1.
Meet this man. We have it so much better now than we ever did during the medieval ages. For one, we have running water and working sewer systems. For two, we don’t live in a feudalistic society anymore. For three, we don’t have to worry about the Black Plague killing us. So why in God’s name would anyone want to celebrate a time in which nearly two-thirds of Europe died and/or lived under the rule of oppressive monarchs? Because it’s so much damn fun. That’s why the Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival, running October 12 through 14 at Sunset Park, continues to, year after year, bring some of the region’s most fun and oddly dressed midiev-o-philes together in a celebration of all things 15th-century. So screw the history books and take in the mead, mutton and haggis and forget everything you knew about this modern century. You’ll thank us later. Festival open Friday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets: $5-$25.
2.
Say Aloha. To all the Hawaiian culture you can see (arts), buy (crafts), eat (ethnic food), enjoy (live music) and stomach (amusement rides). Vegas isn’t known as Hawaii’s “ninth island” for nothing, and this weekend’s 2nd Annual Pure Aloha Fall Festival and Concerts promises to immerse guests in all things Hawaiian, with obligatory nods to the island cultures of Polynesia and Jamaica. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 13 and 14. General admission is $5, $2 for children ages 3-10, seniors 65 and older and military personnel. Tickets for Friday night’s performances (Fiji Xperience, Rushouze Allstars, Bonafide and Cool Progression) are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Saturday’s concert features Manao Company, Next Generation and Liquid Roots; pre-sale tickets are $23 and $28 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. each night. Cannery, 2121 E. Craig Road. 604-9438.
3.
Go to a concert. It’s not easy to outshine Erykah Badu and Queen Latifah in the same night, but that’s exactly what Jill Scott did when last she played Las Vegas, at 2005’s touring Sugar Water Festival. The neo-soul songbird brings her powerhouse pipes, and a disc full of new songs, back to Mandalay Bay, this time for an intimate club show. October 14, 9 p.m., $47-$60. House of Blues, 632-7600.
4.
Witness insanity. For the first time in the circuit’s 10-year history, the best riders in the American Motorcyclist Association’s top two classes will compete in a single division. The high-RPM action unfolds October 12-October 14 in the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, billed as the world’s richest motorcycle race, with a grand prize of $100,000. The top riders in the AMA’s Supercross and Supercross Lite classes will merge in a single division, which is capped with Sunday’s finale. Tickets are $100, $60 and $20 and are available at Ticketmaster locations or by calling 474-4000, or at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office at 891-7777.
5.
Laugh. It’s hard to beat two Michaels for the price of one, especially when they’re of the Ian Black and Showalter variety. Having just released his first CD of solo stand-up material, I Am a Wonderful Man, frequent VH1 contributor (and Celebrity Poker Showdown veteran) Black delivers surreal narratives with snark to spare. His fellow Wet Hot American Summer-, Stella- and State-mate, meanwhile, comes armed with all the wide-eyed, buttoned-up befuddlement he brings to Collegehumor.com’s The Michael Showalter Showalter. October 14, $18-$20, 7 p.m. House of Blues, 632-7600.
6.
Get teased. The Babes in Sin vintage-style burlesque troupe will give aspiring dancers and others with a passion for burlesque a unique chance to show off their assets at the first annual Miss “All Tease, No Sleaze” Pageant on Saturday, October 13 at Downtown’s Beauty Bar, 9 p.m. These local pin-ups will partake in all the traditional pageantry, such as the character interview, swimsuit round and most importantly, the talent round. Musical guests Las Vegas’ own Will and the Hi-Rollers will provide the rockabilly vibe while the gals shake, shimmy and do things with tassels that might make you blush.