New for this week. In the comments, please tell me A. what you doing this weekend and B. what you already have on your calendar for September. Just curious … now on with the dispensing of free weekend advice.

The big deal this weekend is going to be out at Sloss Furances. It’s the fourth annual Strokin’ the Fire BBQ
and (newly named) Music Festival. If you like BBQ, you’ve already got your tickets. This is not your average backyard grilling (though there is an amateur competition); This is professionals who take their pork very, very seriously. And yes, there will be BBQ to eat and fun stuff for the kiddos. And while there has been music in the past, apparently the music is taking more of a center stage this year, hence the new “Music Festival” name. Headliners are Todd Snider and The Whigs. Day passes are $15 so you might as well pony up another $10 and get the weekend pass. Children (5-12) are $5 a day or $8 for the weekend. Under 5, free. Don’t forget parking, that’s another $3. Competition kicks off Friday at 4 p.m. with the entertainment beginning at 5. Saturday gates open at 11 a.m. Both nights, festival over at 11. I think that’s all the details I can possible give you for this event except to mention that Sloss can be located at 20 32nd St. North. But really, didn’t you already know that?

Continuing last weekend’s theme of summer coming to a close, this is the last weekend for the Summer Film Series at the Alabama Theatre. Showing on the big screen Saturday is “Enchanted” at 2 p.m. and “National Treasure” at 7 p.m. There’s another showing of “National Treasure” Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $6. Also, this is the last week for the Summit concert series on Thursday nights. Check out music by Style Band and food by Fleming’s on the 28th from 6-8 p.m. in the Saks Plaza.

Montgomery may be the capitol of our fair state, but since we’re bigger we get all the state conventions. Nana nana boo boo. And that’s why you shouldn’t get near the BJCC this weekend without your clogs and sequins. The folks attending the Alabama Square and Round Dance Association State Convention are very, very serious about their dancing — Friday from 6-11 p.m. and then Saturday 10 a.m to 11 p.m. Good lord, I think that much exercise would kill me. $5 to get in and I bet you can find some lessons.