If We Were You

WEDNESDAY 8.07

Butterflies in the Park

Family fun in Frontier Park is a staple of summer in Erie. Join the Carrie T. Watson Garden Club at the labyrinth for poetry by Mary Frances Baugh, music by Tom "Strangers and Liars" Hitt, lectures on butterfly-friendly gardening, and of course, the release of beautiful butterflies! Hopefully, all the birds in Erie will be somewhere else.

When: 11 am to 3 p.m.

Where: Frontier Park

Contact: leaferie.org/events

THURSDAY 8.08

Six Years After

The members of Six Years After appreciate their history, with their name being inspired by the French's response to General George Washington's demand for them to leave Fort LeBoeuf. The harder alternative quartet also has some local blues in their blood, with lead singer Steve Banta being the son of Erie guitarist Jake Banta, so check out the Banta the younger and company whip out some original tracks and rockin' covers down at Sherlock's.

When: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Where: 508 State St.

Contact: 453.7760 or facebook.com/sherlocksparkplace

Erie Downtown Partnership Block Party

The Cell Block is the site of the last block party of the summer, so be sure to head downtown for great live entertainment from The Earthquakers and Five Second High!

When: 6 to 10:30 p.m.

Where: 1213 State St.

Contact: 455.3743

FRIDAY 8.09

Frank Singer Duo with Bruce Johnstone

Still sad that Blues and Jazz Fest is over? Well, just because the two-day celebration is through doesn't mean that you can't get your fill of some jazz. Head on over to Anchor In and check out the Gandalf of guitar Frank Singer as special guest Bruce Johnstone wows the crowd with his slick work on the baritone sax.

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Where: 3122 West Lake Rd

Contact: 833.1212

St. Paul's Italian Festival

St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church will be home to all the Italian food you can eat, along with music and games. There will also be a church procession for those that wish to worship, but you don't have to be religious to enjoy this great free festival, which is open to all. 

When: All day

Where: 16 and Walnut streets

Contact: 459.3173

"A Canterbury Feast"

Erie Station Dinner Theatre hosts this musical comedy with an interesting twist that promises to take you back to 1492! In medieval times, food was served with no utensils, so let's just say you'll want to wash your hands extra thoroughly before this dinner!

When: 7 p.m.

Where: 4940 Peach St.

Contact: 864.2022

SATURDAY 8.10

Royal/Revise, He Who Creates, Toothgrinder, Melrose, From the Ashes, and Crucify the Hopeless

Wouldn't life be simple if everything cost a dollar? Well, Basement Transmissions is bringing you six bands for only $7, which is like shelling out $1.17 per band, so that's pretty darn close, and as Mick Jagger sang, you can't always get what you want. Still, six progressive metal groups in one location should be just fine for you hard rockers out there.

When: 6 p.m.

Where: 1501 State St.

Contact: basement-transmissions.webs.com

BMC's 4th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta

Build and race a cardboard boat or come watch the other cardboard creations push through water. Registration for this unique event is available in person at Bayfront Maritime Center at 10 a.m. or online and it's absolutely free to watch! The parade starts at 11 and the race starts at noon.

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: 40 Holland St.

Contact: bayfrontcenter.org

SUNDAY 8.11

BACA Erie 4th Annual Ice Cream Poker Ride 

Whip out your hog and head to Sullivan's Pub for a rockin' ride that's all for a greater good. Bikers Against Child Abuse of Erie County again plays host to this charity poker run, in which riders will visit five Erie County  ice cream shops, collecting a playing card at each location, and ending at Shades Beach all the usual fun - food and drink, a 50/50, and tunes by Small Town Rollers, Hammerd, Whiplash, Hammersmith, and Thirst 'N' Howl. 

When: 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where: 301 French St.

Contact: Facebook.com/baca.erie

MONDAY 8.12

Bears Do Dinner

Rawr! Although they're normally out stealing picnic baskets, on this night Erie's bear community will enjoy a nice sit-down dinner at the Colony Pub & Grille. So if you're a bear, a cub, a chub, a musclebear, an otter, a panda, polar bear, a wolf, or just an admirer, stop by, make some new fuzzy friends.

When: 5 p.m.

Where: 2670 W. Eighth St. 

