Your Complete Guide to the Merry Weekend

Friday

What’s On Stage?

What’s your favourite Disney song? Did you grow up in the era of Mulan? The Lion King? The Little Mermaid? The Jungle Book? There’s nothing really that brings one back to goofy childhood like songs from your cartoon babysitters. Hard Rock Cafe Disney Tribute Night will be playing all of the hits, but live action (that’s the thing these days).

8pm-midnight, Hard Rock Cafe, St. 102

Got the Blues? Well, so does a few of Phnom Penh’s music venues…in a good way! Alchemy Blues Night features Chicago-style electric blues band Chi-Town, led by Jeffro Starks. (8-11pm, Alchemy, St. 123) Greg Beshers will bring an acoustic “Western Border Blues” to Farm to Table, mixing the traditional American artform with some rhythm and blues, soul, country and Americana, of course. (6:30-9:30pm, Farm to Table, St. 360) Java Toul Kork is hosting the jazz and funk stylings of English pianist Barry Speirs. (6-8pm, Java Toul Kork, St. 337) Princess Netashiva and the Soma Jazz Band will be taking the stage at Lantern Rooftop Bar with a long set of groovy Afro-American jazz, soul and R&B. (5:30-11:30pm, Baitong Hotel and Resort, St. 282)

308 sends off 2019 in style with a 7 hour long Christmas block party! Some Khmer golden oldies will be brought to you by Dane with Scott Bywater. On the decks we have DJ Niko Yu, DJ Marie and DJ Em. Some huge Cambodian names like Laura Mam, Pularix, Vannda, B Oun from Baramey will be taking the stage and for for some high energy beats you can enjoy Hypelab’s “Premo, Kenny Chase, Daniel & Brandon” and Phnom Penh hip hop royalty 12ME.

5pm-3am, 308 Christmas Block Party

What Else?

Tis the season to give – not only presents to loved ones, but also to those in need. Sathapana Bank at Aeon Sen Sok South Court is hosting a blood drive in conjunction with the National Blood Transfusion Center. Donated blood can save the lives of those who have suffered heavy blood loss (say, from an accident) as well as those who need regular transfusions due to illness.

7am-7pm, Aeon Sen Sok, St. 1003

Make It is opening its doors today and tomorrow to those who need a little help or added pizzazz to their present wrapping. You can buy gift wrapping paper, ribbons and bows and gift tags from the store and then use their ink and stamps, tape and scissors to wrap it up all purty. 

10am-6pm, Make It, St. 470

HH Hotel and Skybar is throwing a Christmas party and inviting all of us to come! DJ Indigo, who’s been playing around with EDM, deep house and trap since his early teens, will be spinning this gig, while the bar will serve half-priced drinks and free wine for the ladies.

7-11pm, HH Hotel and Skybar, St. 282

What’s On Screen?

One of Hollywood’s most famous stars, the beloved and troubled Judy Garland, is the centerpiece of the new biopic Judy, starring Renée Zellweger. A child actress who played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and then carried on her film and music career for another 30 years, Garland was also a victim of the film industry’s egregiously abusive behaviour towards actors and eventually died from a barbiturate overdose. This film takes place during her last hurrah in London in 1968.

8:30pm, The Flicks, St. 95

What’s On Late?

Meta House’s weekly underground techno party is back tonight with French DJ THEO. He’ll be joined at this free show by the party’s resident DJs Sao Sopheak, Marcus ILL and Nick E. Meta – and a dollar beer special.

9pm-2am, Meta House, St. 178

Saturday

What’s On Stage?

Santa’s got soul at Bassac Lane’s “Groovy Christmas Special”. Musicians Phil Javelle, Mirasol Aguila and Antti Siitonen are playing Christmas classics but all funked up at this free outdoor concert. 

9pm-midnight, Bassac Lane

Cloud is serving up a free double-header with founding member of Australian 80s garage rock band Loulou, Louis Whelan, playing a solo set along with Tin, local legend and member of several Phnom Penh bands, playing his own solo set.

8-11pm, Cloud, St. 9

Filipino band The Roots is playing at free show at Duplex tonight, joined by Barry Spiers on keys and singers Love G and Fu. What this band prides itself on (besides the music, of course) is their performance style and showmanship.

8-11:30pm, Duplex Belgian Taverne, St. 278

Straight No Tracer, a quartet of unquestionably talented musicians, is playing a free jazz night at Alchemy. Starring Arone Silverman on guitar and trumpet, James Atkinson on keys, James Adams on drums and Damani Kelly on keys, the band will be playing everything from Miles Davis to modern jazz.

