Weekender -- Potato Chip Art, Murder Mysteries, and Creepy Puppet Shows

If you aren't knee-deep in goodwill towards man, you are, like most of the Internet, probably knee-deep in goodwill towards Ikea Monkey instead. At least on our end, this little guy and his subsequent web frenzy were basically what got us through this week. That coat!

Now that the hilarity, the hype, and the horror are dying down--and there's already a fairly comprehensive retrospective -- what in the world will get us through the next couple of days? Never fear, dear broke girls, we preemptively addressed this issue and have thus, once again, compiled an equally fun and Twitter-worthy weekend... Perhaps even rivaling our favorite shopping monkey in sheer amusement.

So, get ready, get set, and get out and enjoy the weekend.

Friday

Start the weekend with a highbrow art show that will surely impress all aficionados. We're talking about Chips, Crisps & Wafers at 8bit gallery in Echo Park. Their opening party, which starts at 7 p.m., will feature potato chips from all over the world along with several more obscure domestic flavors. They also promise some "adult" refreshments, so don't despair to that end.

If you've got room left over afterwards, grab dinner at CaCao Mexicatessen in Eagle Rock. Then, make your way over to the Eagle Rock Center for the Arts for the FYF Christmas Party, with performances by King Tuff, Lace Curtains, and others. And if you're still raring to go after gourmet tacos and fuzzy punk rock, keep it rocking at the Echoplex, where Thrill Jockey is throwing an anniversary party crammed with acts designed to keep you dancing into the wee hours.

Saturday

Make Saturday a better version of Sunday by indulging in the new Saturday brunch at Red O in West Hollywood. Then, make sure to swing by Plaisir, where they're offering free coffee all day in addition to an ongoing macaron-tasting and 20 percent off lunch if you're pre-ordering your holiday meal.

If crosstown driving's not an issue (you're so very patient), spend your afternoon at the Natural History Museum participating in Watson's Adventures Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt. Teams of sleuthing scavengers will search for clues hidden in and around the museum to figure out the identity of the "murderer."

Later, grab dinner at the brand-new temple to grilled cheese, The Melt. It's opening today for the savvy few who mention a secret passcode that can be obtained by liking the restaurant's Facebook page. Then, get to the Troubadour for a benefit concert put together by Invisible Children. Performances include DeVotchKa and White Arrows; proceeds support Invisible Children's anti-war efforts in Central Africa. On your way home, drive carefully and please -- try not to run over any stumbling Santas.

Sunday

Start Sunday by ravenously restocking on Stila products at their warehouse sale downtown. If you're still feeling generous (it's hard to sustain all month long, amirite?), take advantage of this sale to pick up presents for some of the goodlooking ladies in your life.

Then, make your way over to Loz Feliz for a stop in at The Service Station's pop-up Beergarden, where you can throw back a few cold ones, do some Christmas tree shopping, and flirt with cute boys. After, head towards Echo Park for one of the truly bizarre and totally charming gems of this city: the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. They're getting into the spirit by performing The Nutcracker until January, so take this "sleepy" Sunday as an opportunity to check it out. The show won't disappoint, at least in terms of sheer weirdness. Then, keep heading north to Highland Park to stop in on the 8th annual Holiday Sale & Party at the Avenue 50 Studio. There will be fine and craft art, jewelry, prints, and the like, all available for purchase or simple perusing.

Later, make your way back downtown for dinner. If you're feeling spendy, Mo Chica's Ceviche Nights is welcoming Night + Market's Kris Yenbamroong, The Spice Table's Bryant Ng, and Short Cake's Hourie Sahakian for one night only. Otherwise, check out the newly Jonathan-Gold-approved Alma, whose prices are better suited for the squeamish.

Don't turn in quite yet! That '70s Soul at the Mayan starts at 8 p.m. and features some soulful heavyweights like Brazil's Seu Jorge -- get ready to dance off all that ceviche! Finally, wind down the weekend at one of Downtown's soon-to-be-former staples, the King Eddy Saloon. Tonight is its last night, so treat it right and stay 'til close -- or, alternatively, get a good night's rest for the week ahead.