Best Bets This Weekend

Hello Weekend. You shall prove to be to my satisfaction, I can already tell. There is plenty to do, so Do it, England.

Friday
As You Like it @ Miller Outdoor Theater
A favorite summertime ritual is packing up the picnic basket, chilling the flask and heading out the Miller Outdoor Theater for their summer Shakespeare productions. Camped out on the lil' grassy knoll, it's a free evening's entertainment that always entertains. This year, like in the past, they do two productions that are held on alternating nights. Friday Night's performance is As You Like It.

Miss Lily's Drunken Lodge Hall Revue @ The Axiom
Last week, I opined about the increased visibility of burlesque among night-time fare. One reader chimed in to mention that Houston has a home-grown troupe, performing a show at the Axiom every Friday night until September 2nd. You go-go girls.

Gravy Train!!!!, VIP, The Gaze @ Mary Jane's Fat Cat
I can't speak for the other bands, but if you missed The Gaze at the last Starr Project show, you should prolly go check them out (it was supposed to be a one time only performance). Also appearing Friday at Mary Jane's is Gravy Train!!!! and VIP.

Rusted Shut, Pterodactyl, Dakota Building, the Jonx @ The Bill Hicks Resurrection Laboratory
I've never been to this venue, and I've only seen The Jonx live. But my understanding is that this is the show you should go to if you are looking for alternate means to strip the plaque off your teeth.

Saturday
Hamlet @ Miller Outdoor Theater
One of the great things about the Summer Shakespeare productions is their tendency to be placed in non-Shakespearean settings. Isn't it about time we see Hamlet take place on the Battlestar Galactica? Sadly, that will have to wait for another year.

Glass Candy and Dead Roses @ The Proletariat
Yeah, I know. Just last week I was dissing on a Glass Candy 7" that I picked up in a bulk lot of records I bought from a friend. But damn, it's catchy. And locals Dead Roses never play out anymore, so don't skip on this chance to see their rock as rock performance if you haven't previously. The Dum Dum Crue will also be on hand to keep The Proletariat conversation-proof between sets.

Roman Candle Jousting @ Commerce Street Warehouse
More than one person has mentioned to me that they are going to this party, which apparently features people on bikes jousting with roman candles. Seriously. I don't know anything else about it, except that it is alleged to take place at the Commerce Street Warehouse.

That 80's Hair Band @ Mike's Ultimate Sports Bar
Ok, not really, but aren't you a little curious? Oh, man! That 80's Hair Band?!! What a name!