Well, I may have mentioned it before, but the late-, and loved, Bob Jacobsen once had this idea about recognizing the vitality of the local music scene, and I’ve got the t-shirt to prove it.  However, you don’t need no t-shirt this weekend, we’ve got the programming in the performing arts in general, and music in particular, that affirms Bob’s claim.

Thursday, May 13th, Barb Piper, 5 p.m., Contented Cow, Mark Mraz, 8 to 11 p.m., Tavern Lounge, and Study Hall (with Peter Lynn and Terry VanDeWalker), 9 p.m., Contented Cow.

Friday, May 5th, Occasional Jazz, 5 p.m., Contented Cow, Tim Freeland, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Butler’s Steak & Ale, Openstage/Distinction Dance Concert, 7 p.m., Dittman Center on the St. Olaf College campus, Alison Rae, 7 to 11 p.m., Tavern Lounge, Theater: Big Mary, 7 p.m., ARTech, Opening Reception: Carleton Senior Art Show – Dimensional Vision, 7 to 9 p.m., “a moveable feast”, starting at Gould Library (then to Boliou Hall from 7:15 to 7:45 for refreshments and art, then on…) the Carleton College campus, Monroe Crossing, 7 p.m., Grand Event Center, Urban Hillbilly Quartet, 8 p.m., Contented Cow, Carleton Symphony Band, 8 to 9 p.m., Concert Hall on the Carleton College campus, Theater: Broadway Revue, 8 p.m., Urness Recital Hall on the St. Olaf College campus, Theater: Independent People, 8 p.m., Arena Theater on the Carleton College campus, and D J Music at Froggy Bottoms.

Saturday, May 15th, 2010 Northfield Arts Guild Spring Dance Concert, 3 p.m., Northfield Middle School, Wendy Russell, 6:30 to 9 p.m., Butler’s Steak & Ale, Kevin Stanke and the Million Dollar Moustache, 7 to 11 p.m., Tavern Lounge, Theater: Big Mary, 7 p.m., ARTech, Area 51, 8 p.m., Contented Cow, Theater: Broadway Revue, 8 p.m., Urness Recital Hall on the St. Olaf College campus, Theater: Independent People, 8 p.m., Arena Theater on the Carleton College campus, and Live Jazz at Butler’s Steak & Ale.

Sunday, May 16th, Carleton Jazz Ensemble, 3 to 4 p.m., Concert Hall on the Carleton College campus, St. Olaf Orchestra, 3:30 p.m., Boe Memorial Chapel on the St. Olaf College campus, BackRoads Show, 5 to 7 p.m., Grand Event Center, Film: Inside North Korea, 5:45 p.m., Dittman Center on the St. Olaf College campus, Politics and a Pint, 6 p.m., Northern Roots Session, 7 p.m., and Quiz Night, 8 p.m., all at the Contented Cow.