Let's just jump into this and cut the chitchat. There's all sorts of fun stuff going on this weekend. So no matter if you're looking for inexpensive art, schlock and horror, good music or the chance to live out your Captain Jack Sparrow fantasies, then this is your chance.
Remember, voting is still open in The 'Stache is Right poll. The Bandit is in the lead but The Magnum and The Calrissian are closing fast. Still, I feel like I must find a way to redeem myself in the eyes of Mr. Goulet.
Dogs and Robots Tonight over at Casablanca Comics you can meet Sara Varon, author/artist of "Robot Dreams." If you're at all a fan of alternative comics and independent publishers you should check it out, starting at 6 p.m. at the store on Middle Street.
First FridayAs part of today's First Friday Artwalk, wander down to Bayside neighborhood for the Black Frame Art Sale which starts today and continues through Saturday. More than 200 pieces of art from artists like Jan ter Weele, Justin Richel and Marsha Donoghue, all in 10 x 10 frames, for $200 at the 3fish Gallery, Back Bay Tower and Grapheteria. The money raised from the art sale will go towards children's art programs and other Bayside community activities. Tonight's reception begins at 5 p.m. and things start up again tomorrow at 10 a.m.
Two-piece and a biscuit ... of The Damned Tonight at the Nickelodeon is the Northeast premiere of the film "Poultrygeist." Yes, you read that correctly. It's the newest effort from the filmmakers at Troma, a name you may recognize if you've ever seen "The Toxic Avenger" or "Tromeo and Juliet." Along those same lines, "Poultrygeist" is a heartwarming tale involving fast food, chicken zombies, young lovers and of course, an "ancient Indian burial ground." If this is your cup of tea, and lets be honest, why wouldn't it be, stop off at the Nick for a screening at 7:30 p.m. and 9:55 p.m. It'll be playing there for a week, but director Lloyd Kauffman will be around for a little Q&A after the 7:30 show. The party then continues over at Genos where Covered in Bees (who are also in the film's soundtrack), Confusatron and Bass Box will be lighting things up. Show starts at 10 p.m., it's $8 to get in with a ticket, $10 without.
SATURDAY
Danger Wheels Today's Maine Roller Derby's season opener at the Portland Expo against the Hudson Valley (NY) Horrors. The doors open at 5 p.m. with the bout beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids. This is the beginning of a three fall bouts at the Expo and the derby team has been raising money for the matches over the last several months. Check out Monday's iHerald to meet Miss Creant, a member of the Maine Roller Derby team.
Dub Power Brooklyn-based Dub is Weapon is playing tonight over at the Big Easy. I think the best way to describe dub is reggae with stripped down lyrics and with some jazz influences. Head over to Dub's page to get a listen if you're curious. If you're already a fan or looking for a show tonight, the lights go down at 9 p.m. It's a $7 show.
Pirates of Cobscook Bay PIRATES! This weekend is the annual Eastport Pirate Festival, running from Friday through Sunday. If you were ever looking for an excuse to dress up like a pirate (and who doesn't have an eye patch laying around), race a pirate ship or call your girlfriend a wench and not get slapped, this is your weekend. There's a pirate parade, a pirate ship race, sword fights, and a wenches and scallywag's pageant all scheduled for today. I think it's time to commandeer a yacht down at DiMillo's and sail north. AVAST!
Finally today for your weekend dose of YouTube comes from Channel Frederator. This is what the Internets have wrought, a parody of Internet satire and parodies. Might want to keep the headphones on for this one at work, and keep the young ones at bay.
And yes, there is a healthy dose of irony in spending a few minutes on a time waster video about time wasters.
Justin is a former newspaper intern and has the scar tissue to prove
it. Justin has been a staff writer for the Portland Press Herald/Maine
Sunday Telegram since 2003, and in 2004 began writing a weekly column in the
Monday Magazine.
If he had to pick a label, the column would fall under "youth culture,"
covering everything from high school dance etiquette, dealing with college
debt, the resurgence of Roller Derby and Portland's one-of-a-kind music
scene. This of course has not stopped him from answering letters to Santa
Claus or writing about his experience riding shotgun in a drift car.
Justin is an export from the Midwest. He is a graduate of the University of
Missouri and is originally from Minnesota. He enjoys bacon, cheap beer,
redheads, Burt Reynolds jokes and wondering what the soundtrack to his life
would sound like.
When he grows up he wants to be an international art thief. Or Captain
America.
Until then he'll be bringing you dispatches about "the young people" and
what they do.