1. Don't miss the 5th Annual SUN BLOCK PARTY, featuring some of the best beers of the season. Your pass includes lots of great beer and a summer appetizer buffet...plus great prizes! Live band karaoke afterwards.Varsity Grill, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. 1114 Broadway, Tacoma

2. The Evil Dead - 1981 - (85 min, R). Five friends travel to a cabin in the woods, where they unknowingly release flesh-possessing demons. Bringing rare 35mm prints of horror, cult and exploitation films to the Grand monthly! "Grindhouse Theater" is a monthly late night film series presented by The Grand Cinema, hosted by film programmer & projectionist, Justin Giallo. Featuring screenings of horror, cult & exploitation films on rare glorious 35mm prints!9 p.m. Grand Cinema, 606 South Fawcett Avenue, Tacoma

3. Northern is pleased to invite you to the closing reception of "Portraits," a group show featuring an array of local artists, curated by Liliana Hudgens. Show statement provided by the curator: "Portraiture, defined, is an expressed representation of the essence of someone or something. Portraits offer a vivid sense of presence, whether it be person, plant, animal, or inanimate object." Artists were asked to interpret the concept of portraiture and contribute an original work of art. 6 p.m. Northern, 414 1/2 Legion Way, Olympia.

4. LouieFest is an American music festival featuring the prominent contributions to rock and roll by bands and performers, both emerging and established, from the Northwest region. Organized in 2003[1] by John 'Buck' Ormsby and Kent Morrill, founding members of The Wailers, LouieFest is an annual fundraising event for the Wailers Performing Arts Foundation which provides scholarships, instruments, music lessons and mentoring for youth music education. 12 p.m. LeMay, 2702 East D Street, Tacoma

5.Vanguard! plays Le Voyeur with Full Moon Radio and Aranya. Lately, Le Voyeur in Olympia has hosted some killer rock shows. The theme continues tonight with Van Gaurd and guests. Vanguard! has been described as "Olympia metal juggernauts." 10 p.m. 404 4th Ave, Olympia.

Can you tap dance or juggle? Perhaps you have a bizarre talent? Auditions for Lord Franzannian’s Royal Olympian Spectacular Vaudeville Show are coming up.

Auditions for performers will be Sunday, August 19, at 3:00 p.m. and again on Sunday, August 26, at 3:00 p.m. at the The Midnight Sun Performance Space, 113. N. Columbia Street, Olympia. Youth performers should call for an appointment.

The last five years have brought sold-out performances to the well loved show. This year’s presentation should be no different.

“I’m hoping to be turned on to new acts,” says Lord. “If you have weird talents to entertain friends and family, why not perform in the show?”

Previous acts have included chin-balancing feats, comical singing and dancing and burlesque.

“There’s camaraderie among performers and its fast-paced and a lot of fun,” says Lord.

The next Lord Franzanian Vaudeville Show will run for two weekends. It is scheduled for September 21 - 23, and September 28 – 30. All performances will take place at the Midnight Sun Performance Space. Special All-Ages (Youth Audience Show) Sunday, September 30, at 4 p.m.

360.250.2721.

1. Enjoy two full days of music, dance, art, and foods from around the world. Ethnic Fest Features: Fun for Families and Kids; Music and Dance on Two Stages; Good Things to Eat; Arts of the Globe; Resource Booths; Free Click! Movie Under the Stars: The Princess and the Frog (Saturday at dusk). 12 p.m Wright Park, 316 South G Street
Tacoma.

2. Held in the Central Meadow Field. The entire family will be captivated by the amazing kite demonstrations, kite flying and more on this fun-filled day. First 200 kids will be able to make their own kites! Compliements of Pierce County Kite Fliers Association. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Chambers Creek Regional Park, 6320 Grandview Dr W., University Place.

3. Whales in Our Midst. The exhibit focuses on orca populations that inhabit the Greater Puget Sound region and the contiguous international waters shares by Washington and British Columbia. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., State Capitol Museum, 211 21st Ave. S.W., Olympia.

4. The Goodguys will turn the Puyallup Fair & Events Center into Hot Rod Heaven bringing in 2,000+ hot rods, customs, classics & muscle cars thru 1972 vintage. Shop the 100s of vendors & exhibitors, see the model car show, enjoy live entertainment throughout the weekend and watch the Pinstriper’s annual Brush Bash. Be sure to check out the Swap Meet and Cars for Sale Corral. It’s an automotive state fair of excitement with fun for the whole family! 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., 110 Ninth St. SW, Puyallup.

5. The Billy Shew Band has been playing the Northwest music scene for several years and continue to get praise and recognition for their fine work. Billy Shew is an award winning guitarist, songwriter and vocalist who’s talent is beautifully displayed in those guitar solo riffs that blow you away.9 p.m. Rock the Dock Pub and Grill, 535 Dock St., Tacoma.

Downtown Olympia has been bustling with volunteers and city staff as the Port of Olympia prepares for the 2012 Paddle to Squaxin Tribal Canoe Journey.

