THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Partly cloudy, hi 70, lo 54

Saturday: Chance of rain 30 percent, hi 65, lo 54

Sunday: Partly cloudy, hi 67, lo 54

>>> FRIDAY, AUG. 6-SUNDAY, AUG. 8: NORTHWEST STEAM SOCIETY'S ANNUAL MEET

When readers contactthe Weekly Volcano offices, they usually want to know one of two things: 1) Are you, or are you not going to respond to my lawsuit? And 2) When is this year's Northwest Steam Society's Annual Meet? Happily, we now have a definitive answer to the second of these two questions, and the hands-down most fun event of the summer will be happening Aug. 6-8 at the Foss Waterway Seaport. Expect open-to-the-public dockside tours of more than 30 elegant pleasure crafts. Highlights of the event include parades and steamboat races on Thea Foss Waterway as well as displays of world class antique and classic reproductions of launches and tugboats, steam powered autos, and fully restored steam engines of all types. See! So fun!

• Foss Waterway Seaport, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, $2-$5, 705 Dock St., Tacoma, 253.272.2750

>>> FRIDAY, AUG. 6-SATURDAY, AUG. 7: HOTROD-A-RAMA

If little red Porsches are for emasculated middle-aged men and monster trucks are for tattooed mullet-heads in muscle shirts, what rides do cool guys roll in? The answer idles among the cars in the eighth annual Hotrod-A-Rama Friday and Saturday. That's right, see how they made them when they used to make them like they don't make them anymore - traditional hotrods, custom cars, motorcycles and lowriders. As for the tunes - slap, twang and rock and roll baby. Read the full story here.

• The Swiss, 9 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday, 1904 Jefferson Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2821

>>> SATURDAY, AUG. 7: WOOFSTOCK

Warning: Don't take your kids to Woofstock. You will leave with a puppy. Or a kitty. Or a rabbit. Or a godforsaken ferret of some kind. Trust us. Every year the University of Puget Sound, along with lots of help from the Dugan Foundation, puts on Woofstock, an all day free festival dedicated to solid pet ownership, outdoor music, and most importantly getting fuzzy, wuzzy animals adopted and in the arms of new owners. Last year's event resulted in 115 adoptions. This year expect more.

• Todd Field at UPS, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., free, 1500 N. Warner St., Tacoma, 253.572.7700

>>> SATURDAY, AUG. 7-SUNDAY, AUG. 8: IN THE SPIRIT: NATIVE ARTS MARKET AND FESTIVAL

Washington State History Museum and the Longhouse Education and Cultural Center at The Evergreen State College presentIn the Spirit: Native Arts Market and Festival, which should be a fabulous opportunity to buy and see cool stuff.  During the event, festivalgoers can experience a juried art exhibit, arts market, and performances - all in the Native American tradition.  There are artisans, storytellers and musicians, plus a vendor area with goods for sale such as carvings, weavings, engravings, clothing and more.  Allow time to see the museum's regular exhibits as well. 

• Washington State History Museum, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $6-$8, Washington State History Museum, 19th and Pacific Avenue, Tacoma

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

NIKKI TALOTTA Feature Writer
This Friday takes me to Portland where I will be celebrating my last days as a bachelorette! Scavenger hunts, shopping and Japanese gardens during the day, overall debauchery and mayhem by night. (Yes, I do have a pair of panties that say "Bachelorette" in rhinestones across the ass, whether or not I have the balls to flash them is another story.) Saturday I will be recovering and watching the kids while my sweet future hubby does the same, except I'm pretty sure he doesn't have any rhinestone undies. I hope.

THE REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Feature Writer
Friday I plan on getting wasted and watching Doug Stanhope tear down the Jazzbones stage. The rest of the weekend will be more of the same, minus the awesome comedy.

I'm quite convinced that while Hershey chocolate bars might be the traditional s'more choice, there is a better, softer alternative out there.  As much as I'd love to purchase and sample every candy choice available at the local 7-11, I choose to hide away in my secret laboratory this weekend developing the next best candy bar that will appropriately melt on a freshly-made s'more.  Then Sunday I will leave for Lake Chelan with some friends.

KRIS BLONDIN Food/Wine Writer
Friday night, a new hair color is on the agenda at Azarra Salon and Wine Shop. On Saturday I am pushing my favorite wine and cheese pairings in a seminar at the Gig Harbor Food and Wine Festival. Sunday, since the weather plans to suck, I plan to hold up in my basement and watch the entire DVD series of Strangers With Candy.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
I'm seeing Laramie: Ten Years Later at SPSCC, then wishing two very good actors a fond farewell to New York.  I'll probably cook a birthday dinner for my future mother-in-law.  What, is that not edgy enough for you, Weekly Volcano? You hipsters make me sad. Look, I partied with Ice-T. I'm somebody, damnit!

ALEC CLAYTON: Visual Arts Critic
Aw hell, nobody wants to know what I'm doing this weekend. But since you asked, I'm going to the PFLAG picnic in Priest Point Park in Oly.

JENNIFER JOHNSON: Lifestyles Writer
Friends' weddings, Hotrod-a-rama. Woo hoo!

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound