It's freaking beautiful outside. So here's a track from the summerlicious "No Way Down" EP from Swedish electro-pop duo Air France. There are all kinds of adjectives you can use to describe it - whimsical, sunny, carefree, laid-back, charming - but my favorite one to use would have to be "wonderful." Put this on as you're heading to the beach, or the lake, or as you're skipping out of work early to loll around in the park for the afternoon.

1. Hey, it’s the fourth of July! Besides the fireworks and parades, you might want to check out any of the haps at the following places: the Bar Harbor Blues Authority on Pleasant Street in Bar Harbor plays host to the down n’ dirty blues rock of the Eric Green Party. Parker’s Bar and Grill in Ellsworth hosts local bar band extraordinaire the Climactics, and the Sea Dog Brewing Company on the waterfront in Bangor will rock with Overdrive.

2. The Lookout Pub on the waterfront in downtown Belfast has another killer lineup of Maine DJs set for Saturday, starting waaaaaay early at 2 p.m. and going until 1 a.m., featuring DJ DC, Elusid, Nocturnal, Illogik, Stryknine, 2 Toes, Manafest, Psydways, Databass, Serrato and Alchera. Now that’s a lot of techno! No cover, either, and it’s BYOG – bring your own glowsticks.

3. So unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past year, you probably know that Hollywood Slots in Bangor opened this past Tuesday. Go check out the newest addition to the Queen City – whether you plan to gamble or not. I hear they’ve got the biggest buffet this side of Vegas, and maybe you'll win that 10 grand they're hyping. Either way: welcome to the new Bangor, folks. There's no going back now!

4. The Camden Civic Theatre offers weekend number two of their production of the Tony-nominated comedy-thrilled “Deathtrap!”, playing at 8 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Camden Opera House in downtown Camden. A down on his luck mystery writer will go to any lengths to find success – even if that means murrrrrrrrrder. Tickets are $12-$16 bucks at the opera house box office; for more info, go to www.camdenoperahouse.com.

5. If you want to get started early with your weekend, Club Fuzion on Franklin Street in Bangor is offering a two hour cruise down the Penobscot, starting at 7 p.m. tonight, tonight being Thursday. It’s 20 bucks, and there’s a cash bar. Call 942-3112 for tickets, or just show up at the docks on the Bangor waterfront before 7 p.m. and you can probably work something out.

1. Tonight, in a quite remarkable turn of events, Ofelia's will host a show at 77 Central Street in Bangor. Hey, remember last summer, when there were shows there every weekend, and they were basically totally amazing? Well, you've probably heard the story of the whole debacle as to why Ofelia's is no longer in that space (which I'm not going to retell here), but now, a year after Ofelia's first opened, the Maine Democratic Committee has moved into the space. And because the organizers there are so cool, they've partnered with Ofelia's to have live music in the big open downstairs space again. So, tonight, starting at 7:30 p.m., Huak, the Ryan Moores and Gromky Malchick will perform. $5, all ages. To quote Justin Timberlake, what goes around comes around.

2. After that, mosey on down to the Red Martini and go see DJ Kadence spin drum n' bass all evening. The following night, Saturday, um, well, there's some girl DJing there, starting at 9:30 p.m. I guess she writes some column and some blog for the Bangor Daily News, and I guess she likes punk rock and classic rock and sweet electro jamz and what not. I mean, whatever. WHATEVER.

(Yeah, yeah, shameless self promotion. But hey, if you want to come out and listen to me play some cool tunes, I'd love to see ya!)

3. I've mentioned both these shows in my column the past two weeks, but they bear mentioning again: The Arootsakoostick Music Festival in New Sweden, and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals at the Skowhegan Opera House. Rock. And. Roll.

4. The Perils of Peroxide! Why, goodness me! River City Cinema's annual outdoor film festival kicks off tonight in Pickering Square in downtown Bangor at sundown, with a screening of "She Done Him Wrong," featuring the indomitable bombshell Mae West.

5. Ameranouche, the killer gypsy jazz trio, play at the Bangor Opera House Saturday night. I can't recommend them enough. Seriously. Three of the best musicians you'll ever see on a stage in Maine. $10, 8 p.m.

