Daytrippers

Seven things to do this week

TODAY Latin America Week kicks off today in the Mansion House on Dawson Street in Dublin with a conference featuring the Colombian group Kankuamo, who will discuss their cultural revival in a climate of terrorism. Events continue all over the country until next Saturday; for details contact the Latin America Solidarity Centre on 01-6760435 or www.lasc.ie. Today's conference runs from 11am to 5pm and admission is free.

TOMORROW Check out the masterpieces on display at An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, between 11am and 5pm today. The works will be for sale at Letterkenny Lions Club's art auction in the theatre on Friday night at 7.30p.m. The painting (above), of Carlingford Lough, is by Steve Browning.

MONDAY Today is your last chance to view the celebrity items on show at the Front Lounge in Dublin as part of Oxfam Ireland's Music Auction. The booty includes signed posters, T-shirt and calendar from REM, signed framed photos of local heroes such as Bell X1, Paddy Casey and Mark Geary and much, much more. The auction takes place on www.ebid.ie with bids closing on April 30th. All proceeds go to Oxfam. www.oxfamireland.org or 01-6040706.

TUESDAY The Ruby Sessions in Doyle's pub on College Street, Dublin is always a great night out, but tonight is going to be even more special. Among the acts getting together in memory of Woody Sagoo are Hothouse Flowers, Colm Quearney, West Seventies and other surprise guests. Admission is a measly fiver and it all goes to the Dublin Simon Community. 9pm.

WEDNESDAY Highlights from Sotheby's 10th Anniversary Irish Sale are on view at their offices at 16 Molesworth Street in Dublin until Saturday. The sale includes paintings by Jack B Yeats, Sir John Lavery, Walter Frederick Osborne, Louis Le Brocquy and Roderic O'Conor. For viewing times and details of free valuation days contact Sotheby's on 01-6711431.

THURSDAY A rare appearance in Ireland by Pulitzer prize-winning American poet Galway Kinnell at 8.30pm at the Town Hall Theatre in Galway. He shares the session with Romanian Nina Cassian.One of the highlights of Cuirt, the international festival of literature and poetry, running from April 19th-24th. Bookings 091-569777

FRIDAY Dublin wine merchants, Mitchell & Son, celebrate 200 years in business with a gala dinner in the grand dining hall of Trinity College. Champagne reception and five-course dinner with matching wines and Green Spot whiskey. Tickets, €225, from O'Brien PR, 045-882653.