Oh it's a big, big weekend around these parts. The Derby, the Celtics in Game 7, the Sounds, and oh, wait...THE BLOGAVERSARY!

This weekend it's really simple: go see some live music.
There's pretty much something on tap for just about everyone over the next few days, including CD releases, hip-hop showcases, and oh yeah, Record Store Day.

Since things have been so fluid on the NXT Desk this week, I thought I'd shift the Weekend Blog into Express mode. All the highlights, all the frills, none of the stuff you don't want (annoying commercials, excess fat, pledge drives...). So let's see what's on the radar for this weekend.

How am I going to spend my weekend? More than likely dedicating more hours to a TV somewhere watching college basketball. Especially since Mizzou keeps advancing. But for everyone else, there's plenty of action...minus that Digable Planets show. Looks like that's dead. But I do have some details...

It's a busy day here on the NXT Desk, and as you already know, my weekend plans are in flux.

So here's the Weekend Blog - Express version. But don't worry, it's worth it. (It's got some Jon Hamm.)

My schedule's a little topsy turvy this weekend as I'll be on monitor duty here at Press Herald Plaza. So this weekend blog will be a little succinct. But don't worry, there's still plenty to do. And for your sake don't do something stupid over the next 48 hours, otherwise I may be writing about you.

Never, ever forget that holiday weekends have two benefits: You get an extra day off, and the weekend comes a lot sooner.

A classic hip-hop battle, a Portland music jumble and the rise and fall (and rise?) of America with Alyssa Milano and a skinny guy in a rented star-spangled hat? It's all possible this weekend.

Putting Valentine's Day on a weekend...on a three-day weekend? Oh. Wow.
It's best to prepare yourself for some sweet, angry and funky invitations over the next few days.
Also, do yourself a favor and skip the Roses. If everyone's buying them, they're not special anymore.

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.

It's the end of another week, so let's run down some of the possibilities for this weekend, which include, but are not limited to, staying in with a warm Snuggie.

You were warned.

Before we jump into all the crazy shenanigans you can get yourself into this weekend, I have to make one quick programming note.

Some of you may already know, but here's the headline: I'm going to DC next week on the Press Herald's Inauguration Squad. I'll be in the district from Sunday through Wednesday and blogging the bejeebus out of it.

So logistically speaking, things will be a little quiet around here for a few days. You will be able to find me over on Political Extra, where I will be live-blogging throughout Tuesday.

But in the meantime, there are things to get into this weekend.

We've made it another week and fortunately it's not hazardous just to walk out your front door.

That sounds like reason to celebrate by heading out for a show and a beer to me.

We like to appreciate the small things around the NXT Desk.

When I started writing the weekend blog I didn't intend for it to turn into a listing of non-stop holiday parties...but it just kind of happened. There's a lot of people celebrating the season this weekend, and chances are your favorite local band is in the mix.

Time to suit up people. Today is REPEAL DAY and that means it's time to celebrate in a way our teetotaling ancestors only wish they could have. Even if that means having your usual post-work, unwind PBR, at least take a second to savor it. Remember, that cocktail you overpaid for is a right, not a privilege.

I feel like this weekend is the beginning of a big break for a lot of folks. Presidential elections can become life consuming, and after one that lasted more than two years and millions of dollars (not to mention billions of TV hours. Thank goodness that ads are gone) we finally have a break.

Seriously, who couldn't use a break this weekend? Lucky for you we've got a mix of everything.

I am many things - observant, bacon mad and power hungry to name a few. But I like to also think of myself as pragmatic, so if I can find a practical use for something, I usually will do so.

With Halloween a few days out, I thought I would create a Google Map showing parties, hayrides, haunted houses, walking tours and other events.

Luckily Sen. John McCain came through and agreed to appear at tonight's presidential debate, thus avoiding the ruination of thousands of debate parties tonight.
The Republican presidential candidate changed his mind, thus all the planning, all the the Barachos (Democrat themed nachos) and Raisin McCain cakes won't go to waste.

What could have been a disastrous start to the weekend looks - for now - to be in the clear.

Remember, people, Parties First.

Hello, NXT readers. Justin is relaxing on a private island without Internet access (at least that's what he told me), so I'll be your host today. My name is Mary Phillips-Sandy. I recently returned to Portland after a few years in New York City; these days I live, write and drink too much coffee in the East End. I'm also the proprietor of a website called Ruined Music.

Portland has no shortage of self-love, even though we sometimes may feel like we get no respect from outside Vacationland.

If you've ever supported a local business, band or artist tonight is shaping up to be a big ol' fashioned love fest with the Indie Biz Awards and the release party for the newest album in the "Greetings from Area Code 207" series.

And lucky for all of you both of these shindigs will be taking place within a Portland city block of each other.

Spring is in bloom (in theory) and with the turning of the seasons comes an annual tradition...award season.

Local business, local artists and local musicians are all coming into focus this month and it's time to celebrate some of the things that make it pretty great to live and work in this community.

The best part is - you get to decide.

This Presidents' Day weekend, take time to stop and think about your favorite president. Is it Rutherford B. Hayes, William Howard "Party Boy" Taft, or Dwight "My way is the highway" Eisenhower?

Then again you could always attend a presidents' day party. You know the type, everyone dresses up as their favorite president, makes policy jokes and chases around first ladies.

Hail to the chief indeed.

It's Monday. You know it, I know it. I'm coming off a bitter doughnut/brunch experience yesterday that still has me rattled. Let's dispense with the pleasantries and just get on with this thing.

- The Tenacious D, "Rock Your Socks Off"