Actress Doris Day was renowned for her sunny disposition and zest for life, reflected in her brightly-coloured clothes. She famously said, “I want to wear beautiful clothes and look pretty. I want to smile, and I want to make people laugh. And that’s all I want. I like it. I like being happy. I want to make others happy.” She also famously loved dogs and several garments, accessories and jewellery featuring dog motifs as well as red carpet gowns form part of a new exhibition at The Museum of Style Icons, Newbridge, Co Kildare. The free exhibition “The Doris Day Show” runs until February 3. Afterwards the garments will be auctioned by Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles on April 4- 5, 2020, and all proceeds will go to her charity The Doris Day Animal Foundation which she founded in 1978; www.visitnewbridgesilverware.com
The Novaya Opera of Moscow, accompanied by the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, is presenting La Traviata, one of Verdi’s great masterpieces on Friday, November 27 and Sunday, November 29. Joining the famous soloists and chorus of The Novaya Opera of Moscow is Irish singer Claudia Boyle who will perform the starring role of Violetta. This is the same role she successfully performed in London with the English National Opera; www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie
Taste of Dublin has contributed to the city’s flourishing food scene through interactive cooking demos with chefs, tasting plates from a melting pot of cuisines and boutique food and drinks stalls. This weekend its Festive Edition opens at the RDS from November 28 – December 1, and will showcase local restaurants such as Klaw, Loose Canon, Veginity, The Porthouse and many more. All dishes at Taste of Dublin: Festive Edition will be just €5 with credit or debit card the only way to purchase food – there’s no florins as in previous years. To book tickets visit www.tasteofdublin.ie.
Other Voices returns to Dingle, Co Kerry on November 29 for the annual weekend in the heart of winter, often referred to as a musical pilgrimage. From Friday November 29, the festival will welcome Irish and international artists to perform in St James’ Church and the IMRO Other Room. Ireland’s Edge also returns with the theme “Endings + Edges, Bonds + Borderlands”. The focus will be on Brexit, Ireland’s place in Europe, the climate emergency, mass migration, immigration, and the role and impact of the digital revolution. As ever, the Ireland’s Edge talks and performances will happen in the company of of thinkers, policy makers, innovators, commentators and artists. Tickets for Ireland’s Edge are priced €35 for two days and €20 for one day and available now from Eventbrite. www.othervoices.ie
Staying in ahead of the festive onslaught then why not watch Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci star in Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman on Netflix. It’s an epic saga of organized crime in post-war America told through the eyes of World War II veteran Frank Sheeran, a hustler and hitman who worked alongside some of the most notorious figures of the 20th century. Spanning decades, the film chronicles one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in American history, the disappearance of legendary union boss Jimmy Hoffa.
AND … Foodies will also know it’s Thanksgiving today and in honour of the occasion, The Morrison is serving a special menu. Try traditional roasted turkey and ham with homemade stuffing (€27) served with bacon and sprouts, confit red cabbage and chateaux potato. For pudding, the pear and almond frangipane (€7.50) served with pumpkin cream anglaise and banana ice-cream is recommended. Two courses are just €30; www.morrisonhotel.ie.