Contact: 838.2162 or drenchedfur.com

TUESDAY 8.13

Erie Gives Day

Hey, you; stop not giving to your favorite Erie nonprofits and seeing the Erie Community Foundation match the results! Back for a third year, Erie Gives Day gives you the chance to donate to your favorite nonprofit in Erie, and then see the Community Foundation dole out a prorated match of up to $150,000 amongst participating organizations. Last year during the 12-hour giving period, more than $1.1 million was raised, but $1.1 million is so 2012 -- 2013's bigger, better, and brighter, so check out the list of participating nonprofs and get ready to give. 

When: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Any computer

Contact: ErieGives.org

WEDNESDAY 8.14

NWPA Ukuleles August Get-Together

If you're saying to yourself, "Self, I need more ukulele in my world," here's your chance to fill that void. Head over to Charlie's Pub and Eatery in Edinboro, and bring your uke, or, listen to others who have brought theirs. Eat, drink, play, listen - it's up to you; just stop saying there's not enough uke in your world.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: 600 Erie St., Edinboro

Contact: 734.1715

THURSDAY 8.15

Chasing Moira

As a trio of wise women once sang, don't go chasing waterfalls. Despite some of the perils of pursuit, there are some things worth going after, including local alt-rockers Chasing Moira. The band released their second album earlier this year and play at Sherlock's this fine Thursday, so don't go missing Moira now.

When: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Where: 508 State St.

Contact: 453.7760, facebook.com/sherlocksparkplace

"Legally Blonde: The Musical"

Fans of the Reese Witherspoon movie or the original Amanda Brown novel can now thrill to the live onstage production of "Legally Blonde" at the Erie Playhouse. Perhaps the men in your party can keep the car warm. Tickets are $13.50 for students and $22 for adults.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: 13 W. 10th St.

Contact: contact@erieplayhouse.org

FRIDAY 8.16

Aqueous

It's rather appropriate that Aqueous is named after a word that is defined as something that is "made from, with, or by water," because when you go see the Buffalo band live, the music flows from the quartet's 40 combined fingers. Seriously, these guys are pretty good, and they'll be stopping by the crooked i to help sate your thirst for groovy tunes.

When: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Where: 1013 State St.

Contact: facebook.com/thecrookedierie

Purple Martin Palooza

Take a beautiful two-and-a-half hour pontoon tour through Presque Isle, learning all about the Purple Martin birds, which roost in Presque Isle for the summer before flying 5,000 miles back to Brazil for the winter. Best of all, the event is free and open for registration. Call today and register up to four people, 18 per pontoon boat.

When: 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Where: Presque Isle Park, Pontoon Boat Station

Contact: 833.7424

SATURDAY 8.17

Benchers Union After Party

Apart from the occasional Debbie Downer out there, everybody enjoys a good party, and the Benchers Union After Party is set to be a proper blast, with Clear Soul Forces, Beedie, and Mad World leading a list of top hip-hop acts ready to come down and blow the roof of of the crooked i. Check out Matt Flowers piece on the Benchers Union on page 21 to get a taste of the whole historical event.

When: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Where: 1013 State St.

Contact: facebook.com/thecrookedierie

Romolo Chocolates' Summer Music Series: Tom Principato

Returning from Romolo's 2011 series, guitarist Tom Principato brings his unique brand of Blues to the outdoor piazza once again. This free event will also feature drummer Joe Wells, bassist Jay Turner, and conga/harmonica player Josh Howell. Get here early, as 2011 saw the entire parking lot filled for his act.

When: 6 p.m.

Where: 1525 W. Eighth St.

Contact: 452.1933

SUNDAY 8.18

Fairview Historical Society presents "Danger in Our Midst"

You probably know all about the War of 1812 by now thanks to the Perry 200 Commemoration, but if you're looking for a slightly different perspective, learn about how our neighbors in Fairview saw the situation. 

When: 1 to 4 p.m.

Where: 4302 Avonia Rd. 

Contact: 474.5855

TUESDAY 8.20

8 Great Tuesdays featuring renowned jazz organist

Tony Monaco first found the keys to his successful jazz career with the accordion. At age 8. But then he shifted gears and took to the organ. Four years later, he heard of Jimmy Smith, who four years after that called Monaco and offered to be his mentor and teacher. Another four years later, the Columbus, Ohio-native was out in California playing in jazz clubs. For free – that's right, free – you can hear this master of the B-3 organ unite with local jazz and pop musicians for one of the last remaining 8 Great Tuesdays. 

When: 6 to 10 p.m.

Where: Liberty Park, 726 W. Bayfront Parkway

Contact: 455.7557