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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Mostly sunny, hi 75, lo 53

Saturday: Straight-up sunny, hi 77, lo 58

Sunday: Iphone says rain, hi 73, lo 54

>>> FRIDAY, JULY 29: Fences

The man who calls himself Fences, Chris Mansfield, comes across as very young, in every sense of the word. His interpretations of destroyed relationships, his waffling between self-loathing and self-pity, his declarations of affection that almost sound like fishing for compliments - purposefully or not, Mansfield has painted a diverse and honest portrait of a fucked-up guy in his 20s who never knows, moment to moment, the right thing to say. For some people, this kind of flirting-with-emo music has the effect of a great many nails being dragged along a chalkboard. Others may see a bit of themselves in Mansfield's plaintive lyrics. Friday, Fences plays Hell's Kitchen in Tacoma.

• Hell's Kitchen, 9 p.m. $5-$7, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003

>>> FRIDAY, JULY 29: Jane Elliott

Jane Elliott has led quite a life, from a third-grade school teacher in Iowa to a nationally known teacher, lecturer, diversity trainier and anti-racism activist. Elliott's Brown-Eyes/Blue-Eyes excercise is perhaps more famous than she is. Friday, in an effort brought to Tacoma by Clover Park Technical College's Officers of the Multicultural Club and the Administrators of the school's Multicultural Student Services, Elliott will deliver an event open to the public at Clover Park from 6 - 9 p.m.

• Clover Park Technical College - Bldg 23, 6-9 p.m. $25, 4500 Steilacoom Boulevard SW, Lakewood,253.589.5800

>>> FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 29-30: New World Waking!

Steve Schalchlin will perform the song cycle, New World Waking! (along with selections from his musicals) this weekend, joined by students at South Puget Sound Community College and Olympia musical theater luminaries Josh Anderson, Christina Collins and Lauren O'Neill. It's a benefit for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). To read Molly Gilmore's full story, click here.

• Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts, July 29-30, at 8 p.m., $20, $10 for SPSCC students, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia, 360.753.8586 or olytix.org

>>> SATURDAY, JULY 30: 34th Annual Tacoma Aroma 7's Tournament

How many folks out there knew Tacoma hosts one of the biggest and best rugby 7's tournament in the entire region? OK, how many people even know what rugby 7's is? A primer may be in order. Rugby 7's is an exciting variation on the traditional game, played on smaller fields with fewer players (seven as opposed to 15. Get it?). For the last 34 years, Tacoma has hosted a summer 7's tournament featuring some of the best  men's and women's rugby teams in the area. This weekend the Tacoma Aroma 7's Tournament is back, at the Portland Avenue Playfield.

• Portland Avenue Play Fields, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., 3513 Portland Ave., Tacoma

>>> SUNDAY, FEB. 20: Anna Popovic

Guitarist Anna Popovic is  hot. Sure, that's kind of a low-brow observation to bestow upon a musician of Popovic's skill, but then again, she's the one who decided to wear nothing but a guitar on that album cover. Really, we're just playing along. And Popovic, who other publications have dubbed the "Serbian Beauty" (she was born in the former Yugoslavia), gives us plenty to play along with. She also gives us jaw-dropping blues.

• Jazzbones, with Nolan Garret, 7 p.m., $16.50-$20, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
I plan on lots of yard work - which usually includes working on my burn/tan. Saturday is laundry and toilet scrubbing, followed by a BBQ in Lewis County, featuring Busch light and ATV riding. Sunday is fiesta night at the in-laws, where mom-in-law gets wasted on half a margarita, and challenges everyone to a heated game of dominoes. Let the weekend begin!

BRETT CHIHON Meat Market Correspondent/Features Writer
I'm headed on a Wild Waves meat market adventure. Here's hoping those rumors about contracting hepatitis in the wave pool turn out to be false. 

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CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
As my wife's birthday was Tuesday, I'm spiriting her away to a secret location near good food, good wine, and...a farm? It's a surprise, so she'll just have to wait and see.

ALEC CLAYTON: Visual Arts Critic
I'll be at the New World Waking concert with Steve Schalchlin, Saul Tannenbaum, Christina Collins and Lauren O'Neil (both of Tush Burlesque fame) Friday and Saturday nights.

JENNIFER JOHNSON Food and Lifestyles Writer
Keeping it simple: Caffe Dei for dinner Friday, Ethnic Fest and Lakewood Playhouse Saturday, church Sunday.

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JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
The husband, baby, dogs and I are thinking about camping and may try
to work that in. If not, we'll be sitting around making plans for our
little son's first birthday celebration.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Photographer
I'm be headed to a cabin in Shelton to have a murder mystery birthday party for my daughter.

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REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Features and Music Writer
This weekend, as will be most weekends for the next few months, will be a waiting game until Sunday when I can watch "Breaking Bad" and shamefully watch "True Blood."

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound