Mind, How You Go

THE CÁCA MILIS CABARET
Leviathan Stage, Friday, 8.30pm

Falling under the somewhat unlikely umbrella of “postmodern Vaudeville”, the Cáca Milis Cabaret returns to the Mindfield for a second year, bringing with it a rambunctious blend of music, dance, spoken word, circus clownery and classic cabaret. Usually found at the Wexford Arts Centre, the increasingly prominent revue regularly attracts emerging performers from the South East and around the country, having welcomed the talents of Colm Tóibín, Jack L and Eleanor McEvoy to its stage in the past. At Electric Picnic, acts will include storyteller Deirdre Wadding, musicians Shane Hurley and The Triplets Of Belleville, chanteuse Cat Black, electro maestros Polyphonic, belly dancers Kate McKenna and Ewa Babiarczyk and irreverent jazz troup The Featherhead Trio, as well as the extroardinary talents of Stuart Wilde, all framed with some classic French cabaret songs from hostess and MC Helena Mulkerns.

MINI GUITAR AMP WORKSHOP
The Science Gallery, time and day TBC

Fresh from its critically-acclaimed contribution to the European City of Science celebrations at ESOF2012, the Science Gallery returns to Electric Picnic this year with a spectacular line-up of live shows, workshops, and events, enclosed in a spectacular inflatable tent. While we have to admit that we’re mightily tempted by the promise of live dissections, we reckon the Mini Guitar Amp workshop is the hottest scientific ticket of the weekend, as the Irish Robotics Club assemble a team of crack hobbyists to teach invaluable electronics skills, not least how to build a mini Marshall from scratch! Aimed at novices and tech experts alike, the workshop has been touted as a place to play with electronics as well as a friendly environment in which to have all those burning tech questions answered.

BEARS IN SPACE
Theatre Stage, time and day TBC

Team Hot Press was thoroughly charmed by Monster/Clock, the enchanting debut production from theatre company Collapsing Horse that premiered back in March, so needless to say, the news that the madcap team will be gracing Electric Picnic with a brand new show was met with many a delighted squeal. Bears In Space, they tell us, is about just that; two cosmonaut bears on a spaceship hurtling toward the impossibly distant limits of the universe, and the villainous beings who chase them. Brandishing their unique blend of puppetry, comedy, childlike whimsy and stunning music accompaniment, Collapsing Horse will consider the perils and wonders of a journey across space and time to nowhere. Expect this ethereal adventure to steal the limelight at the Dublin Theatre Festival-curated Theatre Stage.

RYAN TUBRIDY’S PICNIC BRUNCH
Leviathan Stage, Sunday, 1.30pm

As much a part of Electric Picnic as pies and mash, Ryan Tubridy’s Picnic Brunch has been entertaining fuzzy-headed revellers for three years now with light-hearted, hangover-friendly entertainment presented by Ireland’s favourite broadcaster. Billed as “a jaundiced look at the Sunday papers and a review of the festival in the company of some of Stradbally’s most tired and emotional”, the Sunday afternoon get-together welcomes a host of esoteric guests for hoopla and banter, including another of RTÉ’s finest, Miriam O’Callaghan.

FROM THE LIBERTY BOYS TO THE WESTIES
Leviathan Stage, Sunday, 2.45pm

One of two events in History Ireland’s Hedge School series (cheekily named after the makeshift learning assemblies popular in 18th and 19th century Ireland), The Liberty Boys To The Westies investigates the fascinating subject of gang culture in Ireland. “Garda Sergeant Lugs Branigan reputedly tamed the Animal Gangs and teddy boys of ‘50s Dublin,” History Ireland teases, “but who were these gangs? Were they real or figments of an anti-youth moral panic, simply criminal or the result of social alienation?” Taking to the Leviathan Stage on Sunday afternoon will be History Ireland’s John Gibney, Come Here To Me blogger Donal Fallon, UCC lecturer Niamh Hourigan and David Donnelly, former member of late 70s/early 80s punk gang, Black Catholics.