The Weekend: 1.29-1.31 and beyond

It's music, magic and general mayhem this weekend. Here's what's happening in a neighborhood near you.

Friday, January 29

Music: There's a wide range of tastes tonight, from the jam-packed layers of Here We Go Magic, at the Music Hall of Williamsburg tonight, to the all metal tribute bands Judas Priestess and Cheap Trick or Treat at Brooklyn Bowl, to the indie rock of Les Savy Fav and Vivian Girls at BAM, as part of their Sounds Like Brooklyn festival. What exactly does Brooklyn sound like?

Magic: Bring the kids to the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture in Park Slope tonight for their Night of Magic. The popular event is now in its 9th year of bringing modern Houdinis to the borough (fun fact: Houdini lived here). At 8 p.m. Tickets $15. Located at 53 Prospect Park West.

Reading: You've seen this plastered in bookshop's windows. Now see the author live. Joshua Ferris, a former Brooklynite who came to fame with his first novel, "Then We Came To the End," reads from his latest, "The Unnamed," at Greenlight in Fort Greene tonight. At 7:30 p.m. Located at 686 Fulton St.

Saturday, January 30

Music: Field Music hasn't bailed on Brooklyn. The British brother duo had to cancel their December engagement at the Bell House in Gowanus, but they're here tonight for what's sure to be a rocking time. Get a glimpse at their forthcoming release, "Field Music 3." At 8 p.m. Tickets $12. Located at 149 7th St. Also tonight, Long-time Brooklyn institution Life In A Blender play BAMcafe in Fort Greene. It's always a good time. At 10 p.m. Free. Located at 30 Lafayette Ave.

Games: Somewhere, at some time, people will be racing through the city in shopping carts today. The Idiotarod is back, and chances are, the scavenger race will go through Brooklyn. Cheer them on, just don't get in their way.

Theater: Brave New World has a penchant for Arthur Miller (last year, they did "The Crucible"). Tonight, they present "The American Clock," his vaudeville based in part on Studs Terkel’s "Hard Times," at The Old Stone House in Park Slope, and serves as a benefit for their forthcoming site-specific production of, yet again, "The Crucible," this March. Tickets are $50, $25 for seniors and patrons under 25. and includes a dinner. At 7:30 p.m. Located at Fifth Avenue, between 3rd and 4th streets.

Comedy: Add another comedy night to your list. Today, Sycamore kicks off Rope Swing, a new comedy variety show at its Flatbush space. The first event has Joe Mande and Greg Barris, and hosted by Caroline Creaghead. At 9 p.m. Tickets $8. Located at 1118 Cortelyou Rd.

Theater: With only 12 people allowed in at a time, the Irondale Ensemble's adventurous new play, "alice...Alice...ALICE," is selling out fast. Get immersed and travel with the cast as they explore Wonderland in this site-specific production. Now through February 20. Tickets $35, $20 for students and working artists. Located at 85 South Oxford St.

Sunday, January 31

Food: It was only a matter of time before the taco was tackled. Today, cookoff enthusiasts Theo Peck and Nick Suarez present the Brooklyn Taco Experiment at the Bell House. All taco fanatics welcome. From 1-5 pm. (Advance tickets sold-out.)

Monday, February 1

Benefit: Brooklyn has been showing strong support for the Haiti relief effort, especially its music community. Tonight's no different, as the Knitting Factory in Williamsburg hosts Help for Haiti, a benefit featuring Fu-Arkist-Ra, an Afro-beat ensemble, as well as Fela! cast members. Tickets are $15, with 100 percent of proceeds going to charity. At 7 pm. Located at 361 Metropolitan Ave.