On Friday, September 29, the one and only DJ Karen is celebrating 30 years of spinning tunes at The George.
The well-known figure kickstarted her career in the iconic Dublin LGBTQ+ nightclub in 1993, the same year that Ireland decriminalised homosexuality. While Boyzone debuted on the Late Late Show, ‘Dreams’ by Gabrielle played through Walkmans worldwide, and Mary Robinson served as the country’s first female president, DJ Karen also began playing weekly in The George during the start of a transformative few decades for the queer scene.
As beloved queens like Panti Bliss and Shirley Temple Bar delighted club-goers with their unforgettable drag performances, DJ Karen set the dance floor on fire and kept the party going after the acts had finished. Now, you can find her on Tuesdays and Sundays playing anything from dance remixes of pop hits to funky house tunes and pumping electro-house beats.
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Not only has DJ Karen basically become part of the furniture in The George, but she also enjoyed an array of other residencies in different venues, including Fifi’s, Spirit, Wax, Rogue, Kiss, The Dragon, The Kremlin, Mother and Sweatbox. And if you somehow haven’t managed to catch her in any of these spots, chances are you may have come across her at festivals like MILK, Love Sensation, Oxegen, Electric Picnic and more.
In an Instagram post discussing the milestone, DJ Karen said: “It’s hard to believe it’s that long only feels like yesterday I slipped on a little black number walked a gimp down the stairs and started my dj career and rejection request”.
She continued by thanking everyone for “dancing along and whooping” and invited all to “pop along and have a bop” at her special celebration this weekend.
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Darragh Flynn, General Manager of The George, explained: “Karen is an extremely valued member of The George since her beginning in 1993… Since then, she has been a core member of staff and is more than a DJ to us, she IS The George and we are very lucky to have her.”
Join DJ Karen’s 30th anniversary celebration at The George this Friday with free entry before 9pm, and €8 after. Artist Emma Blake is also painting a special mural for the occasion, which can be seen on the outside wall alongside pieces paying tribute to icons Tina Turner and Sinéad O’Connor.
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