Happy weekend! Now get out there and enjoy this fine city.
1. Move beyond the pumpkin spice at The Novare Res Harvest Fest (21 +)
Where: Rovare Res Bier Café, 4 Canal Plaza
When: Friday 3pm-1 am
Cost: Free entrance, pay for food and drinks
Start your weekend early at Novare Res with the holy autumn trinity: ciders, donuts, and seasonal brews. Holy Donut will provide the treats, and the drinks are sure to be on point because it’s Novare, after all. “Good pumpkin beers” are promised, so probably no pumpkin spice in sight. The sun is shining and you will be too after a few potent harvest ales.
2. Eat cheese at Whole Food’s 3rd Annual Cheese Fest
Where: Whole Foods Market 2 Somerset St.
When: Saturday 12-2 pm
Cost: Free to sample
Eat free samples of cheese from near and far. Is there such thing as too much cheese? More info on their Facebook page.
3. Kick it old school with the Victoria Mansion Tales of Terror
Where: The Victoria Mansion 109 Danforth St.
When: Friday @ 6 & 9 pm for adults, Saturday @ 6pm (kids 10 & under) & 8pm (teens and adults)
Cost: Adults– $22, Museum Members–$15, 17 and under– $10
Listen to classic stories and poetry in a setting that’s pretty spooky even when it’s not Halloween. Friday, local storyteller Lynn Cullen performs Bram Stoker’s The Judge’s House and Edgar Allen Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado, as well as an Irish lament on her concertina (a musical instrument, I’m guessing). Saturday, local actress Brittany Cook will perform original works on hauntings in New Orleans. I’ll take this over haunted hayrides any day. More information available here.
4. Rage with Chaos Sauce at their EP Release show (21+)
Where: Empire Dine & Dance 575 Congress St.
When: Friday 9:00 pm
Cost: $3 (random, but cheap)
You like to rock, right? Of course you do! Head over to Empire for some local funk rock music in this newly renovated venue. Chaos Sauce, once relying heavily on Rage Against the Machine covers, is moving on to bigger and more original things. Supported by Shut Down Brown and Foster & Ulitz, this is the place to be Friday night.
5. Wind down your weekend with East Wave Radio at El Rayo
Where: El Rayo Taqueria 101 York St.
When: Sunday 2 – 4pm
Cost: Free to listen, regular menu items and drink specials
Spend your Sunday afternoon sipping margaritas and listening to reggae originals and classics by East Wave Radio. Native Peaks Islander, Dave Gagne, fronts this ensemble that could soothe the most troubled of souls. This is a family friendly way to kick back and enjoy the final fleeting moments of warmer weather. El Rayo serves up drink specials and their food pleases all ages and palettes. Local music AND stellar food – Do it!