Olympia Film Society is a precious commodity in the Olympia community. OFS and The Capitol Theater have hosted a variety of awesome events, many of them annually. Night of the Living Tribute Bands is one such fine event, and this year's Olympia Halloween tradition comes shortly after OFS' purchase of the Capitol Theater (Yay!). If you haven't paid your local theater homage yet, now is a perfect time to do it.

On one stage, for one night only, thrill-seekers and music-lovers can see Pat Benatar, Dinosaur Jr, L7, Patti Smith, Iron Maiden, Heart and Aerosmith!  All performed by local rockers. 

This Hallow's Eve will be one to celebrate.

Ryan Von Bargen, (Chief, Fitz of Depression) will be playing the keyboardist for Heart.

"It's been fun. We have some dancers that are really cool; it's choreographed just like the videos," he says.

Night of the Living... just keeps getting cooler. Since its infancy in 1999, many resurrections have been made, from C-Average covering The Who to riot grrls from Sleater Kinney, Two Ton Boa, and The Need channeling The Go-Go's.

Ingrid Renan, (who also played bass for The Go-Go's tribute that fateful year) started Night of the Living. And like most things magical and musical in Olympia, there was no defining moment to the genius idea. It just kinda happened.

"I don't really remember how it happened," confesses Renan, who was working on a committee to save Capitol Backstage at the time, booking shows and acting as house manager.

"I think it was based around C-Average covering the Who," she says. "The next year artist Tae Wan Yu created a flyer and coined the term ‘Night of the Living Tribute Bands."

Since then, management has changed hands and the Capitol Theater has evolved. But the local bad-asses who love having fun and rocking out continue to provide a night of enjoyment every Halloween season.

Hosted by President Richard Nixon, this year's show also includes raffles and the obligator 21+ beer garden. Come in costume for a discount and the opportunity to win a cool prize.

[Capitol Theater, Night of The Living Tribute Bands, Saturday, Oct 30, 8 p.m., $5 w/costume, $8 w/out, all ages plus 21+ beer garden, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia, 360.754.6670]