Louie Galarza's personal motto and one that he shares through his pizzeria, Louie G's in Fife, is "Welcome to my dream-you're all in it."

So, it's only appropriate that Galarza would name his first annual 10-band show and fundraiser for Northwest Harvest, "DreamFest 2012."

With an amazing mix of bands, half of them underage, DreamFest is an all ages rock show happening this Saturday from 3 p.m. to midnight at Louie G's Pizzeria.

While the bands and the cause are what this festival is about, let's backtrack a little to Galarza himself, so we know a more about this dream he's living.

"I started on the stage when I was 9 and retired when I was 22," says Galarza. "When you're 14, 15 years old sitting in the back of the club, it's no good."

Growing up in the Bay area, and spending a stint being homeless 17 years ago, Galarza has now found his flow with "family, food, fun and music."

Louie G's has great line ups nearly every weekend.

"We're not a club," he says. "We stop selling alcohol at 11 p.m., there's no fights, no puking. I actually sell a ton of pizza, so when the bands come play, it's so they can put food on the table or pay for an apartment."

And perhaps, most importantly, the shows are all ages.

"It's so crucial for young people to have access to live music, especially good live music," says Mischa Peckham of Witchburn, one of the bands set to play DreamFest. "Speaking from personal experience, I know that rock n' roll saves lives, and heavy metal soothes souls."

DreamFest 2012 will help save lives in more ways than one. As a benefit for Northwest Harvest, a nonprofit that collects and distributes food to approximately 300 hunger programs in Washington state, the event hopes to rake in nutrient rich food and monetary donations.

"Being in the community is almost like family, you learn from one another and you support each other," says Jason Kertson, who will play DreamFest with his band, Jason Kertson and the Immortals. The talented group, who has worked with Megadeth's Dave Mustaine have already played 10 benefit shows this year.

"Just because you should use your music for good," says the rising 15-year-old musician and youtube star.

Klover Jane, The New Originals, System 7, Riot in Rhythm, Amadon, The Fail Safe Project, Withcburn, Jason Kertson and the Immortals and TBA.  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com , from any of the bands, or at Louie G's Pizzeria, 5219 Pacific Highway East, Fife, (253) 926-9700.

Jackpot is this funky, teeny-tiny store in downtown Olympia that has all kinds of weird sh*t in it. It opened early July and has been talked about by hipsters during drunken conversations at the bar and talked about by hippies smoking cigs on 4^th Ave. Even my mom talks about Jackpot.

Anyway, shrinky-dink earings and charms, hand-dipped “charms” (marker lids and paperclips and other random items,) custom-painted clothing and art, zines like Hamburger Eyes, jars full of sponges, crystals and tie-dyed socks are just a few of the eclectic items you’ll find.

Julaya Antolin, who was sitting behind the counter painting, told me a little about the owners.

“I wish you could meet them,” she gushed. “They are great, they’re just so eccentric – one time I came in the shop and there was Astroturf everywhere.”

Another funky element is their vintage soda machine, where the sell cold pops for 35 cents, although the machine is out of order at the moment.

Most items for sale are locally made, and super cool locally printed shirts were one of my fave items, (a pretty unicorn one in particular caught my eye.)

The owners, Scott Young and Alex Dececco, both in their 20’s, will even custom paint any item of clothing you bring to the store.

Jackpot, Ephemeral Mystery, Tuesday-Saturday 12 – 7 p.m. 116 State Ave, Olympia, (360) 489-9921.

This is from a press release we received and is worth sharing...

   Once known by his friends as "the man who had everything," Richard LeMieux, author of "Breakfast at Sally's - One Homeless Man's Inspirational Journey," lived a life of luxury in a 5,000 square foot waterfront home near Seattle. But a dramatic change of fortunes drove him into bankruptcy, and he lost everything - including his home, his wife and his children. Forced to move into his old mini-van, LeMieux was overcome with shame and despair and nearly committed suicide, but was saved by the love of his beloved dog Willow.

   LeMieux wrote "Breakfast at Sally's" mostly at picnic tables in city parks on a portable, mechanical typewriter while he was homeless for nearly three years. Although he wrote it with no purpose in mind except as a way to fill his time, the National Library Association has declared it to be a "must read." It has received glowing reviews in over 30 newspapers across the country, including The New York Times andChristian Science Monitor.

   His book has inspired many to take action on behalf of the homeless. Six homeless shelters and meal programs have been birthed across North America as a direct result of individuals reading "Breakfast at Sally's." 

   LeMieux has spoken at the National Alliance of the Homeless conference in Washington, D.C., at events in Pittsburgh, Columbus, Dallas, San Francisco and Seattle, and at many universities, high schools and civic organizations.

   LeMieux will share his memoir in a public lecture to illustrate the diversity and humanity of the homeless population. LeMieux's presentation begins at 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28, in Harned Hall, room 110, on the Saint Martin's University Lacey campus, 5000 Abbey Way SE. The event is free of charge.

September has been nothing short of glorious, the sun has been shining, the leaves have been falling and the South Sound has been partying like it’s still mid-July.

