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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Partly sunny, possible showers hi 61, lo 49

Saturday: Partly sunny, hi 66, lo 48

Sunday: Partly sunny, hi 70, lo 53

>>> FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JUNE 24-26: Taste of Tacoma

For more than 26 years, the infamous Taste of Tacoma - a three-day, food-focused festival in Point Defiance Park -- has offered live music, entertainment, craft booths, exhibits and more. The long stretch of food booths - Gluttony Row - is the source of both excitement and financial woe. And sometimes heartburn. And, almost always, at least one elepehant ear.

• Point Defiance Park, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday, admission is free, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma, tasteoftacoma.com

>>> SATURDAY, JUNE 25: Tacoma Urban Chicken Coop Tour

Honestly, you know your city is coming up in the world when you have an urban chicken coop tour. Yes, an urban chicken coop tour - here in Tacoma. It's happening Saturday, and no, we're not pulling your leg. People actually raise chickens at their house, mainly for the eggs - though sometimes there's a hair of companionship too. We first wrote about urban chicken farming last year, and it's only blown up since then. Saturday's coop tour, which is organized by GardenSphere in the North End, will include eight coops according to the website. Maps can be picked up at GardenSphere through Saturday, and the tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Tacoma Urban Chicken Coop Tour, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., maps available at GardenSphere - 3310 N. Proctor St., 253.7617936

>>> SATURDAY, JUNE 25: DYDD Championship Bout

You've waited all season. Screamed in excitement. Winced in empathy. Cheered with vigor. And it all comes down to this. The Dockyard Derby Dames hold their championship bout Saturday afternoon at the Foss Waterway Seaport building. The festivities will match the Femme Fianna and Marauding Molly's in what's described as  the "ultimate grudge match,´ before the Trampires and Hellbound Homewreckers do battle for the league crown. Hype says it's going to be "epic," and we can't see how that could not be accurate.

• Foss Waterway Seaport, 6 p.m., $12, 705 Dock Street, Tacoma

>>> SATURDAY - SUNDAY, JUNE 25-26: Urban Art Festival

The Urban Art Festival is a grassroots festival at its best - a little bit of every kind of art (including some varieties not always recognized as art) all dumped into one public park, then shaken, not stirred, with lots of music and other cool stuff. Now in its seventh year, the Urban Art Festival has expanded to two full days, and will take place June 25 and 26 along Thea Foss Waterway.

• Thea Foss Waterway, from the Museum of Glass at 1801 Dock St.,to beyond the 21st Street Bridge, Tacoma, tacomaurbanart.com

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
This weekend marks my official shift change at the bar, meaning this Saturday will be my last Saturday night! The bar is hosting an after bout party for roller derby ladies  - so it should be a blast. A good friend is visiting this weekend as well, so I look forward to catching up with her. And Netflix just sent me the next season of Weeds, so I'll get my boob tube fix as well. Good times all around.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
We're celebrating my father-in-law's 60th birthday with mounds of delicious dead cow, and I'll be up to my forebrain in Mamet memorization. I also need to finish unpacking so I can move my "office" off our kitchen table.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY: Music & Film Writer
On the forefront of my mind will be dodging my friend who recently came down with a typically disgusting case of scabies (ach!). As part of my plan to come nowhere near contact with her, I will be escaping to the New Frontier on Friday for the Dignitaries, and I will be on hand at Dorky's on Saturday for their first ever show--featuring Red Hex, Si Si Si, and the dorkiest band in town, the Cutwinkles.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
Friday night will be the last night in TX so I'll be soaking up the heat and packing for my Saturday flight. Saturday morning, my parents will drive my friend Casie, my little son and I to my brother's house for a family meal before we Tacomans head to the airport. Sunday will be a day of rest with my grad school husband.

ALEC CLAYTON Visual Arts Critic
Having dinner with two of the hottest musical theater stars in the South Sound, Matt Posner and Alison Monda.

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JENNIFER JOHNSON Food and Lifestyles Writer 
Exploring the booming metropolis of Lacey Friday evening followed by dancing. Saturday I'm attending a church brunch followed by Urban Arts Fest and a stop in at Pacific Grill. After church services Sunday, I'll drop in at Metronome to see SONS play at 8 p.m.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Meat Market Photographer
I'm in North Dakota. For reals.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

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