You Need a James Brown Dance Party Now More Than Ever

FROM PERKS Looks Like You’re Making Your Own Beer This is a box. Inside the box is everything you need to brew beer at home. It might be an amber ale, maybe a red ale, maybe an IPA or a stout. Whatever it is, it’s going to be easy and you’re going to need to think of a name.

SURPLUS STORE New Denim and Vinyl on Union Street A new go-to menswear shop is a fine thing to have. Particularly when said shop is filled with quality T-shirts, denim jackets, leather accessories and records, and is somewhat inspired by indie films of the ’70s and ’90s. Anyway, just thinking out loud. But did we mention that Bickle’s Surplus is now open on Union?

SOUL MAN It’s a James Brown Dance Party at Mezzanine It’s been quite a week, so an epic dance party is just what your Friday night needs. Specifically, the James Brown tribute kind featuring live performances and DJs like Carter Yasutake of LCD Soundsystem and Dan Lebowitz of ALO. You earned it.

RODGER THAT Beer and a Bunch of Pirates at Drake’s A good idea: Sampling Drake’s seasonal Jolly Rodger Imperial Dark Ale the moment it’s released. A better idea: Doing so at Drake’s pirate-themed party, which this year includes a pirate costume contest, a Caribbean jerk feast and samples of Jolly Rodgers from years past. Say “ahoy, matey” now to get it out of your system.

COAST VALUABLE PLAYER Italian Seafood, Meet Mina Test Kitchen Mina Test Kitchen’s new concept pops up on Saturday. It’s called Postcards from La Costiera, and it’s inspired by Italian coastal regions. Expect seafood served raw, on pasta, roasted and so on, plus a rotating menu of fresh mozzarella and caviar. Okay, carry on being intrigued.

SMOKE SHOW A Whole Lot of Mezcal Under One Roof Mezcal is derived from the agave plant. Usually comes from Oaxaca. It’s delicious. More than 100 mezcals and other agave spirits will be in one room and available for the tasting alongside cocktails and food pairings. You’ll be there Sunday. Those are the facts as we know them.