THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>
WEATHER REPORTFriday: Rain likely, hi 56, lo 50
Saturday: Cloudy, hi 61, lo 49
Sunday: Rain, hi 58, lo 48
>>> OCT. 7-8: OLYMPIA FALL ARTS WALK
Olympia's Arts Walk happens twice a year, but the fall edition has always been the little sister, bundled up and toting her umbrella, not as glamorous as spring's costumed, sandaled walk. This time around, though, the autumn version of Arts Walk has grown to two days. Waterproof gear is still a good precaution, but there's twice as much time to see the art. There are also more businesses participating (106 compared to last fall's 101) and performances happening both days. Besides visual art, music, dance and street performance, Arts Walk offers the chance to see and be seen. And many participating businesses offer snacks, desserts and even wine. (That's not listed in the guide, though; think of it as a scavenger hunt of sorts.) Click here to discover some of the outrageous offerings. - MG
>>> OCT. 7-9: OKTOBERFEST NORTHWEST
You totally need more excuses to drink beer. That gut and that child support payment shouldn't stop you now. This weekend in Puyallup, slurp down all the brew you can stomach at the 7th annual Oktoberfest Northwest. In addition to the obvious beer, expect tons of food (read: brats, pretzels) and tons of authentic entertainment (read: polka). Still not sold? Did we mention the Hammerschlagen? The wiener dog races? The hats?
>>> OCT. 7-9: CELEBRATION OF WESTERN & WILDLIFE ART
Wait just a freakin' second! You mean to tell us Oktoberfest Northwest AND the Fred Oldfield (his name LITERALLY has the world "old" right in it)-powered Celebration of Western & Wildlife Art Show and Sale will both be at the Puyallup Fairgrounds this weekend? Simultaneously? Like, right next to one another? Jesus. This is almost too good to be true. Oldfield's Celebration of Western & Wildlife Art Show and Sale includes auctions, free wine and cheese for all, the Rainier 2 Cylinder Tractor Club and more paintings of cattle and horses than you can shake a stick at. And don't sleep on "pioneer spinning" with Mickey Pederson.
>>> OCT. 8-9: FALL FREE FOR ALL
As the old proverb suggest, the only thing better than a community arts festival boasting more than 75 awesome events and activities for the entire family is a completely FREE community arts festival boasting more than 75 awesome events and activities for the entire family. Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner. This weekend's Fall Free For All offers all of the above and the proverbial bag of chips. If you have yet to introduce yourself with Tacoma's awesome Theatre District, now's your chance. Wristbands, free but required for entry to Fall Free For All events, are available through the Broadway Center's box office by calling 253.591.5894. Be sure to check out the performance by Drew Grow and The Pastors Wives Saturday night. Find all the info you need right here.
>>> OCT. 8: REBECCA HOWARD MURAL CELEBRATION
If you've been kicking around downtown Olympia lately you've no doubt been impressed by the Rebecca Howard Mural taking shape on the side of the Bread Peddler. Howard is credited as one of Olympia's very first business women, in the 1860s. She was also African American. Howard was the owner, cook and manager of the Pacific House, described by historians as a popular restaurant and hotel back in Olympia's early heyday. This year the Olympia Downtown Association and the Olympia Heritage Commission, along with historians Shanna Stevenson and Lynn Erickson, have made it their duty to make Howard's story more well-known. The mural, brought to life by local sign-master Ira Coyne and fellow artists Vince Ryland, Arthur Crews, Sara Calland, and Christopher Ross, is all part of that plan. Saturday, from 10 a.m. - noon the Rebecca Howard Mural will be celebrated. Get in on that action.
>>> OCT. 8: TACOMA MURALS PROJECT DEDICATION & BBQ
Speaking of murals, the Tacoma Murals Project will dedicate and celebrate this year's additions Saturday at Bergerson Terrace, the site of one of this year's coolest new pieces of community art. Part of Tacoma's Safe and Clean effort, and an initiative of the Graffiti Reduction Through Community Based Art team associated with Safe and Clean, the Tacoma Murals Project bills itself as an effort that, "joins artists and communities through the collaborative process of mural-making to create powerful artworks that can transform public spaces, neighborhood identities, and individual lives." So far, so true. Saturday's event will include City of Tacoma Arts Jedi Amy McBride, Michael Power from the Tacoma Housing Authority and a whole slew of artists. Plus, you can get up close and personal with the new Bergerson Terrace mural - which is pretty sweet.
