BRING ON THE WEEKEND >>>

It's that time again.

Friday, the possibilities are endless, and the promise of two work-free days sits in front of us (assuming you're a nine-to-five, Monday-through-Friday schmo). It doesn't get much better.

Here's this week's Prefunk, a regular guide to preparing you and your liver for the weekend ahead - with a picture of an alcoholic pet thrown in for good measure.

The MAKEDONIANS CD RELEASE

Saturday, May 15

"Kids'll dance, some will fall in love... the rest of us may cry."

So reads the bottom of a recent press release for the Makedonians CD release show, tomorrow evening at The Mandolin Café in Tacoma.

Who doesn't like crying, falling in love, or dancing kids? They go together like peanut butter, jelly and steel wool.

The Makedonians, of course, as the Volcano's Joe Izenman has pointed out in the past, are a revolving group of uber-talented musician with a passion for bringing Mediterranean music to life.

Here's a taste of what Izenman had to say about the band following a performance in early January.

Some 20 years ago, at Chambers Primary School in University Place, at the very beginning of my life as a musician, I was fortunate to be taught by Makedonians bandleader and clarinetist Diz Carroll. A few years later, I had the opportunity to play saxophone with Diz and the Makedonians for a few months - a mediocre middle-schooler surrounded by professionals.

Now, a decade later, Diz's desire to educate and inform continues, whether young or old - anyone with the desire to listen. Throughout the

Makedonians' rollicking, energetic set of traditional Balkan music Saturday night, audience members were treated to lessons in Greek musical geography, five-tone scale harmony (most "western" music uses the seven) and how to count some of the more unusual time signatures, ranging from 5 to 25 beats in a measure.

PREFUNK: The Makedonians new CD, Church House, according to the press release, "captures Efiniki's (Zambaras) singing in the CHURCH HOUSE." It goes on to say, "Don't miss her last concert here, in the coziest café in the South Sound."

Exactly, but before you go - keep this in mind, and plan accordingly. Greece is in the midst of a financial crisis. If the Mandolin will take your Euros for a cup of coffee before the show, take them up on it!

23^rd ANNUAL LACEY SPRING FUN FAIR

Sunday, May 16

Technically, the Lacey Spring Fun Fair kicks off on Saturday, but I say avoid the "crowds", and hit up the annual event Sunday - the big, balloon animal-filled finale. With "arts and crafts, commercial vendors and food concessions," as laceyspringfunfair.com points out, the yearly event - held at St. Martin's University - has the potential to be fun for the "whole family" - though the target demographic certainly seems to be those in Superman/Wonder Woman underoos.

PREFUNK: One hit of helium for you, two hits for the balloon animals. And repeat.

See you next week.