OLYMPIA ARTS WALK, FALL EDITION >>>

People will react to a man in a pink dress carrying a boombox down Washington Street in three ways. Some will pretend it's something they're used to seeing. Others will laugh. But most will just smile nervously, as if they suspect they're being surveilled.

I laughed.

I also laughed at the robot costume and the dude pulling a wagon of banjos for sale.

Wandering poet Seamus Navarro walked into my personal space and asked me if he could read a poem to me. After choosing "light" from his menu of choices, he recited "Big Sur At Sunset" from memory - what seemed to be three inches from my face. Afterward, he mentioned something about heading to California and then disappeared.

Seamas Navarro

The above experiences happened Friday night during the twice-annual Olympia Arts Walk. The city closed off Washington and Legion streets allowing folks to walk, bike, skateboard and in some cases wobble their way around street art and performances, while darting into galleries and businesses. The entire downtown core participated in the night of music and arts that included bands in alleys, balconies and doorways. 

I hung out at the Olympia Folk Fest and Art Show inside The Loft on Cherry. As I sipped IPAs below blue Tivoli lights folk artists Mudcat, Abby Blue and the Outskirts and others performed before a diverse, rotating crowd. It's a cool space.

Abby Blue and the Outskirts

While the crowd seemed smaller this year, and less music on the streets, it's still one of the best times in the South Sound.

LINK: More photos in our Photo Hot Spot