The festival formerly known as aLAF returns this month to Dublin. Celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Queer women’s artistry and creativity, from poetry to music, theatre to film making and visual art and much more besides, the festivities kick off this week with events all over the city, running from 28th October to 1st November. Here’s what’s in store!

It all begins in style, with the ‘Shaken Not Stirred’ Launch Night Party in the Sycamore Club on Sycamore Street in Temple Bar on Wednesday 28th October. Featuring performances by Maria Tecce and Zrazy, as well as Burlesque DJ Scarlett Nymph (a.k.a. Scarlett Pony of the Ponygirls), and visual art installations for your perusal. It’s free admission (we like that!), from 7.30pm. Don’t miss the theatre night ‘Culture Vultures’ in Outhouse, Capel Street, on Thursday 29th, featuring excerpts from Tamale Sepp’s ‘Bound and Determined’, as well as work from local artists. Tickets are €8 and are available from Outhouse.

For the weekend that’s in it, hop along to Denzille Cinema on Denzille Lane, off Fenian Street, for the ‘Daughters of Darkness’ film night on Friday 30th. Your €7 ticket gets you two free cocktails (bloody marys!) as well as a screening of ‘Vampyros Lesbos’.Guess what that’s about?! Tickets are limited, so book on the dLAF website (http://www.alafireland.com/ ) to avoid disappointment. If fine wine, cheese and stimulating conversation is your bag, then the ‘Sophisticated Mamas’ wine tasting and panel discussion should not be missed.It’s at 2pm on Saturday 31st in Eden restaurant in Temple Bar. Panellists include Tamale Sepp, Shani Williams and Emma Weafer. Tickets are €25 and available from Eden, and that includes sample wines, prosecco and… cheese! Stay in town for the day and head along to the ‘Down & Dirty’ club night at Melody Bar (122 Capel Street). As it’s Halloween, get into your fancy dress and enjoy DJs Saskia, Sally and Goldylox.

If after all of that you are still standing, go sit down in Pantibar on Sunday evening (1st November) for the ‘Comedy Comedown’. Featuring stand up from Tamale Sepp and Sharyn Hayden, screenings and a performance by DoppleGang, it’s from 6pm and it’s free! For more details of all events, check out www.alafireland.com or dLAF on My Space.