Weekender |wiːkˈɛndə|– noun – what to do with your weekend.
Gaza Fundraiser
Thursday 14 August | The Sugar Club | €5, 8pm
A night of music and art in aid of Grassroots for Gaza takes place in the Sugar Club this Thursday evening. There’s music from jazz/funk collective Butter (known for taking a rather abstract approach to the description we’ve just given them, covering Flying Lotus material amongst others), Sierra Leonean singer Loah, hip-hop DJs We 3 Kings and general good time charlies the Dip DJs (more of which below). Entry is a mere €5 in aid of a very good cause: Grassroots for Gaza funds two specific Gazan charitable projects: The Local Initiative and Beit Hanoun Women’s Collective, all the more worthwhile in light of the war being waged in Gaza currently. Details here, while also donations can be made directly here.
Big Grill Festival
Friday 15 – Sunday 17 August | Herbert Park | €12 all day
With the summer that’s in it, Neon and Bodytonic have teamed up to make a competitive event out of that most relaxing of events, doing up a barbecue. Set in the delightful surrounds of Herbert Park, The Big Grill will celebrate the charcoal arts with culinary contributions from Diep, Kinara Kitchen, Asador, Pitt Bros. and Toby Shea’s Whole Hog Cook. Alongside that, there’ll be a selection of craft beers to wash down the delish meaty treats. The showpiece, the Cú Chulainn cook-off, features 20 competitors cooking up a storm with the opportunity to crowned champ in honour of Ireland’s favourite dog-killing hurling legend, while music over the weekend comes from the lads at Discotekken (and friends). Tickets and details are found at biggrillfestival.com
Dip 2
Friday 15 August | Sin É | €5, 10.30 til late
After the mad success of the first Dip party last month in Pacino’s basement, the “same four freaks in different surroundings” with Robbie, Enda, Cáit and Ro spinning the goodtime chewins in the basement of Sin É on Ormond Quay. Capacity is limited so get down on time to get yer groove on. Sample below and full deetz right here.
https://soundcloud.com/dip-party/love-to-see-ya-dancin
Vision Collector Presents: Henning Baer
Saturday 16 August | Twisted Pepper | €10/12, 8pm
The founder and resident of the Grounded Theory party/agency in Berlin, Henning Baer is renowned as a DJ, producer and curator (of his K209 label) on the continent. Dublin label and promotions gangs Vision Collector continue their series of hard-edged DJ nights by bringing Baer to the basement of Twisted Pepper for what is sure to be a sweaty night of thunderous, no compromise techno. Support on the night comes from Paudi Ahern (Pogo) and Lúcás (ÁGF Productions) while upstairs on the stage there’s a night of live electronic pop from L/B/W, Zayfontaine and Enda. Full details of the night here including chance to win GL places).
Forza Nautica 2: Una Vita Aquatica
Saturday 16 August | Dun Laoghaire Pier | €35, 6.30pm
After their successful sea venture last summer, Forza Nautica returns, with another sweep across Dublin Bay on the good ship Italo Disco. Forza DJs and a complimentary glass of prosecco for those who board the ship, but capacity is limited to strictly 80 brave adventurers! Groovy graphics and full details found here.
BONUS MIDWEEKER(S):
Deafheaven
Tuesday 19 August | Whelans | €16, 8pm
Shunned by metallers because of their neat clothes and hair but embraced a much a wider array of music fans who appreciated their ability to blur the edges of metal into post-rock, shoegaze and link Burzum to MBV, Deafheaven visit Whelans for what promises to be a ferocious night of distortion. Support comes from Irish fellow post-everything-ers No Spill Blood. Check out our interview with Deafheaven right here.
Slint
Tuesday 19 August | Button Factory | €28, 7.30pm
A recent screening of Lance Bangs’ documentary Breadcrumb Trail, charting the continually baffling brief life of Slint to a fevered audience in April indicated just how much passion this unique band still generate. The last time Slint visited Dublin in 2007 the audience in Vicar Street were as reverent as churchgoers, witnessing a sight they presumably thought they would never see, as the McMahan, Pajo, Walford and co ripped through note-perfect renditions of tunes from their undisputed masterpiece Spiderland culminating in a searing performance of Good Morning Captain which left attendees viscerated. Reunion gigs are not always special, but something tells us this one will be.