About 130 boats are expected to arrive around 12 p.m. this Sunday at Port of Olympia’s NorthPoint area. The Squaxin Island Tribe is this year’s official host and will be greeting the thousands of indigenous people paddling hundreds of miles to meet for the “Healing of the Waters” ceremony.

The ceremonies are scheduled between arrival time and 1 p.m., depending on the tides. The NorthPoint area will be open at 10 a.m. for visitors. A week-long celebration and potlatch protocol will follow.

There will be food, information and merchant vendors at the event.            

Tribal Journeys began in 1989, with a paddle to Seattle. Since then, the annual celebration has brought opportunity to share the culture and teachings of tribal ancestors. This is the Squaxin Tribe’s first year hosting.

http://paddletosquaxin2012.org/

1. The final day of Louiefest features the 1000 Guitars Celebration! An invitation for one and all to plug in and play "Louie Louie" in unison. Jam an American classic with original members of The Fabulous Wailers. Outlets are provided for amplifiers and storage provided for gear. More information and instructions to play "Louie Louie" can be found at www.louiefest.com. 6 p.m., Lemay America's Car Museum, 2702 East D. St.
Tacoma.

2. The Gig Harbor Cruisers Automotive Club hosts the 15th Annual Cruise the Narrows Car Show. All years makes and models of vehicles are welcome to enter the show. Proceeds from the show support local educational scholarships. www.gigharborcruisers.org 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., 4701 Point Fosdick Drive NW,
Gig Harbor.

3. The Olympic Flight Museum is hosting the visit of the Commemorative Air Force's B-17 Flying Fortress "Sentimental Journey." The bomber is maintained and operated as a flying museum and memorial by the all-volunteer non-profit Commemorative Air Force. The "Sentimental Journey" is the most fully restored B-17 flying today. There are only approximately five B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world. Do not miss the opportunity to take a walk thru history for a small $5.00 donation. Or even take a thrilling flight inside this historic treasure starting at $425.00 per person. General museum admission applies: adults are $7.00, children ages 7-12, $5.00 and children 6 and under are free. For ride reservations contact the Commemorative Air Force directly at (602) 448-9415 or email tour@azcaf.org. The Olympic Flight Museum is located at the Olympia Regional Airport, 7637-A Old Hwy 99 SE. For more information, call (360) 705-3925 or www.olympicflightmuseum.com.

4. Deep Green Resistance is doing a speaking tour of the west coast to promote the upcoming Unis'tot'en Action Camp in British Columbia. The Unis'tot'en and Wetsu'wet'in First Nations have blockaded the pathway of a proposed pipeline (actually 5 pipelines collectively called The Northern Gateway) from the Tar Sands out to the BC coast, and have asked for activists to attend an action camp in early August to support the blockade.Speakers will include the Dakota scholar and activist Waziyatawin. Please bring DONATIONS: tents, rope, white gas fuel, climbing gear, tarps, dried/canned food, coffee, money, and anything else useful in a backcountry camp. 5 p.m., Last Word Books, 211 4th Ave, Olympia.

5. In Denmark, a king is dead. His brother, Claudius, has snatched the throne and the widowed queen. Life goes on—for everyone but Hamlet. The prince, fixated on his uncle as the murderer, is charged by his father's ghost to avenge the wrong. Disconnected from the foul world around him, Hamlet strains under the weight of his task. Animal Fire's first production of Shakespeare's disturbing and psychologically rich masterpiece digs into the enigma of a man's mind. 7 p.m., free, Priest Point Park, 2600 East Bay Drive NE, Olympia.

Judy’s Intimate Apparel is known as “The Bra Place.” At locations in Olympia and Tacoma, Judy’s provides custom fittings for any cup size from AA to M, for mastectomies, maternity or any shape in between. But did you know they offer custom swimwear, too?

Judy’s boasts hundreds of swimsuits all year long. From tankinis to racing suits to tummy control, the folks at Judy’s have the art of finding the right suit down to a science.

“Every woman is different,” says Tambi Osier, employee at the Olympia store, “Something that a woman might consider a flaw might be something good.”

After discussing the women’s needs, employees can fine tune the swimsuit search to specific styles, fabrics and cup sizes, which include G and H sizes.

Swimmers can find fabrics that last longer in chlorinated pools and styles that reduce drag in the water. There are even suits for nursing mothers that allow for feedings while staying covered and comfortable.

Judy’s brands and styles are constantly rotating.

“We’re very picky,” says Osier.

But when a customer walks away with the right suit, Osier says, “They are very happy that we carry pretty suits that real women can wear.”

Happy Monday!

1. After a long day at the office, why not relax? Monday Meditation Meetup at the Center offers relaxation, meditation, and quiet. Please bring a mat, pillow, and blanket for comfort. Shoes Optional. 6 - 8 p.m.  6108 Mt Tacoma Drive SW, Lakewood.

2. Imagine if Harry Potter quit the quidditch team and started a punk rock band. Take that one step further and imagine that he stole a time-turner and decided to start that band with himself from a different point in time. Imagine that band could exist without compromising themselves. Imagine that they are able to operate completely independently, without managers, booking agents, recording budgets, publicists, record labels, or anything aside from a sense of enthusiasm and a desire to have fun. That band is Harry and the Potters. 6:30 p.m. Northern, 414 1/2 Legion Way, Olympia.

