How was your Restaurant Week? Delicious? Dull? I'm hitting Brasserie Tatin Friday for lunch to do up the week in as low-key a manner as possible, despite all the nice invites to go out at night.

Saturday or Sunday, you owe it to yourself to go see "Mother Goosed: The Nurseryland Campaign Tales" in Patterson Park. It's the Fluid Movement people. Even if you hate it, you'll feel so rad afterward about how much cooler you are than a bunch of grown-ups who roll around and make asses of themselves in front of an audience.

If you've managed to resist seeing the Batman movie no one will shut up about and it's a hot weekend, get your tickets early. We aren't the only ones who thought of this.

Thursday's Ponytail show at Floristree was funny. I've never seen so many people holding their ears (at Bear and Pieces high-pitched squeals) and simultaneously say they were enjoying themselves.

Saturday had me swallowing my pride at the Charm City Roller Girls bout as the Mobtown Mods kind of kicked our Junkyard Dolls' collective ass.  

This week is Restaurant Week, yum. So get out there and eat at places you normally can't afford. And for God's sake, tell me about it so I can live vicariously through you.

Reminders: This Saturday is the Charm City Roller Girls bout and the Bicyculture event is all weekend. Tonight means Joan of Arc at Floristree...oooh secret locations make me shiver;)

Virgin Festival is coming back very soon (August 9 and 10), which I guess would be exciting if I weren't going to be at my damn cousin's wedding. They also seem to be scrimping on the infield entertainment this year, which I'm sure is not the way to attract the added ticket sales they definitely need if they want to keep things rolling. Then again, when was the last time big corporations ever thought about the bottom line? um, wait...

If I were going this is who I'd see: Gogol Bordello, She & Him (that Zooey Deschanel is too cute), Foo, Bloc, and not Moby...perhaps that's not all, but there are only so many hours in an imaginary day, you know?

Who are your V-fest picks?

Well, how was Artscape? Any amazing things you have to share? I'm still in the Big Easy...and, yes, it's effing hot.

This week we're looking forward to Joan of Arc on Thursday at Floristree Space. Plus, Saturday the Charm City Roller Girls bout it out again at Du Burns Arena. Also Saturday is the Bicyculture event...very strange thing where bike messengers race eachother in a scavenger hunt-like way but with the added high-stakes challenge of not being killed by traffic and crappy drivers. A challenge I surely wouldn't take on.

Miss you. brb from nola...haha.

When I repeated the tagline that Artscape was the biggest arts festival in the country, a little bird reminded me of the qualifier "free." Well, maybe it's not the biggest, but it's up there, and this weekend is going to be a crazy ride for much of the town.

Hightlights: Artscape Midway (from noon to 10 p.m. and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday the Charles Street bridge will be walkable as part of Artscape): Midway will present installations, performances, sculpture and other forms of art and performance to create an alternate carnival midway. Emily C-D will be unveiling her IMAGO MACHINE, a whirling kaleidescope of deceiving reflections and many masks. The Oranges Band will play Artscape this Friday at 5 p.m. at the Saturn Stage (Mt. Royal/North Ave). And "Starbooty" and "Black Devil Doll" (scenes and trailers) will screen at Metro Gallery Sunday at 8 p.m. And Whartscape near Joe Squared and MICA with Wham City kids in full throttle.

I'm sure there's even more kick-ass stuff to do there and beyond, but those would be my picks if I had picks. I'm actually going to NOLA. I know, I know, I've heard, I'm an idiot for leaving when Artscape has finally gotten so big, but I got to go sweat it out Crescent City-style, so have fun kids! And please, please let me know how it was!

The Fourth Wall was a tremendous success given the number of people there, but it left me feeling old...and hungover.

Saturday I ended up missing my friend's wedding but made it to "Wall-e" (am lame and cried) and Kim's birthday dinner (was a zombie all night). I heard the Impossible Hair and Squaaks show at the Creative Alliance was awesome on Saturday.  

Everyone seems to be gearing up for Artscape and the related events...

So hanging my Fourth Wall all week has been taxing and rewarding...and yet it's still not done!! But hopefully by Friday I'll get some sleep and it'll knock the kids' socks off.

Outdoor film fests seems to be taking over: Wednesday in Fells Point is the Films on the Pier series, Thursday is Federal Hill's Flicks from the Hill put on by AVAM, then Friday, you've got the Little Italy Open Air films...the only one I can vouch for, they're playing Moonstruck and you can drink in the street. As you may know I'm a fan of that activity. There are more outdoor movies than this...ones at Hopkins and even one on a tot lot by my house. It just reminds me of that "It's Always Sunny in Philly" episode where the one character's mom is watching tv on the porch. He says something to the effect of "So, I see you're getting some fresh air watching tv outside; it's good." It's just funny to think that an outdoor activity or picnic still revolves around tv or movies. I love them just as much as the next guy, but come on; it's hilarious that this counts as an outdoor activity to the urban.

There's a big weekend ahead. I'll be touching base with you later this week to let you know how my show's coming together and ask advice about what to wear...five boys asked, no one cares. Would have to turn up naked for anyone to actually notice I think.

Hope everyone had a good holiday! I saw a few fireworks by chance, the illegal kind in the Chillage, then the Easton ones the next day along the highway, ah America.

"Key Largo" was playing at the Charles on Thursday, so after two glasses of wine, I toddled over. The good news is, the Charles, like the Landmark, lets you bring your drinks into the theater. The bad news is, this Bogey and Bacall is way too long and filled with meaningful glances and not much else.

Friday I threw an impromptu BBQ, which was small, but attended late into the night. Three friends showed up at 1, which would've been cool had I not been drinking all day and ready for bed by the time they got there. Fireworks could be viewed from my back alley, very convenient considering the rain.

Swimming at Cascade Lake on Sunday was chilly a but fun co-ed wedding shower for Joel and Joleen (yes, that is pretty cute, I know).

The week ahead brings us ever closer to Artscape, plus Friday's my art show, yeah!

Has anyone seen "Control"? Pretty good flick re: Joy Division if you're into them or even if you're just curious.   

No doubt First Thurday in Mount Vernon tonight (with open-air beer-drinking and live WTMD music) will be packed due to the holiday tomorrow, but you never know. With so many people headed out of town, it might be the quietest night ever.

Friday brings us rockets red glare. That's right, the Fourth of July is that time of year when grown men drive to faraway places to buy fireworks and set them off in their backyards. I don't really get it.

If you're in town, you'll likely be at a BBQ during the day then to see the works at night, right? The Harbor and Oregon Ridge are the usual suspects and do put on good displays. But I prefer the smaller ones where you can actually sit down and enjoy them without being trampled, which means doing something I rarely advocate: going further out of the city....dundundun (read: olde timey dramatic movie music).

Saturday is the Station North Arts Flea Market, plus afternoon free live music...a good time, I think, provided it's not stinking hot. Also on Saturday is a new Farmer's Market in Harbor East starting at 9 a.m. It's hard to top the one under 83 on Sundays, though (not to mention the Saturday one in the Chillage). Damn, yuppies just have to have their own new everything, don't they? ...guess it's cool though as long as it's local and they don't jack the price due to location.

Looking for something to do Saturday night? Rodney the Pie Guy will be performing at St. John's Church for like $5 if you're into some rockabilly-esque tunes. He does make great pies, though, even if you're not a fan of the music.

Sunday I'm trying to head to Cascade Lake for the very cool Joleen's wedding shower.