If you can tear yourself away...

I know THE tournament is on this weekend, and tearing yourself away from the nearest television might be a problem for a good many people this weekend; but if you aren't a basketball fan (gasp!) or find yourself with some free time there are some great options for entertainment.

HILLSBOROUGH STREET RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
March 14 - Come check out this awesome event with live bands, an Eco-Fashion Show, a Fraternity, Sorority & Business BBQ Taste Testing Competition, a Kid Zone and More!  For more information visit the event Web site.

MUSEUMS & PARKS  Bring the entire family to the Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Saturday for some extreme fun! The theme for the 16th Annual Reptile and Amphibian Day is “Extreme Herps!” From giant snakes and turtles to tiny frogs and lizards, this special day will feature dozens of exhibits and activities highlighting reptiles and amphibians, many native to North Carolina  Check the Museum Event Calender for more information.

The Brain Injury Association of NC's "Joggin for your Noggin" 5K Run and Walk&Roll-a-thon will be Saturday, March 21 from 7 a.m.-noon. Over 180,000 individuals are dealing with the challenges of brain injury in our state. Walk or run to raise awareness about brain injury and to get yourself more fit. There will be prizes for most pledge money donated from a team or individual! For more information, call BIANC at 1-800-377-1464 or visit this Web site.

Showcasing many objects related to pirates, Knights of the Black Flag includes the largest collection of artifacts ever exhibited from the shipwreck believed to be Blackbeard’s flagship, Queen Anne’s Revenge. Legends surround another compelling artifact on loan from the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts: the alleged skull of Blackbeard.  The North Carolina Museum of History is free of charge and open 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon - 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Join the leagues of robot enthusiasts at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, who build and battle their bots for fun and excitement. Robot Rumble includes robotics activities and demonstrations, robot building workshops, face painting by Paint Savvy and more! For more information please visit the event Web page.

SHOWS & EXPOS  If you can manage to score a ticket Women's Empowerment Expo 2009 will be at the RBC Center on Saturday, starting at 11:30 a.m.  Created in 1994, in honor of Women’s History Month, Women’s Empowerment was designed to enhance the lives of African American women by addressing issues that specifically impact their “health, hearts and pocketbooks.” Throughout the day, this expo-styled event offers seminars, workshops, demonstrations, sampling, and shopping.  This years keynote speaker is Mary J. Blige. More information can be found at the Web site.

As usual the State Fairgrounds will be a busy place this weekend.  For more information and admission costs (if any) please visit the State Fairgrounds Web site.

Friday - Sunday Carolina Collector Auto Fest This event will include a swap meet with more than 125 vendors, car corral for buying and selling and Car/Truck shows. (Sat - 1900-1972 vehicles; Sun - 1973-present)

Friday - Sunday Woman's Club of Raleigh Spring Antiques Show & Sale Get your garden ready for spring at this show featuring all types of outdoor accessories. Urns, statuary, containers and benches are just a few garden accents being offered by reputable dealers at this show.

Saturday & Sunday Coin & Stamp Show Coins, postcards and stamps (U.S., foreign, ancient, gold & silver) will be available. Dealers will be selling foreign, domestic and ancient currency.

GIVE BACK Saturday March 14, from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. you can participate in the Duke Park Cleanup. Trash bags, pick-up utensils and vests will be provided by Keep Durham Beautiful, and there will be coffee, juice, bagels and Rue Cl er beignets. Protective clothing and work gloves are suggested. Duke Park, 107 W. Knox St.  Please call (919) 560-4197 for more information.

FILM  At the Marbles Kids Museum IMAX theater "U2 3D" is showing for limited encore performances this weekend. "U2 3D" is a unique cinematic experience that puts viewers within the pulsing energy of a stadium concert given by the world's most popular band. Check here for show times.

GET ACTIVE Indoor Climbing Walls are popping up all over the country, and can be fun for kids and adults alike.  There are three that I know of open to the public in the Triangle area.  Each one has different Rules for climbers and belayers, so check out their Web sites or call for specific information.  Triangle Rock Club, Morrisville, Chapel Hill Parks & Recreation Climbing Wall, Chapel Hill, Vertical Edge Climbing Center, Durham

MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS A Circus with Soul!  UniverSoul Circus will be at the Time Warner Pavilion Circus Grounds for multiple shows through Sunday.  More information and tickets can be found at the UniverSoul Circus Web site. Tickets are $16-$25.

North Carolina Symphony: a World of Music is scheduled for performance in Meymandi Hall at The Progress Energy Center.  Shows will be at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday and tickets are $15. Ticketmaster

North Carolina Master Chorale will perform Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. in Meymandi Hall as well.  Tickets are $23-$31.  Ticketmaster

For a night of laughs, the Durham Performing Arts Center will be hosting George Lopez, Saturday night at 8 p.m.  Click here for more information. Intended for audiences 18 and up.

SPORTS I will not state the obvious.  If you are looking for something other than the obvious, head over to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, 409 Blackwell St. where the NCCU Eagles and the NC A&T Aggies baseball teams will face off.  FREE admission. 2 p.m. For More Information:(919) 530-5315

ROAD TRIP  Don your green and join the jig as leprechauns dance their way to the finest Irish celebration this side of the pond. Emerald Isle’s St. Patrick’s Festival takes place each year on the Saturday prior to St. Patrick’s Day at the Emerald Plantation Shopping Center, 8700 Emerald Drive from 9am until 5pm. Annually, over 20,000 festival goers attend. Festival features nearly 75 handmade or hand-authenticated arts & crafts vendors, children’s amusement rides, Irish and Coastal cuisine, 8K Road Race, 3 stages of live entertainment and a beer garden. Children ages 2-5 are eligible to participate in the Little Leprechaun Contest; pre-registration is required.  252-354-6350

So get out of the house and find something to do. There are lots of choices, too many to list here. Let me know what you did and send suggestions for the future. Check back next week for more great ideas and informative chatter.

Ciao!