FRIDAY, AUG. 5, 2011 >>>

1. Is there really a better way to get your weekend started than by catching Big Wheel Stunt Show and James Coates at Jazzbones? The answer is no.

2. In Olympia, the Jacob Merlin Band takes its crack at Music In the Park. The free, all ages tunes start at 7 p.m.

3. Grunge is part of history now. This explains the Experience Music Project's current exhibit, Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses - which includesartifacts and videos from the era and movement. Along with the EMP exhibit comes a visual history book, Taking Punk to the Masses: From Nowhere to Nevermind. Jacob McMurray, EMP's senior curator, will be at the Olympia Timberland Library today to talk about the book, which includes images and stories by such musical icons as Henry Rollins, Mark Mothersbaugh and Olympia's own Calvin Johnson.

4. Check out Toy Boat Theatre on Hilltop tonight, as Dakota's Belly, Wyoming opens at 8 p.m. Read Christian Carvajal's article on Toy Boat Theatre here.

5. SALT Records has a similar model as Dear Records, even going so far as to feature some Dear Records alums on their compilations, such as Paul Dally, Dylan Treleven and I Low. The songs are still mostly homespun and lo-fi, which was often a staple of Dear Records. But SALT Records are far from copycats. SALT Records features more upbeat pop, when they're not devoting time to droning electronica. Tonight's show at The Space, in conjunction with the Warehouse, will feature performances from some artists of the SALT Records roster, in addition to a performance from Drew Grow, of the Pastors' Wives. Read the full story here.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight!