[August 20th, 2008]

Print out our handy travel-size version of "Where's That Bus Going? Burning Man or the Democratic National Convention?" and join the fun.

^Headout Picks

THURSDAY AUG. 21

[ACTION SPORTS] Wendy’s Invitational AST Dew Tour

The Olympics are so last week. This four-day fest features 150 of the world’s top skateboarders, BMX-ers and freestyle motocross athletes. Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 21-24, see ast.com for times. Rose Quarter, 1401 N Wheeler Ave., 797-9619. $7.50-$35.

FRIDAY AUG. 22

[MIDWAY] OREGON STATE FAIR

High School Musical’s Vanessa Hudgens, a real Mexican rodeo, carnival rides and Weird Al Yankovic are just a few of the highlights at this year’s Fair. Did you know that for 11 days, the Salem fairground becomes Oregon’s second largest city (357,000 attended in 2007)? Now you do. Friday Aug. 22-Monday Sept. 1; 10 am-10 pm Sundays-Thursdays, and 10 am-11 pm Fridays-Saturdays. 2330 17th St. NE, Salem, 800-992-8499, oregonstatefair.org. $3-$10. Ages 5 and under free.

SATURDAY AUG. 23

[MERINGUE MANIA] Summer Cotillion and Pie Fight

To support touring its latest show, Running Into Walls, to New York, Nomadic Theatre hosts a genteel afternoon of punch, croquet and competitive pie-throwing. Nomadic Theatre Studio, 8325 N Central St., 358-3441. 2-5 pm. $7, $10 per family.

[STREET FAIR] Geek Fair 2008

Release your inner Geek at this afternoon event sponsored by Free Geek Community Technology Center. BYO slide rule. Free Geek, 1731 SE 10th Ave., freegeek.org/geekfair. Noon-6 pm. Free.

[BOOZE] Great American Distillers Festival

Sample spirits by two dozen craft distilleries from Oregon and across the country, watch a mixology competition and get schooled in seminars with the likes of Lee Medoff. Gerding Theater, 128 NW 11th Ave. 1-9 pm Saturday, 1-7 pm Sunday. $10 for one day, $16 for both.

[DIY] 8th Annual Portland Zine Symposium

Nervous over the death of the print era? Don’t worry, Oregon will never run out of zines. You can learn how to make your own at the Zine Symposium. Smith Memorial Hall, 724 SW Harrison St., 10 am-6 pm Saturday, 10 am-4 pm Sunday. Free.

MONDAY AUG. 25

[MUSIC] GZA, Cool Nutz, Illmaculate

One of Wu-Tang’s most skilled MCs, the GZA, performs his classic album Liquid Swords in its entirety. And local hip-hop heavyweights Cool Nutz and Illmaculate splitting a stage is just one more reason you’re not a real head if you’re not here tonight. Berbati’s Pan. 10 SW 3rd Ave., 226-2122. 9:30 pm. $25. 21+.