10 things to do in Dublin this weekend
Indiana Jones, played by Harrison Ford, has been named the best film character of all time by readers of Empire magazine (Steven Spielberg/PA)
Baby Elephants enjoy a good soaking in The Summer Sun at Dublin Zoo yesterday.
The app draws chilly customers to Dublin’s oldest pub, The Brazen Head
Fred Cooke at The Vodafone Comedy Festival 2015 launch at The Odeon ,Harcourt Street
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Sword swallowers! Stand-up comedy! The sounds of tomorrow! A Spielberg classic! It’s all happening this weekend in Dublin, folks.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your coat and book your tickets. It’s gonna be a good one…
The (Music) Festival
Whelan’s Ones to Watch
Wait, hold on a second. Isn’t the Whelan’s Ones to Watch jamboree usually in January? Well, yes. Yes, it is. But the lads over on Wexford Street have decided to launch a ‘Summer Watch’. Same stages, same goals, championing new Irish music and giving tune lovers the chance to catch a glimpse of tomorrow’s heroes. Or something to that effect. More than 25 acts will be setting up shop this weekend - upstairs and downstairs - including Hawklion, New Valley Wolves, Buffalo Sunn and Gangs. Get in early, boys and girls.
Friday and Saturday. Tickets: €5 per day, plus a free Heineken (you can’t argue with those numbers). For more, visit www.whelanslive.com.
The Pop Superstar
St. Vincent, Iveagh Gardens
The artist born Anne Erin Clark bowled us over with her eponymous fourth album, and guess what? It’s been almost a year and a half since she released it. Time flies when you’ve got some of the best alternative, art pop tunes in your back pocket. Oh yes, the funkalicious Digital Witness was our favourite jam of 2014, and believe us when we tell you that an evening with the Grammy Award-winning St. Vincent will light a fire under everyone’s feet in the gorgeous surroundings of the Iveagh Gardens. The woman has got some serious style, too. Prepare to be amazed.
Friday. Tickets priced €36 available at www.ticketmaster.ie.
The (Movie) Festival
Films You’d Love Your Kids to See, Light House Cinema
Indiana Jones, played by Harrison Ford, has been named the best film character of all time by readers of Empire magazine (Steven Spielberg/PA)
Indiana Jones
That’s a wonderful name for a film season right there. Basically, starting this week, and running all the way through July and August, the Light House Cinema in Smithfield will be screening some of our favourite films from the 80s and 90s, i.e. the movies we grew up watching. And now, it’s time to show the younger viewers in the audience how they used to make ‘em.
We’re talking time-travelling DeLoreans (Back to the Future), devilishly-handsome and brave archaeologists (Indiana Jones) and fluffy cartoon heroes (yep, Roger Rabbit is in there). First up: E.T. The Extra Terrestrial this Saturday at 3pm and 10.30pm. We are so there.
For a full line-up of screenings and ticket prices, visit www.lighthousecinema.ie.
The Day Out
Dublin Zoo, Phoenix Park
It’s pretty much summer out there now, and it’s been ages since we last saw the elephants and giraffes, so we think a trip to the zoo is in order. A quick glance at the website tells us there’s a new sea lion cove. As if we needed any more convincing. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’ve just discovered the animal webcam at the penguin habitat. Feeding time is 2.30pm. My goodness, look at those little fellas go…
Open daily from 9.30am. For a full list of ticket prices and visitor info, visit www.dublinzoo.ie.
The Pub
The Brazen Head, Dublin 8
“Ireland’s oldest pub” on Lower Bridge Street, the Brazen Head, would you believe, has been serving customers since 1198. Yeah, I know…we’ll just let that, um, fact, slide for now. The important thing to remember is that it serves a cracking pint of Guinness, and we do love stealing an hour or two out in the beer garden. There’s live music every night (trad all the way, man) and the Irish storytelling sessions (“an evening of food, folklore and fairies”) are well worth checking out.
For more, visit www.brazenhead.com.
The (Street) Festival
LAYA Healthcare City Spectacular
Yep, the Street Performance World Championship has a new name. Now in its tenth year, this is officially the biggest summer festival in Ireland with up to 250,000 attendees expected over the coming days in Merrion Square.
Maybe it’s the children’s workshops. Perhaps it has something to do with the family farm or the Belgian Trampoline Spectacle.
The ‘Eat Street’ sounds pretty tasty, too. But no, the real reason we’re excited about this one is because the most weird and wonderful record-holders on the planet are set to blow our minds all the way into next week. Who’s gonna be there? Well, we’ve got weight-lifting strong woman Mama Lou, footfall freestyler Victor Rubilar, blind-folded chainsaw juggler, The Space Cowboy, Mario, Queen of the Circus…and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Let’s hope the weather gods play ball. And did we mention the fact that it’s a free festival? Count us in.
Friday to Sunday. For more, visit www.cityspectacular.com.
The Play
The Importance of Being Honest, Bewleys Café Theatre @ Powerscourt
Right, so what we have here is a companion piece of sorts; a humorous, imaginary ‘follow-up’, if you will, to the comedy classic from which it takes its cue. That’s right, Oscar Wilde’s “most famous ladies”, Cecily and Gwendolen, are back in the country garden, 20 years after the events of …Earnest, and they’ve got a bone to pick with one another. Again. Got it? Good. Playwright Billie Traynor stars alongside Deirdre Monaghan in what is a surprisingly delightful and occasionally feisty two-hander.
Running daily (except Sundays) at 1pm until July 25th. Tickets: €8/10/12. For more, visit www.bewleyscafetheatre.com.
Artistic Fun
Drop-In Family Workshop at the National Gallery of Ireland
Looking for something to do with the little ones on Friday morning? Well, there’s loads on at the National Gallery of Ireland in Merrion Square this weekend, but might we suggest you start off by dropping in on the, um, drop-in family workshop?
Located in the Millennium Wing Studio, this free event lasts just 50 minutes and no booking is required. On Friday, the theme is ‘baroque’, in which participants are requested to explore their creative side, “taking inspiration from some of the greatest movements in the history of art”. Materials are provided. Always a bonus, that.
Friday at 11am. For more, visit www.nationalgallery.ie.
The Tribute Act
Daft as Punk at the Grand Social
Daft As Punk
Let’s face it, we could be waiting years for the real deal to get their tour on again, so how’s about we settle for a fabulous Daft Punk tribute act instead? Head on down to the Grand Social on Lower Liffey Street this Friday night where Ireland’s only Daft Punk tribute act, Daft as Punk, will be getting their funk on. Jaypers, they wear masks and everything. Spot the difference. Who knows, you might even get lucky on the night (sorry).
Friday. Tickets: €10. For more, visit www.thegrandsocial.ie.
The Comedy Gig
Saturday night at the International Comedy Club
Fred Cooke
You’ve got two choices here at our favourite comedy club, located on Wicklow Street. There’s the early show (kicking off at 8.15pm), presented by Aidan Bishop and featuring the talents of Eleanor Tiernan, James Goldsbury and Fred Cooke, or the late show (10.45pm) featuring all of the above, with Ronan Grace stepping in for Cooke. That’s a lot of stand-up right there. Either way, laughs are guaranteed. Enjoy.
Saturday. Tickets €10 (€8 students). For more, visit www.theinternationalcomedyclub.com.