Something for the weekend

Christmas lights

It’s officially Christmas in the capital from Sunday with the switching on of O’Connell Street Christmas tree lights. Lord Mayor Oisín Quinn will do the honours at 6pm , but the entertainment starts at 3.30pm with music from the Army Band and gospel choirs. If that wasn’t enough excitement there will also be an attempt to break Dublin’s 2011 record for the most “geansaí Nollaigs” in one place so all those attending are asked to wear their favourite Christmas jumper.

[ dublinatchristmas.ie  ]

Ballet

The Monica Loughman Ballet will present a preview of Children of Lir at the Hugh Lane Gallery 11:45am - noon on Sunday. Featuring world renowned stars of Russian Ballet Kristina Shapran (Stanislavsky Theatre, Moscow), Ivan Mikhailov (Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow), Anton Ploom (Principal Mikhailovsky Theatre, St Petersburg), Olga Konosensko (Lithuanian National Opera Ballet). Also featuring Oisin O'Driscoll, Leanne Whelan and Zhara Ellis Dempsey (Monica Loughman Ballet). This fifteen minute performance will be a continuation of the work in progress for an Irish main-scale ballet production planned for 2015 based on the Irish Legend Children of Lir. Tickets are very limited but any remaining are available by registering at ballerina.eventbee.com/event?eid=199805844 Star Wars

Open auditions for two roles in Star Wars: Episode VII will be held in Croke Park Stadium tomorrow and Sunday between 11am and 3pm, with entry via St Joseph’s Avenue gate off Conliffe Road, Dublin, from 8am onwards. The auditions have been switched to the stadium in a change from the original venue of Filmbase in Temple Bar due to the huge crowds expected to attend. Women aged 17-18 years old and men 19-23 years old are being sought for the two roles .

[ https://twitter.com/UKOpenCall ]

Rugby

Ireland will play New Zealand in the Autumn Rugby Internationals at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday. Kick-off is at 2pm. New Zealand, seeking their 14th consecutive win this calendar year, has named a strong team with Israel Dagg, Ma'a Nonu and Richie McCaw among the star names set to feature . The Ireland line up is R. Kearney, T Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, D Kearney, J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, M Ross, P O'Connell (c), D Toner, P O'Mahony, S O'Brien, J Heaslip. Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, D Fitzpatrick, K McLaughlin, M McCarthy, I Boss, I Madigan, L Fitzgerald. irishrugby.ie

Food

The Food & Wine Magazine Christmas Show 2013 runs tomorrow and Sunday in the RDS Main Hall in Ballsbridge, Dublin. The Chef's Kitchen which will be the heart of the show featuring Ireland's top chefs. There will also be an Artisan Village for ingredients and the Drinks Zone for wine enthusiasts who want to learn more about wine matches, tasting, grape varietals and even how to pull a cork . There will be demonstations on the chef's stage and a host of masterclasses which will cover topics such as wine and champagne tasting, cocktail-making, cheese and chocolates tasting. foodandwineshow.ie

Skating

The Dundalk on Ice rink opens tomorrow. An hour of ice skating costs €6.95 for children and €9.95 for adults with a family rate available of €25 (2 adults, 2 children - additional children thereafter €5). Dedicated sessions for school groups, sports clubs are offered at discounted rates. Tickets are available from the Dundalk on Ice Ticket Office at the Market Square or on the website dundalkonice.com