6. Bonus! Bonus! Ding ding ding! Woodmans in Orono hosts its monthly "Slow Food" night on Sunday, featuring all locally grown and harvested foods. Starts at 4 p.m., and there's no set meal, so just come in and order whatever you'd like. It's all delicious. For more information on the slow food movement, visit www.slowfood.com.

"Scratch at any cynic and you'll find a disappointed idealist." - George Carlin

George Carlin is my favorite comedian of all time. Bill Hicks, Richard Pryor, Patton Oswalt, Sarah Silverman - they all come close, but Carlin remains my favorite. What I love about him is that despite all his anger, all his cynicism and righteously hilarious bile directed at all hypocrites, idiots, bigots and oppressors, he still retained an element of hope. He wasn't all darkness and bitterness - his misanthropy was borne out of frustration with how screwed up the world is. That's what made him awesome. That's what made him one of the greatest comedians ever.

I woke up this morning and checked the news and was truly shocked and saddened to see that he'd died. I remember watching his HBO specials with my Dad. I often put on one of his albums while I'm puttering around the house, and even though I've heard them multiple times I still laugh. The truth is funny; it has to be, or else it hurts. Thanks, George, for making reality bearable. We'll miss you.

Here are a couple of his classic routines.

The difference between Football and Baseball:

The Seven Deadly Words.

(Now, as the Supreme Court told us, this is obscene and can't be said on television or the radio. And this is the Bangor Daily News, which does not print such foul language. But this is also the Internet, and you're a person that's capable of making their own decisions, right? So: don't click on this if you're going to be offended by swear words. I warned you. Let it be known, however, that if you're the type of person that's offended by stuff like this, we will probably never be friends. And you should probably watch it anyway, if only for the fact that it's such an important part of both popular culture and contemporary society.)

Christopher Walken says to Buy Local.

HEY GUYS SORRY I'M LATE.

Happy solstice! Stay out as late as you want!

1. There is a totally sweet rock show tonight (Friday) at the Worker Center in Brewer. 7 bands, $5, all ages. Your amazing lineup for the evening includes Mt. Moon (ex-1800s Sea Monster), Full Contact Kitty, Dead End Armory, Huak, Rotundo Sealeg, Boris the Reject and Ryan Page. Now that's a lot of music! Show starts at 5:30, and the Worker Center is located on Ivers Street, which is a tiny little street on the right side of Route 1 if yer coming from 395 and you turn left off the offramp.

2. Three Button Deluxe is a swing band, so if you've got fancy shoes, a zoot suit or a fabulous 40's dress that you're looking for an excuse to wear, now's your chance. They're playing at the Center Theater in Dover-Foxcroft at 7 p.m. on Saturday, and it's guaranteed to get you swinging, swaying and otherwise boogie-woogie-ing.

3. Bar Harbor's Legacy of the Arts Festival wraps up this weekend, and scheduled events include a 7:30 p.m. concert tonight at the Criterion Theatre by harpist and extremely cool lady Liza Rey, live music at Rupununi's all afternoon on Friday and Saturday, and the astounding magical delights of Miller and Wilson's Theater of Marvels at 7 p.m. Saturday at Otter Creek Hall, just outside of town. There's also the huge art sale on the Village Green, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. After this, it's high summer until Labor Day. Get ready!

4. There's another swanky dance party at the Red Martini in downtown Bangor on Saturday night. Get dressed up, listen to fun music played by DJ Mike Flannery, and have yourself a merry little martini. 9 p.m.-1 a.m., no cover, 21 plus.

5. Rockland's annual Summer Solstice Celebration is set for Saturday, June 21. Live music all day, a climbing wall, plenty of kids events if you've got little ones, and of course, the whoopie pie eating contest. I do not plan to enter, but I am fairly sure I could down a fair amount of whoopies. For more info and a full schedule, call 596-0376.

1. Have I mentioned lately how much I like the Climactics? Possibly, but let's say it again: I like the Climactics. A lot. The Ellsworth band plays Friday and Saturday night at Carolina's Sports and Spirits, under the bridge on Union Street in downtown Bangor. $3 to get in, gotta be 21, etc etc. Guaranteed to rock your socks off. They might even play a Bowie cover, oh my.

