Congratulations, you've survived another week, and to celebrate, here's a few picks for weekend entertainment and the latest in profanity-laced tirades.

We like to think of ourselves as a full-service pop culture obsessed, Internet-loving, local music snooping, blog.

FRIDAY

• Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the second annual Ruckus Cup at the Big Easy tonight, with your hosts Ill by Instinct and DJ Shade. An epic MC Battle to crown the best of Maine and New England. Aside from checking out up-in-coming talent, scheduled performers include A-Frame and Mike Clouds, Luch and Eliza, and Mike B. and J. Sizzor. Judging the competition tonight are local MC's and beatmakers like Alias, Brzowksi and Pore. The competition begins at 9 p.m. and it's $7 to get through the door.

• Since a lot of you will be moving through the Arts District tonight on your First Friday Art Walk, there's more than a few options for music to round out your experience. Everyone's favorite Latin Dance Explosion, Grupo Esperanza, will be at Empire providing the beats and sounds that have created a serious following. Show starts at 9 p.m. and it's an $8 entry

• Just up Congress Street at Geno's Brenda is headlining a show with Metal Feathers and Grand Hotel. I've been trying to come up with a way to describe Brenda, but I can't, partially because I hate the idea of saying "band a" sounds like "band b," which is a bit of a disservice to both bands. Anyway, I like their sound, it's loose, nice, happy, indie-rockish...see, I got nothing. You decide. Show starts at 9 p.m.
  

SATURDAY

• It's another CD release, this time Secret Weekend is center stage to unveil their new album, Energy Broadcast System, at Empire. Tonight's show is another joining of forces between Milled Pavement Records and brick.city.media, as the line-up includes Moshe, Atomik, and Alchera vs. Seratto. Electronic, house, dub, techno, whatever you want to call it, it'll be on the set list for tonight. Show starts at 9 p.m. and it's $5 to get in.

• Remember when the Spice Girls (yes, remember them?) tried to market "Girl Power" through their brand of market-tested and over-produced pop music? Remember how it made you roll your eyes? Worry no more! Tonight at SPACE Gallery The Maine Academy of Modern Music is throwing an all-women showcase called "Girls Rock!" Featuring a number of groups that have emerged from the academy's Rock Camps, the show is headlined by Sara Cox and promises a number of special guest stars. It's an all-ages affair that starts at $7:30. Tickets are $10.

• The free shows at Slainte continue this weekend with moody rockersDead End Armory and singer-songwriter Leah Mikkonen at 9 p.m. Did I mention it was free?
  

Finally, instead of a weekend video I'm gonna do a hand-off to some of the best Christian Bale on-set-freak-out remixes out there. (If you're looking for the back-story and the original TMZ has it.) Sure it's the height of star-worship/stone-throwing, but I am just in awe of the power of the internets to turn something like one actor's moment of insanity and transform it into a pop culture phenomenon.

It goes without saying - though let me make it clear - WEAR YOUR HEADPHONES. You do not want the Dark Knight's wrath spewing out of your computer to a techno beat as your boss walks by.

- Mae Shi's "R U Professional" - CHRISTIAN BALE Tribute

- My Name is Blue "Christian Bale Freakout Remix"

- Revolucian's "BaleOut"

- SexyPatriot's "Christian Bale Vs. Bill O'Reilly

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