Events this weekend

My idiosyncratic round up of free and cheap events in Gainesville that for now comes out roughly twice a week.

Got an amazing event? Need to get the word out? Email calendar (a) crookedletter (dot) com

I make no promises, but if it is theater, dance, poetry, spoken word, video, film, art, not the same old band show music (or a benefit) or library related chances are I'll promote it.

crooked bits and pieces: Saturday, May 2, 2009
National Astronomy Day at Santa Fe College
C.J. Harte reads from her book Dreams of Bali
A Midsummer's Nights Dream
The Word is Spoken
UC Variety Show
Rodney Mullen: Skate Legend Gville Homecoming
CMC Doc Night: Wetback

National Astronomy Day
Saturday, May 2nd, 3:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Santa Fe College, 3000 NW 83rd St
Kika Silva Pla Planetarium, Bldg X, Room 129
Not sure if it costs money
5 Planetarium shows, reception for Space Art exhibit by Tim Malles, Telescope viewing for the Alachua Astronomy Club, U2 music light shows, Children's astro art station, an "ask an astronomer" table and much more.

C.J. Harte reads from her book Dreams of Bali
Saturday, May 2nd, 5:00 p.m.
Wild Iris Books, 802 W. University Ave
Free
crooked commentary: I spent several months reading and dissecting romance novels as part of a research project but also just 'cause I wanted to be entertained. One of the things I could find much sign of was Romance novels about two women- granted I was reading faux Jane Austen Regency-lite romances, which don't have as much room for more modern understandings. So I was particularly pleased to get the announcement from Wild Iris Books about C.J. Harte reading from her romance Dreams of Bali. If you indulge in romance novels but want an expanded notion of love, romance and sex (I don't know if Harte's book is steamy, but since most contemporary romances are, bets are good some of it is hot).

A Midsummer's Nights Dream: Opening weekend
Sat May 2nd, door 7:30 p.m., show 8:00 p.m.
(Three more weekends after this)
Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, 619 S. Main Street
$8 students/military/educators/seniors, $10 general admission
Get lost in a forest full of tricksome sprites and fairies with the cast of the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre's production of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Experience the magic of Midsummers, one of the most loved and produced plays. Directed by Walton Wood.

The Word is Spoken
Saturdays, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Tim & Terry’s, 1417 NW 1st Ave.
This event happens every Saturday. Poetry, comedy, performance art, music and an open mic session. This event is run by David Maas, one of the ThirdEyeSpoken crew. Rumor has it that Shamrock McShane, local teacher/writer/actor, makes a regular appearance. Tom MIller also has been known to stop by, now and again.

UC Variety Show
Saturdays, 11:00 p.m.
University Club, 18 E. University Ave.
$5, or somewhere around there
From their Facebook event schpiel: Saturday nights just got stupider and Dandy Page and Topmeister Jimbo are glad to bring it to you! Come compete for a chance at $50 in beer money, cocktail cash and bathroom stash. Low level talent is greatly appreciated. 5 contestants each week, audience decides winners and wild cards. Obviously, the content is adult.

Rodney Mullen: Skate Legend Homecoming
Sunday, May 3rd, 1:00 p.m.
Headquarters (Downtown) Library, 401 E. University Ave
Free
John Rodney Mullen is a professional street skateboarder, considered to be one of the most influential skaters in the history of the sport. He is credited with inventing the flat ollie, the kickflip, the Heelflip, the 360 flip, and the Impossible. He started skating at age 10 and has competed professionally since the early 1980s. He holds the longest winning record in skateboarding history. As a street skater, he's been both a rider and member of influential teams and companies such as Plan B, World Industries, Almost Skateboards and now Dwindle.

Mullen did the stunts for Christian Slater in the film Gleaming the Cube, and he is a character in the popular Tony Hawk Pro Skater videogames. Born in Gainesville, Mullen attended the University of Florida, earning a Biomedical Engineering degree. Mullen also penned an autobiography in 2004 with the help of Sean Mortimer, entitled The Mutt: How to Skateboard and Not Kill Yourself. For the Alachua County Library District, Mullen will be talking about his experiences and answering audience questions. This is a free event, open to all ages.

Wetback: The Undocumented Documentary
Monday, April 27th, 8:00 p.m.
Civic Media Center, 433 S. Main Street
$3-5 donation
Written and Directed by Arturo Perez Torres. Follow Nayo and Milton (whose surnames are not given), from Chinandega, Nicaragua as they cross through Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and the United States in their attempt to reach Canada. Along the way, meet other migrants as they are detained by Mexican authorities. Catholic human rights workers in Chiapas also offer their perspectives, particularly on the abuse of migrants by gangs such as the Mara Salvatrucha.

The film also features interviews with United States Border Patrol agents and Minuteman Project organizer Chris Simcox.  Wetback has received significant critical acclaim for its straightforward portrayal of migrant workers and their struggles. Torres and his crew let the subjects speak for themselves.