FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012 >>>

1. Born and raised in south India, Ragamala Dance's Artistic Directors Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy bring that culture's unique sensibility of mysticism, myth and sanctity to the Washington Center's stage at 7:30 p.m. Sacred Earth unifies Bharatanatyam with the ephemeral arts, classical music, and Tamil Sangam literature (300 B.C.E.-300 C.E.) of India. We have no idea what that means, but EXCITING!

2. A righteous, all-ages hip-hop show featuring Jay Barz, Motamouth Jones, Chris Crazie, John Crown and From Heros to Legends will hit Hell's Kitchen at 5 p.m.

3. Talented Tacoma photographers command the Madera Architectural Elements Showroom once a month, illuminating their work and creativity with the visually aided enhancement implied by the name of the series, TRIPOD Slide Shows. Created by Tacoma artist Lynn Di Nino, the night of digital slides features three local photographers and one creative theme.  The next TRIPOD Slide Show slides into Madera from 7-8:30 p.m. featuring 15-minute slide shows by photographers Jim Oliver, Dick Dorsett and Duncan James Livingston & Mary McCheyne under the theme Three Very Different Travel Experiences."

4. One of the benefits of living in or near a city is the multiplicity of art and entertainment choices. Certainly, we get all of the mainstream, and most of the underground, stuff that's out there - hey, that keeps our blue state connected to the reds, to a degree - but we also get things that are unique to our region. Such would be the case at 7:30 p.m. inside the Blue Mouse Theater - a rare performance by folk pop treasure Uncle Bonsai, a trio with a more than 30 year history of entertaining Puget Sound area and nine albums sitting in their trophy case. What should you expect? Contemporary, acoustic three-part harmony with lots of words.  Sometimes going fast.  Often extremely humorous.  The Weekly Volcano suggests you bring an open mind and prepare yourself for a journey beyond the realm of the ordinary.

5. Well, it's almost here. The end of the season. No more plays, no more dance recitals, no more spoken word standing on a cube, ever. OK, not ever. However, it will be one looonnng summer of American Idol reruns, we tell you what. How about one more, just for old time's sake? Pacific Lutheran University Dance Ensemble presents Dance 2012, a collection of dances in the style of jazz, modern, ballet and hip-hop at 7:30 p.m. inside the Eastvold Auditorium. In all, the performance features 53 choreographers, 72 dancers and musicians and that dude working the lights. You might want to check those numbers. Aaahh, let's end the season by giving each other a big hug.

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