Submitted by Melissa Howsam — Correspondent
AL PACINO: “Make way for the bad guy.” It’s not any given Friday you get to play devil’s advocate with the quintessential movie mobster. So check out DPAC for the rare opp to grill a gangsta for an audience Q&A. Just remember if he tells you to go ahead and make his day, you might want to duck and cover. Oh, and he’s rumored to “kill communists for fun.” So maybe leave the red shirt at home. When: Friday, 8 p.m. starting at $75. More info
STEVE MARTIN & THE STEEP CANYON RANGERS: Yeah. So, Steve Martin makes me think of that shnoz he had in “Roxanne.” Which makes me think of that song where Sting tells the girl he loves to get right and turn off that red light instead of selling her body to the night. Which is irrelevant. Except that Steve Martin ‘ll be showin’ off his own chops — yup apparently he does more than wear Pinocchio-like noses and father brides — with top Billboard bluegrass band the Steep Canyon Rangers. When: Saturday, 8 p.m. at the DPAC. Starting at $42. More info
BIKE AND BREW: Make (green)way for Raleigh’s new chain gang, pedaling a plan for drinking and driving (or driving and drinking) to Triangle thirsties in a less-likely-to-make-you-a-hood-ornament kind of way. So get it in gear, wheel it about the city and then get spoked at The Diner for their weekly Monday bike and brew — a 10 to 15-mile easy-paced ride through city greenway and bike routes, followed by some patio pint time at The Diner with app and brew specials. But if your chain starts to hang low and wobble to and fro, just make sure you cab it home. When: Mondays, 6-9 p.m. More info
ARTSPLOSURE 2011: So starts the season for asking … “Wait. Why did we open Fayetteville Street just to shut it down every week?” Oh, the beauty of irony. And mind control. Clearly anything worthy of downtown shutdown should get your attention right? Either way, Artsplosure should. So get art smarter and hoof it on over to the city’s 32-year-old street skill-fest for a palette of performers and artistic displays and booths. Elephant ears are likely to be a bountiful bonus. Dig in. When: “Amococo” on City Plaza Thursday and Friday, 1-7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Art Market: Saturday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Music in the Park: Saturday, noon - 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Kidsplosure: Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. More info
GOT TO BE NC FESTIVAL: If you know what Kenny Chesney is talkin’ about when he says she thinks his tractor’s sexy, then where you “got to be” is Got to Be NC fest. If nothing else you’ll get a chance to stare at some tractors and get a lil turned on. There’s even a tractor parade. And a tractor pull. Try to contain yourself. But in the event that big farm equipment doesn’t do it for ya, there’s also a classic car show, draft horse pull, bluegrass band concert and plenty of Southern slop to sink your teeth into. And 23 Midway adult-and-kid carnival rides to keep you merry on a go-round until time for that unforgettable fair. Just don’t feed before you rip and spin. Please. It’s not what they have in mind when they talk about getting down on the farm. When: Friday through Sunday. Free. More info
