If We Were You

WEDNESDAY 4.03

FILM at the Erie Art Museum presents: "The Imposter"

The next selection for the popular film series at the Erie Art Museum is "The Imposter," a documentary about a 13 year-old boy who disappears from his home in San Antonio, Texas, only to be found alive three years later in Spain with a harrowing tale of kidnap and torture.  But all is not as it seems. Get to the Erie Art Museum early for drinks, food, and friends.  

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Erie Art Museum,  20 E. Fifth St.

Contact: Facebook.com/FilmErieArtMuseum

THURSDAY 4.04

John Waters' "This Filthy World"

You read the Erie Reader interview, now go see the show at Edinboro University! As of press time, a VERY limited amount of $10 tickets remained.

When: 8:30 p.m.

Where: Louis C. Cole Memorial Auditorium

Contact: EdinboroTickets.com

Crooked BASS: Natask EP Release Party

It's the beginning of a new month which means there's one thing that you can count on. Well, actually there are several things, like fingers, calculators, and the constant emotional turmoil of Cleveland sports fans. That aside, the first Thursday marks an all-new Crooked BASS at the crooked i, this time featuring the release of DJ Natask's EP and supporting sets by Ghost Alive and Matter.

When: 10 p.m.

Where: the crooked i, 1013 State St.

Contact: facebook.com/thecrookedierie

Novelist Sapphire at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College

Performance poetry, novel reading, gender discussion, and empowerment issues! If you're thinking what I'm thinking, then get ready for an exciting event. Acclaimed-author Sapphire will be speaking at Penn State Behrend as part of the 2013 Gender Conference.  Sapphire intends to speak on the issues of empowerment and adversity while discussing her fiction and poetry. Sapphire is the author of New York Times bestseller "Push," which later became the Oscar-winning movie "Precious" and the sequel novel "The Kid."

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Penn State Behrend, Reed Union Building, 4701 Station Road

Contact: 818.898.6171

FRIDAY 4.05

"The Liberation of Jerome Gleason" at All An Act Theatre

Join the cast and crew of the All An Act Theatre as they produce the world premiere of "The Liberation of Jerome Gleason." This tale follows the struggles of Jerome and Sybil Gleason as they battle the hardships produced by the Great Depression.  Jerome, a dreaming and charming poet, often clashes with the rough attitude of Sybil, which makes for an adventure as the couple uncovers a dark secret about their past.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: All An Act Theatre at Columbus Square, 652 W. 17th St.

Contact: 450.8553

The Ladies of Acoustic Grammar

Instead of just playing songs for the ladies, Acoustic Grammar is pumping out plenty of tunes by the ladies. A fiver of females - Heather Devore, Optimistic Apocalypse, Life(Liss), Amber Alley, and Jessica King - will take the stage at The Beer Mug on this fantastic Friday for all the gals and guys ready for a good time.

When: 9:30 p.m.

Where: The Beer Mug, 1108 Liberty St.

Contact: 454.4753

SATURDAY 4.06

The Clarks

After what feels like an eternity away [Ed. Note - they came to town last year], The Clarks are set to return to Erie, a town that they've called their second home. Well, make sure to give the Pittsburgh-based band a proper Gem City greeting when they stop by Sherlock's and play their brand of good, old-fashioned rock 'n' roll, lest you have to wait another eternity before they swing by again.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Sherlock's, 508 State St.

Contact: 453.7760

Erie Asian Festival

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka - do these words make you hungry? If so, you probably failed geography; however, here's your chance to sample regional delicacies from across Asia at the Erie Asian Festival! Demonstrations and performances will also take place throughout the day, so head on down to the Hammermill Center at Gannon University for this exciting and unique festival. 

When: noon to 5 p.m.

Where: 620 Peach St. 

Contact: ErieAsianFestival.com

SUNDAY 4.07

Erie Extension Canal: Gateway to the Great Lakes

The fabled Erie Canal once linked the North Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico - and it ran right through Erie! Revisit the heydey of barge traffic at the Erie Maritime Museum through images and artifacts donated to this important local history exhibit. 

When: All day

Where: 150 E. Front Street

Contact: FlagshipNiagara.org

MONDAY 4.08

Erie SeaWolves vs. Binghamton Mets

Baseball is back, and we declare spring officially here. The SeaWolves actually open the season against the Altoona Curve on April 4, and for all we know we'll be in first place when this three-game series begins at 6:35 tonight. The forecast is calling for dry conditions and a high temp in the 50s, so grab your jacket and head down to the Uht. Nothing helps you think summer better than a night at the ballpark. 

When: 6:35 p.m.

Where: Jerry Uht Park, 110 E. 10 St.

Contact: 456.1300, seawolves.com

TUESDAY 4.09

Analyzing Alexander the Great: Does He Deserve the Title?

Sure, he died 2,326 years ago and he was great then, but is he still all that special? Should we just start calling him Alexander the Average? Alexander the Acceptable? Alexander the Meh? Come listen to William P. Garvey, Ph.D. at the Jefferson Educational Society, as he addresses whether we should continue addressing Alexander as Great or one of these new terms. For the record, we're voting against The Meh. 

