If you're looking for something a little out-of-the-ordinary to do this weekend, there's a few different events happening around the Quarter, being put on by some friends of mine.

I already told you how to get your weekend started at the new Friday on the Roch market, but afterwards you can head on down to Lower Decatur because some friends have organized a Texas Hold'em poker tournament to benefit our friend Mark Holmes (aka DJ Nanashi aka Dark Mark). He recently got injured pretty badly in an accident and had to have surgery and spent a brief stint in the hospital. He works in the service industry, like so many people in town, as both a bartender at Mojo Lounge and a regular dj at the Whirling Dervish. And of course, like so many service industry folk, he has no health insurance. He really enjoys playing poker (we have a regular home game at my house), so my boyfriend and some other friends have put together this event to help him with his hospital bills. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit Mark, as will 50% of the drink sales. Various local businesses have been kind enough to donate prizes to be given to tournament winners; they include bar tabs from Mojo Lounge and Flanagan's Pub, clothing from Wicked Orleans, Kulture Vulture and Sigh Co., as well as a fancy brand new poker chip set for the 1st place winner. The event will take place tomorrow evening at The Whirling Dervish (1135 Decatur), with registration starting at 7pm and the tournament beginning promptly at 7:30pm. There will be a brief lesson on the basics of the game at 6:30pm, so it's a great way to get your feet wet if you're a newbie, without risking your shirt at Harrah's or something. Space is limited, and RSVP is requested. More details can be found here.

In other weekend news, I'm also excited to hear about Angie's Impromptu Underpants Party - Take 2! This Sunday night, August 26th at 10pm, bartender Angie is taking over One Eyed Jack's, as it's been declared "too f**in' hot for clothes". (So true, by the way....I'm ready for summer to be over.) Drink specials and djs and underpants movies, oh my! You know you're a New Orleanian when you'll take any excuse you can get to run around in public in just your panties or tighty-whiteys. Sounds like fun to me! Oh, and if you're still looking for something to do on Saturday night, you can also hit OEJ for the Big Easy Rollergirls fundraiser, which will feature Liquidrone and the Fleur de Tease burlesque dancers, plus raffles and a penalty spanking wheel! (This is seriously going to be one crazy weekend, no matter which way you cut it.) Both The Gambit and NOLA.com picked the BERG fundraiser as one of the do-not-miss events of the weekend, but I'll probably be missing it, personally. I don't really like being in One Eyed Jack's when it gets super crowded, and I have a feeling this show is going to be PACKED.

You are not allowed to say there's nothing to do this weekend!