Its easier to open from the corner. Book Now Bill Baileys Remarkable Guide To The Orchestra He might look like more like a Levellers wannabe than a classically trained musician, but dont be fooled Bill Bailey is just as comfortable tickling the ivories as he is tickling your funny bone. For his latest Dublin stint, following a recent sell-out run at the Olympia, hes joined by the RT Concert Orchestra for a zany guide to instrumentation, some madcap digressions and a smattering of self-penned songs. Nov 21, The O2, East Link Bridge, North Wall Quay D1, 6pm, 44.50 to 66. Tel: 0818 719 300. www.billbailey.co.uk oyster Good food is the quay: It may look like casual dining but the food at Quay West is mighty fine Picure: Lucy White Possibly the only man in the universe who can pull off the white-suit-with-impractical-sunglasses look, KWs stock has fallen dramatically in the wake of his less-than-chivalrous antics at the MTV awards when the brandy-addled star stormed the stage during Taylor Swifts acceptance speech to mumble that Beyonc who could only look on horrified had been robbed. The media have been only too quick to dub Kanye a twerp, which, of course, he is, but we should be thankful to the Wester for adding a bit of drama to what was essentially a dull-as- dishwater love-in. Now that his career is certainly on the wane, RT should consider employing Kanye to add a bit of spice to bore-athons like the Iftas or The Rose Of Tralee. You can imagine the 32-year- old rnb singer tearing onto the stage while our rose is being garlanded. Yo, Dublin rose, Im really happy for you, Ill let you finish, but the girl representing Kilkenny danced one of the best jigs of all time. One of the best jigs of all time. Kanye, how could you be so Heartless? Daragh Reddin The case for: Sun, sex and amusing one-liners if you discount Scarlett Johanssons breasts, Penlope Cruz is the only real standout in Woody Allens comedy-drama about two US girls on a gap year. She deservedly bagged her first Oscar for her outstanding turn here as the crazy-eyed, creatively brilliant, bisexual ex-wife of Javier Bardems smouldering artist. And she adds an authentic dash of tempestuous Spanish passion to a movie that could otherwise seem as slight and glossy as some throwaway Barcelona city-break brochure. Larushka Ivan-Zadeh The case against: Penlope Cruz has become something of a muse for famed director Pedro Almodvar, appearing in a number of his films, but lets hope the same doesnt happen with Woody Allen. Its typical that Cruz won an Oscar for her showy role as the fiery ex-wife of Javier Bardems artist in this leaden film that manages to make sex and seduction look really, really boring. Shes been much better and far more subtle in films such as Volver and the little-seen Elegy. Lets hope she doesnt fall for the lie that Allen is still producing competent films, because she deserves better than to scream and rant in such lifeless creations. David Baldwin RATED/SLATED Penlope Cruz in Vicky Cristina Barcelona ON MY iPOD Tom Simpson from Snow Patrols six-track mix Tuesday, September 22, 2009 metrolife 13 out was delivered with apologetic charm. Likewise, she made Thursdays promotion oysters and a pint of Guinness for 2.50, in celebration of Arthurs Day feel more like a conspiratorial tip-off than a hard sell. The bill was a reasonable 58, and its a no-brainer that Ill be back on Thursday night for my New Best Food... Lucy White 79 Harbour Road, Howth, Co Dublin. Tel: (01) 839 2841 The hoTTesT TickeTs in Town We have one pair of tickets to see BILL BAILEY Nov 21, The O2, 6pm For a chance to win, e-mail your answer to the question below to life@ metroireland.ie by noon today with Hot Tickets in the subject line. With your answer please include your name, address and a number where you can be contacted between 1pm and 3pm. Strictly one entry per person; entrants must be age 18+. Q. In the first episode of Black Books, which object did Bill Baileys character Manny accidentally swallow? A The Little Book Of Calm B The Bible The winners of yesterdays tickets to see The Cribs are: Louise Coen & Leigh Arthur ART REVIEW Edvard Munch: Prints It doesnt matter how many times youve seen The Scream, bought the poster or the T-shirt, or even tutted at the inflatable toy nothing can detract from the raw power of seeing Edvard Munchs iconic images in the flesh. This exhibition at the National Gallery presents the crme de la crme of the Norwegian artists prints and spans his career, from 1894 drypoint Death And The Woman a precursor to Madonna (pictured, also in the show), featuring a border of sperm-like shapes and cadaverous foetuses to the devastatingly doleful 1930 lithograph Self-Portrait With Bottle Of Wine. Inheriting the seeds of madness from his morbidly pious father, Munchs melancholy is crystal clear here: the angels of fear, sorrow, and death which stood by my side since the day I was born are represented by flame-haired devil women (Vampire II), a dying sibling (The Sick Child I; the theatrical Death In The Sickroom) and passionate trysts in which long, wild hair entwines the two lovers (On The Waves Of Love, Attraction II). Indeed, the couple in The Kiss an exquisitely simple woodcut are practically devouring each other whole. Meanwhile, symbolist narratives are juxtaposed with scratchy portraits of writers including Henrik Ibsen, Friedrich Nietzsche and Stphane Mallarm, yet theyre still infused with existential angst. But rarely is despair as beautiful as this. Lucy White Until Dec 6, National Gallery, Merrion Square West D2, Mon to Sat 9.30am to 5.30pm (Thu to 8.30pm), Sun noon to 5.30pm, 3 to 5. Tel: (01) 661 5133. www.nationalgallery.ie Fences by Phoenix Im a massive Phoenix fan. They make brilliant French pop music. They are one of these bands who, once you fall in love with them, youre in love with them forever. Cola Bottle Baby by Edwin Birdsong Youve probably never heard of this, although Daft Punk once sampled it. Its one of these good fun tracks you can have a good old dance to at the weekend. Its a shame we never have much of this kind of music. The Reeling (Calvin Harris mix) by Passion Pit This is another great pop song from Passion Pit. Its as though they just got some nice new shiny dancing shoes. Calvin Harris revamps the original and makes it more of a dance-floor swagga than a drop- of-a-shoulder thing. Paris (Aeroplane Remix) by Friendly Fires Friendly Fires (pictured above) have had a brilliant year. I like the Aeroplane remix because of the female vocal. Its got that Balearic feel but with an electro twist. Television Train by Cage & Aviary This band sound as though they hail from New York but theyre from Bermondsey, in South London. Nice and downbeat but theres punk pop in there as well. Body Baby (an Optimo [Espacio] edit) by Pharoahe Monch Its a brilliant hip-hop dance-floor tune. Optimo is a Glasgow club and my favourite on a Sunday night. Its overloaded with funky hip-hop feeling. Its a great song for going out. I have it on my iPod all the time. Snow Patrols Late Night Tales compilation is out on October 12. 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