As a weekly column, these articles tend to look back at what was a good time, what could've been a good time and what has the potential to someday be a good time.

Places like Nessun Dorma, Burnhearts or the Nomad ensure an adventurous escape on nights when there isn't anything in particular in the works. But during the summer, so much is going on in Milwaukee every night of the week, it's almost impossible not to consider the long list of choices for your Friday and Saturday night.

So this week, rather than reminisce about the past, let's take a glimpse into the future and consider the best of the best for this weekend.

CONCERT IN THE PARK
Milwaukee has Jazz in the Park or Musica del Lago on Thursday night but if you head out of town, you'll find live music in Cedar Creek in Cedarburg every Friday night throughout the summer. A serious glimpse of small town Americana, I saw De La Buena earlier this month. The calm and relaxed nature of families in the park, selection of microbrews and homemade authentic foods, makes this the perfect reason to step out of downtown for the night. Need more reason? Milwaukee's Fever Marlene takes the stage this Friday to play their new album and old favorites.

SAUCY SALSA
The Wherehouse celebrates their 1st anniversary this weekend by flaunting the "Origins of Salsa." I've never been to this Water Street dance club but tonight's line-up gives plenty of reason to go. Dance to Carribean and Salsa music and stay for a live performance by Ital Caribe at 10 p.m. Get there early for an Afro Caribbean and salsa dance workshop starting at 9 p.m. Plus, all proceeds benefit Voces de La Frontera.

GET YOURSELF A BEARD
Blackbird, one of Bay View's newest low key stops, wants you to embrace facial hair tonight. It might be too late to save that five o'clock shadow but find some faux-fur and fancy yourself a fake beard to participate in tonight's festivities. Games, prizes and specials are just a cut of Blackbird's "Beard Party."

CIRCUS FREAKSHOW
You can expect the unexpected at Riverwest's Stonefly Brewery. Hosting a wide variety of musical genres, bike nights and social events, it was an obvious location for "Dead Man's Carnival" this Saturday.

"Dead Man's Carnival" returns to Stonefly Brewing Saturday night with a host of special guests each with special feats of amazing magic and electrifying escapism. Expect burlesque, circus sideshows, fire performances and plenty of insane stunts. Guest performers include Ava Von Sweets, Sanjula Vamana and MilTown Kings Insurgent Theater. Show starts at 10 p.m.; tickets are $10 but those in costume save a few bucks and get in for $8.

REGGAE EXPLOSION
It's so big, it might just explode. Club Timbuktu throws a Hip-Hop and Reggae Explosion Saturday night that will surely have the entire place out on the dance floor. Ladies drink free martinis until 10 p.m. followed by dance offs and the donning of a Dancehall Queen.

HIT THE BEACH
In the summer, why wait until the evening to meet up and have some fun? Hit up the "Bradford Beach Hang Out" Saturday starting at noon for cheap beers, crisp cocktails and sand volleyball.