Weekend Picks

Just because Friday is wet and dreary doesn't mean there won't be some opportunities for sun this weekend. Plan some fun rainy-day activities, then get ready to take advantage of clear skies forecast for Saturday morning and Sunday.

• Creativity Now Conference -- Hear the top names in art, design, music, filmmaking, fashion and photography speak about their work at this two-day event. Speakers will include David Cross, Harmony Korine, and many others. Tickets are $75 for the whole weekend or $45 for a day pass.



• Dance Parade 2008 -- Join thousands of dancing New Yorkers and shake your moneymaker down old Broadway from 28th Street to University Place on Saturday afternoon. The Dance Parade will start at 1pm, hoof it to Tompkins Square Park and then transform into DanceFest, a four-hour free festival with dance performances, dance lessons, and a DJ party.



• It's My Park! Day -- Volunteer to help clean up and beautify our city's parks on Saturday for It's My Park! Day. Last October's event brought out thousands of volunteers to 175 New York City parks.



• Ninth Avenue International Food Festival -- Sample tasty treats from great Ninth Avenue restaurants on Saturday and Sunday.



• Taste of Tribeca -- For $45 per person ($40 in advance), you can enjoy mouth-watering delicacies from Tribeca's most famous restaurants -- including Bouley, Chanterelle, Megu, Tribeca Grill and fifty others.



• AIDS Walk New York -- Walk to raise money to help people with HIV and AIDS and mingle with celebrities at this annual fundraising walk sponsored by the Gay Men's Health Crisis.



• Mamapalooza Festival Outdoor Extravaganza -- Check out some mamas that know how to rock at this outdoor festival on Pier 1. The whole family will enjoy rocking out to the music of Mom-led rock bands like Audra Rox, the Swingset Mamas, and Housewives on Prozac. You'll also find a Gymboree Play Tent and arts-and-crafts for the little ones.