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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Partly cloudy, hi 85, lo 56

Saturday: Sunny and clear, hi 90, lo 58

Sunday: Sunny and clear, hi 92, lo 58

>>> FRIDAY, AUG. 13: HATS AND HEELS

The award-winning horse with a heart of gold Seabiscuit might be glue right now, but many racing horses are still alive and well and periodically doing their hoofing thing around dirt tracks to score some coin and a bag of oats. King County's Emerald Downs in Auburn really tries to offer something for all folks whether or not they have nicknames like Jimmy the Fish, Bobby the Lobster or Harry the Horse. Sure, there's still betting, boozing and guys named Sal offering "can't lose" picks of the day, but there are also lighter events, such as Hats And Heels this Friday. Back in the day, ladies of elegance attended the races strutting their latest fashions, including those trademark hats. Times have changed, and so has fashion, but this long-standing tradition has not. Dust off your hats, put on those heels and head to Emerald Downs. 

• Emerald Downs, 5 p.m., $30 includes glass of wine, shopping opportunities, race program, light buffet and more, 2300 Emerald Downs Dr., Auburn, 253.288.7700
  

>>> SATURDAY, AUG. 14: REDNECK PARKING LOT PARTY PART II

The last time Tacoma's newest and most energized country bar, Big Whisky Saloon, held a 100.7 FM The Wolf-hosted "Redneck Parking Lot Party" more than 800 people showed up to suck up live country music, dance on the outdoor dance floor, drink cold beer, eat barbecue and ride "Bubba the Mechanical Bull." That's redneck success, and exactly why this Saturday the Big Whisky is holding the Redneck Parking Lot Party Part II featuring Robbie Walden & The Gunslingers and others.

• Big Whisky Saloon, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., free before 6 p.m., $10 after, 100 S. Ninth St., Tacoma, 253.272.0777

>>> SUNDAY, AUG. 15: ART IN THE PARK

Ever wonder what Music and Art in Wright Park might look like without the rock? Well, there's a good example at Monarch Sculpture Park this week. The Art in the Park open house will open a retrospective exhibit of paintings, prints and sculptures by Valentine Welman, who had a long and somewhat well-known career at the University of Washington teaching painting, printmaking and sculpting. It's art. But not rock.

• Monarch Sculpture Park, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., $5 per person 12 and older, 8431 Waldrick Road SE, Olympia, monarchartcenter.org

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

MATT DRISCOLL Editor and former Axe Deodorant Body Spray model
You know, it's funny. As a married dude with a young kid, I've spent plenty of hours over the years daydreaming about my bachelor days gone by. I've been known to long for an opportunity to fall asleep on the couch midday with one hand in a bag of Cheetos and another in the waistband of my sweats, if only because my "grown-up" life never allows such unshaven indulgences. However, with my wife and kid out of town for two whole weeks, and faced with the opportunity to be as slovenly and dudely as I damn well please, it hasn't been as awesome as I expected. It's actually kind of lonely. Anyway, this weekend - despite the fact it wont feel as good as I imagined it would - I'll probably still find the time to smoke several herbal jazz cigarettes and settle down in front of the tube with a gallon jug full of Captain Crunch to watch ridiculous apocalypse-themed shows on the History Channel - just like the good ol' days.

Either that or I'll go to Westport - because everyone's doin' it.

NIKKI TALOTTA Feature Writer
This weekend: Work. Sleep. Work. Sleep. And still in recovery from bachelorette party in Portland. No, I didn't end up flashing my panties, but there was an episode involving handcuffs. ...

STEPH DEROSA Columnist
This weekend is my second annual girl's weekend in Westport, Wash.  This year I'm relaxing with my favorite Weekly Volcano cronies - Kate Swarner, Kris Blondin, Jennifer Johnson, and of course ... Bandito Betty. Don't try to call or write, for we will all be OFF THE GRID.

KRIS BLONDIN Food/Wine Writer
Hanging with The Volcano chickies at DeRosa Manor Part Deux in Westport. Wine, women and food. Oh, the food. If only YOU could be a fly on the wall. ...

JENNIFER JOHNSON: Lifestyle/Leisure Writer
Friday birthday party for awesome boyfriend DJ Bilori who's spinning at Laura's Bayview Bar & Grill at 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday I'm off to a fabulous Westport weekend!

JOE IZENMAN Music/Theater Critic
I didn't get invited to DeRosa's beach cabin, but I didn't want to hang out with them anyway. Instead I shall bask in the glorious tap list of The Red Hot's third birthday extravaganza — I've been to all their birthdays, including their zeroth, so surely I won't miss this one — and then rolling off to sunny Cle Elum for a weeklong Dungeons & Dragons vacation. Yes, really.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Features Writer
Saturday, I plan on catching some manly bands in the name of supporting Music & Arts in Wright Park. The Speans and C.F.A. will break my eardrums, and Basemint will continue to be awesome and handsome.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
My girlfriend roped me into a Ballroom Blitz fundraiser even though I aspire to the dancing skills of an Elaine Benes. I'm also hoping to squeeze in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and The Expendables, the manliest manly movie ever manly made.

ALEC CLAYTON: Visual Arts Critic
On Friday I'm having cataract surgery. Saturday I would like to test my new and improved eyesight by looking at a whole lot of beautiful people without their clothes.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound