Get Out: Japan Benefit Show, Country Festival in Kent this Weekend

It's never been easier to help your neighbors close by and far away — and have a good-time while doing it.

Help the people of Japan and hear great music at the Kent For Japan benefit show at the Stone Tavern.

Support the Akron Art Museum raise money, see great art and drink vodka at the Absolute Art Auction vodka tasting party. And help the Akron-Canton Food Bank with canned food donations and kick it with live country bands for free.

There is also poetry readings, orchestral performances and a folk music jam to pick from this weekend, so there's no excuse for boredom in Kent.

1. Rockin' Country Festival: "Walk of Fame"

Where/When: Seven venues in Downtown Kent, Friday April 1st.

Katie O,  5:30 p.m.

Rob Duskey & The Rounders, Mugs Brewhouse 7 p.m.

Courtney Bergman, 7:30 p.m.

Derrick McKee, Venice 7:30 p.m.

Laura Fedor, 10 p.m.

The Flaughers/Curtis Band, 10:30 p.m.

The Ryan Humbert Band, 11 p.m.

Why Go: This is the second night of the inaugural Kent country music festival. Shows are all free and a canned food donation is encouraged. Festival sponsors include The Akron-Canton Food Bank and Main Street Kent.

Pricing: Free, but canned food donations are greatly appreciated.  

2. Absolute Art Auction

Where/When: Harris Stanton Gallery, 2301 W. Market St., Akron.

Gallery Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday thru Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Friday April 1st, vodka tasting party begins at 5:30 p.m. and art auction bidding ends at 7 p.m.

Why Go: Help raise money for the Akron Art Museum and enjoy vodka with other art lovers. This silent auction features 88 pieces created by local, regional and international artists. Preview the pieces online at harrisstantongallery.com and feel free to bid there if you cannot get to the auction. Proceeds from auction and vodka party go to Akron Art Museum.

Pricing: $10

3. Kent For Japan

Where/When: The Stone Tavern, 110 E. Main St., Kent, 

Saturday. Opening acts begin 7 p.m.

Why Go: Help in the relief effort for the victims of the disaster in Japan. The talented and popular DJ Evan Evolution headlines the show with openers including: Nexus String Quartet, Steal The Spotlight, Moustache Yourself, Isaacs Jazz Ensemble and more. Event sponsored by a huge amount of local businesses who have provided items to be raffled off during the night. For more information go to facebook.com/kentforjapan or twitter.com/kentforjapan and remember all event proceeds go to those in need in Japan.

Pricing: $5

4. Cleveland Jazz Orchestra with Evelyn Wright

Where/When: Hiram College, Hayden Auditorium, 6832 Hinsdale St., Hiram,

today, 7:30 p.m.

Why Go: These exceptional Cleveland-based musicians perform beautiful pieces for everyone to enjoy. Vocalist Evelyn Wright joins the orchestra for this performance which is led by Paul Ferguson.  

Pricing: Free and open to the public.

5. Kent-Old Time Shindig

Where/When: , 107 S. Depeyster St., Kent,

Sunday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Why Go: Listen or join-in this monthly folk jam. Sponsored by the Kent Old-Time Music Association, this open jam attracts folk artists from Northeast Ohio and beyond. Hear or play music from fiddles, banjos, mandolins, dulcimers, harmonicas and more. See or participate in clog and flat foot dancing. Held the first Sunday of every month at same location.

Pricing: Free and open to the public. 

6. Imani Winds

Where/When: EJ Thomas Hall, University of Akron, 198 Hill St., Akron,

Monday, 7:30 p.m.

Why Go: See and hear this Grammy-nominated woodwind quintet from New York perform the world premiere of the piece written by Panamanian composer Danilo Perez and co-commissioned by Tuesday Musical. This group combines musical traditions from Europe, America, Africa and Latin America in its sound.

Pricing: $22, $35, $40

7. Wick Poetry Series: The Big Book of Daniel

Where/When: Room 214, Oscar Ritchie Hall, 225 Terrace Dr., KSU campus, Kent,

Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.

Why Go: Celebrate the life and collected works of the late Cleveland poet Daniel Thompson. Area poets read aloud from his just released 2011 book The Big Book of Daniel. Passing away in 2004, Thompson was named the first Poet Laureate of Cuyahoga County in 1992.  

Pricing: Free and open to the public.