Greetings, Gaelickers! Following hot on the hottest heels of Cork Pride 2009, which took place from 24th May until 1st June, last night saw the formal launch of Dublin Pride 2009 at Dublin City Council’s Civic Offices. It was launched by newly elected Lord Mayor Emer Costello, Eamon Gilmore, TD, and the unstoppable force that is Dublin Pride 2009’s Grand Marshall, Ailbhe Smyth. We hope to be able to bring you some extracts of the speeches from the night soon, so watch this space!

In the meantime, one of the first Pride events taking place is the brand spanking new SoundChick – it’s for sound chicks, like. Geddit?!

SoundChick is a one-off lesbian night, which takes over from the regular Thursday night gig that is SoundCheck. By all accounts, SoundCheck already attracts a fairly queer and queer-friendly crowd – plus, the regular night and its sister club Le Cirque (from 11pm onwards) are all-female run, which is fairly unique for a Dublin indie event – but tonight’s shenanigans are specifically for the ladies: there’ll be dykes on the decks, dykes on the dancefloor, and presumably several dykes on the dhrink. If you don’t believe me, just ask Una, one of the organisers.

A few weeks ago a friend said to me, we get a really mixed crowd and loads of gay people, so why not do this for Pride? Plus the name gave me a giggle. We’ve always had a fairly open door policy, with it being 50/50 gay and straight at SoundCheck and we do a monthly night which is predominantly gay men.

So we thought it was time for something for ladies who want something different; indie, electro and funk not your usual poppy stuff that you get in The George.

If you toddle along, SoundChick promises you the following: “the best indie electro, the best drink specials, the best cupcakes, the best fun.” That’s quite the offering! (Personally I’m drawn to the cupcakes but, hey, thems my priorities..!) In addition, there are bottles of wine for a tenner before 9pm, and two-for-one cocktails until 11pm. (Crikey, where’s me spare liver..?!)

It starts off as chilled out, have a chat and some cocktails and then, later can get hyper when the music starts.

It’s not part of the Pride festival but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate Pride too. I think that Pride can be a bit insular, with the same things each year, so we thought we’d do something to celebrate it ourselves. We can all add to the Pride party.

We have an all lesbian line-up, with lesbian DJs and Ophelia Live between sets.

Personally, I think it’s great, and important, to see the Pride 2009 build-up being bookended by two lesbian nights, SoundChick and the annual Dyke Night – not to mention the Parade itself then being marshalled by one of Ireland’s most well-known activist lesbians and feminists, Ailbhe Smyth. Fabulous! So, perhaps we’ll see one or two of our readers there tonight..!
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SoundChick takes place on Thursday, 18th June 2009 at SPY, South William Street, Dublin 2. Doors 7pm. Free in before 11pm; eur5.00 after.