Futuristic Art, Drag Brunch, More Savannah Events Jan. 23-26

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This weekend's PULSE Art + Technology festival opens with an artists' panel including Neil Mendoza. / Telfair Museums

It's another busy weekend in Savannah, and Marianne Ganem Poppell of Savannah Master Calendar has your guide.Marianne talks weekend events.

Marianne's picks:

• Start the weekend fancy with the Velvet Gala, benefitting the Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire. The evening at Soho South includes an open bar, live music and a silent auction from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday; $75.
• Face the future at the Telfair museums' annual PULSE Art + Technology festival. This year's event showcases how technology can help or work against us in solving global problems. The event runs Thursday through Sunday.
• Eat well at Tybee Island Restaurant Week. Participating restaurants offer a prix fixe menu so you can enjoy your favorites or try out someplace new, through Feb. 1.
• Get inspired by local musician Gary Swindell Jr. at Victory North. The Savannah native's music, which he calls "dramatic grit," aims to tackle current issues and tug at the heart. He performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday; $10-20.
• Learn the latest about efforts to fight human trafficking at the Savannah Traffick Jam at Savannah State. The event offers workshops and professional training from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Attendees should pre-register.
• Enjoy Sunday Funday at the Dragtastic Drag Brunch hosted by Ghost Coast Distillery. The event promises cocktails, brunch by Bar Food and drag performances from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday; $30.