As someone who wasted his early teen years inside the former Circus Pizza at Maplewood Mall (think: Chuck E. Cheese with a scary clown instead of a scary rodent for a mascot), I still marvel at the events around the mall nowadays that are way cooler than anything I experienced there -- never mind Myth nightclub's limping rebirth.
This Saturday sees one of the most successful pop/punk crossover bands of the past half-decade, Plain White T's, performing for free in the mall's west parking lot as part of a mini-Warped Tour kind of event called the Journeys Backyard Barbecue. Put on by skaterly teen clothing chain Journeys, the event will last from noon-7 p.m. and feature skateboard and motocross demonstrations in addition to the "Hey Delilah" hitmakers and some local rock groups, including new Tooth & Nail Records signees Hyland and a Converse Battle of the Bands. Look for Plain White T's to play about a 45-minute set starting around 6 p.m. Click here for more information.
