Weekend Planner: LGBT Summit, Masquerade Ball

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do this weekend. Birmingham Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time.

1.

Where:
When: Saturday at 8 p.m.
Why Go: The Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers consists of writers and artists who like to scare others and be scared. Monsters, murder, and mayhem are their literary playground. On Saturday, they'll host an entertaining night with a live DJ, costume contest, auction and prizes. Proceeds from the charity fundraiser will benefit the Dominican and Siena Literacy organizations. If you like thrills and chills I expect the conversations of this evening to be quite lively, or perhaps not.

2.

Where:
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Why Go: The will host its creepiest educational experience of the year. Children can come in costume and have fun trick-or-treating their way through a scavenger hunt. Dr. Kelp will present his Zombie research and liquid nitro, dry ice, and glowing rocks will all be part of the science demo stations. This eerie-but-popular annual event will also include cockroach races, ScreamPark360 (a haunted roller coaster in space) and the institute’s modern three-ton trebuchet hurling objects through the air. If that's not enough, check out the Bat Zone's vampire bats or the wonders of our planet in the Life on Earth! exhibit.

3.

Where: Iroquois Club, 43248 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Why Go: The event is put on by the Birmingham-Bloomfield Women's Council of Realtors and benefits the Del Moore Scholarship Fund and Forgotten Harvest. Attendees will have fun dancing and playing casino games, with plenty of munchies on site and a cash bar. Throw on a costume (not required), and you're all set for a night of holiday fun. 

4.

Where:
When: 10 a.m. Saturday
Why Go: Join for a community-wide LGBT Leadership Summit as part of the Breaking the Silence Initiative. The Summit is aimed at high school-age youth, but all youths in Southeastern Michigan are welcome to attend. Adults are also welcome to attend any workshop indicated as "open to adults." The summit's goal is to increase awareness regarding gay-straight alliances, youth leadership, creative expression and more. The Summit will have three educational workshops for youths including: This is My Story, We've Got Issues and the Health Workshop. Offered semi-annually, this summit offers extensive networking opportunities, a comfortable atmosphere and a chance for open-mindedness.

5.

Where:
When: 9 p.m. Sunday
Why Go: If you haven’t been to a masquerade ball before now’s your chance. As an extra bonus the first 100 people to attend the party will receive a complimentary Venetian mask. Tickets are $10 each and drink specials will be available all night. Upscale attire and masks only are preferred as opposed to Halloween costumes.