It's time again for Olympia's Spring Arts Walk. When the creativity of artists, performers and musicians brims so full that it spills into the streets of downtown Olympia and folks of all ages come to celebrate.

Music is a central part of the party, bringing musicians to nearly every venue and corner in the roughly 30 blocks that make up Arts Walk.

Especially promising, Old School Pizzeria will present their 3rd annual Hard Rock Parking Lot Friday night starting at 5 p.m. featuring Happy Noose, Kozo, Mongo, Mosquito Hawk and Resident Kings. This lineup has got Olympia excited for heavy riffs, solid talent and an all-ages outdoor stage, a rare treat for rock hungry fans.

Brian Sparhawk, the event's curator, tells me he was inspired by the fact that there used to many outdoor stages during Arts Walk, but they dwindled over the years. He recognized the need for a playable space other than street corners, so over the last few years they have really fine-tuned the stage.

"We have a really good PA, it will be really loud, hard rock, in your face," says Sparhawk.

The crowd will likely follow the rock to McCoy's for Big Red Sun, Way Finders, and Face Down, or to Le Voyeur for another set from Mosquito Hawk, Peter David Connelly's new mystery band, and Mico De Noche.

Down the street, on the sidewalk in front of Capital City Guitars, from 9-10 p.m., indie band, the Hard Way, will entertain crowds with their Nirvana/ Beatles-esque rock.

At the 1230 Room, at 6 p.m., Ethan Tucker Band plays their Bob Marley- and Robert Johnson-influenced set. (The venue will also display the rock 'n' roll photography of Brian Kasnyik.)

Saturday, the music continues. Old School Pizzeria will again have an event, this one more family-friendly, says Sparhawk, called Parking Lot Jam Fantastic, featuring Kimya Dawson and Planetary People. The music starts at noon.

After the 18th annual Procession of the Species, the nightlife will spark up. Olympia Ballroom will present the Procession After Party with Orkestar Zirkonium and Artesian Rumble Arkestra. This one is all ages, bar with ID and starts at 9 p.m.

At Capitol Theater Backstage, at 9 p.m., Doria, Horvitz, Previte and Young will bring their unique jazz specialty to all ages.

No matter the genre, Olympia Arts Walk will have music for everyone - at nearly every venue and useable outdoor space - because Olympia is just cool like that.

DOWNTOWN OLYMPIA, ARTS WALK XLIV, FRIDAY, APRIL 27 STARTS AT 5 P.M., SATURDAY, APRIL 28 STARTS AT NOON TO 8 P.M., FREE, MAPS AT PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES AND AT THE OLYMPIA CENTER, 222 COLUMBIA ST. NW, OLYMPIA, 360.753.8380, ARTSWALKOLYMPIA.COM