Daytrippers

7 things to do this week

TODAY Chill out by dropping in to the shiatsu clinic being held from 11am to 2pm at Dublin Food Co-op, in St Andrew's Resource Centre, Pearse Street, Dublin 2. Practitioners from the Irish School of Shiatsu will be on hand to give 20-minute treatments and answer any questions about this de-stressing style of bodywork. Inquire about the event on 01-2865997.

TOMORROW You've just got to love a band whose "governing principle" is "musical democracy" and "creative freedom". The Cyclic Episode are led by bassist Pawel Wysota, one of the many Polish musicians establishing themselves in the capital. They play JJ Smyth's Pendulum Club, on Aungier Street, Dublin 8, at 9pm. Tickets €8. Call 01-4752565.

MONDAY Kevin Bacon isn't in it (sob), but it's worth a trip to Belfast to catch the high-energy musical Footloose at the Grand Opera House, on Victoria Street. Sing along to classics such as Holding Out for a Hero and Let's Hear it for the Boy and wonder at the longevity of the legwarmer. Runs until next weekend. Shows at 2.30pm and 8.30pm. Tickets £5-£30.50. Call 048-90241919.

TUESDAY Liam McDermott, winner of the From Demo to Breakthrough competition, held at Axis Arts Centre in Ballymun, should have quite a swelled head. He's been getting all sorts of plaudits since his victory. The EP he got to record as his prize is being launched tonight by the comedian Dave McSavage, at Voodoo Lounge, in Dublin. Admission is €10, which includes a copy of the EP. Bookings on 01-8832100. Go along so you can say you knew McDermott way back when.

WEDNESDAY Clearing Through the Danger: The Human Face of Conflict in Iraq is a photography exhibition, hosted by Trócaire, that aims to show the human face behind the war and highlight the devastation inflicted on civilians. Taken by photographer Sean Sutton, the images (see photograph below) document the struggles facing Iraqi communities after decades of conflict. Trócaire Centre, 12 Cathedral Street, Dublin 1. Runs until February 25th. Call 01-5053270.

THURSDAY The Bud Rising music festival moves south, to Cork, with an explosive array of breakthrough musical talent. Humanzi and Channel One are at Cyprus Ave at 9pm. Also playing are Delorentos, at An Brog, at 8pm. All tickets €10, on sale from the Old Oak. First come, first served, and limited to two per person.

FRIDAY Fishamble is a reliable theatre company, so its latest offering will probably deliver exactly what it says on the tin. The Gist of It is, they say, a "new, fast, furious and wicked 90-minute drama of misunderstandings about three people, a butterfly and a flaming sambuca". Runs at Project Cube, Dublin, until March 11th, then moves to the Civic, Tallaght. €16/€12. Bookings on 01-8819613.

daytrippers@irish-times.ie