It’s the return of the Freakin’ Weekend, baby. After a little bit of a recharge of our own batteries, our weekend entertainment column is back and in full effect. And while there’s a lot of great stuff going down in Iowa City this weekend, it’s also important to recognize briefly the cool stuff going down in Fairfield this weekend. If you were at the Mill last night, then you know there was a fantastic line-up benefiting Iowa City’s Public School Records, including Fairfield bros (and Mission Freakers 4 life) Porno Galactica. But for as frequently as Dom & Phil of PG are rocking awesome shows in IC, they’re also cultivating a young scene of their own in Fairfield, IA, that’s demanding your attention. Hence, the birth of Sweat Power, a three night event this weekend going down at the Beauty Show and the PG house, aka the Thug Mansion. Notable performers over the three days include Chris the Conquered, Skye, Alex Body, Lipstick Homicide, Grism, and of course Porno Galactica and Coyote Slingshot. Check out the link above for the deets. Without further ado, events in Iowa City that require less of a road trip to take in.

Thursday
Catacombz, Anvil Dome, The Tanks, These Needles, Black Vatican / White Lightning / 9pm / Please donate
Some sonic destruction via a 5 band bill at one of IC’s most alternative venues. The Tanks almost always draw a big, enthusiastic crowd – this is their first show back from a late fall tour, if I’m not mistaken. Great music at a place that offers more than just tunes – pool, foosball, and, um…knife throwing? As always, BYOB and donation. It’s only right.

Friday
Shores of the Tundra, Aseethe, the Horde, Mauul / Blue Moose Taphouse / ? / ?
Last night wasn’t heavy enough for you? We’ve got a metal throwdown at the Blue Moose with the perpetually awesome (and on tour together) Shores of the Tundra and Aseethe. They’ve still got copies of their massive split 12″ too. Not sure what time this is, or what it costs. If ever there was a call for IC’s newest venue to get after a website quick, it’s those big ??s up there. Also: don’t forget you can still enter our contest to win Jookabox’s new album, Dead Zone Boys. If metal’s not your thing, then you should stop by the Mill to check them out with some other great indie poppers this night instead.

Saturday
The Vagabonds, Skye Carrasco, Kit Bryant / Blue Moose Taphouse / ? / ?
Another night of big Qs from the Blue Moose, but what we do know: you can see some great folksy music performed by some of Iowa City’s best female performers. We also know that you can drink beer out of a boot at the Moose. The Blue Moose is setting itself up for a great spring – remember they’ve already got St. Vincent, as well as Will Whitmore with Jenny Hoyston, coming up in just a couple of weeks. Now we just need that website to get our information fix!