Weekender: |wiːkˈɛndə|– noun – what to do in Dublin this weekend.
FESTIVAL OF CURIOSITY
Thursday 23 July – Sunday 26 July | Follow link for specific times and prices
Returning for its third year, the Festival of Curiosity is a celebration of science, art, and above all curiosity. Divided into family and adults-only events, its three days are chock full of activities. For the kids, there’s an origami workshop and a talk from esteemed paleontologist Jack Horner on digging for dinosaurs. The grown-up programme includes numerous science and arts panels, a stargazing late-night picnic with Ireland’s finest astronomers, and “Date Night”, a thoroughly romantic investigation of love featuring a live heart dissection. (The dissection is live, the heart isn’t.) On top of that there’s plenty more screenings and talks, and more than enough to satisfy the science enthusiast in all of us, young and old alike. More info here.
VODAFONE COMEDY FESTIVAL
Thursday 23 July – Sunday 26 July | Iveagh Gardens | 7.30pm – 11pm Thursday through Saturday, 5pm-9.30pm Sunday, €20-28 per set
Attending a stand-up show, while supposedly a form of comedy, offers a thrill more similar to a rollercoaster ride. The terrifying possibility of a comedian totally bombing, and the unbearable sympathy-cringing that follows, hangs over the head of the audience like an anvil. The big laughs that come, if they come, (please god let them come,) are primarily an expression of overwhelming relief on everybody’s part. This purgatorial anguish can usually be avoided by only attending shows of the highest calibre, which is just what the Vodafone Comedy Festival promises. The truly huge attendee list includes acclaimed American performers Nick Kroll (whose self-titled show has received rave reviews) and John Mulaney (whose self-titled show received… less-than-rave reviews). For those of less conventional tastes, there’s English ventriloquist Nina Conti and Albuquerque-based character comics The Pajama Men. Naturally, there’ll also be the old Irish reliables, Jason Byrne, David O’Doherty, and Tommy Tiernan, as well as the up-and-coming Irish act Foil Arms & Hog. And if you can’t get tickets to any of those, there’s always those lads from The Republic of Telly. Tickets and full line-up here.
MEAN GIRLS SCREENING & NORTH SHORE HIGH SPRING FLING PROM NIGHT
Friday 24 July | The Sugar Club | €14/€15, 8pm
Do your bit to make fetch happen by attending this totally awesome event on Friday. After a screening of everyone’s favourite bitch-flick in the the cosy surrounds of the Sugar Club cinema, there’ll be a Spring Fling prom night where you can drink Glen Coco cocktails, take embarrassing photos in the Mean Girls photobooth, and eat free popcorn (or throw it at your rival clique). Don’t forget your costume to be in with a chance of winning the much coveted title of Prom King or Queen. Tickets are €15 (€14 for students) and can be booked here.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Saturday 25 July | Skerries Mills | 8pm, 13.20 (kids) and 18.70 (adults)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of Shakespeare’s most regularly performed comedies, and with good reason. The farcical tale of misguided love, meddling fairies, and general stupidity transports its audience to a fairytale forest full of possibilities. Blending fantasy and social comedy, it also parodies the tragic plays that Shakespeare is best known for, in the still hilarious play-within-a-play of Pyramus and Thisbe. Chapterhouse Theatre Company will be bringing their outdoor production to Skerries Mills this Saturday. What better way to spend a dreamy summer evening? Tickets here.
SECRETSUNDAZE OUTDOOR ALL DAY PARTY
Sunday 26 July | Secret Location | Cost TBC, 2 – 11pm
Dance all day, and still feel fresh for work on Monday. Sound good? Subject is bringing Secretsundaze to Dublin this July to help you make the best of your Sunday with great music, drinks deals, a BBQ and (fingers crossed) some sunshine. Secretsundaze has gained a formidable reputation over the last decade for organising daytime parties with the best underground electronic music in London’s clubs and at European festivals such as Sonar. Daytime parties have been slow coming to Dublin but anyone who’s been at a Telephones party will know how good it feels to escape dark, sweaty clubs and have a boogie in the fresh air. Tunes on the day will be provided by resident DJs Giles Smith and James Priestley, along with loads of local talent. The city centre location and ticket details will be revealed a few days before the party so keep an eye on Resident Advisor and Facebook for updates.
