Got the end-of-summer blues? Don’t worry, Weekender is here to help you forget about them, at least for a weekend. Here are some great events going on in our own backyard. Poetry and expression seems to be a common theme. Check out the variety of options available to share some of your prose. Check out some James Bond movies or listen to the Amish Outlaws. Don’t forget to take a few minutes to take part in the #NEPA Challenge. It’s free and you can win stuff.

Grrrls Night: Free! Check out some of the most talented ladies in NEPA. At 9 p.m. Aug. 28 at Ale Mary’s in Scranton. Expect a night full of poetry, comedy and music created by women. Thin you got what it takes to be a part of the show? Check out their Facebook page (Grrrls Night August) and get more details of how to be a part of the action. Some performers include Lisa Mansour, Michelle Morgan, Shelia Lintott, Charlotte Lewis and Hoppy Sloppy Mess.

Benefit at Bigsys: Free! Dubbed a “benefit for an awesome guy” community members are invited to Bigsys Bar and Grill from 7 to 10 p.m. Aug. 28 at 1420 Lafayette St. Scranton. There will be food and drink specials, music, basket raffles and more. Everything raised will help Steve Siciliano, and his family, as he continues to fight his battle with cancer.

NEPA Challengers: Free! Here’s your challenge: take a humorous photo of (or with) a squirrel, on Facebook, tag NEPA Blog Con and stay tuned. A team of judges from the event will pick the best photo and award a couple of tickets to BlogCon (Sept. 12). Check Weekender next week when we reveal the winner (and maybe a couple of honorable mentions)!

James Bond event: $7. How do you take your martini? We’re hinting at the ‘shaken not stirred’ bit from James Bond and you can see Sean Connery and Roger Moore as James Bond at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Circle Drive-In. A pre-feature reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Six East restaurant. For reservations, call 570-344-3841.

Amish Outlaws: $15. Head to the Get Wet Stage at Mount Airy Casino on Aug. 28 and experience The Amish Outlaws. The brothers musical repertoire consist of songs from Johnny Cash, Jaz Z and Snoop Dog to Lady Gaga, Bon Jovi and Elvis Presley. The music starts at 8 p.m.

Songs & Stories: Free! Enjoy Sunday @ the Circle as Brenda White Fernandes, Jason Smeltzer and Rober Andrew Anderson perform. There will be refreshments too. The fun gets started at 4 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Circle Center for the Arts, 130 S. Franklin St. in Wilkes-Barre. For more information call 570-974-5953 or 570-760-9083.

Party on the Patio: Free! Hurry while you still have time. There’s only two more parties on the patio at Mohegan Sun Pocono. On Aug. 27 Separate Ways, a Journey tribute band will take stage. The following Thursday Bon Jersey, a Bon Jovi tribute band will close out the series.

Music, art and dance: $2-$5. Be part of the Synaesthesia Socials as it presents Tidal Wave an interactive experience where the performers are subjects for artists. Head to The Olde Brick Theatre in Scranton from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 30 and draw or watch. For more information call 570-209-7766.

Panked! Dance Party: $5. Show your skills on the dance floor this weekend. At 9 p.m. Aug. 27 at The Bog, in Scranton, DJs Conor McGuigan and Brian Langan will provide music to show off your ‘sweet skills.’

Poetry Reading: Free! Get deep this weekend with some poetry. Held on the last Friday of every month, poets and writers are encouraged to share. Sign ups begin at 6:45 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Iron Furnaces in Scranton. For more info email bookwormearthworm@yahoo.com.

Do you have an event that’s affordable and fun? Let us know the details at wbwnews@civitasmedia.com.

Events should be $20 or less. Please include a short description the event, time, date and location. If you have a picture, send that to us too.

Priority is given to events geared to the 21 and over crowd.

To submit an event, send details, time, date and location to wbwnews@civitasmedia.com

Things to do in NEPA for $20 or less