Can't Miss It: Weekend Edition, August 29-31

GAMERS GONE WIRED: sudo apt-get PAX-10!!!!11one1!! The gamer convention of the year is upon us. On Friday, "Girls and Games: The Growing Role of Women in the Game Industry" at 4:30 p.m. caught our eye. On Saturday, "Is Casual Killing Core Games?" at 6 p.m. sounded interesting. Ken Levine of BioShock fame delivers the keynote address on Friday night, and there will be music and LAN parties! Ahhh, we just had a nerdgasm.

Friday through Sunday // WA State Convention Center // $50/three-day pass // All Ages

DJ NIGHTS THAT SOUND FUN: First of all, stylish and slick Soul Gorilla is holding a 4th Anniversary Party this weekend at Heaven on Saturday night. Theme: Pajama Jam, and that means (according to the flier): "The Less You Wear The Less You Pay!" DJing: Mr Supreme and D Look. Right on. And then on Sunday, DJs Marc Sense and Soul One are having a swanky Labor Day Eve partay entitled "The Good Life" at Seattlest's favorite club, Havana. This one should have plenty of soul, and Havana has delicious and sophisticated cocktails.

Soul Gorilla Bash // 10 p.m., Sat. // Heaven Nightclub, 172 S Washington St. // $5-$15 // 21+
The Good Life // 9 p.m., Sun. // Havana Social Club, 1010 E Pike St // FREE w/ RSVP // 21+

PUT ON YOUR SUNDAY BEST, KIDS: We're going to the rodeo! The Ellensburg Rodeo is Washington State's biggest (and presumably the best). There's a Miss Rodeo Washington contest, an Xtreme Bulls event, and even a Cowboy Church (?!). So while the pansy Seattle liberals are simpering about the DNC fallout/Bumbershoot/how to irrigate their nasal passages, you can be stomping around in boots, hooting, hollering, and checking out the hot cowboys--all at the Ellensburg Rodeo. (Hell, even simpering liberals need a break now and then.)

Fri through Mon. // Ellensburg Rodeo Fairgrounds // $15-$35

COOLEY! HIGH HARMONY: Boyz II Men will be playing at the Moore in the still of tonight, which is exciting for the R&B fans of Seattle. The gorgeous local soul diva Choklate is on to open! Best of luck to both Choklate and the Boyz. Also playing this weekend: Bon Iver, one of our favorite folky discoveries of '08. From "Flume" to "Re:Stacks," whether it's live (*swoon*) or in the studio, Bon Iver's achingly beautiful songs make daily appearances in our playlists.

Boyz II Men // 8 p.m., Fri. // Moore Theatre // $37.50
Bon Iver // 8 p.m., Sat. // Neumos // $12adv // 21+