What’s on: Viking Funeral, Just One Year, and Italian vibes are on in Darwin this weekend

Forget a Euro summer, here’s where you need to go to get that Italian feeling in Darwin, writes Kate Dinning.

The Mega Annual Viking Funeral. Picture: Kate Dinning

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND

When I was writing my ‘What’s On’ guide for We Are Locals this weekend I actually had to add an extra page – but I’ll give you the quick rundown.

Today, get a last minute ticket to spend the afternoon with the NT Irish Music Festival at the Darwin Ski Club – a celebration featuring live bands, traditional Irish dancing, food stalls, and a set from Irish rock legends, Aslan.

Cocktail lovers can also buy a ticket for the Cocktail Club at Bar Kokomo this afternoon, or as the sun sets, head to Dinah Beach for the annual Viking Funeral, a spectacular night of Viking-themed fun and live music.

Later, catch Genie and the Bottles bringing neo-soul grooves to Flora’s Temper, or grab a ticket to dance into the night with Afrodisia at Bustard Town.

On Sunday, back at Flora’s Temper join in for a Jazz Jam Session, or ­– and this sounds particularly fun – buy a Single Fin beer at Hotel Darwin as your ticket to try your luck on the mechanical surfboard.

If you’re feeling adventurous after your surf – jump on the ferry and go bootscootin’ with the Honky Tonk Disco at Cox Country Club.

Then, keeping in theme – finish the weekend on a high at the Boots Club Disco at the Railway Club!

SOMEWHERE YOU NEED TO EAT

A lot of people on my Instagram feed are having a Euro Summer right now, but to be honest – Darwin Dry season is giving plenty.

I pretty much went to Italy on the weekend anyway … have you driven down the Esplanade recently?

ESP at the Darwin Novotel CBD has had a glow-up. Picture: Kate Dinning

ESP, the restaurant and terrace at the Novotel CBD has had a glow-up, and it was impossible not to stop for an Aperol on their cute green and white decorative chairs, under the umbrellas!

It was also announced this week that their chef, Angleuo, is in the Top three finalists for the Gold Plate Awards Chef of the year – so now I wish we’d eaten too.

An excuse to go back, it seems.

LOCAL’S TIP

My locals tip this week is a reminder to check out the Darwin Fringe Festival program guide – It kicked off yesterday.

Programs like the Fringe nurture the local creative community and provide a vital platform for emerging artists – it’s a grassroots festival – by locals, for locals – that encourages risk-taking, innovation, and connection through art.

The Fringe Director Hannah used the word ‘scaffolding’ which I really liked: It’s the platform that holds up all ideas, reinforces them, and develops them – it celebrates the Top End’s unique stories, humour, politics, and talent.

A couple that piqued my interest included one about living on our phones, and one about what it means to be a young person in today’s society – but it was ‘Just One Year’ – a work by local creatives, that resonated most with me as I just marked the anniversary of another year in Darwin.

Four girls are sent on a twelve-month work contract to Darwin, not knowing anyone or anything about what the next year will entail.

A relatable and absurd journey of surviving the build up, wading through a shallow dating pool, debating laksa preferences, learning about new cultures, and asking and answering the question … ‘how long will you stay?’

Check out the program and go and see a show this week – you too can be part of the scaffolding of arts in the NT.