Nobody likes an early rise on Monday morning. If you’re an American football fan, though, you’ll probably be raring to go before the sun rises this coming Monday. Super Bowl XLIV kicks off at 7.25am Beijing time, with the Indianapolis Colts facing off against the New Orleans Saints. Aside from a short period in the late 1980s, when my interest in the NFL peaked with my completion of a gridiron-related Panini sticker album, I’ve lived life more or less ignorant of what goes on in American football. I thus have zero insight to offer on who might win the Super Bowl, but ESPN does have what looks like a reasonable preview here.

So who’ll win? Will Roger Daltrey of The Who have a Janet Jackson-esque accident during the half-time entertainment? (hopefully not) What will the ads be like? (companies are paying USD 2.8m for 30 seconds this year, down slightly from last year’s USD 3m) Most importantly, where can you watch the game in Beijing to get the answers to all these questions?

As ever, the Goose ‘n’ Duck is pulling out all the stops with its Super Bowl party, with a free breakfast buffet the main attraction. Paddy O’Shea’s has free beer for anyone wearing a Colts or Saints jersey, as well as food specials and two-for-one bottles of Bud. Luga’s Villa promises a modest recreation of Super Bowl razzmatazz with cheerleaders, games, a lucky draw and breakfast discounts. Or you can just go and watch it in The Den, where there’s never much excuse needed for a party.

There are other games played with oval balls, of course. In Europe, it’s Six Nations season, and the first round of games takes place this weekend. Kick-off times as follows:
Ireland vs. Italy – Saturday night, 10.30pm
England vs. Wales – Saturday night (well, technically Sunday), 1am
Scotland vs. France – Sunday night, 11pm
If you’re looking for a rugby crowd and some big-game atmosphere, Paddy O’Shea’s, The Den and, in Lido, Frank’s Place are the most likely spots.

Saturday night also marks what would have been Bob Marley’s 65th birthday, and Ultimate Productions, along with Mei Wenti, Mitabe, The Propellers and others are getting together for the annual Bob Marley Day Party to toast the reggae king. Look out for our interview with Ultimate Productions’ Sammy Ahadu on the blog, but the party kicks off on Saturday at Yugong Yishan at 9pm (RMB 50 entry).

A note for anyone referring to the magazine for events - Obiwan is still closed for renovations, so all events listed for there are off this weekend. The bar is expected back open again sometime next week.

That's all for now, have a fun weekend.