Finally! Tis the season: December is here, the month of World AIDS Day, Tractor Day, Human Rights Day, the winter solstice, and a festival of some kind towards the end of the month. (…What’s the name again..?) But that’s not all, there’s plenty more besides. Read on for this weekend’s festive offerings!

If, like me, you have been pining for the days when you could enjoy a bit of mala/play doh (’twas far from plasticine I was raised!) with your pint, I have some great news-Make & Do Do is making a comeback.

Gaelick is having our first proper knees-up and hoe-down on Saturday, 7th May 2011, and we’d like you to join us! Whether you get stuck in there with comments on the blog or just hang back and read, or if you prefer to follow us on Facebook or Twitter – we’d love to meetchya.

As the AMI team put the finishing touches on what looks set to be the gay event of the year, we at Gaelick thought we’d give our readers an in-depth look at what to expect from the night!

You may be familiar with Julian Mandrews from appearances at Dragnet for LGBT Noise, Bunny’s Hutch, the Panti Show and most recently as leader of The Mufia in WartGirl. Now Julian is manning up and headed for this weekend’s Alternative Miss Ireland.

It’s that time of year again, the night many consider to be the Irish Gay Christmas. Alternative Miss Ireland is taking place on the 13th of March in the Olympia, Dublin. And it looks set to be pretty amazing.

For anyone who has ever wondered, Ballinlough Castle is not, as one may think, in Ballinlough! We found it eventually, and twe were greeted by security men pink hi-vis vests! All that remained was to collect the tickets, park the car and begin our MILK adventure.

Yes, Panti and pals are pulling out all the stops for Pride: street party, food including barbecue, extra bars, extra staff, extra urinals for the lads. But what about the ladies? No extra cubicles for the leslies are being provided, but you can get some funnels to do the job.

At last the weekend is upon us! But what have you missed in Gaelick-land this week? Here’s a quick round-up of what we’ve been yakking about.

The internet buzz has been steadily growing around MILK-Ireland’s first ever LGBT music festival, over the past few weeks, so I thought I’d investigate on behalf of Gaelick. Having met with the organisers earlier in the week and gotten the full details, it sounds like its set to be an epic day. The line up is fabulously camp and fun, and boasts big international acts as well as home-grown LGBT talent.

A few days ago, GCN published its interview with Brenda Power. Since then, I’ve heard some people – horror of horrors gays included – agreeing with some of the things she has to say. … I just can’t abide that.

I’m sure you’ve all heard about the fantastic Sunday promotion in Pantibar, but just in case you haven’t, all drinks are half price (That’s right, HALF PRICE!!) which means that you can have an amazing night out and spend very little.

Name some gay superheroes. G’wan have a go; Batman circa 1960 obviously, Wonder Woman (in my mind), Anole from X-Men for the geeks, would Xena be considered a super-hero? Anyway, there are a few but not many which is odd considering the camp as knickers potential in super universes. One man who, probably, got sick to the back-teeth of having no gays in the super-hero village is Martin Eden, the man behind Spandex; the world’s first gay supe troupe comic.

Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival (24 Sept – 11 Oct) has just launched their programme and there are some tasty treats in store in terms of LGBT flavoured work, including DV8′s To Be Straight with You and our own beloved (and ubiquitous!) Panti!

I’m still seething at Brenda Power’s gobsmackingly ill-informed and homophobic ‘article’ in yesterday’s Sunday Times. How can she pass judgment (phrases like “get-up” “carry-on” ) on a Parade she didn’t attend? How can the Sunday Times see fit to publish such an unresearched article – what next? Reviews of theatre from a production shot? Reviews of concerts from hearsay?

Last night in Dublin city, Pantibar on Capel Street was packed to the rafters with eager punters. But the customers weren’t there to watch Barcelona trounce Manchester United, they were avidly listening to a distinguished triumvirate of legal experts expounding the legal and social nuances of civil partnership and marriage.

It’s always a great time of year and this year’s pride festival will hopefully be the best yet. What does pride mean to you? Is it just a parade or do you get involved in other events? Do you see it as a celebration or a chance to get active in the community?