Your Weekend Agenda

Another week is sliding towards the weekend, and we are, as always, concerned about the quality of your entertainment options. Remember, you are liable to make bad decisions about how you spend these precious school- or work-less days, so just do what we tell you to do. Just like your mom keeping you from touching the hot stove, you'll thank me later.

Thursday: This weekend (like most of them) is shaping up to be expensive, so we found some free stuff to keep your Thursday reasonable. First, head to Wayland Wine Shop in Providence from 5 to 8 for a free wine and cheese tasting. Sure they'll want you to buy something, but you can make them earn it.

Once you've knocked back a few tiny glasses of wine, head out to Gallery Night for some more free sophistication. Start at the Bellini Ruggeri gallery in Wayland Square, and take the trolley to check out the other spots.

Friday: Listen, I'm not vouching for the quality of the competition when I recommend you check out the Providence Roller Derby, but this is their championship. The Mob Squad will take on the Old Money Honeys at 8:00. The match, which takes place at the Bank of America skating center in downtown Providence, costs $9 in advance and $12 at the gate. Soak up some fast-moving, girl-on-girl violence before heading out downtown for evening drinks. Across the street, McCormick and Schmick's has good bar specials late in the evening.

Saturday: After you've recovered from your Friday, embrace one of the great drinking traditions, Oktoberfest. The German Club on 78 Carter Ave. in Pawtucket will be holding its Blackstone River Oktoberfest festival Friday and Saturday night. On Friday, you can see Duke Robillard's band for $15, but we'd highly recommend checking out the three bands (The Stumbleweeds, Jesse Lege & Bayou Brew, Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble), which start Saturday at 4:30. It's $25, which is a hell of a lot cheaper than a trip to Germany this fall.

If you stumble out of Octoberfest and have a craving for more, head over to Club Therapy for some after-hours partying. The party doesn't start until 2:00 in the morning, located at 7 Dike Street in Providence.

Sunday: Time to get out of the city. From 1 to 6 today, head to Wickford Village for the Harbour Festival and the Wickford Cup Race. There's booze, music, and seafood. Get directions to Brown Street in North Kingstown if you're not sure how to get there. And even if the festival isn't mind blowing, Wickford Village is a really nice place to hang out on a nice Sunday.