SATURDAY, SEPT. 10, 2011 >>>

1. Country music, mechanical bull, and clear skies will provide the backdrop for dance fanatics beginning at 5 p.m. in the parking lot behind Big Whisky Saloon. By our count this is the fourth time the downtown Tacoma country-western themed club has hosted a massive party in its parking lot - although it has removed "Redneck" from the title. Anyway, the 100.7 FM The Wolf-sponsored party will feature live music from Jonathan Harris and Robbie Walden & The Gunslingers, and outdoor dance floor, drinks, horseshoe pits, barbecue and the said "Bubba the Mechanical Bull."

2. Bike or drive through 20 community gardens of Tacoma to watch gardeners harvest, and learn about sustainable and local food practices from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will also be community information booths, a free raffle for all attendees and giveaways at Franklin Garden (where tour begins and ends) at South 15^th Street and Puget Sound Avenue. This event is free.

3. What better way to take in the essence of Olympia than to take a walking tour of the downtown waterfront. The boats, saltwater, gentle breeze and awesome public art all lend to a leisurely and interesting walk along the harbor. Sponsored by Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation and the Olympia Arts Commission, a free guided tour of Olympia's public art along the waterfront begins at 11 a.m. by the mural of the big wave at 4th Avenue and Water Street.  

4. Using experimental printmaking, mixed media and sculpture, Allison Hyde's work seeks to capture and explore ephemeral moments, and the notion of emotional loss associated with personal pasts. By splitting video sequences into still photos and recreating the images via printmaking she examines the subtleties of fleeting moments and the nostalgia associated with recollection of the past. Hyde's work is on display at the Telephone Room Gallery, which hosts an artists reception tonight from 6-9 p.m.

5. The Big Wheel Stunt Show All Star Throwdown begins at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier Lounge.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Wine tastings!