Thursday night is a fine time to start firing up your party vibe for the weekend. Here's how.---

You can start with a night at Burt's Tiki Lounge featuring the rootsy, rocking sounds of Big John Bates (pictured). He's always a killer live show, so get there by 9 p.m. and plan on sticking around for the night. Meanwhile, the Urban Lounge hosts Tennessee dudes The Royal Bangs for a headlining set.

If a free movie would make your evening better, it's hard to improve upon Thursday's selection for the Heffe'film'n series: Rushmore, featuring one of Bill Murray's best roles. It's free at 10 p.m. at Brewvies.

You can join the City Weekly Street Team for a "Material Girls Ladies Night" at the Piper Down, where you have a chance to win some real diamonds while you boogie to DJ Jello's retro set. The fun starts at 9 p.m.

The new Utah Museum of Natural History is opening its doors for a grand opening gala Thursday night, so you can rub elbows with the city's movers and shakers while getting a glimpse of the latest addition to the SLC museum scene. It starts at 7 p.m., and it's $45 a ticket.

And if standup comedy is your bag, check out local legend Marcus doing a show called "Under the Influence" at Wiseguys in West Valley City.