The Gem Turns Five, Community Cup, Outre Gallery, Peter Russell-Clarke’s BBQ, Twerps This Weekend

There’s a lot of great gigs this weekend. A lot of my friends are also having birthdays and housewarming parties. You should consider having one too, especially if you live in a poorly insulated place that’s impossible to heat and you don’t have a cuddle buddy for winter. My stay-in pick for the week is not a DVD, or a book, but to throw a party. Going out picks are as follows:

Diamond in the Rough
The Gem Hotel is turning five and to celebrate is gifting punters food and drink specials all week plus hosting some great music. Sweet Jean and Cash Savage on Friday, Soul food and tunes on Saturday and The Rechords and Fingerbone Bill on Sunday. It’s bound to be a pearler.
What: Birthday Celebrations
Where: The Gem Hotel, 289 Wellington St, Collingwood
When: 24 June to 26 June
Web: www.thegembar.com.au

Do You Love Me?
The 2011 Community Cup is on again this Sunday at Elsternwick Park. Musical entertainment this year from You am I, Tumbleweed, The Mercy Kills and The Rebelles each performing their own songs and a Nick Cave number.
What: Footy, Fund raising, Community spirit
Where: Elsternwick Park, 164 Glenhuntly Rd, Elsternwick
When: Sunday 26 June from 11am
Web: http://communitycup.org.au

Day Of The Seafarer
The Mission to Seafarers is one of my favourite buildings in Melbourne. It’s that Byzantine-domed place at the southern end of Flinders Street you’ve probably driven by a million times and wondered ‘what is that’? The Mission has been providing on-shore support and services for seafarers from around the globe for over a century. It’s also a grand building with a nautical-themed chapel and vintage bar made from old bottles. This weekend they’re launching a photography exhibition focusing on seafarers in the Port of Melbourne. And Peter Russell-Clarke will working the barbie. Yes, Peter Russell-Clarke.
What: Photography Exhibition
Where: The Mission to Seafarers, 717 Flinders St, Docklands
When: Saturday June 25, 12noon – 4pm

Get Outré
Sylvia Ji is famous for her awesome Día de los Muertos pictures of awesome freaky dark chicas who radiate sexual energy. Sylvia will be in Melbourne for the opening of a special pop up show – Ofrendas at Outre Gallery this Saturday.
What: Pop Up Exhibition
Where: Outré Gallery, 249 Elizabeth St, Melbourne
When: Saturday 25 June from 5pm
RSVP (info@outregallery.com) is essential for the opening celebrations (strict door list)
Web: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=107043389387475

Twerps
This Friday Twerps are back from the USA launching not one but two brand new 7”s. Supported by Dick Diver and Full Ugly with a DJ set from Super Wild Horses.
What: Gig
When: Friday 24 June from 9pm
Where: The Grace Darling, 114 Smith St, Collingwood

Cha Cha Cha
You may recall not that long ago I mentioned the Patinka Cha Cha, Francolin and Nick Huggins show on June 26 at the Grace Darling. It’s still happening, and it’s a pretty wonderful line up.
When: Sunday 26 June from 7pm
Where: The Grace Darling, 114 Smith St, Collingwood