If We Were You

WEDNESDAY 8.21

GEAE Happy Hour

On the third Wednesday of each month (hey, that's today!) the greater Erie Alliance for Equality hosts a combined happy hour/service event. This one, at Craze nightclub, aims to collect school supplies, so be sure to bring along pens, pencils, notebooks, backpacks, or anything else you can!

When: 5 to 9 p.m.

Where: 1607 Raspberry St.

Contact: greatereriealliance.com

Married and Counting

Huffington Post called this documentary on marriage equality "relevant, heartfelt, and timely," while Time called it "equal parts love story and political protest," so you should probably head on over to PACA and see it. Donations are accepted but not required, and half of the proceeds will be donated to ME4PA, a marriage equality group.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: 1505 State St. 

Contact: Paca1505.com

THURSDAY 8.22

Erie Downtown Partnership Block Party

Jerry Uht Park is the site of this week's block party. There will be food, drinks, and great live entertainment from and Taylor Maid and Key West Express. If this recent weather has been any indication, summer is winding down! Enjoy these Thursday nights outdoors while you still can!

When: 6 to 10:30 p.m.

Where: 110 E. 10th St.

Contact: 455.3743

Bail Easy and Via the Sun

For those who would like to rock, let us introduce you to Bail Easy and Via the Sun. One's a little metal, and the other's more melodic hard rock, but they get along just fine, which is great for anyone out there looking to head down to Sherlock's for a good guitar thrashing all night long.

When: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Where: 508 State St.

Contact: 453.7760

FRIDAY 8.23

North East National Rib Fest

Get your last taste of fresh barbecue before the summer ends! Not only are there great ribs, but also a car/motorcycle show, petting zoo, crafters and live entertainment. Admission is free and will be running through the weekend until Sunday.

When: All Day

Where: Gibson & Gravel Pit Parks, 10300 West Main Road North East

Contact: 725.3308

 Disney Junior Live on Tour! Pirate and Princess Adventure

Nothing says "family-friendly" quite like Disney, and you can be sure the kids will enjoy seeing the likes of Cinderella and Peter Pan in this unique performance at the Warner Theater. Tickets range from $51, $31, and $21 and can be purchased at the Warner Theater box office.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: 811 State St.

Contact: 452.4857

The Family Resource Fair 

The United Way of Erie County wants you to know that If you or someone you know may benefit from involvement with a social service agency, Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School will host more than 30 of them in the school gym. This helpful new event is being held in conjunction with Back to School Free Hair Cut Day (see below), and both are graciously supported by Michael Hooks, owner/operator of Michael's Hair Salon.

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: 235 E. 11th St. 

Contact: del@unitedwayerie.org

Electro/Acoustic Collision

Electronic and acoustic musicians will battle for supremacy at Basement Transmissions over the course of one night. Actually, there won't be any fighting, really – just two stages, nine artists, and a whole bunch of good music brought to you by the likes of Cleveland's 9 Volt Haunted House and some unplugged tunes from Erie's own onewayness, resulting in a sound victory for those attending.

When: 6 to 11 p.m.

Where: 1501 State St.

Contact: basement-transmissions.webs.com

SATURDAY 8.24

Back-to-School Free Haircut Day 

It's back-to-school season, but in Erie, need truly knows no season. For the eighth consecutive year, the Pfeiffer-Burleigh School playground will host Michael Hooks and his team of volunteer hairstylists, who will provide free haircuts and backpacks to an expected 1,000 children who need both to start the school year on a positive note. 

When: 8 a.m.

Where: 235 E. 11th St. 

Contact: del@unitedwayerie.org

Adrienne Hindmarsh and Pete Mills

At some point in time, somebody decided to say "all good things must come to an end," unfortunately setting the precedent for good things being expected to, well, end. Still, that just means we can kick off the final show of the Romolo Chocolates 2013 Summer Music Series in full force, with B-3  organist Adrienne Hindmarsh and saxophonist Pete Mills playing for free on a late summer night.

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Where: 1525 W. Eighth St.

Contact: 452.1933

Instead of Sleeping and guests

There are so many things you could do instead of sleeping. You could read a good book, binge watch a new show, or finally paint that masterpiece of General Patton on a unicorn. While those are all nice, we suggest doing something like heading down to Basement Transmissions and check out Pittsburgh-based melodic indie rockers Instead of Sleeping, as well as some other special guests that will make you happy that you got off the couch.

When: 6 to 11 p.m.

