis Street and continues until February 26th. Phone 01-4738978 for more details.

WEDNESDAY The Chinatown Festival takes over the National Museum at Collins Barracks in Dublin from today. For one week, this raucous fusion of Oriental and Irish culture will feature a range of events, including music, dance and workshops. The popular festival market boasts stalls selling everything from Chinese food to jewellery. Book tickets by logging onto www.dublin.ie/chinatown or call 01-4487777.

THURSDAY Outback, the Australian bar on Parnell Street, Dublin, has changed its name to The Woolshed, which evokes fond memories for some of the racy Thornbirds TV series. Despite the name change, the bar's popular Thursday night karaoke competition continues, with the winner going through to a monthly final. The singing kicks off at around 9 p.m. and admission is free.

FRIDAY He came, he saw, he went home and now ne half of the Father Ted writing team has penned a musical epic about those events in Saipan. The world premiere of I, Keano was held earlier in the week and anyone who had even the slightest interest in the saga – that's the whole country then – will want to know whether the stage version succeeds. With characters such as Macartacus, Quinnus, Dunphia and Tommy Gormanus it could be the next Riverdance. Box office, 0818-719330.