MusicfestNW reports: We are proud to have Dead Moon playing MusicfestNW on Sept. 9 at Dante’s with The Fireballs of Freedom, I Can Lick Any Sob, The Divining Rods, and Legend of Dutch Savage. Dead Moon will be be putting out a double cd on Sub Pop in September called Echoes of The Past. Full story here.
For more information on the Portland music festival, chech it here. â€" Brad Allen

The new Sixth Avenue Art Gallery folks were thrilled with their opening night drawing in more than 300 people including, in their words, two past chairs and the current chair of the Tacoma Art Commission, a past city council member, four representatives from the press and other art lovers.  They are open this coming Friday and Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. They wait at 2610-B Sixth Ave., Tacoma.  For more information, call (253) 627-9983. â€" Suzy Stump

If you are anything like us, then "free" always gets your attention. Texas Hold'em is free at the Thunderbird Trading Post at 72nd and Waller Mondays and Tuesdays. Two games each night at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.  You can earn your way into the big tournament in Vegas. 
Saturday, July 29, Thunderbird's next door neighbor, the Aficionado Cigar Lounge, hosts a cigar party with free refreshments and prizes from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. â€" Michael Swan

Notorious for not playing gigs around Seattle in the early '90s yet tagged with the "Seattle band" label after Madonna's Maverick label picked them up, Candlebox will take to the stage for the first time in nearly 10 years with a show at the Showbox Sept. 28.  The original lineup â€" Peter Klett, Bardi Martin, Scott Mercado and Kevin Martin â€" have reunited and are embarking on a three-month tour of the United States. Tickets are $25 and go on sale Friday, July 28, 10 a.m. at TicketsWest outlets, House of Blues, all TicketsWest outlets, including Rudy’s Barbershops and select QFC Food Centers, or charge by phone at (800) 992-TIXX [8499]. â€" Brad Allen

The Rolling Stones announced today new North American dates for their "Bigger Bang" tour that will include a stop at Seattle's Qwest Field on Oct. 17, 2006.  For more details, check it here. â€" Brad Allen

While you were signing up this guy for the World's Dumbest Guy, Dawson Tavern (5443 S. Tacoma Way) in Tacoma announced a minor name change.  Starting soon, they'll become Dawson Bar & Grill. â€" Brad Allen

Those who have abandoned their cars in protest of gas prices have options.  Those living near Ralph's Bayview Thriftway on Fourth Avenue can get rides to the Olympia Co-Op through the Plan B organization, Thursdays from 5-7 p.m.  Email Plab B Carpool for more information. â€" Michael Swan

On "Animal Planet, Steilacoom," a group of 34 pond turtles with tiny radio transmitters glued to their shells will be released into the wild from Steilacoom on Friday.  The 10-month-old hatchlings are being reintroduced into the wild as part of a study and collaboration between Woodland Park Zoo, Oregon Zoo, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  It's all in an effort to prevent the species’ extinction.  For the full story, check out the Woodland Park Zoo's Web site. â€" Ken Swarner

Another mannequin went missing from the shops on Capitol Way in Olympia.
Archibald Sisters (406 Captiol Way, in Olympia, (360) 943-2707) had a super-duper upside down display window, featuring a mannequin, a chair, a lamp, and “Buff” fragrance for men. 
The chair, lamp, and “Buff” poster remain, but notably absent is the figure in the chair.
But don't be concerned: the figure was not stolen, as were several mannequins from an as-yet-unopened neighboring shop-front (see related story here); rather, that figure is art, and part of "Here Today Temporary Public Art Project."
The mannequin's presence now haunts the DASH (the free shuttle bus that runs from the Capitol Campus to the Farmer's Market)
Created by Diane Kurzyna as part of “Ephemeral Folks,” the figure on the bus is made from unwanted plastic wrap, used bubble wrap, and tape, to remind viewers (and inter-actors?) that sometimes the mundane can be sublime.
Other pieces in the "Here Today" project include “Home-Through Our Eyes,” a series of homeless peoples' images and writings attached to life-sized wooden silhouettes, as well as “Coexistence: Kyo Zon” a series of scrolls emerging from garden soil, and “A Continuous Line Thorough Rock Garden” which, to my eyes, appeared to be a kid's prank, but is actually a “living line pattern emerging from the rocks” inspired by continuous line and knot patterns found in world cultures.
Many of the artists will talk about their works at the Olympia Timberland Library, 313 8th Ave SE on Tuesday, August 1, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler 

The Ice Bar parties at the Blue Olive in Tacoma were so loud that the condo residents upstairs complained, thus ending the fun.  Haters.  Don't despair.  These "parties of the gods" have found a new name and home at Syren Lounge (1117 S. Tacoma Ave., downtown Tacoma).  Now dubbed "Allure," the party goes all evening long beginning Thursday night with drink specials and the ladies free until 10 p.m.  â€" Suzy Stump