I was going to write "this is a big weekend for Madison" but I realize I could probably write that just about every weekend. In addition to lots of great and insane music, the city is packed once again with arts and fashion. once again Madison's artists open up their doors so you can muddy up their carpets and floors while taking in their minds spewed on cloth, molded in clay, snapped with a camera, or a host of other ways. The event is brought to you by Madison Area Open Arts Studios (MAOAS) who have a handful of useful tools for navigating the weekend of art on the organization's website. Dane101 is partial to the map. Studios will be open from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, but if you can't wait, head over to the Overture Center tonight from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. for a preview of some of Madison's best and brightest.

As for music this weekend is crazy.

Friday

The High Noon has one of the best bands working today (if you like tearing your heart out) - the melancholy and atmospheric Okkervil River. Opening will be Shazy Hade and Elvis Perkins. Starts at 9:30 p.m.

The Loft also has one of those best bands working today in the form of the angular math rock infused Minus the Bear. They'll hit the stacks with P.O.S. and The Velvet Teen at 7 p.m.

The Orpheum show featuring the Fray and Aqualung is sold out.

Saturday

I'm not going to call Leslie and the Ly's one of the best bands working today. I will simply say it is one of the craziest acts working today. Leslie is the "keeper of the gems" - essentially she has taken it upon her self to bring the 80s fashion back in all of it's dazzling and glimmering glory. She is paired perfectly with Madison's fashionable Screamin' Cyn Cyn and the Pons - known for doing a great deal of dazzling and glimmering themselves. They will be the music behind Circa Vintage's Fashion Show at the High Noon. Starts at 10 p.m.

And if you are looking for smoky treats...you won't find them on Library Mall..but you will find the 36th Annual Midwest Marijuana Harvest Festival. Starts at 12 p.m. and features the sounds of Stephanie Rearick, Not on Mars, Motu, and Cosmic Railroad.

The Orpheum is hosting the amazing Mark Kozalek who was once the front man of Red House Painters. For the record, he has produced tons of brilliant originals so while I'm sure he will play his amazing interpretations of Modest Mouse and AC/DC songs, the real trat will be his originals. Starts at 9 p.m.

The Wisconsin Pop Explosion is releasing a compilation Saturday night and hosting a party at the King Club. Performing will be Sleeping in the Aviary, Ric Rac Attack, The Runners Up, the Nervous System, Vid Libert and the Secret Wedding Party. Starts at 9 p.m.