Saturday Happenings: Kentucky Derby Edition

Later today, 20 incredibly expensive horses will run incredibly fast for about two minutes before one of the horses becomes a household name and the rest are banished to oblivion, unless they win the Preakness or Belmont. Some Americans will use this event as an excuse to drink mint juleps; some will use it as an excuse to pretend to be experts at betting, spouting nonsense about uberfectas and the like. Anyway, if you want to celebrate this event in some way for some reason, here's how you might do that today. And after the jump, a special cocktail recipe for our personal favorite contender, Dunkirk. (I Want Revenge scratched this morning.)

Game On

From noon (now!) to 8, Game On is hosting a Derby party with Red Sox ticket giveaways, prizes for the best outfits (jockey outfit, best hat, best-dressed couple), a Mint Julep bar, and more. Details.
4 Yawkey Way, 617-536-1029

Drink

From 4 to 7 and for $40, drink will provide you with three custom cocktails, delicious canapes, and the chance to watch the derby amongst people who may actually be wearing derbies. Not bad.
348 Congress St., 617-695-1806 (Reservations recommended)

Alone At Home

It doesn't even need to be Derby Day for you to do this. The Kentucky Derby Drinking Game can be played with a deck of cards and a bottle of bourbon. That's our kind of party.
Anywhere, anytime.

Dirty

From 9 pm until midnight, the Boston Derby Dames sponsor a dirty derby prom at the Elks Lodge in Cambridge. DJs John Barrera and Ghostdad, a name almost odd enough to grace a Thoroughbred horse, will make the noise.
Massasoit Elks Lodge, 55 Bishop Allen Drive, Cambridge.
More info and tickets ($15, online only).

Non-Derby-Related Endeavors

Somerville Open Studios finds various artists opening their doors to the public around Somerville. It's the perfect chance to get a Mother's Day present or just get in touch with your inner artist. All day today and tomorrow, all over Somerville.

The Phantom Gourmet Wine and Food Phest (why not Phood Phest? We don't know) allows various wine and food suppliers to offer tasty treats. Wine tastings and a makeout shed? What could go wrong? A lot. 2 to 8 pm, Bayside Expo Center, $40.

We went last week, now it's your turn. Taza Chocolate Open House lets you learn how to make chocolate bars and letterpress cards, then buy bunches of both for your mom for next week. 10 am to 6 pm, 561 Windsor Street in Somerville, free!