8-11pm, Alchemy, St. 123

Get your dance on at Psynovation’s eighth installment at Party Patio. Featuring DJs Marcus ILL, ILLicita, DALAH and Shadows of Space, it is an entire night dedicated to tech house and techno. 

9pm-1am, Party Patio, St. 308

What Else?

If you missed the blood drive yesterday, have no fear. The National Blood Transfusion Center is holding a morning blood donation today at its center, sponsored by nonprofit Voice Cambodia. For eligibility and other practical info, check out the event page.

9-10am, National Blood Transfusion Center, St. 271

Art therapy uses the creative process and art-making as a means to mental health therapy. Art Bar is holding an art therapy workshop led by psychology practitioner Rumman Khan. The $15 fee includes art materials and coffee.

11am-1pm, Art Bar, St. 45

When a cookie cutter just won’t cut it, take a gingerbread cookie decorating class at Bloom Cafe. The $15 workshop will teach you decorative flooding and piping techniques.

10am-noon, Bloom Cafe, St. 222

Guinness is holding a “Steak Out” out at The Factory all day and night. You may have noticed that “steak” is misspelled. That’s because is an all-you-can-eat steak fest paired with all-you-can-drink Guinness beer and meet-and-greet with internet idols. Plus, Hypelab DJs paired with dancing, of course. 

1-11pm, The Factory, National Road 2

What’s On Screen?

M Pictures Cambodia presents Khun Phaen Begins, an epic journey that takes place as young warrier Kaew travels from Suphan to the Kingdom of Ayothaya, encountering swordfights, magic and love along the way. Khmer with English subtitles.

Various showtimes, Major Cineplex Sorya, St. 63

Anime film The King’s Avatar: For the Glory comes out today. An internet bar owner forms a team to compete in national electronic sports competitions…in this cartoon film. (It’s as imaginary as it can get!)

Various showtimes, Legend Cinemas, Various locations

What’s On the Party Scene?

La última fiesta latina de 2019 is happening at The Hangout tonight! What does that mean? That means free salsa dance lessons, $2 Cuervo tequila shots, live Cuban music by Havana Kings frontman Kayro, DJs Niko Yu and Indigo playing Latin dance music (from reggaeton to Brazilian funk) and fun visuals from Cymatica. Free before 8pm, $3 after.

6pm-2am, The Hangout, St. 476

Club Love is going all out to celebrate its 4th anniversary. Open bar, free-flow sparkling wine, three DJs, “an insane assortment of candy for everyone” and prizes for people who dress to fit the party’s theme “cotton candy pink”. 

8pm-5am, Club Love, St. 278

Sunday

What’s On Stage?

Futures Factory is holding a free evening arts event of performance poetry and live painting. Cambodian and Swedish poets will share their poems – some created after a three day workshop and some totally improvised – in Khmer and English whilst visual artist, Kwan, will do a live painting.

6pm, Futures Factory, St. 13

What Else?

The last session of the I Am a Daughter Girl Empowerment Project takes place today at Meta House with a panel talk by young Cambodian women who have made the transition from rural living to city dwelling. These ladies will share their experiences and personal transformations at the free event; young Cambodian women are highly-encouraged to attend and ask questions during the panel’s Q&A.

3-6pm, Meta House, St. 178

Eat vegan food to not only support animal rights and the environment, but also to help Cambodian teachers? That’s right! Bong Bonlai is holding a vegan brunch fundraiser (with very affordable $1 plates) to financially aid teachers from Tonlé Bati who are in India studying to become Montessori instructors. 

11am-2:30pm, Bong Bonlai, St. 830

Well, isn’t this sweet? Hard Rock Cafe is holding a free doughnut decorating workshop! Toppings are holiday-themed and notoriously big-bellied Santa will be there, too. He says he’ll take a break from eating to take photos with children. That’s also sweet. 🙂

11am-3pm, Hard Rock Cafe, St. 102

What’s On Screen?

The Factory is screening classic film Life is Beautiful. The touching masterpiece by Roberto Benigni highlights love in the face of strife as Jewish-Italian father tries to shield his son from their reality of having been sent to a concentration camp by convincing him that it’s all a game. The screening is free.

3-5:30pm, The Factory, National Road 2

Want more? Check out our calendar of all events here. And have an awesome and most festive weekend!