I got engaged over the Christmas break. More to come on this in the months ahead since I fully expect this blog to document my downward spiral into wedding insanity (“Local man strangles florist with cummerbund…Film at eleven!”). Nearly a month since proposing things have already started to move at a dizzying speed. Dates are being picked, venues are being reserved, guest lists are being edited…hell, I’m going to be fitted for a custom-made suit today. It is, quite frankly, horrifying.

But amid the gut-wrenching decisions (bow ties or regular ties, blue or bluer, and should we invite my aunt) there has been an upside. Namely, gifts. Like tonight’s treat from the ladyfriend’s aunt and uncle…the greatest gift of all: Blazers tickets. And not just Blazers tickets but AWESOME Blazers tickets. And not just AWESOME Blazers tickets, either, but AWESOME Blazers tickets for tonight’s game against Cleveland (aka Lebron and the James Gang).

How close will I be, you ask. Let’s just say that when Lebron does his little slapping the chalk from his hands bit in front of the scorer’s table before tip-off, I might actually look like Tony Montana after a bender.

I’m giddy. But, of course, go Blazers.

Anyway, on to the weekend.

FRIDAY

Unlike Batman or the X-Men, Superman has never really translated that well onto film. Too clean, too nice, too predictable (after all…how do you kill the Man of Steel?). But throughout the 1940s Superman was at least interesting. That’s back when Max and Dave Fleischer’s classic animated take of Krypton Boy blew minds in weekend theaters across the country. Battling a rampaging T-Rex in downtown Metropolis, taking on fire-breathing robots

This weekend, as part of the Reel Music Festival, Portland’s 11-piece Superman Orchestra will pay homage to the S-chested hero of yore by performing five original soundtrack pieces written to coincide with a big-screen showing of the Fleicher’s vintage work. Members of LiveWire’s Faces for Radio Theater Troupe will even supply voice work. And best of all…no annoying Margot Kidder. [7 p.m./Whitsell Auditorium/$5-$8]

SATURDAY

If you’re a child of the 80s then the first thing you think of when you see the world Apollo is the great (?) Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed dancing about in his star-spangled underwear in Rocky 1 and 2. But no. This Apollo, written and directed by Nancy Keystone, is a multimedia production about the evolution of the U.S. space program. Originally conceived in three parts, Keystone’s play (part of the Fertile Ground Festival for new works) is a mix of art, technology, and cultural advancement that traces our development as a scientific nation, one that happens to be populated by individuals still trying to overcome prejudice and small-minded thinking. [7 p.m./Gerding Theater/$30-$66.50]

SUNDAY

Another weekend, another reason to love Portland. Where else could you get an all-day music festival featuring over 20 acts covering almost as many genres—for free? In celebration of the Crystal Ballroom’s ninety-fifth birthday, the McMenamin crew has lined up a solid rock block: Everything from funky electronica, jazzy Latin vibes, jam bands, 80s dance DJs, prog, and more bluegrass than you can shake a green switch at. And if you want to give your ears a rest, the Crystal will be staging venue tours, beer samples, and food and drink specials throughout the day. To top it all off, Blitzen Trapper will close out the birthday bash with a headlining show on the main floor. [1:30 p.m./Crystal Ballroom/Free]