2. Why is there another Hulk movie? Didn't one just come out like four years ago? I mean, I really like Edward Norton, but I'm still a little confused as to why they decided to make another one, especially considering the last movie didn't do so well. Maybe they've made a movie that's so mind-blowingly awesome that everyone will forget about the Ang Lee/Eric Bana debacle? Or perhaps Mattel wanted to cash in on the sales of Hulk Smash gloves. Regardless, "The Incredible Hulk" opens this weekend in theaters statewide.

3. The Bar Harbor Blues Authority keeps it rockin' this weekend with Bangor-based bar band powerhouse Sista Sadie, Friday and Saturday night starting at 8 p.m.

4. The Orono Farmer's Market is open for the summer. In my humble opinion, the Orono market, along with the Belfast market, are among the best in the state. Orono consistently has amazing stuff - meat, cheese, produce, eggs. Yum Yum. Everything tastes better when it's local. The Orono market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday, in the Steam Plant Parking Lot on College Avenue.

5. If you want to get started early, head on down to the Alamo Theatre in Bucksport to see Karen Savoca, Pete Heitzman and Jen Murzda, starting at 7 p.m. tonight, tonight being Thursday. Admission is $12 for a night of intimate singer-songwriter goodness.

Sometimes my roommate and I, when we're both home and not otherwise engaged, will get hit with a sudden, acute attack of Must Clean Entire Apartment-itis. This happened on Tuesday, when he and I found our space-age bachelor/bachelorette pad in a state of horrific disarray. We were surrounded by dirty floors, a gross bathroom and a sink full of dishes. "Clean!" we said. "WE MUST CLEAN! This place is DISGUSTING!" And clean we did - with an efficiency usually reserved for Dysart's waitresses. We had the entire kitchen and bathroom spic and span within a half hour. This was helped, however, by the background music. I selected three records from my stack of vinyl in the living room to play, and asked Roommie to choose one. He declined and left it up to me. Def Leppard's "Pyromania"? No, though hearing "Photograph" was truly tempting. Perhaps "Purple Rain" or the soundtrack to "The Harder They Come"? Nahhh. The perfect accompaniment to scrubbing soap scum out of a shower and removing pesky tomato seeds that are seemingly welded to countertops? Supertramp's "Breakfast in America." Oh yes. For my money, nothing beats that combination of sparklingly melodic 70's AM pop, Wurlitzer, awesome harmonies and slightly pretentious (but effective) concept-album bombast. That band Gym Class Heroes sampled the title track for that song "Cupid's Chokehold," which was on the pop stations for a while last year. But, in this case, nothing beats the original. And what's more, it inspires even the most lazy, unmotivated slobs - which Roommie and I aren't quite, but close - to pick up a broom and start sweeping. Thanks, Rick Davies.

This is a very music-centric 5 things, I admit. But hey, at least you've got options!

1. Go to the West Market Square Festival. 12-8 p.m. Saturday, in, uh, West Market Square. 9 bands, four fashion shows, beer tent, lots of people. Supposedly the rain will stop. It better, cause this is going to be a super fun event.

2. We've got two good local shows this weekend in Bangor: Feel It Robot and Gentleman Jerk at 9 p.m. on Friday at the Main Street Tavern, and Green & Bosse at the Sea Dog on Saturday night.

3. Carmen Verandah's back in business! Bar Harbor is heating up. Live music this weekend, starting early with a show from Jacob Cuff and Kate Zora tonight, and Big Time with Myke Billings on Saturday night.

4. DJ Kadence spins drum n' bass at the Red Martini Saturday night, post West Market Square Festival.

5. The Kave in Bucksport's got Outbreak, Miles Away, Cruel Hand and Ignorance playing at a "matinee" show at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

6. I will be playing Hannah Montana covers on the kazoo outside my house at 3 a.m. Friday night. OK, just kidding. Maybe.

Jamie Lidell does it all. He writes the songs, he plays the instruments, he produces them, and he sings like a soul angel. He's British, he's got a background as an amazing DJ, and he has released another album of ridiculously happy electro r&b called "Jim" that I just can't get enough of. Don't think about the authenticity of it. Just love how fun it is. It will automatically brighten your day. And considering that it's rained for about two weeks straight, it's just what the doctor ordered.