Your Weekend Agenda

Welcome to Thursday, and to Rhody Rocks. Because we care about you, we try our damnedest to give you a shot at a good weekend. And we don't want to confuse you, so we weed through the dreck and tell you the best one or two things going on each day. If you don't listen, and your weekend sucks, go crying to the Projo or the Phoenix.

Thursday: Start the weekend off with a laugh, and go see Tony V at the Comedy Connection. He's a classic 'that guy' you've seen in a bunch of TV shows, and features in The Brotherhood on Showtime, a drama filmed right here in Rhode Island. The show starts at 8:00, and costs just $10.

Friday: Several of my Irish friends would treat me like Martin Sheen in The Departed if I didn't push for you to see the Dropkick Murphy's at Lupos. Tickets are $25 at the door, and the show starts at 8:30 with two opening acts, Horrorpops and Everybody Out. These guys have made some of the most adrenaline-pumping songs I've heard in the past few years: hell, one of their tracks plays as the Red Sox's Jonathan Papelbon makes his way from the bullpen to close out another win.

For a cheaper music fix, check out The 'mericans at Nick-a-Nee's in the Jewelry District. I haven't seen these guys live, but they seem like a decent band, though a few of their folky songs might create an irresistable desire to drink. But the show, which starts at 9:00, is free, so you can afford a few extra beers if needed.

Saturday: Fortunately for those who like their entertainment cheap, the Pawtucket Arts Festival rocks on this weekend. On Saturday, the Stone Soup Folk Fest takes over Slater Park from 1:00 to 4:30. The Dave Rowe Trio, the Magnolia Cajun Band, and Santa Mamba will all play, and it's free.

In the evening, its back to AS220, this time for a hip-hop/noise/unclassifiable show headlined by local ass-kickers Mahi Mahi. (Why ass-kickers? Go and find out.) The show costs $6, and starts at 9:00.

If unclassifiable music isn't your scene, let me recommend heading up to Pat's Pub on Smith Hill. They usually have decent free live music on Saturdays, have a cozy bar and a pool table, and are extremely convenient to the original New York Weiner System, which is quite simply the best drunk food in Rhode Island, and possibly the world.

Sunday: Time to culture you clowns up, and we have two options. First, you could go see, But for the Grace at the Pell Chafee theatre at 2:00. It is a one-man play exploring poverty and hunger issues, and tickets are $10.

Later, Trinity Rep is just getting its run of All the King's Men going, but the story is so good I'm willing to bet the play is a big hit. So it might be worth the $20 and up ticket prices to check it out. The Sunday show is at 7:00.