Where: 1501 State St.

Contact: basement-transmissions.webs.com

Zabawa Polish Festival

You know, this wouldn't be a bad weekend to go festival hopping. Portion the ribs wisely on Friday and you'll have room to head over to Holy Trinity Church for Polish food on Saturday! Like the Rib Fest, this event runs through the weekend.

When: All Day

Where: East 23rd and Reed streets

Contact: 456.0671

ArborEATem – A party in the park

Erie is full of great restaurants, and now all the chefs of these eateries will be gathered in one place. From Mi Scuzi to Avanti's and everything in between, come to Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park and meet the people that make some of Erie's best food.

When: 7 to 11 p.m.

Where: West Eighth Street and Bayfront Parkway

Contact: 453.5324

SUNDAY 8.25

Aviation Gala & Open House

Join the Erie Regional Airport Authority at the Erie International Airport-Tom Ridge Field for their Aviation Gala Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating the opening of the runway 6-24 extension. Vintage aircraft – including a B-17 bomber – and privately-owned aircraft will also be on display; if aircraft aren't your thang, classic cars will also be present. 

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: 4411 W. 12th St. 

Contact: Erieairshow.com

TUESDAY 8.27

Last of the 8 Great Tuesdays

We've all heard it: All good things must come to an end. But in the case of this Tuesday, it's all great things, as this marks the last performance in the 8 Great Tuesdays concert series. So head to Liberty Park for one last outdoor show on Erie's beautiful bayfront and enjoy the tunes of American Ride Band, who open for The Stickers.

When: 6 to 10 p.m.

Where: 726 W. Bayfront Parkway

Contact: 455.7557

WEDNESDAY 8.28

FILM presents: "Frances Ha"

The final movie of the summer series is a critically-acclaimed comedy about a young New York City woman who keeps joyfully chasing her dreams, even as they slip out of reach. 

When: 7 p.m.

Where: 726 20 E. Fifth St.

Contact: facebook.com/FILMErieArtMuseum

THURSDAY 8.29

Profound Produce CD Release

Local rapper Profound Produce put in a lot of hard work to present Erie with a brand new batch of tracks, and now it's time to enjoy "Fruits of Our Labor" with a proper party. The first 200 people in the door will receive a free gift, all while Blue Soul, HoneyBee, and DJ Salt provide some additional entertainment for Profound Produce's special night.

When: 9 p.m.

Where: 1013 State St.

Contact: facebook.com/thecrookedierie

FRIDAY 8.30

Homemade Fusion 

Dramashop's having a party to kick off their 2013-2014 season and to open their new performance space, and in true Dramashop fashion, they're making this something more than just an ordinary party. For a special one-night event, the crew of Erie's contemporary theater is performing the concert-style "Homemade Fusion" that's been called "brash, witty, and tongue-in-cheek." With a complimentary pre-show reception, Renaissance Theatre is the place to be this Friday.

When: 7 p.m. reception; 8 p.m. performance

Where: 1001 State St.

Contact: dramashop.org

SATURDAY 8.31

Zach Deputy at the crooked i

When an artist is described as island-infused drum n' bass gospel ninja soul, that sounds like a potential blast, unless you happen to hate ninjas for some reason. The Southern multi-instrumentalist puts on funky, yet soulful, rhythm and blues show, complete with live looping and all sorts of fun on a Saturday night.

When: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Where: 1013 State St.

Contact: facebook.com/thecrookedierie

SUNDAY 9.01

Greenhouse at the crooked i

Do you know what's better than having two indie hip-hop artists from Columbus? Three of them, but that's starting to get a little greedy, so we're perfectly fine with rappers Blueprint and Illogic team up to become Greenhouse for this killer Sunday show.

When: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Where: 1013 State St.

Contact: facebook.com/thecrookedierie

German Heritage Festival

Achtung! Another ethnic festival! Get yo' lederhosen on and head on over to St. Nick's Grove on Route 97 for a full day of Frankfurters and fun.

When: 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Where: 5131 Old French Rd

Contact: 456.9599

MONDAY 9.02

Last SeaWolves Game of the Regular Season

Another true sign that eight months of winter are rapidly approaching – baseball's over. So close out another wonderful regular season of home-team minor league fun at the Uht with your friends by attending the SeaWolves last game of the season, because in two months, you know you'll already be yearning for their season opener. 

When: 1:35 p.m.

Where: 110 E. 10th St.

Contact: Seawolves.com