FRIDAY, SEPT. 30, 2011 >>>
1. At 7 p.m. the last all-ages Free Ya Mind open mic at Tully's on Broadway in downtown Tacoma will go down. This open mic, run by Stella Haioulani of Free Ya Mind Inc., has been a fixture in the city since 2001. Everyone from General Wojack to Tacoma Poet Laureate Antonio Edwards caught wreck at this open mic. It's also where Weekly Volcano columnist Josh Rizeberg started doing his thing - even hosting it for two years during its 10-year run. According to Haioulani, Tully's management has decided to end the open mic.
2. Beginning at noon, Downtown On the Go will host its fall walking series. Back by popular demand, the walk events encourage downtown employees and residents to walk at work, get out and see Tacoma. The series of five walks, which follow each of the Downtown On the Go walking maps, will take place Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. No RSVP necessary, simply meet near the Wright Park white lions on Sixth Avenue for a walk with Metro Park's Melissa McGinnis, Historic & Cultural Resources manager, along the Wright Park to Stadium District.
3. Join the Olympia Poetry Network for special night of poetry, from some of Olympia's most dearly loved female poets, including Kathleen Byrd, Terri Cohlene, Chris Dahl, Jeanne Gordner, Jeanne Lohmann, Lucia Perillo, Cynthia Pratt, Linda Strever, Gaia Thomas, Emily Van Kley, Gail Ramsey Wharton and Willow Wicklund, with music from Amy Thomas. "The "Godiva Speaks: A Celebration of Women Poets in Olympia" runs from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Art Kitchen in Olympia.
4. While the name Lorna Luft may not instantaneously ring a bell, mention of Luft's mother, Judy Garland, always will. Garland was the ultimate legend, and to this day's fans of her work still fill the world. At 7:30 p.m., Luft - who made her television debut on her mother's Judy Garland Show at the ripe-old age of 11 - will be at the Washington Center performing, Songs My Mother Taught Me, an ode Variety called, "a rousing, dramatically riveting musical event."
5. South Sound's mad horn-blower Randy Oxford and his gang of bluesy merrymakers will tear the house down (in this case, Jazzbones - and not literally) while you shake whatever it is you have to shake on the dance floor from 8-10 p.m. The reason? - as if you need one: The Randy Oxford Band is celebrating the release of its new CD, Festival. Expect door prizes and special guests.
LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound