weekend roundup
Arts, quips and smack-downs: Weekend options for every personality type
- Road Warrior
- Joel McHale
- Renegade Craft Fair
- O. Henry Pun OffPhoto by: Don Mason
In Ancient Greece, philosophers believed that your personality was determined by a specific organ of the body overproducing a type of "humor," or bodily fluid, which dictated what type of person you were. Some people had too much blood, which made them brave and sexy, while others had too much phlegm, which made them distant and unemotional.
It's a pretty gross system for explaining one's personality flaws, and it has since been discredited by science and rational thought. (Too much bile, eh? Well that explains your sleeplessness!) But the awareness of personality types and the desire to classify them is still popular in today's beauty magazines and other media.
Following this theme, we've decided to group up our weekend events suggestions according to personality type so everyone can find the perfect events to match their over-productive bodily fluids! (No, not like that!)
For the Sanguine personality (those with an overproduction of blood and a fiery, adventurous temperament), we suggest the Alamo Drafthouse's Summer of 1982 production of The Road Warrior out at Thunderhill Raceway on Friday night. Before a special 35mm screening of arguably the best post-apocalyptic Western of all time, a live Mad Max-themed punk tribute band will play and demolition drivers will compete in an all-explosions-and-destruction
On Sunday night, the Sanguine folks of Austin will also enjoy the Anarchy Championship Wrestling Prom. Yep, you read that right. Wrestling prom. This is the biggest, funniest, most over-the-top spectacle of the season for ACW, involving lots of drinking, lots of hair-pulling and plenty of tux-and-gown body-slamming. Sounds way better than your lame senior year "Enchantment Under the Sea" prom theme, doesn't it?
Now for the Melancholic personality type (with an overproduction of black bile and an artistic, moody temperament), we suggest taking advantage of Austin's museum and craft events. On Friday, AMOA-Arthouse invites you to the Jones Center and Laguna Gloria to enjoy their exhibits for free during Art Museum Day. Play a round of golf at Art on the Green at Laguna Gloria and then come check out the three artists vying for the Texas Prize at the Jones Center.
Then, Saturday and Sunday, the Renegade Craft Fair will keep you entertained with aisles of friendly DIY types displaying and selling their handmade wares. Hundreds of exhibitors will fill up the Palmer Events Center with charm and kitsch that you just won't be able to resist when you see it all. Just try and say no to all those birds and buttons and feathers.
Choleric personalities (with an overproduction of yellow bile and an aggressive, leadership quality) will enjoy the forthright humor of two commendable stand-up comedians who are coming to town on national tours. First, Todd Barry, who you might recognize from Flight of the Conchords or Louie, is playing the Scottish Rite Theatre. He's one of the stand ups that other stand ups respect, so you'd be right to experience his brand of sarcasm and ire in person as well.
Saturday, Joel McHale the host of The Soup and star of NBC's oft-neglected fan favorite, Community, will be performing at The Long Center for the Performing Arts. When he's not busy with his own shows, he's also starring in movies and hanging out with the Hollywood elite. With his trademark snark and wit, it'll be a amazing night of entertainment.
Finally, for the diplomatic Phlegmatic personality types (with their balanced, academic interests) will enjoy the GNAP! Theater Projects launch of their new show, This Ameican LIVE! at Salvage Vanguard Theatre. Based on the NPR show of a similar name, popular Austin storytellers will join a team of GNAP! improvisers every Friday and Saturday night to create compelling sensory-laden stories based on the evening's theme.
And on Saturday morning, the O. Henry Museum hosts the annual O. Henry Pun-Off World Championship on their backyard lawn. A huge crowd always gathers to see the 32 quick-witted contestants pit their wills against one another in the pre-prepared "Punniest of Show" competition and the head-to-head improvised "Punslingers" competition. Food, entertainment and plenty of laughter to accompany them, of course.
And there you have it. Eight great events for four strong personality types; a little something for everyone.
Of course we know that our personalities change from day to day, so it's best to see how you're feeling each night and take it in stride. Show those Greeks what's what and go against type. Free will is way more important than an over-productive gall bladder any day.