A+E

The Best of Humboldt 2014 issue in your hands is as good an excuse as any to have a little soiree. On Thursday, Aug. 7 at 6 p.m., join the Journal staff at the Eureka Theater for cocktail hour and a screening of Best in Show ($5). It's a peek at the behind-the-scenes mayhem with a cast of competitive neurotics and delusional obsessives. The movie, that is.

Belly up to the art deco bar and order a Salty Dog or a Greyhound (they were good enough for your grandparents — try one) and mingle. Growling? Wolf Dawg will be selling its signature hot dogs in the lobby.

At 7 p.m., grab a seat and settle in for the dog show mockumentary starring Parker Posey, John Michael Higgins, Catherine O'Hara, Bob Balaban, Christopher Guest, Jane Lynch and Eugene Levy. Director Guest brings the petty backstage drama, awkward pauses, oversharing and deadpan hilarity of This is Spinal Tap (to which comedies like The Office owe a tremendous debt) to the Mayflower Kennel Club's dog show and its breeders, owners and judges. If you've seen it, it's been too long. If you haven't, then this is a matter of cultural literacy. But, like, funny.

See you there, Humboldt!