THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Cloudy, hi 55, lo 41

Saturday: Rain, hi 46, lo 39

Sunday: Cloudy, hi 51, lo 42

>>> APRIL 1-3: Too Many Sopranos

Sure, we may have had a bit of a joke with the Too Many Sopranos performances coming up at the University of Puget Sound this weekend, but don't take that to mean we're not into it. Quite the contrary. Edwin Penhorwood's comic opera seems sure to deliver, especially with Kethryn Lehmann on directing the stage and musical action, and orchestral conductor Steven Zopfi tying it all together

• UPS - Schneebeck Concert Hall, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, $8.50-$12.50, 1500 N. Warner St., Tacoma, 253.879.3419

>>> SATURDAY, APRIL 2: JUNIOR DAFFODIL PARADE

Watching the Junior Daffodil Parade in Tacoma's Proctor District is just plain fun. While other parades may attempt to wow you with intricate, tight, well-rehearsed production, the Junior Daffodil Parade is more of a free-for-all. Our favorite part? The kids. And not just the kids watching alongside the action -- we're talking about the kids walking in the parade. It's a wide-grinning spectacle that promises a Saturday morning of family fun.

• Proctor District, 10 a.m., Tacoma, daffodilfestival.net 

>>> SUNDAY, APRIL 3: Star Chefs on Broadway

Why would people pay $200 a head to eat dinner inside the Pantages Theater in Tacoma? Oh, we don't know ... maybe because it's FREAKIN' AWESOME. Every year Star Chefs on Broadway delivers one night of delectable tastes and dazzling performance. This year's New Orleans theme, or  to quote the show announcement on the Pantages' website, "N'awlins," will undoubtedly live up to expectations. Food. Wine. Chocolate. A little burlesque. Maybe some more wine. It's going to be awesome. That's probably why it's sold out.

• Pantages Theater, 5 p.m., $200, SOLD OUT, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5890

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
I will spend my weekend working the bar until the early a.m. After running around all night, I will realize I'm famished. I will miss The Reef and their pac-mans, and I will be sad. But, then, I will think ahead to Sunday, when The Reef benefit show goes down at The Broho and remember there is a supportive community and a hard working family doing whatever it takes to get back in business, and soon late night/early morning hunger wishes will be granted all over Olympia! Hooray!

MATT DRISCOLL Editor
We'll be walking in the Junior Daffodil Parade this Saturday morning, to our almost-four-year-old's great delight. Other than total rockstar shit like that, I again have nothing major planned this weekend ...

BRETT CHIHON Meat Market Correspondent/Features Writer
I'm headed to a preseason party at the freshly rebuilt Cheney Stadium. Visitors get to tour the new clubhouse, luxury suites and press box. It will be a great time to show off my patented home run call- "Phone up the Mohel because this baby is out-a-here!"

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
We're seeing Alexander and the Craptacular Day (I'm pretty sure that's the title...) at Olympia Family Theater and attending parties in Tacoma and Olympia. My point is we're super popular. 

ALEC CLAYTON: Visual Arts Critic
There's a memorial service for dear friend and longtime rabble rouser Kay Engle and and a party for the founders of Coffee Strong. I may or may not be going to either or both, or I may do nothing at all.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Meat Market Photographer

I'll be heading to Lakewood for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Lakewood Playhouse, then dinner in Gig Harbor and Nine at TMP.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
Spring Break 2011, woohoo!!! Closing out my week of grading papers, pseudo documentaries about the pyramids and a trio of coffee dates will be a weekend of . . . wait for it . . . MORE GRADING! I'll also be watching my son scoot around the living room as he tries to get the 85 lb dogs.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Features Writer
I'm intrigued by the show at the New Frontier on Saturday advertised as "Abraham, with Tacoma Starz." Not sure what Tacoma Starz they're referring to, but I've seen Abraham a couple times and have enjoyed them. In other news, I have no other news.

JENNIFER JOHNSON Food and Lifestyles Writer
Friday afternoon tea at Mad Hat, smoothies at Smooth & Juicey. Saturday and Sunday watching church conference during the day. Saturday night going to see Nine at Tacoma Musical Playhouse.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

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