Red Skirt Run, wargaming and ultimate recycling

 The V Side: Offbeat entertainment options from NolaVie

Thursday / Running red: Well, of course you know about Saturday’s17th annual Red Dress Run, sponsored by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers, in which a ton of guys cover their hairy legs with scarlet attire and romp through town. But you may not be aware of Thursday’s Red SKIRT Run, hosted by the Voodoo Hash House Harriers (there’s a backstory here about the social practice of hare and hound events, but we don’t have time to educate you about all of that today). Briefly, the VHHH is a New Orleans drinking club with a running problem, which they solve by meeting somewhere every Thursday for a good hash through some part of town. If you’re interested in the Red Skirt Run, head (in title garb; no skirt, no run) to the neutral ground on Esplanade Avenue in front of the Mint at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, ready for a 7 p.m. start. Bring a dollar, a six-pack of your favorite beer (mandatory) and your sense of humor. A flashlight and a whistle help, too. Plus an ID proving you’re 21; there will be lots of bar stops involved, in order to avoid last year’s little hiccup: a shortage of beer at the end of the event.

Friday-Sunday / Calling all Grognards: If you haven’t a clue what that means, head over to the World War II Museum this weekend for Heat of Battle to find out. The annual WWII wargaming convention pits hobbyists against one another in battles using actual weapons of the era, in miniature, created on wargame tables. If you’re not a player, you’re welcome to wander the area, watching campaigns from every battle front of the war. Education programs coordinator Walt Burgoyne kickstarts things with a lecture on  “Wargaming Through the Ages”
 at noon Friday. He’ll explain that wargaming evolved as a professional learning tool for the Prussian army in the 19th century, but that records exist of wargames from ancient India and Greece. On Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, families are invited to test their war skills by playing the popular wargame Memoir ’44. For information about tickets to the convention, click here.

Friday-Sunday / A glow-in-the-dark adventure: New Orleans natives Ian and Eleanor Carney bring Darwin the Dinosaur to the Contemporary Arts Center for two weekends of performances. Using electroluminescent technology, the dancers create glowing, crayon-like characters that move across the stage, telling a wordless story. It’s unlike anything you’ve seen — part ballet, part light show, part children’s tale. For show times and ticket information, click here.

Saturday / Ultimate recycling: Gather your old clothes, books, appliances and the aging family parrot (well, maybe not) and head over to 1614 Esplanade Ave. between noon and 6 p.m. Saturday for the Really, Really, REALLY Free Market. It’s an afternoon swap meet at which you discard your junk and carry home treasures left by others. And maybe get a free massage. The food is free, too, as are appearances by Iron Rail, Plan B, America Recycled and post-punkers Orca Team (who sound, boldly declares lead singer Osa, like Steven Patrick Morrissey). There are rumors of a water slide as well — not unlikely when the host is NOLA Art House, otherwise known as the Treehouse, a group residence for artists and epicenter of all things alternative. Did we mention it’s free?

Saturday / Movin’ on down: Dirty Linen Night in the French Quarter follows hard on the heels of White Linen Night in the Warehouse Arts District (in fact, you’re encouraged to wear your dirty linen from last week’s outing). Check out all the coordinated gallery openings along Royal Street on Saturday evening. Meanwhile, if the crowds get to you, keep on going downriver to Stitch in Time, opening with a reception at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Antenna Gallery, 3161 Burgundy St. Exhibition curator Susan Gisleson brings together the elements of needle, thread and time in a continuation of an earlier show, Stitch; in this one, she’s more concerned with process than product. Cool.

Sunday / Blowin’ their horns: Iconic New Orleans music club Tipitina’s resurrects a program popular in the ‘90s with a new round of free Sunday Music Workshops, where local music students can play and learn with some of the city’s top musicians. From 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, at the club at 501 Napoleon Ave., Steve Masakowski, Chris Severin and Johnny Vidocavich will be leading the youngsters. The onstage workshops are for students only, who are encouraged to bring their instruments, but anyone can attend – and eavesdrop. To read about another musician mentor program, at Perseverance Hall in Treme, click here.