Pencil This In

ENTOMOLOGY: We're all grossed out by roaches, but you've got to admit that insects are pretty fascinating. As a precursor to their Entomologia, "a group show of insect art," Observatory is presenting the film Safari by Catherine Chalmers, a contributing artist at the upcoming exhibit. After a showing of the pseudo-documentary, Chalmers will discuss the cast of Safari: 20 species of insects, reptiles and amphibians she raised in her SOHO studio. Chalmers will also be screening her latest film, We Rule, about the life of leaf-cutter ants in Costa Rica.

Friday // 7:30 p.m. // Observatory [543 Union St, Broolkyn] // $5

OLYMPIAD PARTY: The DIY artsy tech kids at Eyebeam throw semi-regular "mixers" in their warehouse-size Chelsea space. They put a lot of work into these weekend events--think robotic bartenders, labyrinths, bands, video projections, DJ--and they're always a surreal blast. This weekend it's time to buckle up for MIXER: OLYMPIAD, in which Eyebeam will "help alleviate the post-Games hangover with its own international athletic spectacular. Artists, designers, musicians, engineers, and hackers alike will stage events that evoke the passion, the drive, the danger, and the majesty of competitive sport and mass spectacle. Join one of the five competing nations, and race for Olympic glory!" Peruse the roster of artists here; tonight's music is brought to you by Tanlines (MySpace) and Maluca (MySpace), and Saturday night's sounds are from foxy DJ Justine D.

Friday & Saturday // 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. // Eyebeam [540 W 21st St] // $15 in advance, $20 at the door

PUB CRAWL: Getting hammered is always better (or more excusable) when you're doing it for charity. The American Cancer Society is hosting a pub crawl from 2-8 p.m. this Saturday, with drink specials and all proceeds going to their Hope Lodge in NYC. Stops along 2nd ave include Turtle Bay with $3 well drinks, Jameson's with $4 20 oz. pints, and Manchester's Pub with $3 Bud Light drafts. Tickets also get you a t-shirt and "free items from Skyy Spirits."

Saturday // 2 p.m. // Turtle Bay [987 2nd Ave] // $20

FILM: If you never got to see Oscar hopeful The Messenger, Director Oren Moverman, actor Ben Foster, and Composer Nathan Larson are presenting it on the big screen for one night at Maysles Cinema, and leading a discussion after the film. If you want even more modern war film, get there early for Maysels's screening of Fixer: The Taking of Ajmal Naqshbandi, called "best documentary I've seen on Afghanistan" by Ann Jones, author of "Kabul In Winter."

Saturday // 7:30 p.m. // Maysles Cinema [343 Malcolm X Blvd] // $10

OUTER SPACE: While Buzz Aldrin is busy rehearsing for Dancing With The Stars (seriously?), his fellow Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong will be hanging out at the Intrepid this weekend. Armstrong will be there with Gene Cernan, the last man on the moon; Captain Jim Lovell, Commander of Apollo 13; Bob Gilliland, the first man to ever fly the SR-71 Blackbird; and General Steve Ritchie, the last Air Force Ace, for the “Legends of Aerospace" tour to discuss their experiences and take part in a meet and greet. Plus you get to see them land in a helicopter! How cool is that!?

Saturday // 3 p.m. // Intrepid Air & Space Museum [Pier 86, 46th St and 12th Ave] // Free with price of admission ($22)

AQUAVIT: Italy has grappa, Greece has ouzo, the south has their moonshine and Scandinavia has aquavit. Scandinavian culture also has some pretty big fans in Brooklyn's Littlefield, and they're going to be hosting the first annual "DEATH BY AQUAVIT! A Scandinavian SxSW Send-off." Along with contemporary Scandinavian music from Casiokids, The Good The Bad, Spleen United and The Megaphonic Thrift, Littlefield will have some Scandinavian food and of course the national drink. Skaal!

Sunday // 1 p.m. // Littlefield [622 Degraw St, Brooklyn] // $5

CUPCAKES: Walking Tours Manhattan is hosting a Cupcake Crawl around Chelsea this weekend. Walkers are encouraged to try cupcakes from all four stops: Cupcake Cafe, Aunt Butchie’s, Billie's and Chelsea Market. The $5 suggested donation goes to support the Food Bank For New York City. The crawl is about 1 mile and 1 1/2 hours, so that gives you plenty of time to walk off any of the cupcakes you ate.

Sunday // 11 a.m. // 18 W 18th St // $5 suggested donation, plus the cost of cupcakes

Newsletter contributions from Jaya Saxena, John Del Signore and Jen Carlson.