Unsure about what to do this weekend, leave it up to rhyming couplets.

Saturday night approaches
And someone broaches
“What’s the plan?”
Party at Stan’s? Or maybe Joanne’s?
Yet a backyard rave
You can always save,
But The Cheaper Show,
Or Martha Wainwright & Co.
Singing Piaf’s “Adieu Mon Cœur”
“Mon Dieu!” we do declare
It just wouldn’t be fair
To miss two events so rare.

www.thecheapershow.com

With over 400 shows in ten days, pursuing the Vancouver International Jazz Festival program can be as intimidating as trying to play Coltrane’s solo from “Giant Steps,” so here’s our mini guide to good shows:

Genre-bending
If you’re looking for more than old standards, pitch a tent outside Biltmore Cabaret, where the most funky music goes down. Playing consecutive nights are Alice Russell, The Heavy, King Kahn & the BBQ and Maraca Salsa & Latin Jazz Band—all of which have plenty of mojo to spare.

Glamour girls
If you prefer your jazz big, bold and backed by an orchestra, make it a ladies night and take in Pink Martini, June 28 (8 p.m.) at the Orpheum. Vocalist China Forbes sings Old Hollywood back to life and looks the part as well.

For the young (or young at heart)
Prepare to have your socks blown off by Montreal prodigy Nikki Yanofsky, July 5 (7:30 p.m.) at The Centre. The 15-year-old, who can skat like a seasoned pro, was the youngest performer to headline at the Montreal jazz fest—she was twelve then.

Free-loving
For those who like free, David Lam Park is the place to be. On the last weekend of the fest, commandeer a patch of grass and make sure you catch the energetic Irish-Indian fusion band Delhi 2 Dublin on July 4 (8-9:30 p.m.) and the next big Canadian chanteuse Sophie Milman on July 5 (6-7 p.m.).

Vancouver International Jazz Festival, June 26-July 5, 2009, www.coastaljazz.ca