>>> OCT. 8: HELLA EFFICIENT LIGHTBULBS
We know our demographic. We know the masses reading this are going to get a huge charge to learn Tacoma Power will be throwing three upcoming events designed to promote energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (yay!), including exchanging CFL light bulbs for old, non-energy efficient bulbs (double yay!). Saturday at Home Depot on Tacoma Mall Blvd. Tacoma Power will throw the first such event, offering attendees the ability to exchange up to five incandescent bulbs for life CFLs, buy qualified CFLs and get one free (up to 10) and enjoy "fun activities related to energy-efficient lighting." Future events will be held Oct. 15 at the Home Depot on Center Street in Tacoma, and Nov. 5 at the Lowe's on Orchard Street in Tacoma.
>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING
ALEC CLAYTON Visual Arts Critic
My most excellent plans are to go to Pugstock Saturday night. That's a benefit party/performance for Oly actor/director Pug Bujold. And Sunday is the candidate forum at PFLAG-Olympia where we get to hear all of the political candidates tell us why we should vote for them.
BRETT CIHON Meat Market Correspondent/Features Writer
I continue my string of atypical meat markets this weekend with a stop at 1022 South. I love the change of scenery, but wonder if I'm starting to get dance floor withdrawals.
NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
My weekend prediction: I will be relishing in the fact that I was drawn onstage at the Emerald Queen Casino for a chance to audition for Wheel of Fortune. I will have kicked everybody's ass during the practice round, guessing the correct phrase after only two letters. There will then be copious amounts of bragging to friends about how I'm flying to LA to meet Vanna White and win tens of thousands of dollars. *Sigh* I hope it comes true...
CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
We're attending a benefit for a friend and writing thank you cards for our recent wedding celebration. My wife has Monday off (banker's hours), so I might even find time to make out with her.
REV. ADAM MCKINNEY: Music Writer
Friday, I'll be attending Basemint's first show in quite a while. But earlier that day, I'll be helping to make a ridiculous amount of pretzels for my Saturday activity, Maltoberfest.
JOANN VARNELL: Theater Critic
It is the Fall Free for All and I have procurred wrist bands for myself and my little son and some excellent friends. The husband is running sound and performing Saturday at 9:30 with Tad Monroe. I *might* be performing with my husband and Tad but I am mostly excited for Kellie Schaeffer and Drew Grow! Hurray for Portlanders who are practically Tacomans!!
JENNIFER JOHNSON: Food & Lifestyles Writer
Kayaking Friday if the weather takes a startling turn for the warmer. In reality, going to all of the downtown museums, having lunch at Pacific Grill, and then hitting the conservatory at Wright Park with visiting family members. Saturday I'll take the sisters to hot yoga at Expand Yoga and then have a Pampered Chef luncheon party. In the evening I'm heading to Gig Harbor for dinner at JW Restaurant. Sunday- church, family time, Pt Defiance Zoo. Somewhere in there I will do a week's worth of math homework, write a paper on Hamlet and one on the possible parallels between today's social and governmental climate and post-revolutionary colonial days in America.
STEPH DEROSA: Person, Place or Thing Corespondent
As you read this, my beloved 10-month-old Boxer puppy will be having surgery to repair his broken femur. Unfortunately this surgery requires pins, screws and steel rods and costs a few thousand dollars. In order to pay for this surgery, this weekend I will be panhandling on various Tacoma street corners. In my spare time I plan to possibly hang out with Melanie Rushforth and take in a few parties. I hear the DyDD Trampires have already begun the jello shots and melanie has found the perfect push-up bra.
STEVE DUNKELBERGER Meat Market Photographer
The boss has me shooting the Tacoma Film Fest Thursday, MaltoberFest at the Java Jive Saturday, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame action on Sunday.
