The week ahead
Music
There's live music all over Galway this weekend: Tribe Vibe brings Bryan Adams (right) and The Stunning to Pearse Stadium; other music venues will also be buzzing. In Co Meath, the first Garden Party kicks off at Ballinlough Castle, near Athboy, at 2.30pm tomorrow, in the walled garden of this leafy estate. A mixed bag includes Asian Dub Foundation and Scratch Perverts. For shuttle-bus information call 01-6791549. Tickets €65 from Ticketmaster.
Political cabaret
What Europeans really think of Americans is the topic for this month's Leviathan debate, which will be broadcast later in the US. David McWilliams hosts a panel discussion with Brigid Langan of Dublin European Institute, Constantin Gurdgiev of Open Republic Institute, Izabela Chudzicka (left) of City Channel and Senator David Norris. Stand-up by Des Bishop and satirical music by Paddy Cullivan. CrawDaddy, Dublin, Monday 9pm.
Theatre
Lots of revivals this week: a sure sign of summer. Worst of all is the remake of The Omen, opening on Tuesday (06/06/06, natch). At the Gate from Tuesday is The Constant Wife, based on the Somerset Maugham story about marriage and infidelity - watch the stoical wife duped by her husband and best friend, and see her triumph. Sort of. As with Lady Windermere's Fan, Peter O'Brien's costumes could steal the show. Tickets €18-€28.
Sport
The World Cup starts on Friday, so for any household with just one television, this may be the time to invest in an extra set, to avoid domestic disharmony. Brazil are everybody's favourite overdog, but put some money on the Czech Republic to reach the semis. An alternative sport - starting on Wednesday at a school near you - is, of course, the Junior and Leaving Certificate examinations. Be kind to both parents and stressed-out scholars.
Art
Don't miss the rich pickings at the RHA exhibition in Dublin's Gallagher Gallery. Also, the Art in Action festival will be good fun, especially if the weather is fine. Head to Townley Hall, a Georgian House outside Slane, in Co Meath, from today until Monday, where more than 200 artists will be giving workshops for both adults and children. You'll find a creche, kids' games, pancakes and more. www.artinaction.ie. Adults €12, children €6.
Family
The Mach 1 Air Show & Exhibition is at Punchestown Racecourse, in Co Kildare, tomorrow and Monday, with jet aerobatics, wing walkers, the Irish Air Corps, the Irish Parachute Club and other fanatics. There will also be a kids' zone (inflatables, carousels, face painters) and a teen zone (trampoline bungees, Quasar and fair rides) for those fortunate not to be sitting exams. Tickets from www.mach1.ie or 0818-555747 (adults €25, children €15).