This Weekend: Kick Out the (Country) Jams

Lauren Buelow Cunningham |

Country Jam USA: A tad bittersweet, the last big music festival of the summer marks the sad fact that summer is half over, so you might as well spend it at the biggest lawn party of the year. The lineup for 2010 includes Jason Aldean, Sawyer Brown, Miranda Lambert, Billy Currington and Sugarland. But the real can’t-miss event? The farmer’s tan contest held every day in front of the Shirt Shack. (3633 Crescent Ave., Eau Claire; Thurs-Sat; All day; details.)

STARS | Planetarium Show: Pluto’s still not a planet, but the planetarium is still as awesome as it was when you were in school. Saturday shows are aimed at children 4-12, but it’s a good time for the whole family. Learn all about the Milky Way, Orion, Alpha Centuri, then after the show you can poke fun at the kid who fell asleep. Yup. It’s just as fun as it was in elementary school. (UWEC Planetarium, Phillips Hall; Sat, 11am-12pm, $2 at the door.)

MASKS | Chippewa Valley Roller Girls Masquerade Ball: The first public event for our new local Roller Derby team! (This event will be a little less bruising and a little more boogieing than usual for our darling gals.) The ball will feature door prizes, a raffle, and a silent auction. You can groove with your favorite derby girl during the derby girl dance, and enter to win the best mask contest. (The Red Parrot; Sat; 6pm-midnight; $5 at the door, 21+)

ROCKS | Retina Records Showcase: Not sure what you’re in the mood for on Saturday night? This show has got a little bit of everything. Check out pianist/singer/songwriter Kelly Holden, solo acoustic artist Decker, indie-punk by Charles Morgan, hip hop acts Fantom, Tre-Five-Seven-Boyz & Fame University and comedy by Phil Kolas. (Bottle and Barrel; Sat; 10pm-1am; free; 21+)

The rest of Saturday here. More of a Sunday person? This link's for you.