3. Teens (going into 6th grade - age 17) may pick up a free book anytime thorugh August 31, 2012. Sponsored by the Friends of the Olympia Timberland Library. This event is part of Summer Reading, a Timberland Regional Library districtwide program.

4. Rod Cook is a well respected, in demand Seattle area guitarist known for his stylistic versatility and soulful, melodic playing. Best known for his work with Folk/funk, Americana artist Laura Love in the 1990's and the early part of this decade, guitarist, vocalist Rod Cook began the guitar at the age of nine. Check him out tonight at the Swiss. 1904 Jefferson Avenue, Tacoma.

5. Olyphant in Olympia presents figure drawing. For these sessions, the models will be holding longer poses. Ideal for portraits, sculptures, working with colors, and for finished works. A good class for all skill levels. 6 - 9 p.m. 117 Washington St., Olympia.

Want to participate in a dairy goat milk tasting? Or maybe enter your kid in a youth tractor pull? How about witnessing a poultry costume contest?

You can find it all at the Thurston County Fair. The fair starts Wednesday and provides five days of activities including musical entertainment, home arts demonstrations, 4-H and FFA events, rides for kids of all ages, and the always fabulous fair food.

A little history: The first Thurston County Fair was in 1871 and was located where the present day 4^th Ave Tavern is. The event was a way to support agriculture and immigration in Thurston County. The fair has grown over the past 130 years and has jumped from location to location, including the now Tumwater Safeway and Lacey Post Office, before settling in to the present day fairgrounds in 1958.

The fair remains a strong tradition for families and farmers in Thurston County.

Admission hours are from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Thurston County Fair, 3054 Carpenter Road Lacey, 360.786.5453.

1. Through ritual, inspirational readings, poetry, and music, women share insights about life and the sacred. Participants are invited into deeper reflection and a renewed sense of their own goodness. Coordinators: Joyce Roach and Peg Murphy. www.catherineplace.org 10:30 - 11:45 a.m. 923 South 8th Street, Tacoma.

2. Throwing Mud Gallery is a working pottery studio and retail art gallery located in the historical Old Town District in Tacoma. The gallery's mission is to encourage creativity and an understanding of quality handcrafted art through its retail shop and pottery program.Classes begin the week of July 30 and continue through September 8. Morning classes are offered on Tuesday or Thursday from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. Evening classes are offered on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Class size is limited to 7 students. Classes fill up, so reserve your spot early! 2212 North 30th Street, Tacoma, 253.254.7961 www.throwingmudgallery.com

3. The City of Lacey offers free entertainment for the kiddies tonight. The stage at Huntamer Park turns into a game show with Rowdy Referees, featuring Wild and Crazy Stunts and Contests -- "as seen on TV," with prizes galore for the kids. As many as 50 kids (and adults) get on stage to join in on all the fun. It's messy, it's a little loud, and everybody has a great time. 6:30 p.m. Huntamer Park is located on the corner of 7th Avenue SE and Woodland Square Loop in downtown Lacey.

4. Rock 'n' Roll Magic has an affinity for playing music and getting the audience involved. Listeners can not only dance to classics from Elvis, Tom Petty, The Romantics and the like, Rock 'n' Roll magic actually invites them to jam along. They have been raging the Puget Sound Scene for over 25 years and tonight they will be at the Three Chicks, 3822, S Union, Tacoma, 253.475.8333.

5. Are you interested in learning more about urban gardening, spending more time out doors, and being a part of the Hilltop Community? Learn about: hummingbird garden, local medicinal plants, vertical gardening techniques, intensive urban gardening, parking strip gardens, amending urban soil and food bank gardening.Classes held Tuesday evening, 6pm-8pm, Gallucci Learning Garden, corner of S. 14th and G St. www.growlocaltacoma.com

Read more here: calendar.thenewstribune.com/tacoma_wa/events/show/269834785-gallucci-learning-garden-work-party#storylink=cpy

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Long Beach, Washington is known for family fun like kite flying, sand castles and Scoopers ice cream cones. But this weekend, Long Beach will let its freak flag fly with the Jake the Alligator Man Event.

Jake the Alligator man, the beloved shriveled mascot for Marsh’s Free Museum, will choose his 2012 pinup bride on Saturday, August 4.

Downtown Long Beach will transform from a normal little coastal town into an eclectic celebration of the culture that lurks below the surface, bringing curious costumed cuties to “marry” a revered half-man, half-alligator.

The whole weekend will be a rager as Jakes bachelor party and 6^th annual 75^th birthday party will take place Friday, with music and burlesque, and after the bride contest on Saturday, there is a classic car show and overall carnival feel with food, music, pirates, belly dancing, a bounce house and dunk tank.

This year’s bride contest theme is “Under the Sea,” so expect the imaginative ladies to come up with some great costumes. This year also adds talent to the contest, and the web page for Jake encourages contestants to go for a sideshow feel.

www.jakethealligatorman.com