SATURDAY, AUG. 28, 2010 >>>
1. When it started in 2003 it was simply the Olympia Hempfest. Now, it's known as the Olympia Hemp, Love & Freedom Rally - a sign of progress, no doubt. According to hype, the new, improved Hemp, Love & Freedom Rally will be "striving to break down the barriers and remind people about our heritage and our responsibility to come together and be active citizens." Clinton Fearon, Tuff Lion and others will be there to jam on it. It runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Heritage Park.
2. Has there ever been a doubt Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway knows how to party? Of course not. Why would there be? BNSF-Tacoma will prove it with the much anticipated "Family and Community Day" - this year at Titlow Park from noon to 5 p.m. Officials say to expect plenty of food, games, "inflatables," giveaways and music - brought to you by none other than Tacoma's Apache Chief, an editor's pick for Best Young Band in this year's Weekly Volcano Best of Tacoma issue.
3. ArtPlus hosts an artist reception for Linda Solomon and Nancy Thompson at 2 p.m. inside the GreenSpot Tea House & Art Gallery in University Place.
4. Metro Parks is all about thinking outside the box, so when the tidal wave of creativity and inspiration flowed over them and created the summer long "Sounds + Cinema" franchise, which has paired musical offerings with outdoor showings of movies that don't feature Mel Gibson, it really came as no surprise. Beginning at 7 p.m., Metro Parks will rap up this year's Sounds + Cinema series at Vassault Park with a concert featuring jazz man Michael Powers, followed by a special screening of Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince. This one's going to make us nostalgic. The nice thing about Harry Potter was he wasn't a vampire and rarely took his shirt off. Those were the days.
5. The Legend of Bigfoot, Valis, Big Wheel Stunt Show, Blanco Bronco and Bandolier play an 8 p.m. show at Hell's Kitchen.