BEST BETS

Thursday: Music

Jam session

If you dare, embark on the greatest challenge in the Brainerd entertainment scene: Finding a seat at Coco Moon for the bluegrass jams, starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The prize for the lucky winners: Good coffee, good tunes and dirty looks from the disappointed latecomers.

Thursday: Television

Back to 'The Office'

Say a final farewell to the British version of "The Office" (and tide yourself over until next spring's American version) with the two-hour finale at 8 p.m. Thursday on BBC America. The special revisits the characters -- including boss-from-hell David, clueless Gareth and lovable loser Tim -- three years after Season 2 ended. It's still the funniest show in the world.

Thursday-Sunday: Music

It is -itis

Wacky Colorado band -itis will please adults with off-the-wall rock at 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at the Blue Ox in downtown Brainerd. At 4 p.m. Sunday, they hit the Ox stage again, this time for a decidedly toned-down (but no less fun) set aimed at kids and parents of all ages. No alcohol will be served at the Sunday show, and all proceeds from pop and food will go to area children's charities.

FRIDAY: MOVIES

Get a 'Grudge'

Sarah Michelle Gellar leaves her vampire slaying powers behind, and no, it's not like that Season 3 episode where she was being tested by Giles and the Watcher's Council. The former Buffy plays a normal woman here, albeit one who is menaced by ghosts in a haunted house in "The Grudge," the latest American remake of a Japanese horror hit. "Roswell's" Jason Behr also stars, and no, he's not playing an alien. The film opens Friday at Movies 10 at Westgate in Baxter, along with "Surviving Christmas."

Friday-Saturday: Comedy

Comedian gone 'Wild'

"Wild" Bill Bauer, whom Louie Anderson calls "the funniest man in America," has been frustrated by the world of situation-comedy writing (he worked with Tom Arnold on the short-lived "The Jackie Thomas Show"), but he doesn't let that show when he's performing. He's famous for working profanity-free, and also for being funny. Bauer hits the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Scott Hansen's Comedy Gallery at The Rail in downtown Brainerd. Tickets are $10, but you can get in for $5 with a ticket stub from a previous show.