Well, after two weeks, our UJ daffodils are all finally dead, so we're holding a G&T wake this weekend: it's what they would have wanted. But in true circle of life style (sing it Elton), as one thing dies, another celebrates a birthday, and this weekend it's Urban Nerds and Minimal Carnival's 1st, the Hurly Burly Girlies' 2nd, and Lasermagnetic's 3rd. We'll always remember you, daffs.

This weekend's guide is brought to you in association with The 39 Steps at The Criterion, who are giving away a full-on sleuthing ensemble including a Lock & Co hat, Scottish Mackintosh coat, and a Globetrotter suitcase, as well as two tickets to see the Laurence Olivier award winning show. Click here for more details.

MySpace Secret Gig
Shhh. Be wery, wery quiet. I'm hunting secret MySpace gigs. Enter Enter Shikari, if you follow my meaning, for this pinnacle of the mile long, band-tastic Camden Crawl. Taking place in a top secret location, you'll need a Crawl ticket, a MySpaz account, and some early-bird worm-catching skills to get in on the private action, but this hefty St. Albans-based band are certainly going to be worth every queuing second.

Dance
Two weeks on and Proud are still going strong, their various monthly regulars coming into effect and getting settled. Last weekend's Vice night was the predictably carnage it was always going to be, and tonight's Don't Panic shindig looks to be no less messy, with the ubiquitous Jody Harsh and Scottee on hand, together with Lykke Li, Kid Harpoon, the Masque of the Red Death chaps, and more DJs than you can shake a glow-stick at.

Minimal Carnival
It's party time and costumes, hats, masks and bugger loads of balloons are in order for Minimal Carnival's first birthday bash, featuring Cristiano Pixeldot, Louis Guilhem and Sirius. And just in case you're you're still standing in the early hours and burning the (birthday) candle at both ends, there's an afterparty at Unit 7 from 4:30am.

Happy Birthday Hurly Burly
Another night, another birthday party. This time, London's favourite Burlesque troupe, Miss Polly Rae and her Hurly Burly Girlys, are two years young and celebrating, birthday suits at the ready, with champagne, juggling, and of course some carnal and carnivalesque bumpin' burlesque. All a bit risqué for such a tender age, but who are we to complain?

Punch & Judy
Forget seaside renditions of felt puppets happily bonking each other over the head (children, please), this is Harrison Birtwistle's operatic Punch and Judy, which celebrates its 40th anniversary of controversy and dark homour. Less puppets, more bloodthirsty murderers, brutality, lust and definitely no sand between your toes. Might still get hold of an ice cream at half time though.

Urban Nerds 1st Birthday
When I was growing up, nerdhood was something ugly and derogatory; a thing to be avoided at all costs. So it seemed a little strange to me when a night billed for Urban Nerds turned out to be a bloody brilliant mixed bag of everything dirty and danceable. And it really puts me in my place when their 1st birthday bills the likes of Skinnyman, Jenna G, and the gorgeous Goldielocks.

Electroacoustic Club
Over in the big smoke from deepest NYC, Nom de Plume's Canadian-born artist/singer/songwriter Sara Genn has one of those rare voices of which one can simply never tire. Tonight's electroacoustic session sees her and her favoured Rhodes piano-double bass-drums combo joined by guest percussionist Matthieu Chazarenc, and supported by Sophie Yau. An altogether beautiful way to while away your Sunday evening.

Rubadub Social Club
Eye-patches and wooden legs at the ready, me hearties, 'cause it's time to set sail and the wretched vessel, the great Rubadub. Rum-swilling stand-ups, wenches bellowing sea shanties, burlesque beauties and tattoos from the The Happy Sailor. Arrr, it'll be a fine time for all. And if not, then I'm sure there will be a plank or two in the house. And maybe a bath of man-eating sharks.

Lasermagnetic Afterparty
It's an old tale. You say you're just going to have a couple on Friday. But Friday becomes Saturday a touch too quick, so you think, well it's after lunch and why don't I just have the hair of that blasted dog, and suddenly its Sunday morning and your conscience is beginning to sober up. Do you a) call it a day and head home, or b) hit an afterparty and help Lasermagnetic turn three instead?