Lots of great stuff happening in the stores (and elsewhere) this weekend, so we're lumping it all together into one big post of events awesomesauce.

Tonight, Friday, June 26th, at Bookmans Phoenix: Robin Vining of Phoenix indie juggernaut the Sweetbleeders will perform. Set starts at 6 p.m. He'll also be performing at Bookmans Mesa on Sunday, June 28th at 2 p.m.

Saturday, June 27th, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Bookmans Mesa: Bookmans and the folks at Movin' 97.5 will be giving away tickets every 10 minutes between 11-12:30 p.m. for New Kids on the Block at the Dodge Theatre on July 12th. (We're sorely tempted to insert an NKTOB pun here, but we're controlling ourselves.)

Susan Lowell, beloved local author of such children's books as The Three Little Javelinas), will be holding court at Bookmans Speedway on Saturday the 27th, 2-3 p.m. Susan will be reading from her new book, The Elephant Quilt, and will guide kids through their own book-making craft project.

And the Civic Orchestra of Tucson will be at Bookmans Grant on Saturday, 3-4 p.m., for the Musical Instrument Petting Zoo. The Zoo was a huge hit at our Ina and Speedway stores this month so if you missed it the first time, it's not too late! This is a great opportunity for kids to touch and play a variety of orchestral instruments with symphony musicians.

And finally: Bookmans is proud to sponsor The Improvised Book Club at Space 55, presented by the Torch Theatre! On Sunday, June 28th, at 7 p.m., make your way to 636 Pierce Street in Phoenix for this unique literary event! "The Improvised Book Club is an ensemble of some of Phoenix's best improvisers. Each month they will read a different book and then bring it to the stage for discussion. They will talk about themes, symbolism, author's writing style and more and then create completely made up scenes about the material. Have a book report due or just forgot to read the book for your own book club? Let The Improvised Book Club do the work for you while you look like a literary genius to your friends and teachers." This month's featured selection is Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer. Admission is only $5!