I saw a sign the other day that Pittsburgh’s next Handmade Arcade is on November 12 at the Convention Center.  The event was last held in the spring, so I’m not sure if it’s being moved to the fall or if it is now a semi-annual event, but either way, I’m sure Jess and I will be going.

Here are a few upcoming events that I think are worth checking out:

Record Store Day is an annual celebration of independent record stores.  Artists and labels produce special releases specifically for the event, which is held the third Saturday in April.  This year, the event falls on April 16.  For more information on participating stores and this year’s releases, check out RecordStoreDay.com.

Free Comic Book Day is annual event where comic book shops give away free comic books that are produced specifically for the event.  The event is held the first Saturday of May, so this year’s event falls on May 7.  For more information on participating stores and this year’s free comics, check out FreeComicBookDay.com.

Handmade Arcade is an annual craft fair held in Pittsburgh.  This year it will be held on April 16 in a new location at the convention center in downtown Pittsburgh.  For more information on the event, check out HandmadeArcade.com.

My girlfriend and I had a really busy Saturday:
* We did our laundry and I got a haircut in the morning.
* We went to the Pitt basketball game.  Pitt beat Kent State, but it wasn’t the prettiest win and I’m still pretty worried about this team.  I don’t know how they’ll be able to play with many of the teams in the Big East.
* After the game, we went to the Handmade Arcade at Hunt Armory.  Handmade Arcade is an annual event where vendors who make goods by hand gather together to sell their stuff.  Jess bought a new purse and I bought a t-shirt that says ‘City of Bridges: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’.
* For dinner, we made pizza at Jess’s apartment and then went to Gullifty’s for dessert.  Jess got caramel apple cheesecake with pecan streusel and I got chocolate cake.  Both were really good.
* After eating, we to the Brillobox for the Fanfarlo show.  Freelance Whales opened the show and they were so good.  I would describe their sound as poppy, but experimental (they use banjo and xylophone very prominently).  I bought their cd Weathervanes, and I’m looking forward to listening to it.  Fanfarlo’s set was really good.  Since they have only released one album, almost all of the songs that they played were from that album (which I appreciated since I really, really like that album).  They did play one new song.  For the encore, they passed out those plastic tubes that you twirl overhead to make a whistling sound (which I would call Whirly-Winds because of The Weakerthans). I got one and it was fun to participate, but my arm was tired by the end of the song.  It was a really good show and I’m so glad we went.  I’d recommend checking out either band if you get the chance.