It's Friday - time to let the hot blue flames lick you into a literary frenzy. And Femmes on Fire will take you there! 

Glitter and lace articulates, feminine intellect smashes outdated mental states. I already know. City Center Grill at Marriott City Center, Oakland. From 7 to 9 p.m.; there is a sliding scale of entry fee of $5-10.

Engage your senses, your extra-sensory perceptions and your heart at ShePeoples - a monthly, multimedia night of genius women performers, musicians, poets, dancers and visual artists. The regal Valerie Troutt hosts.

Location is Divinity Voice, 3609 Maple Ave. in Oakland. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; the performance is from 9 p.m. to midnight. Cost: $10.

On Saturday, let yourself go while celebrating DJ fflood's birthday at Feel Free.

Caution: If you like to stand around looking cool, counting your haters and inflating your ego, this is not the club for you. However, if you want to connect to the oneness, dance like you'll never dance again, sweat, dump your stress into the sound waves and compost your energy in order to fertilize the vibe - then yes, you have arrived. Levende East, 827 Washington St., Oakland. Free.

On Sunday, at the Art & Soul Festival, $10 in advance ($5 for kids; $15 at the door) will allow you to experience three stages of entertainment, featuring jazz, blues and some R&B.

Sounds good, huh? And it gets better. Sheila E, Club Nouveau, Tony! Toni! Tone! and En Vogue will share the stage at 12th Street and Clay in downtown Oakland.