OWEN TAYLOR: TIME TO HELP OUT AN OLD FRIEND >>>

Crisco, Olympia's hottest and nastiest freak-a-thon will play host to a benefit for the Reef tonight at the Royal Lounge. On Nov 12, a kitchen fire stopped the Reef dead in its tracks, forcing nearly 30 people out of jobs in the already dreary employment scene that is downtown Olympia. The benefit is a chance for the denizens of Olympia to pay a $2 cover that will directly benefit the workers and restaurant by helping get it up and running as soon as possible - so downtown late-nighters will have someplace to get cheese fries after the bars close. On the wheels of steel will be master of ceremony and resident Dance Attack!! Come support those who have supported your need for a double decker burger and a Bloody Mary at 8 a.m. by getting down and dirty at what will surely be the biggest pre-New Year's dance party in downtown Olympia.

[The Royal Lounge, 10 p.m. $2 donation to the Reef, 311 Capital Way. N., 360.705.0760]