Thursday•20
;;O36 It's become an annual event, the Orlando 36-hour Video Race — aka 036 Video Race — and the rules are simple: Teams of overzealous novice filmmakers from around the country are formed, and on the designated day they pick up a packet of information that outlines the mission: Make a three- to six-minute film of a chosen genre, using a designated prop and line of dialogue that must be included (to prevent any chances of cheating by filming ahead of time). Thirty-six hours later, the films must be written, shot, edited and handed over. Sponsored by Universal Studios, Disney-MGM Studios and the Enzian, and hosted by the area chapters of the Media Communications Association International and Women in Film and Television Florida, the race took place in February, and accolades were dispersed in March. But there is a one-time public screening of the films that crossed the finish line taking place in an unlikely facility at Orlando International Airport. Don't you love the cloak-and-dagger atmosphere? Secret code to airline security: "036 Video Race." (6:30 p.m.-10 p.m. at JetBlue training facility, 8265 Hangar Blvd.; http://216.69.187.164)
;;;;Connie May Fowler The second in Planned Parenthood's "Speak Up!" series, this early-morning event will bring author Connie May Fowler in to chat about "the importance of finding one's own voice." Though the topic is ripe for the delivery of a stream of well-worn platitudes, we're pretty sure that the gifted Fowler will instead opt for the elegance and depth that makes books like The Problem With Murmur Lee so engaging. (7:30 a.m. at the Westin Grand Bohemian; $40 includes breakfast; 407-872-6838)
;;;Friday•21
;Dashboard Confessional Three nights. In a row. Sold out. (OK, the first night isn't sold out … yet.) No, we're not shitting you. Now, we happen to be of the opinion that Chris Carrabba is a pretty decent songwriter and that it's really sort of unfair to hold him personally responsible for the heaping piles of emo garbage that follow in his wake. But "fair" doesn't usually play in the marketplace of youthful ideas, and with the virulent anti-emo backlash that's been happening since 2003 (when Dashboard last released an album), we're surprised that Carrabba can still generate the level of excitement that he has with Dashboard's new, Daniel Lanois-produced album. Good on him for managing to emerge from a nasty trend with some staying power … and a lot of very loyal fans. (with Say Anything, John Ralston; 7 p.m. Friday at House of Blues; all ages; $27.50; 407-934-2583; also 7 p.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday)
;;;;Saturday•22
;;Ninjas vs. Pirates Some rivalries are so enduring that they attain the status of legend. "Shark or Jet?" "Mashed potatoes or stuffing?" "Sammy or Dave?" (OK, so that last one isn't all that hard to figure out.) To the list, we can now add the probing query, "Ninja or pirate?" Pirates seem to own the moment, breaking box-office records and all. But can you truly say that, if forced to pronounce one or the other as cooler, you could easily dismiss the aesthetic and/or existential appeal of some sweet-ass deadly ninjas? 'Course not. Filmmaker John Theisen intends to address this burning controversy in his upcoming short, "Ninjas vs. Pirates" — he just needs charitable help in getting it off the ground. Tonight's party raises funds for the production, with enticements including raffles, door prizes, food and alcohol (for purchase) and music by InHhume, Fightero, Sugarfreemusic, Tranquilizer and the Punching Contest. Best of all, there's a costume contest, with the best pirate and best ninja getting cameo roles in the movie! Be there or be … um, a Jedi, we guess. (8 p.m. at DMAC; $10; 407-312-0481; www.myspace.;com/interludefilms)
;;;;National Speakers Association Convention
;Just because somebody can move his mouth it doesn't mean he's a "speaker"; the National Speakers Convention plays to the pros and the wannabes-in-training at its annual gathering. Hosted by the Orlando chapter, the power-word-packed event promises to show you how to "knock 'em dead on the main platform." No pussyfooting allowed here. To pique curiosity, the youth program opens with a program titled "The Power of Being a Nerd! How To Turn Your Toilets Into Treasures." This leads us to believe that potty talk — not eloquence — is the way to perk up ears in this day and age. (Saturday-Tuesday at Orlando World Center Marriott; $165-$280/day; www.nsa;speaker.org/Orlando/)
;;;
;;The Hold This four-piece from Gainesville grinds out the sort of shamelessly regressive heaviness that we love so much; tracks like "Glory's Wings" and "Forced by Honor" are tailor-made for beer-raising, headbanging, singalong debauchery. They have no compunction about throwing in off-the-rails guitar solos and are quick to punctuate lyrics with lots of "yeah"s, but a stiff brace of punk rock propulsion and a thudding rhythm section ensures a gritty and thoroughly rocking approach. (with Railsplitter; 9 p.m. at Will's Pub; $6; 407-898-5070)
;;;Sunday•23
;;John Fogerty There is now one less thing in our "completely insane things that will never happen" file. Though "George Bush trusts a scientist" and "Florida drivers use their turn signals" are still comfortably ensconced therein, we had to remove the item marked "John Fogerty at peace with Fantasy Records." This is the label that Fogerty not only fought with bitterly, but took to the U.S. Supreme Court … over attorney's fees. A label for which he would spare no venom in discussions or interviews. A label he accused of basically raping his artistry in the name of profit. A label (albeit a label now owned by different principals) he now records for. Which, while baffling to many, is good news for rock fans. Fogerty's bitterness toward Fantasy meant that for years he simply refused to perform any of his Creedence Clearwater Revival hits for fear of enriching the coffers of the label he hated so much. A recent concert DVD — The Long Road Home, released on Fantasy — proves that the music has suffered none for its neglect, and that despite attempts by bar bands and classic rock stations to make them meaningless, those Creedence songs still shine with poetic anger and soulful rock perfection. (with Willie Nelson; 7:30 p.m. at Ford Amphitheatre-Tampa; $39.50-$59.50; 813-740-2446)
;;;;Monday•24
;KidFest A children's film festival doesn't automatically equal insipid entertainment culled from the shallow end of the animated gene pool. Just look at Enzian's 2006 Kidfest, which kicks off with the classic The Three Stooges Meet Hercules and continues with screenings of the original The Time Machine, the Ray Harryhausen stop-motion classic Jason and the Argonauts and the up-close-and-personal nature documentary Microcosmos. These are features that might instill a genuine love of film in any impressionable lad or lassie. And wouldn't that be something? (Three Stooges 12:30 p.m. at Enzian Theater; Time Machine 12:30 p.m. Tuesday; Jason 12:30 p.m. Wednesday; Microcosmos 12:30 p.m. Thursday; $5/film; series pass $20, includes popcorn at each screening; 407-629-0054)
;;;;Tuesday•25
;;New Moon Drum Circle
;;Legend tells us that the full moon brings out werewolves, but there's another force behind the moon cycles: hippies. Orlando's newest eco-friendly café hosts a drum circle on its front lawn on the night of each new and full moon. Everyone is welcome to the family-friendly event, regardless of drum circle experience. If you don't feel ready to join in, you can order some hummus and flaxseed crackers and watch. (7 p.m. at Dandelion Communitea Cafe; all ages; free; 407-362-1864)
;;;Contributors: Jason Ferguson, Amber Foster, Steve Schneider, Lindy T. Shepherd
