Daddies in the swing for charity.

Byline: BUZZWORTHY by The Register-Guard

No foolin', cats and kittens. It may be April Fools' Day, but this is no joke.

The Cherry Poppin' Daddies are back in the swing of things for the band's first local show since summer '04.

The gig is a benefit for Buckley House, a substance abuse program, and will be tonight at the McDonald Theatre. Best of all, tickets are cheap cheap cheap. Just $7, $5 if you're a student.

Joining the Daddies will be local favorites Yeltsin, which is finishing up a new CD. There's a good chance fans will get to hear some new music tonight.

And then bright and early Saturday morning (OK, 10 a.m.), come rain or shine, a whole new season of Saturday Market begins. The open-air marketplace will begin its 35th year - 35th year! - in the downtown Eugene park blocks.

The musical lineup includes Chip Cohen, Kids With Ukeses, Craig Sorseth, Accordions Anonymous, Laura Kemp and TR Kelley and Ruckus.

Ah, if we close our eyes, we can almost smell the patchouli oil and sandalwood. And Ritta's Burritos, naturally.

Also in the next few days are concerts by two acts from the other side of the pond. You know, England.

On Sunday, Sting will buzz into Mac Court for a show with Phantom Planet. Sting, a hugely successful solo artist, used to be in this little band called the Police. Phantom Planet, an up-and-coming SoCal group, used to feature a drummer named Jason Schwartzman. Star of "Rushmore." Son of Talia Shire. Nephew of Francis Ford Coppola.

The other Brit landing in Eugene this weekend is MC/producer Dizzee Rascal. While relatively unknown Stateside, he is a Pretty Big Deal in his native England, where he is among the leading voices of the grime scene. His debut album, "Boy in da Corner," won the Mercury Music Award in 2003, the top honor in British pop music.

No foolin.'