Since many of you are off this Good Friday, I decided to add a Thursday evening treat. How about starting off your weekend with one of Charlotte's finest jazz bands? Shableek and Uncommon Jazz will be performing live, and there's no cover charge. Grown folk’s company at its best!

You don't want to miss this event, so come out and join me. I guarantee you will have a great time! Cost: free. Location: Bull and Barrister (3615 Mount Holly-Huntersville Rd). Time: 9 p.m. -12 a.m. The patio will be open! Kick off your holiday weekend with your jazz friends. Food and drink specials all evening.

In case you haven't made weekend plans, take a look at my picks:

FRIDAY
Grammy award winner Kirk Whalum ~ Smooth jazz saxophonist and songwriter. Soulful, Passionate, Stirring. These are the words often used to describe Kirk's music. Location: Halton Theater (1206 Elizabeth Ave) on the CPCC main campus. Time: 8 p.m. Cost: $35-$46. Tickets are still available but are selling fast. Hosted by Jazz Diva Tammy Greene. Those who are familiar with Tammy know she doesn't miss a beat. I'm looking forward to attending this event. Keep a lookout for Jazz Diva's lineup coming in the next few weeks. I'll make sure to keep you posted! For more information, visit the CPCC website.

SATURDAY
Groove 8 ~ A jazz-funk collective band celebrating its fifth anniversary. Groove 8 performed over 170 shows in 2010. I'm not familiar with the band, but I am familiar with Adrian Crutchfield. I was blown away last year watching his saxophone performance at the jazz hangout, The Forte. If the rest of the band is anything like this brother, you don't want to miss out. Cost: $10 advance tickets. Location: Duke Energy Theater (345 N. College Street). Time: 8 p.m. For additional information visit CharlotteCultureGuide.com or the band’s website: http://groove8.com/index.html

SUNDAY
Happy Easter! ~ Kick back and enjoy Easter service, egg hunts and brunch or supper with family and friends. For the final touch, how about Tyler Perry's “Madea's Big Happy Family?” As much as Perry loves the fan fervor for Madea, he's hinted multiple times over the years that he would like to kill off the feisty character…some way, somehow. There's just one problem: The fans won't let him! In this latest film, Madea is tasked with helping a few of her troubled family members get their lives back on track. Playing at local Charlotte theaters around town this weekend.

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