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Fiestas Patrias
People from Latin America love to party.
From Mexican tamales to pizza from Argentina, food is crucial in the holiday mix, as is dance, whether it’s salsa, samba or merengue. The moves and beats differ, but they always create a purely Latin rhythm.
Taste, feel and see the action at Fiestas Patrias, a celebration of Latin America’s Independence Day at the Puyallup Fair.
[Puyallup Fair, Sunday, Sept. 14, noon to 9 p.m., $8-$10, Ninth and Meridian, Puyallup, 253.841.5045]

Maritime Fest
Tacoma continues to explore its maritime heritage with the return of the Commencement Bay Maritime Fest. Also back for a return engagement is the festival’s art show, featuring paintings, drawings, sculpture and photographs on Northwest maritime themes.
This year’s art show premiered Aug. 14 and continues through the main festival dates along Foss Waterway through today. There are 93 individual pieces on display for the show, most of which are for sale, and some of which were awarded prizes. In all, $800 was awarded to the winning artists.
[Maritime Fest, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., South Fourth and Dock St. on the Foss Waterway, and the Foss Waterway Seaport, 705 Dock St., Tacoma, 253.318.2210]

Lucky Stiff
Lakewood Playhouse opened its 70th season with a sidesplitter of a show that can best be described as Weekend at Bernie's and Casablanca with a little bit of music and gambling thrown into the mix. Lucky Stiff, by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, is a gasser.
[Lakewood Playhouse, through Oct. 5, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $21-$24, pay-what-you-can Sept. 11 at 8 p.m., actor benefit matinee Oct. 4 at 2 p.m., 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd. S.W., Lakewood Towne Center off exit 125, Lakewood, 253.588.0042]

LINK: ViVA South Sound arts and entertainment calendar