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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Rain, hi 57, lo 48

Saturday: Rain, hi 55, lo 45

Sunday: Rain, hi 54, lo 45

>>> FRIDAY, APRIL 5: K RECORDS POP-UP SHOP

Friday, K Records is having an exclusive Pop-Up Shop with local favorite Kendl Winter performing live during First Friday at Flow & Function. Hype for the event reads, "The K crew will be selling limited K merchandise (things that sold out like crazy on our site) that evening, including the much sought after Beat Happening vinyl (back in print on LP for the first time in 10 years) and teeshirts. Kendl is amazing." To download her 2012 release The Mechanics of Hovering Flight, click here, orstream it in the shop. Winter, former front woman of The Blackberry Bushes, drops her third K release, It Can Be Done!, at the end of summer. - Nikki McCoy

• Flow & Function, 6 p.m., free, all-ages, 113 Fifth Ave., SW, Olympia,360.705.9729

>>> FRIDAY, APRIL 5-SATURDAY, APRIL 6: THE PHILADELPHIA STORY

Harlequin Production's The Philadelphia Story ends its run Saturday. I can't say enough about Helen Harvester's lead performance. She captures the regal arm acting and Bryn Mawr drawl of Katharine Hepburn, for whom the role was written, without indulging in caricature. Same goes for Aaron Lamb, who has Jimmy Stewart's way of swallowing his lines without bounding around the stage like George Bailey from a Looney Tunes parody. The whole cast is outstanding, really. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of The Philadelphia Story in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

• Harlequin Productions, through April 6, 8 p.m., $20-$38, 202 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.786.0151
  

>>> SATURDAY, APRIL 6: GIG HARBOR ART WALK

This Saturday marks the first Saturday of the month, which means it's time again for the monthly Gig Harbor Art Walk. For the uninitiated, the Gig Harbor Art Walk offers art lovers (or non art lovers, for that matter) a chance to take a free, self-guided tour of the many galleries along the Gig Harbor waterfront. That's probably why Sunset Magazine voted it one of the best small town art walks in the Northwest (how many are there?). The action runs from 1-5 p.m. — Weekly Volcano

• Gig Harbor waterfront, 1-5 p.m., free, self-guided, 2700 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, gigharborguide.com]

>>> SATURDAY, APRIL 6: ERIC CARLE LECTURE AT THE TACOMA ART MUSEUM

Eric Carle's picture books are engaging to the point of being problematic for many parents and child-minders. Kids read them, and become addicted, so by the 17th reading, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? loses some of its magic to the adult reader, and the pictures go by largely unappreciated. Kudos to the Tacoma Art Museum and its exhibition "Beyond Books: the Independent Art of Eric Carle," for bringing in paintings, sculptures, and personal sketches that Carle has been making privately for more than 60 years. Museum goers will see a side of Carle they haven't seen before, such as his advertising days, his tissue-paper collage technique, glass sculpture and costume design for opera. The exhibit opens Saturday with a 2 p.m. lecture by Nick Clark, chief curator of The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. - WV

• Tacoma Art Museum, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $8-$10, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4258
  

>>> SATURDAY, APRIL 6: THE HARD WAY

You can't go a weekend in Olympia without McCoy's Tavern hosting an awesome rock show. This weekend follows form. Saturday, The Hard Way will bring its heart-felt rock 'n' roll to the stage. This is just one of those bands you can count on for a mind-blowing performance. The band consistently brings its all, and the audience knows it. Plus, its tunes go perfect with a tall boy. - NM

• McCoy's Tavern, w/Unnatural Balance and Ten Cents in Oklahoma, 9 p.m., $3, 420 Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.352.0696

>>> SUNDAY, APRIL 7: ALCHEMY OF STAGE PRESENCE CLASS

Want to explore what it's like to be a stage performer? Or maybe you are ready for a reminder course. Whatever the case, you need to know about Alchemy of Stage Presence class. Taught by Tess Fox of Oly Vixen Academy, the class promises to "discuss and develop energy presence, learn techniques to manage the jitters and play with some basic movement with a saucy combo that you'll want to keep in your bag of tricks." You can apply these concepts for any type of performing art. - NM

• Johanson Olympia Dance Center, 10 a.m. to noon, 412 Jefferson St., Olympia, 360.556.4794

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
I'm catching Theater Artists Olympia's stage version of Reservoir Dogs and playing Little John for Olympia Family Theater. Meanwhile, our colds linger on.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
Definitely gonna hit up the New Frontier on Saturday for three of my favorites: I Like Science, Gems, and Santee.

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
I'm going to see Legally Blonde at Tacoma Musical Playhouse Friday night. Sunday morning we're meeting friends and family members for breakfast at Shakabrah Java and then going to the Eric Carle show at Tacoma Art Museum.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
Raging at Hell's Belles and Mosquito Hawk show Friday night after busting out a happy hour shift at the BroHo. That's pretty much it for weekend plans, unless you count napping and playing video games.

JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
This weekend the only thing I'm doing is teaching my spoken word/poetry class at D.A.S.H on Saturday at 1 p.m. Other than that I'll be in the house chilling with my Family!

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
This weekend we'll be celebrating my husband's birthday on Saturday. A night out with friends will be a fabulous way to wind down our respective spring breaks. Sunday, I'll be heading to TMP to review Legally Blonde the musical.

TIMOTHY GRISHAM Music Writer
While feeling the pain of having just watched EMA on Thursday, only to have to wake up for the day job! I will be looking forward to performing my own show Sunday. But the biggest plus is seeing Criminal Code and Big Eyes at Le Voyeur!

ADRIENNE KUEHL Food Writer
I'll be heading to Gig Harbor to visit my husband's grandparents and get down with a serious game of Boggle. It's been a long week, so I'm dreaming of leisurely cooking and Netflix watching.

JACKIE FENDER Food Writer
Friday night I hope to connect with some literary excellence at the National Poetry Month kick off party hosted by Anthem Coffee. Saturday and Sunday will mostly be filled with working and getting amped up for opening day game goodness. Still on the prowl for weekend festivities. I'm open to invites and suggestions.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Nightlife Correspondent
Hitting Peter Pan at Tacoma Youth Theatre on Saturday then TMP for Legally Blonde on Sunday.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar