Weekend Events
Getting out isn’t only fun, but as many of our picks this week prove, it’s helpful. Be a do-gooder while having a good time. Whether you’re watching indie rockers for charity, feasting on veggies at a fest, exploring your city in a race or attending a Japanese festival, this weekend is packed with positive play.
An all-star cast of Portland-based musicians come together March 27 for From Oregon with Love, a musical benefit concert to raise money for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan March 11. All proceeds from the event -- to be held at Portland's Aladdin Theater -- will be donated to the Mercy Corps Oregon Japan Relief Fund.
Headlining the concert are local orchestral pop band Pink Martini, vocalist Storm Large, singer-songwriter Holcombe Waller and dancers from Oregon Ballet Theatre.
Has Michael Pollan finally convinced you to eat less meat? Head to the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall this weekend (Saturday, March 26, and Sunday, March 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.) for Vegfest, a celebration of vegetarianism that will include more than 500 food samples, cooking demonstrations, speakers on nutrition and books designed to help you navigate the world without bacon. Tickets are $8 at the door (children younger than 12 are free).
B-films, punk rock and a pissed-off bunny award combine for one strange art festival. The Boston Underground Film Festival -- a celebration of eccentric, insane and downright freaky (often slasher) films -- runs March 24-March 31. "BUFF" as it is known among, well, film buffs is an uncompromising and unabashed Boston art event held annually since 1998. Tickets for each screening are available for purchase online in advance or in person at the Kendall Square Cinema box office on the day of the screening. True film lovers will want a festival pass for $100, which includes admission to all screenings, priority seating and admission to BUFF parties.
If basketball games aren’t your thing or you’d just like to take a break from the madness, Chicago's Fizz Bar & Grill’s eighth annual Tom Hanks Day is the ideal way to spend your Saturday.
On March 26, the Lakeview pub will be hosting the celebration that includes a Tom Hanks memorabilia raffle, an all-day Tom Hanks movie marathon and $1 Pabst Blue Ribbon drafts to sip while watching the long list of favorites like Big, Castaway, Joe Versus the Volcano and Forrest Gump.
It's going to be a mad, mad, mad, mad Millbrae this Saturday as teams of up to five compete in a "Street Scramble," to see who can visit thirty checkpoints in three hours or less. Answer a question on your scorecard to prove you were there, and then walk, run, bike, parachute or rappel to the next destination!
Talk about history: Japanese Noh, an elaborate form of musical drama, dates back more than 600 years. This weekend, as part of Carnegie Hall’s JapanNYC festival, dedicated to earthquake and tsunami victims, the Kyoto-based Kashu-juku Noh Theater will perform at the Japan Society.
The vibrant show offers the rare chance to watch a stylized art form that has remained largely unchanged since the 14th century, from swirling silk kimonos and brightly painted masks to battle scenes punctuated by booming gongs and even the humorous antics of two rascal servants intent on stealing their master’s sake. After a night of Noh, you can even learn the traditional dances and instruments from the performers themselves at a Saturday afternoon workshop.
Yuk it up on the six-night Dallas Comedy Festival, which closes this Sunday. Never Pickles, Galapagos and Stupid Time Machine perform at the Dallas Comedy House, the HQ for the festival on Saturday at 6 p.m., providing ample improvisation and insight into pop culture. Then don't miss Uncle's Brother with Tim Meadows at 8 p.m for some sketch comedy from Second City veterans. Way to work out your abs.
If you're a fan of '80s pop, '80s punk or cheap beer, then the Second Annual Punk vs. Pop with Philadelphia Brewing Co., Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight, is sure to get you on the dance floor. Philadelphia Brewing Company is pouring $2 draughts at the Institute Bar in Philly. The best '80's punk goes head-to-head with the best 80's pop (the Clash will clash with Prince). Dress the theme and you could win a $30 gift card to the Institute so you can have more of their tavern fare such as the kitchen's homage to Ween: a chocolate and cheese inspired menu.
Words like "wine" and "riot" don't often find themselves in the same sentence, unless the fanciest restaurant in town runs out of foie gras before the late seating. Here to rectify that is the Second Glass Wine Riot, held this Friday and Saturday at Santa Monica Place. More than 250 wines will be represented, giving participants plenty of opportunities to figure out what they love and hate (I'm looking at you, Boone's Farm). In addition, there will be DJs, a photo booth and food pairings. One dollar from every ticket will go to 826LA, a wonderful non-profit writing and tutoring center.
After a successful inaugural pop up during the holiday season, Atlanta's Midtown Mile corridor returns with temporary shops at the 999, 805 and Spire buildings. Friday, March 25 through Sunday, March 27 Peachtree Street comes alive with beauty experts (Raw Bronzing Studio and Wax Atlanta), jewelry (Kristi Hyde and Mark Edge), Bridal (Anne Barge and Intimacy), art and inspiration.
Source:Specials