When: 7 to 9 p.m. 

Where: 3207 State St.

Contact: 459.8000 or JESErie.org.

WEDNESDAY 4.10

Waylon Speed

Some nights just call for a bit of beef jerky, beer, and a good bit a fiery, country-fried rock 'n' roll. Well, you may have to provide your own jerky, but you can get plenty of the other two when you head down to the crooked i to see the bearded bandmates of Waylon Speed for a good blast of blue-collar tunes.

When: 10 p.m.

Where: the crooked i, 1013 State St.

Contact: facebook.com/thecrookedierie

THURSDAY 4.11

Swing Dancing

Whether you are a tapper or a flapper, don't be afraid to get into the swing of things down at Rocco's Tavern and get your limbs a dancin'. Think of the night as chance to hone your Charleston, Fox Trot, or whatever dance you've been working on or to just try out something new.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Rocco's Tavern, 4040 W. 12 St.

Contact: 833.7127

FRIDAY 4.12

Pines of Rome Symphonic Series

Get your melody on as you travel down to the Warner Theatre to listen to Franz Schubert's symphony.  Enjoy the unexpected musical eruptions with its uplifting and exciting classical music. Then enjoy American Samuel Barber in his remix of James Agree's poem Knoxville: Summer of 1915.  All of this music is brought together under the composition of Respighi, as he brings his touch of the sounds of Rome, complete with birdcalls and brass bands in performance of the Pines of Rome.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Warner Theatre, 811 State St.

Contact: 455.1375

Cope w/ Shotgun Jubilee

Everybody needs a vacation from time to time, but you don't need to shell out the big bucks to head down to Florida, because Cope is bringing the sunshine here. Kings of the Tampa Bay, Fla. jam scene, the sun-soaked rockers mix together elements of reggae and roots to warm up the crowd along with local jammers Shotgun Jubilee.

When: 10 p.m.

Where: the crooked i, 1013 State St.

Contact: facebook.com/thecrookedierie

SATURDAY 4.13

Eerie Roller Girls vs. NEO Audio Assault

Erie's own flat-track roller derby team opens their 2013 season at Presque Isle Skating and Event Center (formerly Evan's). Derby dames (and dudes) of all ages can catch all the derring-do at this family-friendly Erie institution, which is under new ownership and has been making improvements to both the rink and the refreshments. 

When: 6:30 p.m.

Where: 3162 West Lake Road

Contact: EerieRollerGirls.com

Dramashop's Erie Reader Staged Reading Series presents: "8" by Dustin Lance Black

If you're a fan of legal cases and staged readings, this event might pique your interest, as "8" by Dustin Lance Black conveys the legal argument of Perry v. Schwarzenegger trail. With the addition of witness testimonies, this tale tells how the overturning of California's Proposition 8 came to be. With the use of actual transcripts, Black has put together an intense and heartbreaking look at this big case

When:  8 p.m.

Where:  PACA Performing Arts Center & Theater, 1505 State St.

Contact: Dramashop.org.

Bad-Ass Benefit

If you're the type that keeps thinking of how you can make our fine city a bit more badass, then get your bad ass down to the crooked i for the Bad-Ass Benefit. Featuring the '70s-style funky grooves of Gold and the DJ stylings of Natask, part of the event's proceeds will go to help start the Bad-Ass Film Festival, a film series that celebrates all the is awesome in this world.

When: 10 p.m.

Where: the crooked i, 1013 State St.

Contact: facebook.com/thecrookedierie

 SUNDAY 4.14

Erie Playhouse presents: "Grease"

Travel back to high school and visit the halls of Rydell High as it takes up residence on the Erie Playhouse stage.  Sing along with the senior class as they take you back to the '50s for an adventure filled with gum-popping, hip-shaking, and hot rods while tapping your toes and singing the popular tunes.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Erie Playhouse, 13 W. 10th St.

Contact: 454.2852

MONDAY 4.15

The Erie Broadway Series presents: "Rock of Ages"

You've seen the movie, now catch the live show that sparked the world-wide phenomenon. "Rock of Ages" features 28 mega-hits of the 80s and tells the age-old story of small-town country girl going to the Sunset Strip and falling for big-city rock star. This high-energy show features the music of Journey, Night Ranger, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake, and many more. If ever there was a stage musical tailor made for Erie, this is it. Seating is limited, so act fast. 

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Warner Theater, 811 State St.

Contact: 452.4857

TUESDAY 4.16

The Riverside Inn Dinner Theatre presents: "The Last Romance"

Robert Frost once wrote something about taking different paths. Apparently they make the difference. And apparently widower Ralph had the same thoughts, since during a daily stroll, he took a different way, which led him to a second chance at love, as he meets Carol. You can take whatever path leads you to the Riverside Inn Dinner Theatre to see their heart-warming tale unfold on stage. No Frost required.

When: Noon

Where: One Fountain Ave., Cambridge Springs

Contact: 956.9490