Looking for last minute, off-the-cuff weekend plans?  It’s not too late to figure it all out.  For a glimpse of upcoming events that we’ll be covering, check out the scrolling calendar in our side bar to your right.  Otherwise, here are a few highlights to check out in and around Manhattan this weekend!

Arts & Culture

Saturday, April 2- PS3’s Auction for the Arts is an evening featuring an open bar, live music, and food by Fatty Crab at the Stephan Weiss Studio at the corner of Greenwich & Charles Street. With tickets at just $50, you can fill up on food and booze, donate to a good cause, and have the whole evening ahead of you. (PS3′s Auction for the Arts)

Sports

Saturday, April 2- Sunday, April 3- It’s springtime, which can only mean that the beloved Bronx Bombers are flying back from Florida for their opening homestand. Pass on the hard to come by opening day tickets for a pair of games against the Detroit Tigers at the Stadium this weekend. If that doesn’t floor you, Sunday’s Phil Hughes vs. Max Scherzer pitching matchup of young aces should.  ( New York Yankees Opening Homestand)

Sunday, April 3- The path to the NBA Playoffs continues as the New York Knicks host the Cleveland Cavaliers in what could be a must win game for playoff seeding. Catch ‘Melo, Amare, Chauncey, and other guys with strange and random names as they rep NYC in orange and blue! Knicks- Cavs Tickets.( Knicks-Cavs Tickets)

Music & Entertainment

Friday, April 1- Movie release day. Quiet night tonight? Check out some releases coming out today- Hop (PG) an animated film with James Marsden and Russell Brand, follows the Easter Bunny getting hit by a car and it’s up to the driver of the car to save Easter. Also, Insidious (PG-13) with Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne, a slightly different film as a family tries to prevent evil spirits from trapping their comatose child. Don’t blame us if you hate both.

Friday, April 1- Julian Casablancas and company rock this town as The Strokes play Madison Square Garden in their only area performance. The show is just about sold out, but affordable tickets remain on StubHub. (The Strokes at Madison Square Garden)

Saturday, April 2- Welp, another night at the Garden and another Sold Out show- LCD Soundsystem plays its final show ever on this night, after 4 sold out dates at Terminal 5. If you’re lucky enough to have tickets, enjoy yourself ‘cause this is it. (LCD Soundsystem at Madison Square Garden)

Nightlife

Friday, April 1- Do you like free drinking? The Upper East Side’s Marty O’Brien’s is offering free drinks for EVERYONE from 8-9pm in honor of their 11th Anniversary Party at 88th Street & Second Avenue.

Friday, April 1- The Ainsworth is hosting an “April Fool’s Birthday Bash” for NYC and Hamptons party host David Shapiro. No cover if you RSVP now for this private event! (DavidShapiro.net)

Friday, April 1- Celebrate the grand re-opening party of Drom on Avenue A. Catch The Last of the International Playboys at 9, Huge in Japan at 11, and DJ Andrea at Midnight. (Drom NYC)

Other

Saturday, April 2- You gonna use that pillow? New York City’s 6th Annual Pillow Fight 2011 takes place in Union Square at 3pm. Bring a soft, feather free pillow to swing at strangers! Excess pillows will be collected and donated to a no-kill animal shelter to make bedding for rescued cats and dogs. Clothing, optional. (NYC Pillow Fight 2011)

- Jane Van Arsdale