Things to do this weekend in Eastern Iowa

A closer look at a couple of things that you can do this weekend in and around Eastern Iowa.

Girl Talk and Wale

SCOPE Productions is bringing a little bit of hip hop - OK, a lot of hip hop - to the University of Iowa Memorial Union on Tuesday night. Chart topping artists Girl Talk (otherwise known as Gregg Gillis) and Wale (pronounced Wall-A) roll into town bringing their East Coast sounds for one exciting night of music. Girl Talk is notorious for putting on a live show with a true party vibe. And Wale is, of course, the self-proclaimed “Ambassador of Rap for the Capital.” With a combination like that, this is one show you don't want to miss.

8 p.m. Tuesday (05/04), Iowa Memorial Union Main Lounge, Iowa City, $26.50 to $31.50, www.scopeproductions.org

Chalk the Walk

Artists in Mount Vernon will put your childhood sidewalk sketches to shame during the annual Chalk the Walk festival. Two hundred artists will turn First Avenue into an amazing masterpiece with the help of nearly a ton of chalk. There will be an Italian Renaissance reproduction, a scene from the Wizard of Oz (that you can help create) and much more during Iowa's largest Madonnari Festival.

10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday (05/01) and Sunday (05/02), First Avenue, Mount Vernon, Free, (319) 895-9513, www.visitmvl.com

Maifest

Help usher in spring this weekend at the Amana Colonies' Maifest. A whole host of activities take place all weekend, like the Middle Mountain Madness off-road 5K (for bikers and runners), the Taste of Amana Colonies European food fair and the Spring Dance in the Festhalle Barn featuring ‘50s and ‘60s music by Coupe DeVille. There also will be maypole dancing.

All day, Friday to Sunday (4/30 to 5/01), Amana Colonies, Free although some activities require admission, www.festivalsinamana.com

Three Other Things:

Taste of Jazz Under the Stars

5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday (4/30)

Class Act @ Kirkwood Community College, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, $45, (319) 398-5446, www.kcck.org

The Sky's The Limit: Marvin Cone's Clouds

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday (5/1)

Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, 410 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, $5, (319) 366-7503, www.crma.org

Strings Attached

7 p.m. Saturday (5/1)

Orchestra Iowa Chamber Players @ Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1285 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, $15, (319) 366-8203,

www.orchestraiowa.org