Great Escape: Rock and Opera HIghlight This Weekend's Events

This is going to be a great weekend for music lovers. Whether you like hard rock, acoustic, or opera, there's something you're bound to enjoy. One more thing: Many of the performances are free.

• Here's a great chance to check out a show in town. Flash Back play this this Friday night from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. The Patio Bar will also open at 4 p.m.

• Bar 101 hosts live acoustic rock with Kevin Herchen this Thursday night. Stop by and check out acoustic covers of Top 40 and classic rock hits.

• Waterfire returns this Saturday night with a special Opera Night, where more than 15 soprano's will be performing. Tony Soprano won't be there, but Mime Artist Michael Grando and Spogga, the Fire Dancer will be. 

• Tab Benoit plays Lupo's this Saturday night. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show start at $25.

• Frank O'Donnell hosts LOL THursdays at Catch A Rising Star every Thursday tonight. For just $10, you get an opportunity to check out some of the best local comedians. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

• "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" is a story about a young girl who accidentally releases the monsters beneath her family's new home. It stars Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce, and Bailee Madison. For more information, visit MovieFone.com.

• Bassist Tommy Stinson performs at The Met this Saturday. If you don't know who he is, you might have heard of some of the bands he has played in, namely The Replacements and Guns N' Roses. Tickets are just $10, and the show begins at 8 p.m.

• Comedian Bobby Lee visits the RI Comedy Connection Thursday night for an 8 p.m. show. Lee was a regular on Mad TV, and appeared in "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle." Tickets for the show are $20.