1. BID ON LADY GAGA’S MONSTER MASK: … or Bob Dylan’s Harmonica, Rihanna’s shawl, Justin Timberlake’s beanie, Katy Perry’s bodysuit, Neil Young’s guitar strap, Elizabeth Taylor’s beaded gown, Princess Diana’s hair pin, and a whole bunch of other really cool stuff featured in the Rock & Roll Pop Culture Auction running online from March 21-30. And while Gaga’s mask begins at $800 and Dylan’s harmonica at a cool $1,000, there are items that start as low as $50. Check out the goods at www.gottahaverockandroll.com.
2. DRAW YOUR BEST BATMAN: With The Dark Knight Rises coming to theaters this July, Design by Humans, a clothing company specializing in printing unique designs, is giving fans a chance to become directly attached to the Batman legacy. Through April 11, fans can submit their Batman designs for a chance at a cash prize and more. Franchise director Christopher Nolan will choose three winners. For details, head over to designbyhumans.com and click on The Dark Knight Rises promotion.
3. GET YOUR 2012 EMPIRE PASSPORT: Many beaches begin charging this weekend and you don’t want to be one of the people cursing how you’re being charged up to $9 to walk the boardwalk in March, yes MARCH. Pay for the season upfront during your next trip to the local park and this annual pass will get you unlimited vehicle entry to almost all of New York State parks—more than 200 locations including beaches, forests and trails—all for $65 and it’s good until the end of March 2013. It’s a pretty sweet deal.
4. WATCH THE SEASON PREMIERE OF MAD MEN: The competitive, cutthroat lifestyle of the 1960s Madison Avenue advertising agency returns for your viewing pleasure, when the award-winning drama comes back for a fifth season. Falling behind? Never watched? No worries, the show is available on box set DVDs/Blu-rays, as well as on Netflix. So play catch up this week and tune in to AMC at 9 p.m. on March 25.
5. RESERVE YOUR SPOT AT THE ULTIMATE MARVEL MOVIE MARATHON: Avenge until you can’t feel your legs. Starting at 11:30 a.m. on May 3, a slew of AMC theaters will host a marathon, leading up to the midnight release of The Avengers. For only $40, fans can see Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor and Captain America before the premiere. With the latter three in 3-D, you’ll be sure to get plenty of bangs for your buck. Tickets are on sale now at www.amctheaters.com.
6. LISTEN TO THE MARS VOLTA’S NOCTOURNIQUET: While early reviews continue to pour in, fans and new listeners alike can be sure to expect the signature schizophrenia the band has become infamous for; however, that’s not all they should anticipate. The band has shown a lot of growth in their songwriting, and has often spoken of simpler song structuring and different arrangements in interviews. The alternative/progressive rock outfit will release their sixth studio album on March 27. But, in the mean time…
7. JOIN DAYTROTTER: Daytrotter.com offers exclusive sessions of upcoming and emerging artists with users able to download multiple uploads per day. Each session is complete with custom artwork portraying the performance. The site has hosted many underground and critically revered artists, including Bon Iver, Wilco, Pete Yorn, Thrice, The Ting Tings, and Death Cab for Cutie. You can sign up for a free one-week trial on the site, and after that membership is still dirt cheap at only $2 a month.
8. EAT OUT DURING HAMPTONS RESTAURANT WEEK: Through March 25, participating restaurants (www.hamptonsrestaurantweek.com) will feature three-course meals for a fixed rate set between $19.95 and $24.95. Wineries are also offering discounts ranging from 15 to 20 percent off tastings, bottles and cases; and lodgings are offering specials and discounts on accommodations.
9. BUY LI DUCKS TICKETS: Game tickets for the 2012 season go on sale at 10 a.m. March 24 at Bethpage Ballpark, with players, coaches, QuackerJack, B-103, and tons of festivities. The line has already formed as of Wednesday. Stocked with a tent, sleeping bags, and plenty of food and water, the Kamer family arrived 75 hours early to stake their claim as “first fans in line” at 7 a.m.!
10. BEWARE MERCURY: Mercury is in retrograde til April 4. Scientifically, this means the planet can get ahead of the sun in orbit. Astrologically speaking, it means confusion down here on Earth, making it a bad time to write letters, form contracts, send text messages, drive, talk and basically leave your house. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
