[HIP-HOP] + FRI-SAT

One way to get some sun and stay cool with the hip-hop club closures in the Olympia-area is to participate in the Park Daze Concert Series at The Artesian Well Park in downtown Olympia - series sponsored by the city of Olympia, Barb's Famous BBQ, Hip-Hop 4 The Homeless, KAOS 89.3 FM & Crowd Control Enterprises. Held every Friday night and Saturday at noon at the newly renovated Artesian Well (parking lot across the street from the now defunct Jezebels), the open-air street park will feature VintageDOPE, The Zulu Nation, Hook Heavy, Garcia Entertainment, UltraMEGA, DJ Slimrock and others. The park has mostly been idle, but a purpose has been found. {JOSE GUTIERREZ}

PARK DAZE CONCERT SERIES, 6-10 p.m. Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, all ages, The Artesian Well & Commons, 415 Fourth Ave., Olympia, no cover

[SOUL RAP] + SAT, AUG. 23

Here's a striking bit of weirdness. Garlic Man and CHIKN are a rap collective, made up of two women who are not afraid of exposing every nook and cranny of their oddest and sometimes most off-putting ideas. From the bracingly upfront sexuality of "DTF" to "Watch You"'s creepy ode to the joys of watching people behind windows when they're putting on their makeup, Garlic Man and CHIKN compose a relentless blast of pure id. All of this wouldn't matter, though, if they didn't bring it with their soulful vocals and distinct ways of approaching artistic expression. The Olympia duo's blend of gonzo rap and smooth R&B combine for their song "Clipper for Breakfast," which uses the sounds of eating at the China Clipper to approximate a beatbox. {REV. ADAM MCKINNEY}

GARLIC MAN AND CHIKN, w/ Kizmet, Fake Sick, 10 p.m., Le Voyeur, 414 ½ E. Fourth Ave., Olympia, no cover

[PUNK] + SAT, AUG. 23

Neutral Boy has been on the scene for years. They're punk rock staples. If you opened a fridge labeled Northwest Punk, Neutral Boy would be in the crisper, right next to the tall boys. Except for a few bands (you know who you are, assholes) and a couple limp burritos, the rest of the fridge would be empty. Neutral Boy's catch phrase is "Ruining Lives Since 1992". That's how much these guys love living their shit-hole dream. South Sound punk rockers are peeing their dirty black skinny jeans, because the Track House, despite rumors, is still having shows, and Neural Boy is going to fill their filthy earholes with tight fast licks and raunchy lyrics. Oh, and if you don't like my preview, and/or you've recently been dumped, Neutral Boy has a few dicks you can cry on. {NIKKI MCCOY}

NEUTRAL BOY, w/Heartless Folk, Satanic Mechanic, 10 p.m., Track House, 511 Seventh Ave., Olympia, $5

[ENDLESS SUMMER PARTY] + THURS, AUG. 28

It's my understanding that some people really like summer. I can't fathom what's wrong with these people, so I'll just have to take their word for it. If you're one of these mixed-up people, it stands to reason that you wouldn't want summer to end so soon (as much as I'd desperately ask for it never to return). So, why not attend a totally rad party at The New Frontier that promises Eternal Summer. No word on whether refunds will be offered in the event that summer should end. In addition to the always welcome beats of Eliot Lipp, there will be cool synths brought by the lovely Lobsana and the incredibly new band Crater. If you can stand dancing in this dumb weather, that is encouraged. If you're like me, though, desperately drinking and fanning yourself is also allowed. {REV. AM}

ENDLESS SUMMER PARTY, w/ Eliot Lipp, Lobsana, Crater, 9 p.m., The New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, $10, $8 if wearing beach attire, 253.572.4020