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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Partly sunny, hi 55, lo 40

Saturday: Sunny, chance of rain, hi 57, lo 37

Sunday: Cloudy, hi 65, lo 46

>>> FRIDAY, APRIL 29: Japan In Jeopardy Hip Hop Fundraise

It's not every Friday night that you come across a collection of T-Town and South Sound hip-hop talent like the one you'll find at the Firwood Rock Lounge this weekend. More importantly, it's not every Friday night that you come across such a worthy cause. By now everyone knows about the devastation left behind by the earthquake in Japan, and we should all know it's our duty to help out wherever possible. A hip-hop spectacle featuring performances by area heavyweights like Motamouth Jones, Jay Barz, Island Trybe, Leezy Soprano and others is a great start -- with 100 percent of proceeds from Friday night's show going to the Japan  Red Cross releif efforts.

• Firwood Rock Lounge, with Jay Barz & Motamouth Jones, Island Trybe, P.O. Boxx, Spac3man, Rocky Sandoval, Neema, Rockwell Powers, Leezy Soprano, DJ's Spin-A-Tracc & Damo, 9 p.m., $10, $5 with non-perishable items or clothing, 734 Pacific Ave., Tacoma

>>> SATURDAY, APRIL 30: The Celso Duarte Sextet and Laura Rebolloso

Latin and world music fans know damn well about the skills of the Celso Duarte. He's literally been on a stage since childhood, and his harp, requinto and violin skills are tough to match. Saturday night Duarte, with the Celso Duarte Sextet and Laura Rebolloso, will make their only west coast performance on a current tour also taking them to New York's Carnegie Hall. See it all live at the Capital Theater.

• Capital Theater, 7 p.m., $15-$35, 206 Fifth Ave., Olympia,360.754.6670

>>> SATURDAY, APRIL 23: Jane Monheit

For those with an affection for current jazz, it doesn't get much better than singer Jane Monheit, scheduled to perform at the Rialto in Tacoma Saturday. There's also a free pre-show lecture starting at 6:30 p.m. covering "Fostering the Next Generation of Jazz Masters," with local jazz artist Patrice O'Neill. Basically, it's a whole evening dedicated to jazz -- which sounds like a solid way to spend a Saturday. Monheit has been described as, "an extraordinarily gifted jazz vocalist whose sincere and romantic interpretations of songs has made her a favorite in both the jazz and cabaret worlds.

• Rialto Theater, 7:30 p.m., free pre-show lecture 6:30 p.m., $39-$49 $25, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.2013

>>> SUNDAY, MAY 1: Tacoma Reads Together

What is creativity? Why are there people like Leonardo DaVinci, and then people like that dude in the apartment downstairs? A panel of Tacoma artists aims to answer this question as part of Tacoma Reads Together. The lineup includes musician Vicci Martinez, Rusty George of Rusty George Design; Artistic Director of MLK Ballet Kate Monthly; and Tom Llewellyn, author of The Titling House. The group will be moderated by Rosemary Ponnekanti, arts writer and critic for The News Tribune.

• Tacoma Public Library Main Branch, 2 p.m., free, 1102 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.591.5666

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
This weekend I will be settling in to our new house, having a little get together with friends, and probably missing some good music downtown. But that's OK, my husband and I have some sweet music to make of our own.  

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
This'll be my last quiet weekend for months, so I intend to work out, finish a Robert Crais novel, and make peace with my DVR. Also, I might just cook and drink some wine. Sure it's boring, but y'know what? I'm tired of you judging me, Weekend Hustle. Seriously.

MATT DRISCOLL: Editor
I'm going to start the weekend a little early (even though I'll TECHNICALLY be working Friday), by drinking unweildy amounts of Coors Light and watching the NFL Draft tonight. Saturday and Sunday will be spent doing boring house stuff, but that lawn's not going to mow itself now is it ...

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
This weekend I'll be chasing after my newly crawling son, working on my review of Tacoma Little Theatre's Always Patsy Cline, and eating grilled food courtesy of my fabulous husband.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
Saturday, I'll be hitting up the New Frontier for the Kyle Hill benefit show. I will also be checking to make sure that my signature is still on his cast, and that he hasn't scrubbed it off in some crazy double-cross. The man listens to album-oriented rock. No telling what he'll do.

ALEC CLAYTON Visual Arts Critic
Gonna get country with Always Patsy Cline at Tacoma Little Theatre Friday night and then get down with Pro Func Tunc at the 4th Ave Tav Saturday night, and rest like a good boy on Sunday.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound