t’s almost over, and I don’t mean the recession. I don’t mean health-care reform. I don’t mean the turmoil in Haiti and Chile. And I certainly don’t mean the last season of Lost (although I’ve discovered a blog about this twist-fest that is almost as exciting as the circuitousness thrill of seeing each new episode).

I mean winter! Our country has spent the past few months enjoying an icy assault on our homes, our jobs, and our patience (health-care summit FTW), and the very notion that I may not have to shuffle through the dreariness of an overcast, potentially snowy day makes things a little bit brighter. I love Boston when it’s warm and humid and sticky—when the pulse of the city picks up. There’s plenty to do this weekend, so dust off your running shoes and mix yourself a gin and tonic (which suck in the winter…man, we need a cocktail blogger).

Oh, yeah, the picture up there: The Oscars are on Sunday! Being the film buff I am (who am I kidding, I thought Ishtar was good), here are my top secrets that can help you become better versed than I am in the art of cinema.

Free movies by the harbor during the summer.

A great selection of foreign and indie films with awesome deals and promotions (did somebody say super-cheap twice-a-year sidewalk sale?).

A personal tour of Boston’s own cinematic history.

The biggest collection of kung fu movies I’ve ever seen.

Classics and art flicks, with an alcohol-friendly concession stand.

There’s lots else going on this weekend:

In Your Ear

iLa Mawana at Johnny D’s (10 p.m. Thursday, March 4, Johnny D's Uptown, 21+)

iLa Mawana heads up the first installment of the bimonthly KRucial Reggae rasta injection at Johnny D’s. This eight-piece, groovy dub machine is must-see player on the Boston reggae scene, along with the likes of Toubab Krewe and Toussaint the Liberator & Buru Style. I have yet to encounter an act as polished and effective as these guy. See them. See them now.

Jesse Dee and Tim Gearan at Paradise Rock Club (8 p.m. Saturday, March 6, Paradise Rock Club, $13, 18+

Between the two of them, Jesse Dee and Tim Gearan have played almost every venue in Boston, so seeing the two together on stage promises to be n extravaganza of deafening proportions. Gearan’s roughshod brand of Americana is itself a show you don’t want to miss, but with Dee, there’s no telling what (or who) may happen. (Who may happen?) Want to know the secret that makes him such a powerful singer? You’ll just have to see him to find out. You can buy tickets online here.

Check It

Socialite Glamfest Pop-Up Store (Saturday, March 6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Center Court, Copley Place)

According to our friends at the city's sassiest socialites are “ready to deck you out you with cocktails and black-tie numbers from their very own drop-dead closets.” What better way to get glammed up for the Oscars? (Yeah, I get glammed up for the Oscars. Shut up.) There will be complimentary nail-polish changes and blowouts over cocktails and apps, and lightly worn red-carpet gowns for sale, donated by local celebs including Linda Pizzuti Henry, wife of Red Sox owner John Henry. Considering it’s for charity, this event is perfect for any aspiring Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, or Samanthas out there. (Yeah, I know all their names. Shut up!)

SOWA Artists Guild Open House (Friday, March 5, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., 450 Harrison Ave., Boston)

More in the mood for artsy fartsy than fancy schmancy? Stroll down to Harrison Avenue and the 90,000-square-foot former mill that houses more than 50 studios and 15 galleries, for an open house by SOWA Artists Guild. For anyone even remotely interested in art, it’s a great opportunity to see the best of Boston’s artists community (and most girls I know dig a guy whose into art, fellas…)

Bottoms Up

The calimocho cocktail at Toro sounds unappealing (red wine and Coke…where are we, Newark?), but I swear it tastes like a dream. If you aren’t satisfied, cleanse your palette with some masterfully made tapas.

…And I’m Spent

I predict a loss for Avatar. Sorry guys, I know the CGI was amazing and the story was epic, but 3D gives me the bends and in all honesty the dialogue was so trite it could have been from Team America: World Police. Oh wait…

Keller