Bicycle race!

I don’t want to be the president of America, John Wayne, Star Wars . . . Queen’s “Bicycle Race” is a bit like “We Didn’t Start The Fire” as far as ease of remembering goes, innit? New Belgium’s Tour De Fat goes down much easier this weekend. As do White Magic, 10 Years, and a breakdancing competition!

Tour De Fat combines bicycling (Fat Tire, eh!) and raises money for non-profits, spreads info on sustainable living, and preaches craft brewing. Don’t forget the costumed bike parade, and of course the car-for-bike challenge, whereby a volunteer promises to give up their auto for use of a commuter bike year-round. More info here! Music will be provided by Los Amigos Invisibles, The Cleverlys, Yo Yo People, Mucca Pazza, and Sssnakenstein. (Saturday@Palmer Square.)

Responsible New Belgium people would probably recommend you drink no more than one of their beverages per hour — we wonder what the Red Bull folks say about consumption of two or more of theirs. Nag one of them this weekend, when they bring the BC One B-Boy North American Finals to town. Skeme Richards from Rock Steady Crew will DJ the event, a breakdancing competiton that will send a winner to the finals in where else? Rio! Local boy Evol will be among the 16 total semi-finalists. (Saturday@Aragon.)

You can go all the way to Tinley Park this weekend for Rockstar Mayhem, battle traffic, sit in the parking lot, or you can take the L and walk two blocks. There you’ll find 10 Years, out in advance of their forthcoming Minus The Machine. It’s a healthy, non-Chevelle’d dose of Tool with a powerful mixture of (remember them?) Orange 9mm pummeling. (Saturday@Bottom Lounge with Fair To Midland and Kyng.)

It has been awhile since we heard from Drag City’s White Magic. Six years since a proper album, though they dropped two EPs in that span. The label says they’re working on new music, which isn’t exactly the news we wanted to hear at this point. It does promise that some of this music will be performed, elevating Mira Billotte and Doug Shaw just above your typical nostalgia act. The Dark Stars EP, if we remember, showed a lot of potential for their skewed indie-folk madness. (Saturday@The Burlington with Joshua Abrams and Magic Key.)

— Steve Forstneger

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly