Yes, we're Folklife enthusiasts. Where else can you get a funnel cake, a hip-hop spitfest, a latin dance party, and a contest for liars, all in one place? We quoted Prince in the headline because we wouldn't be surprised if he showed up at Folklife this year. There is so much shit going on this weekend, and you don't have to drive all the way to the silly Gorge and pay through your nose to enjoy the music, yall.

If you want a little background, you can pick up a copy of Sound magazine and read the eloquent, brilliantly well-written article about Folklife in the May issue (okay, we're biased). If you just want the basics about what's worth seeing this weekend, read on, man.

Folklife starts today, so tell the boss to stuff it and get on down to Seattle Center to kick this gorgeous three-day weekend/four-day festival off right.

Recommendations for today:

The Senate (acoustic power) - 4 PM Fisher Green
Pelusa (alt.country, kinda croony) - 7:25 PM Fisher Green

...And then there are the Friday night showcases, and every single one of them is going to be fantastic. World Beat Manifesto at Mural Amphitheater 7-10 PM, Friday Night Masters, the story telling show, Country-Fried Shakedown and The Amazing Bellydance Show! (exclamation point is part of the title) all kick off at 7 tonight, giving you enough time to get off work, bus over there, grab a beer, and kick back.

SATURDAY (if you're only going one day, we'd say make it Saturday)

Showcases:
Filipino dancing - 1 PM Int'l Dance Stage
Indie Folk Punch-Up (Clay Bartlett, Language Arts, etc., with MC Seattlest Kim) - 1:45 PM VERA Stage
The Bluegrass Show (Captain Gravel, Prairie Flyer, etc.) - 3 PM Bagley Wright Theater
Folk Grrls (Laura Love, Rachel Harrington, etc.) - 6 PM Fisher Green
Got Aloha? (Hawaiian music) - 7 PM Mural Amphitheater
Home-Grown Hip-Hop - 8 PM VERA

Individual Performances:
Squirrel Butter (old time, clogging, part of the Tallboys) - 5:40 PM Bagley Lawn Acoustic Stage
Reggie Miles (saw player) - 12:20 PM Cafe Impromptu
Anna Coogan & North 19 (gorgeous alt.country) - 7 PM VERA
Fraggle Rock Crew (breakdance) - 9:30 PM Int'l Dance Stage

SUNDAY

Showcases:
Dynamic Drumming! (Japanese, Cuban, and African drum groups) - 11 AM Bagley Wright Theater
Oaxacan Music & Dance - 1 PM Mural Amphithteater
Jugband Hokum (bunch of jugbands) - 1 PM Northwest Court Stage
This is Ska! (Natalie Wouldn't, Georgetown Orbits, etc.) - 3 PM Fountain Lawn
Songwriters' Circle (Ali Marcus, Jess Grant, etc.) - 4 PM Cafe Impromptu
Liar's Contest (sign up ahead of time) - 5 PM Intiman Theater
Rockabilly Show (Roy Kay Trio, Cold Hearted Trio, etc.) - 6 PM Fountain Lawn

Individual Performances:
Skitterpup (grassrock originals, 80s covers) - 11:40 AM Rainier Room
King Ludd (old time, bluegrass) - 3:50 PM Rainier Room
Camille Bloom (chick singer) - 4:40 PM Alki Court
True North (popgrass) - 7:50 PM Rainier Room

MONDAY

Showcases:
Big Jewish Show (klezmer, etc.) - 11 AM Bagley Wright Theater
Pike Place Buskers' Showcase - 1 PM Fisher Green
Folklife Gospel Explosion! - 3 PM Bagley Wright Theater
Pirate Songs Workshop - 4 PM in the Beer Garden (now that's what we're talking about!)
Banjoes and Blues - 6:20 PM Fisher Green

Individual Performances:
Katie Gray Band w/ Flowmotion (Oh my God, don't miss this one!) - 1 PM Fountain Lawn
Olympic Sound Collective (jazz/funk) - 1:40 PM Mural Amphitheater
Goat Ass (we just like the name, and it's old time) - 5:40 PM Bagley Lawn Acoustic Stage
Creeping Time (grassrock on speed) - 6:15 PM Fountain Lawn

There's also the dance room, where you can square and contra your happy little self 'til the cows come home. There's an old time fiddle contest, if you think you're the bomb on the fiddle, on Sunday. There are events and activities for kids ... and the whole thing is free. They're suggesting $10 donations for individuals, and $20 for families. That's really nothing, considering you get access to thousands of shows.