ITP: Cheap Thrills: Gaga pop-up, getting Lit & Rosebuds

A Thanksgiving weekend edition of my Cheap Thrills column in the Boston Herald, reposted while I dine high class at a Panera Bread in Trinity Rock City!

MONSTER SHOPPER
Lady Gaga pop-up shop at Club Cafe
Friday at 10 p.m., 209 Columbus Ave. 21-plus, FREE before 10:30 p.m., $5 after
The Gift of Gaga will be high on everybody’s wish lists this holiday season. But because her two Monster Ball shows next week at theCiti Wang Theatre are very, very sold out, no one without a ticket will be getting within a “Disco Stick” reach of her white-hot merch booth. However, tomorrow night’s Edge Friday party at Club Cafe unites two things that couldn’t be trendier: a pop-up store and the queen of pop herself, Lady Gaga. Score all the Gaga goods “The Fame” has to offer, from hoodies and T-shirts to accessories and lithographs, and then dance the night away at a party that’s heavy on the “Poker Face” and “Bad Romance.” When everyone else is battling the Black Friday masses at the big-box retailers, get doused in glittery Gaga at Club Cafe. Pants, we would imagine, are optional. Rahr-rar ah-ah-ah! Roma-roma-mamaa!
Info: clubcafe.com, 617-536-0996

THREE DAYS OF LIGHTINGS
Stone Zoo’s Zoolights, Macy’s Christmas Tree lighting and Harvard Square’s Sparklefest
Today at 5 p.m. at Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham, all-ages, $4; Friday at 5 p.m. at Macy’s Downtown Crossing, 450 Washington St., all-ages, FREE; Saturday at the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square, Cambridge, all-ages, FREE
With Thanksgiving finally here and the Faneuil Hall Marketplace holiday tree already aglow, it seems everything else is finally getting lighted this weekend. Start the holiday tour today in Stoneham, where the Stone Zoo unveils this year’s ZooLights. Featuring thousands of bulbs shining bright among the lynx, gray foxes, reindeer and other animals, it’s a winter wonderland walking tour for all ages. Save some energy for Friday, when the Mayor’s Holiday Special presents the Macy’s Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Downtown Crossing. Cap off a veritable hat trick of lights Saturday in Harvard Square, when its business association kicks off Sparklefest, boasting a sea of holiday lights illuminating the square and its own tree lighting at the Charles Hotel. Hit those three, and try not to get burned out by Sunday. All events start on their respective days at 5 p.m.
Info: zoonewengland.org, 781-438-5100, mayorsholidayspecial.com; harvardsquare.com, 617-491-3434

TURKEY SHAKE
Tryptophan Danceathon at the Rosebud Diner
Saturday at 9 p.m.; 381 Summer St., Davis Square,Somerville; 21-plus, $5
Sure, the last thing you want to see come Saturday is more food, and a diner is not exactly a necessary stop after the Godzilla-like rampage you plan to unleash on your kitchen this afternoon. But this weekend the Rosebud and its backroom will be jumping with the Tryptophan Danceathon, another sterling event led by Sunday Saints vocalist Jordan Valentine and her BrownBoot posse. Launched with local rock funnyman Brendan Boogie as a Halloween Show one-off performing retro hits from the Faces and Rod Stewart, BrownBoot gives live dance another whirl, adding tracks by Jeff Beck and Funkadelic to their cover-set party catalog. Also featuring members of Bang Camaro, Damn Personals, the Ultrasonic Rock Orchestra and Noble Rot, BrownBoot is a true Boston rock ’n’ roll stupor-group. Ms. Valentine spins garage, soul and rock ’n’ roll before, between sets and afterward.
Info: rosebuddiner.com, 617-666-6015, jordanvalentine.com