Music, Comedy and More This Weekend

        It's a great weekend for local musical talent—and comedy. Come along for these suggestions from Real Racine.

            Jazz it up.  Start the weekend Thursday, Jan. 31 with the Annual Park High School Jazz Festival This year's guest soloist is Russ Johnson, a Park alum and director of Jazz Studies at UW-Parkside. You'll also hear from Park Jazz I and Jazz II, McKinley Jazz Ensemble and Starbuck Jazz Ensemble. The show starts at 7 p.m. at the John Burns Theater at Park H.S., 1901 12th St. Tickets at the door are $4 adults and students; $2 children 11 and younger.

            Five weekends of comedy.  The 2013 Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy Festival opens Friday, Feb. 1 for a five-weekend run at the Sixth Street Theatre, 318 Sixth St. The Over Our Head Players present 10 original short comedy productions. Then, the audience is invited to vote on their favorite play. The writers of the top three audience favorites will be awarded cash prizes in March. Be sure to make reservations early because these shows often sell out. Call 262-632-6802 or visit www.overourheadplayers.org for tickets and show times.

            A family art freebie.  Take advantage of FREE admission to the Racine Art Museum, 441 Main St., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. It's a great opportunity to see a couple of exhibits that are wrapping up their run on Sunday. They are "Creator and Character: Artists Interpret James Joyce" and "RAM's Collection Focus: Rosita Johanson." Then, from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, bring the family for a free hands-on art project inspired by Johanson's fabric work. Visit www.ramart.org

            Powerful singing.  Who will win this year's Diva Quest? You'll have to head to Waterford High School, 100 Field Drive, Waterford, on Saturday to find out. This singing competition, featuring 10 area high school contestants vying for a $1,000 scholarship is presented by The Riverport Chorus women's a cappella barbershop singing organization. Performers also include the Madhatters, a men's a cappella group from the University of Wisconsin, and Haley Miller, the 2012 Diva Quest winner. Adult tickets are $17 in advance and $20 at the door. Student tickets are $12. The event starts at 6 p.m. Visit www.riverportchorus.org for tickets and details.

            Last chance for laughs.  This is the final weekend for "A Night at the Nutcracker" at the Racine Theatre Guild, 2519 Northwestern Ave.  Five performances of this comedy musical are scheduled from Thursday through Sunday. Call 262-633-4218 or visit www.racinetheatre.org for tickets and show times.

            Coming soon!  Mark your calendars for the Racine Symphony Orchestra's annual Young Artists' Competition on Sunday, Feb. 10. Local high school students compete for cash awards and an opportunity to perform with the symphony. The competition is held at First Presbyterian Church, 716 College Ave., starting at 1 p.m. Free admission. Visit www.racinesymphony.org

            That's it for this week.  Visit our website (www.realracine.com) to find out more things to see and do. For daily updates, like us on Facebook HERE or follow us on Twitter HERE.