February 2nd to February 8th
city lights
Lightwave is the first event to take place at the new Science Galleryin Trinity College, Dublin 2. The festival, which runs from today until February 9th, uses displays, installations and interactive works to explore the use of light in science, technology, fashion and art. Highlights include LED light graffiti and interactive installations by Karl Willis and U2's lighting designer Willie Williams. www.sciencegallery.com.
children's theatre
The wolves we meet in the pages of storybooks live by the motto "jelly is starters, little boys are pudding!" This sage advice comes from Lauren Childs's Beware of the Storybook Wolves, a stage version of which opens at The Ark, Eustace Street, Dublin 2 on Thursday. Adapted by Tom Swift and directed by Jo Mangan, it's suitable for ages six and up. See www.ark.ie, 01-6707788.
edmund rice
The contribution of the Christian Brothers to Irish life is celebrated in Waterford this Friday when An Taoiseach is to open the new Edmund Rice Heritage Centrein Barrack Street. On Friday evening there is a concert at the Theatre Royal featuring the Barrack Street Band, the Edmund Rice Choral Society, the Scoil Chríost Rí boys' choir, and guest soloists. Tickets €15 from 051-874402.
music
Catch The Undertones(Savoy, Cork, tonight), David Ford(Róisín Dubh, Galway, tonight; Aunt Annie's, Belfast, tomorrow), Queens of the Stone Age(Ambassador, Dublin, Tuesday/Wednesday), Lisa Lashes(Savoy, Cork, Friday). Julie Feeney and Juliet Turnerperform tomorrow night at Crawdaddy, to raise funds for the Gaiety School of Acting's full-time programme.
sport
Ireland take on Brazil in an international friendlyat Croke Park on Wednesday, kick-off at 7.45pm. Our Six Nations' campaigngets under way against Italy at 2pm this afternoon in Croke Park. The National Football Leaguecommences this weekend with Dublin taking on Westmeath in Parnell Park and Donegal playing Kerry in Ballybofey. The Galway International Rallytakes place this weekend, finishing in Eyre Square tomorrow afternoon.
chinese new year
On Wednesday, from noon-2.30pm, there is a series of traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Racestaking place on the River Liffey, starting at the Sean O'Casey pedestrian bridge in the Docklands. The Hugh Lane Gallery hosts a series of Chinese crafts workshops, where children of all ages can learn to make kites and lanterns. Today and tomorrow, noon-1pm, 1.30-2.30pm and 3-4pm, 01-2225564.
theatre
The team behind last year's triumphant production of Julius Caesar return to the Abbey with Romeo and Juliet from Wednesday until March 22nd. Directed by Jason Byrne, it stars Noelle Brown and Liam Carney. Tennessee Williams's The Glass Menagerie, set in 1930s St Louis, stars Francesca Annis, Katie Kirby, Garrett Lombard and Marty Rea, at the Gate Theatre from Thursday until April 4th. Rough Magic's The Taming of the Shrewis a re-imagining of Shakespeare's play that moves the action to wheelin'-dealin' rural Ireland and stars Pauline McLynn and Owen Roe. At the Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire from Monday until Saturday, February 9th, and then goes on tour to Glór in Ennis, Dunamaise in Portlaoise and Siamsa Tíre in Tralee. www.rough-magic.com.
And finally . . .Lent begins on Wednesday.
mkelly@irish-times.ie