5 Things To Do This Weekend, Feb. 3-5: Is there a football game on?

1. I hear there’s this game being played Sunday? Kind of a big deal? Yeah, yeah. I know. Hardy har har. Whether you’re a fan or not, there’s an extremely high probability that you will be spending your Sunday evening in front of the TV, rooting for either the Patriots or the Giants — though if you’re in Maine, I encourage Giants fans to be discreet about their allegiance. We’re a loyal bunch, when it comes to New England sports. I’m pretty much in it for the commercials and the nachos/wings/chili/whatever crazy awesome thing is created in the kitchen. And yes, I hope the Pats win. For my Dad’s sake, and for the sake of my co-workers. If you don’t plan to hang out at home to watch the game, the Strand Theatre in Rockland will broadcast it on the big screen FOR FREE, starting at 6:25 p.m., with snacks and a cash bar. And, of course, sports bars like Hero’s and the Ground Round in Bangor, the Asylum, Binga’s and Rivalries in Portland and Jimmy the Greek’s in Old Orchard Beach all have the game up on the big screen. The Superbowl: It’s like Thanksgiving, except instead of gravy, it’s guacamole.

2. But there’s still Friday and Saturday to contend with this weekend! In Bangor, there’s some really fun, unique stuff going on, starting with something that yours truly happens to be involved in: another edition of Her Majesty’s Cabaret, set for 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Nocturnem Drafthaus. An all-original night of comedy, music, dancing, audience participation and much more, for only $7. Also in the Bangor area, the folks up at Kingman’s in Old Town have brought The Brew — one of New England’s favorite bands on the jam circuit, though their music goes far beyond jam rock — to the venue on Saturday night, along with Maine electro-jam band Lost Between Sound. Mezzenine, the new balcony bar at Zen Asian Bistro, has DJ Ms Thang up from Boston, and Mellow Endeavor will rock the house at Paddy Murphy’s, in a mellow way.

3. Down Portland way, on Friday night there’s an indie rock show with Boxes (pictured at left), Worried Well at Volcano Rabbit at Slainte on Preble Street in Portland. You can hear former Lungfish songwriter Daniel Higgs with indie rockers Herbcraft on Friday night, and Maine singer-songwriter Jacob Augustine, along with Tom Thumb and Lisa/Liza, on Saturday night, all at the Oak and the Ax in Biddeford, both shows starting at 8 p.m. At Geno’s Rock Club on Congress Street in Portland, there’s a night of good old fashioned punk rock, with the Ducky Boys, the Pinkerton Thugs, the Hudson Falcons and Lenny Lashley, starting at 9 p.m. Friday night is also the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Portland, so be sure to wear waterproof footwear, and get out and see some aaaaaaaaahrt.

4. It’s a great weekend for theater fans in Maine — the Stonington Opera House opens its production of Annie Baker’s “The Aliens,” a funny and touching story of three misfit friends in New England. Shows are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Opera House, with tickets available at the box office. In Brewer, the Next Generation Theatre offers the musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, at its space on Center Street. The Mad Horse Theatre Company in Portland presents “Becky Shaw,” a savagely hilarious play, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Lucid Stage on Baxter Boulevard in Portland. And Portland Stage opens “Trouble Is My Business,” an adaptation of the short stories of Raymond Carver, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Friday, and 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

5. Of course, you could just watch “Downton Abbey” Sunday night at 9 p.m. on PBS, instead of the Superbowl. And there wouldn’t be anything wrong with that, would there? WOULD THERE? Good heavens, no.

Emily Burnham

About Emily Burnham

Emily Burnham is a Maine native, UMaine graduate, proud Bangorian and a writer for the Bangor Daily News, where she's worked since 2004. She reports on everything from local bands to local food to all the cool things going on in the Greater Bangor area. In her quest for stories, she's seen countless concerts and plays, been lobster fishing, interviewed celebrities, hung out with water buffalo and played in a ukulele orchestra. She's interested in everything that happens in Maine.