FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Crypticon
It's a good time to be a geek. Every year, serious sci-fi geeks flock to MarsCon, literary nerds head to Writercon and party-hardy geeks go hog wild at CONvergence. For horror geeks, there's Crypticon, a weekend-long monster mashup of panels, screenings, special effects demos and costume contests. This year includes a "paranormal night," a film festival and a zombie prom on Saturday night with DJ SLT (costume required). Guests include David Hedison, who starred in the original "Fly" (1958); Taso N. Stavrakis, a regular in George A. Romero's flicks, and Richard Kiel, famous for his portrayal of James Bond villain Jaws in the 1970s. (Fri.-Sun. $15-80. Double Tree by Hilton, 7800 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington. www.crypticonminneapolis. com.) JAHNA PELOQUIN
THURSDAY
Henry Rollins
Punk icon Henry Rollins' Capitalism Tour finds him working his way across all 50 states to wind up in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the election. He should have plenty to say about the state of the union, alongside tales from his vast international travels of late and maybe a story or two from his old days with Black Flag. (8 p.m. Thu. $25. All ages. Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul. 651-290-1200 or fitzgeraldtheater.publicradio.org.) CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
MONDAY-TUESDAY
'The Big Lebowski' book release
The Internet is full of analyses of "The Big Lebowski" and its anti-hero, the Dude. It was only a matter of time before the Coen brothers' classic received the serious film critic treatment, as it does with a book by local author and curator Jenny M. Jones, who has worked at Oak Street Cinema and the Walker Art Center. "The Big Lebowski: An Illustrated, Annotated History of the Greatest Cult Film of All Time" tells the story of the film, from its origins as a modern L.A. noir to anecdotes behind its production, critical/commercial success and rise to the realm of cult classic. The author is celebrating the release with a signing at soon-to-be-open south Minneapolis bookstore Moon Palace Books and a screening of the film at Trylon Microcinema, complete with a best bowling shirt contest. (5:30 p.m. Mon.-Tue. book signing. Moon Palace Books, 2820 E. 33rd St., Mpls. 7 p.m. & 9:45 p.m. film screenings; 7 p.m. bowling shirt contest. Mon.-Tue. $8. Trylon Microcinema, 3258 Minnehaha Av. S., Mpls. www.take-up.org.) J.P.
