THE WEEKEND IS HERE! So here’s how to spend it in Phnom Penh…

Okay, okay, we hear those thunderstorms too… but don’t let a little rain keep you inside, because there are a ton of awesome things to do in Phnom Penh this weekend. And we wouldn’t want you to miss out, now, would we?

FRIDAY NIGHT

First up, you have a choice of two homegrown indie film nights to choose from tonight. Over at the Bophana Centre there’s Mind Cage, a psychological thriller shot in Phnom Penh, which screens at 6.30pm (Bophana Centre, St 200).

Meanwhile, META HOUSE, is showing classic short documentary The Conscience of Nhem Em at 7pm, telling the story of Nhem, who survived incarceration at S21 by the Khmer Rouge by photographing the infamous portraits of inmates, followed by Nine Circles of Hell  at 7.30pm. Released 1989, it tells the story of a couple torn apart by the civil war and the ensuing horrors, and was the first film to be made in Cambodia after the fall of the Khmer Rouge (META HOUSE, Sothearos Boulevard).

Sound a bit heavy? Get your dancing shoes on instead!

As usual, there’s plenty of live music to choose from, including early sets from Cambodian Space Project frontwoman Channthy performing a duo with Scotty from 7pm at Taco Kokopelli (St 19z), indie rock covers with The Fumes from 7pm at Botanico (St 29) and Clay George & Joe Wrigley covering Johnny Cash and Hank Williams country classics at Farm to Table from 6.30 to 8.30.

A little later in the night, local legends Sangvar Day will be belting out punk rock at Oscar’s on the Corner (St 13 & St 104), Amy Powell is delivering jazz favourites at Tusk from 9.30pm (St 278) or, for something a little different, check out accordion virtuoso Anna Tsang at The Jazz Club from 9pm (St 282)

SATURDAY

This Saturday, there’s something really special happening in Phnom Penh, organised by Andre from La Familia. The old Cambodian railway is back up and running for a unique event, as the antique train is restored to its 1930s glamour and will be rolling to Takeo and back, complete with on-board cocktails and a retro band! Tickets are limited – click here for more info to make sure you don’t miss out.

Or, for a blast from the slightly-more-recent past, META HOUSE is running a fabulous 1960s themed night, starting with the superb Cambodian Rockumentaries, Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten and Why We All Love Sinn Sisamouth from 7pm, before continuing on to an awesome 60s-era club night, where Sao Sopheak will be spinning golden era tunes from 9pm. Come decked out in your best vintage 60s garb and you’ll even get a free cocktail.

Fancy an all day rave-up instead? Well you are in LUCK. Over on Koh Pich, top DJs from all over the world are gathering from 1pm for a pool party of epic proportions. Hosted by Bert Bevans, of Studio 54 fame, this is set to be a spectacular party – click here for more info!

Staying central? CULT is taking over Street 240 for a huge, fashion-conscious – but more importantly, socially-conscious – street party! In honour of Fashion Revolution week, CULT is bringing together fashion, art, music and plenty of cocktails in a huge event to celebrate great fashion pieces, made fairly and sustainability – pushing people to ask the question “who made my clothes?”

Plus, of course, there’s more great live music on Saturday night, including Phnom Skor at the Jazz Club, an acoustic set from Scoddy and Chuck at Botanico, and compulsive-dancing rockabilly Joe Wrigley & the Jumping Jacks at Oscar’s on the Corner from 9.30pm.

SUNDAY

We hope you’re not expecting a Sunday sofa day, because there’s wayyyyyyyyyy too much happening that will tempt you outside!

Among the top events this weekend is the D-Day Music Festival at Duplex (St 278), where ten fantastic live bands will play back to back from 2pm, followed by a raucous afterparty upstairs at Club Love from midnight.

Almost directly across the road, Tusk is hosting a rival event: a massive pool party with live music from 1pm. What to do? Well, I guess you should probably drop into both…

Meanwhile, over in Tuol Tom Pong, Sundown Social Club and La Familia are bringing you Rocksteady Reggae Sunday, a rooftop party complete with reggae beats, Tiki cocktails and food and drink specials all afternoon and well into the evening. Sounds like lazy Sunday bliss, right?

Finally, to see out your Sunday in laid-back style, chill out with this week’s Sunday sundowner session with Scoddy at Taco Kokopelli… or check out top-notch band Anttti-Venom, led by amazing drummer Antti Siitonen, at Oscars on the Corner.

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See you on the other side!