Best Bets

​Bernie’s Wine & Liquors Bacon and Beer Festival

March 3rd, 2016

Saturday, March 5, 12-8:30 p.m.

Scheels Arena, 5225 31st Ave. S.

The Bacon and Beer Festival brings the region’s top eateries, pork purveyors and specialty craft brews together for a one-day event, which invites community members from all over the region to enjoy hours of sampling bacon-inspired dishes with carefully selected beer pairings. In addition to samples, there will be bacon- and beer-inspired games and workshops, mechanical pig riding and entertainment from Tom Peckscamp (VIP…

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​Stretch Out Party 2 with DJ ESP Woody McBride

March 3rd, 2016

Friday, March 4, 8 p.m.

The Nestor Tavern, 1001 NP Ave. N.

Stretch Out Party 2 brings a night of authentic underground techno and house music. As part of his Peace & Love & 303 tour, Minneapolis DJ ESP Woody McBride will headline the show, with Guy Jean, Jordash and Dextrious as opening acts. The admission price is $5 before 10 p.m. and $10 after.

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​Junk Giant Grand Opening/Open House

March 3rd, 2016

Friday, March 4, 4-8 p.m.

Junk Giant, 303 Broadway N. Suite B

The antique store that opened last year on 13th Avenue is splitting in two. Junk Giant is opening a second location downtown and inviting the public to celebrate with them. The open house will have exclusive one night only sales and each purchase will come with a 10 percent off coupon for your next purchase. Complimentary refreshments will be served too.

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​Bartenders Battle 3

February 27th, 2016

Sunday, Feb. 28, 6-11 p.m.

The Crystal Ballroom, Ramada Plaza & Suites, 1635 42nd St. S.

With High Plains Reader’s Cocktail Showdown wrapping up, it’s time for the Bartenders Battle. The top eight bartenders will go head to head mixing a craft cocktail in front of their peers within a set time limit. The bartenders will be supplied with a full bar to mix drinks for the three judges. The theme this year is Vegas and will feature craps, roulette and a few card games. While you can’t…

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Bongzilla

February 27th, 2016

Sunday, Feb. 28, 9 p.m.

The Aquarium (Dempsey’s upstairs), 226 Broadway N.

The Madison, Wisc., quartet are bringing their slow, heavy riffs to Fargo. The stoner metal band released four albums and multiple EPs since forming in 1995. They reunited last year following a split in 2009 and now, they’re taking some friends along for the ride. Sludge metal band Black Cobra with serve as an opening act along with Lo-Pan and Against the Grain.

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​Winter Pride Drag Brunch

February 27th, 2016

Sunday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mezzaluna, 309 Roberts St. N.

Kelly Coxsyn and friends host the Winter Pride Drag Brunch at Mezzaluna, with a delicious brunch buffet. Bottles of champagne and carafes of orange juice are available for $30, and there will be two for $10 mimosas. The show is set to begin at 11:30 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Pride Collective and Community Center and Fargo-Moorhead Pride.

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​Gnawed and Straight Panic

February 26th, 2016

Saturday, Feb. 27, 7-11 p.m.

The New Direction, 14 Roberts St. N.

Black Ring Rituals presents the industrial noise music of Minneapolis bands Gnawed and Straight Panic. Gnawed is a death industrial project which has played noise festivals around the country, while Straight Panic is a power electronics band who made their Fargo debut at the New Direction last year. Local acts Monowolf, Edwin Manchester, Concrete Skirt and Telavag will open the show. Black Ring Rituals is a record label…

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​Darwin Days

February 18th, 2016

Friday, Feb. 19, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Festival Concert Hall, NDSU, 1511 12th Ave. N., Fargo

Join NDSU as they celebrate 19th-century scientist Charles Darwin’s birthday with a series of events revolving around the junco bird. In addition to a popup zoo, the event will show a film titled “The Ordinary Extraordinary Junco” and Ellen Ketterson, professor of biology and gender studies at Indiana University, will give a lecture on the junco and evolution. Also, there will be birthday cake.…

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Tommy Ryman

February 18th, 2016

Friday and Saturday, Feb. 19-20

Level 2 Comedy Club, 201 Fifth St. N., Fargo

Known for his absurdist and clever humor, which is masked behind a likable and innocent demeanor, Ryman is a favorite at top clubs and colleges across the nation and often featured on Rooftop Comedy, SiriusXM and iHeartRadio. His comedy earned him the title of semifinalist on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” and praise from Roseanne Barr, who says she’s never seen anything like Ryman before. Ryman’s opened…

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​ShakesBeer Happy Hour

February 17th, 2016

Thursday, Feb. 18, 5‐7 p.m.

Junkyard Brewing Company, 1416 First Ave. N., Moorhead

The ShakesBeer Fest Happy Hour features music from Shakespeare’s time and a specially‐concocted drink, as well. Men in Tights and Two Wenches will perform old‐timey music on crumhorns, recorders and tubas. The drink is called Wild Bill’s Braggot. Based off the old drink braggot, that has references dating back to the 12th century, the beverage is a blend of spices and herbs with mead and beer.…

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