Getting cultured and moving planes

But where to go? Plenty of places have drink specials that bring the masses through the doors, but only Slainte has Chris Keenan playing acoustic tunes from 5-7 pm. Chris will entertain you with folk, rock, blues and Irish music while you relax on a cozy couch and sip your beverage. There's no cover and there will be drink specials - of course.

There's even cheaper beverages to be had (i.e. FREE) at Rosemont Market's wine tasting at its Portland location today from 4-7 pm. Sample some of that adult grape and maybe you can get that weekend glow started.

If you're one of those strangefolk who would rather exercise than partake of n adult beverage on a late Friday afternoon, hopefully you've sent your email address to www.springboardpilates.com so you'll know the secret location for the first flash mob pilates event of the season. The mobbing is set for 5:14 pm today, but only the in crowd knows where. If you can find them, feel free to join in. The workout is somewhere in the great outdoors and it's free.

The big draw of the night should be the combo show with Miss Fairchild and Lovewhip at Empire Dine & Dance. Imagine: Two great acts playing the same venue for just 5 bucks. Show starts at 9 pm but you'd be wise to get your dancin' shoes on and get there early. It's being billed as the "party of the summer," even though summer doesn't arrive for another week.

I know what you're thinking for Saturday: Wouldn't it be a great if I could watch someone do something awesomely cool like ... pull an airplane?

What a coincidence! You can!

Staring at 9 am today, teams representing friends, families and local companies will be at the Portland International Jetport for the MS Plane Pull. And, yes, they will be pulling a plane. Said plabe is in fact a 145,000-pound Boeing 727 that will be moved down the runway in a competition for fame, fortune and prizes. If you had $1,000 bucks to donate to the MS Society you could get in on the muscle man stuff. But we all know you don't so just get over there and watch. The Portland Transportation Show - with historical aircraft, military vehicles, trucks and buses - goes on until 4 pm. And it's free.

After getting your fill of things with wings, your next stop is some ethnic culture at the Bayside World Market & Fair at Portland High. The fun goes from 11 am-4 pm and there will be crafts, music, journey stories from some of Maine's non-natives, food and entertainment. Admission to the fest is free, then you're on your own.

Another option for getting your brain a little exercise this weekend is a tour of The Redfern House in Portland. It uses no oil and no gas and is expected to be LEED Certified Gold. Hobknob with green architect Chris Briley and the folks from ReVision Energy to get some energy efficient tips of your own.

You've got a couple of good options when the evening rolls around also tonight, the first of which is a trip right back to Empire Dine & Dance for the Hamilton County CD release party at 9 pm. Eric Bettencourt will also be playing and the price to get in is just $5. Switch CD reviewer Bill Earl gave top marks to Hamilton County's effort - here's your chance to check them out for yourself.

If you'd rather be out in the fresh air and haven't yet seen Fenix Theatre's version of Taming of the Shrew, you've got another chance tonight at Deering Oaks Park. Plop your chair down near the wading pool at 6:30 pm and wait for the actors to entertain you. The shows are free.

Sunday, Sunday. Last week it was the most rockin' day of the weekend. This week it'll be a little more low-key. First we have some art for you to check out at the UNE Gallery on the Portland Campus. The gallery is open today from 1-4 pm and it unveiled its eighth annual sculpure garden at last week's First Friday Art Walk. Check out the sculpture's beautifying the out-of-doors and take a spin around the inside to see what artsy sights you may see there. Admission is free.

If you have $5 to donate and you think you're good at word games, check out the live taping of the "Watch Your Language" radio show at St. Lawrence Arts Center from 2-4 pm. You may learn a couple new words you can start dropping around the office when another miserable Monday comes up and bites ya.

If you haven't had your fill of music yet, you can head down to MYST in Old Orchard Beach for Andrea Delan's unplugged show from 5-8 pm. It's free to get in and hear her catchy originals and popular sing-along tunes. Up for a little Sweet Caroline anyone?