This Saturday, 89.3 KAOS Community Radio and the Olympia Film Society present the KAOS Block Party Live, and the people of Oly are not holding back. From 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., on 5th Ave between Washington & Franklin Streets, experience local conscious hip hop music and culture, featuring emcees, DJs, B-boys & B-girls, and visual artists from around the Pacific Northwest.

“I think is important for events like this to happen to let the community know what’s happening in their backyard and the talent that’s all around us,” says Keith “Lord Nock” Naccarato, who is set to DJ.

Locally sponsored, the block party features more than a dozen other music acts, all in the same hip-hop vein.

“I know that there is a major rock scene in Olympia,” says Nock, “But there is also a talented and open hip hop scene.”

Food vendors and info booths will also be on site. Free and all ages, rain or shine.

1. Join Keanu Reeves on a tour of the past and the future of filmmaking in SIDE BY SIDE. Since the invention of cinema, the standard format for recording moving images has been film. Over the past two decades, a new form of digital filmmaking has emerged, creating a groundbreaking evolution in the medium. Reeves explores the development of cinema and the impact of digital filmmaking via in-depth interviews with Hollywood masters, such as James Cameron, David Fincher, David Lynch, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Steven Soderbergh, and many more. 2 pm; 6:30 pm. $5-$7 with membership, $6.50-$8.50 general, The Grand Cinema, 606 South Fawcett Avenue
Tacoma,(253) 593-4474.

2. Come meet the artists, Helen Hein and Anne Doumit Sparks and see their beautiful fiber arts creations. They have gone beyond traditional quilting to create works of art, carefully choosing colors, textures and patterns and stitching exquisite compositions. Refreshments will be served. 5-7 p.m., free, Proctor Art Gallery, 3811 N. 26th,(253) 759-4238.

3. In 1957, at age 14, Carlotta Walls LaNier was the youngest Little Rock Nine member to integrate Central High School.  This act of courage and defiance became the catalyst for change in the American educational system.  By ushering in a new order, she and her fellow warriors became ‘foot soldiers’ for freedom. 6:30 - 8 p.m., free,  Evergreen’s Tacoma Campus, l1210 6th Avenue, Tacoma.

4. Come face-to-face with dozens of sharks as they explore their 240,000-gallon Outer Reef environment. Watch staff biologists feed the sharks or dive with them. 11 a.m., Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, 5400 North Pearl St., Ruston, (253) 591-5337.

5. Cool Nutz is hittin up the Loch's tonight on his I am Portland Tour. He's promoting his new album, "Portland Ni%#a.” Bringing in heavy-hitters, "Portland Ni%#a” features guest appearances by Tech N9ne, Mistah Fab, Krizz Kaliko, The Grouch and Messy Marv, with production work by Bosko, Trox, Stewart Villain, Lawz Spoken and others. 8 p.m., The Loch's, 928 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, (253) 282-1833.

Third Thursday is upon us and with it comes an opening reception at 253 Collective Art Gallery featuring artist Terese Cuff.

Cuff is one of the newer artists to be assimilated into the 253 Collective. She's lived in Tacoma for about 15 years and works largely in the media of painting and printmaking, and has ventured into mural work, illustration, portraiture, and digital work.

"Her work is academic with a desire to be more minimal and succinct. Cuff's process involves trying to bring some kind of order to colliding/converging ideas and impulses with paint," states the 253 Collective's website.

The reception will go on Thursday, September 20, from 3 to 8 p.m. at 1901 S. Jefferson Street, Suite 100 (across from The Swiss).

On September 21, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Park(ing) Day will transform ordinary parking spaces into public parks. Artists, activists and everyday people alike will be parking it up until the meters run out.

Park(ing) Day started in 2005 in San Francisco as a way to ponder how we use public space.

Head downtown and explore the parks at will. A map is available on DowntownOnTheGo.com, or if you don't want to go it alone, join up with a tour of these ephemeral public spaces. The tour leaves from the top of UW Tacoma's stairs at noon-a perfect way to spend your lunch break.

If viewing parks is just not competitive enough for you, no worries. Take photos of yourself at each park you visit and send them to dotg@tacomachamber.org to enter into a contest for an ORCA card loaded with $12 and a Park(ing) Day t-shirt, or head to DOTG's Facebook page and vote for your favorite park to enter to win a $100 gift certificate to any downtown Tacoma business

Rock Tiki knows everyone likes music. That's why Rock Tiki is all about music on Wednesdays. Whether you enjoy listening to a live band, or singing your heart out in a karaoke bar, Rock Tiki knows exactly where to send you tonight. Backstage Bar and Grill offers live music on Wednesday nights. The shows starts at 7 PM, and, as always, military receive 10% off their tab, and buy one get one free lunch or dinner if they mention this website at the door: www.backstagebartacoma.com/About-Us.html.

                It seems just about every bar in Tacoma does Karaoke on Wednesday nights. Rock Tiki does not enjoy Karaoke, Rock Tiki is too shy. However, Rock tiki knows the Harmon Tap Room and Beer Garden is a great place to catch dinner and a couple drinks, especially with Wednesday nights $3 Harmon Pints, so if Rock Tiki were so inclined to experiment with Karaoke on a Wednesday night, The Harmon Tap Room and Beer Garden is where Rock Tiki would go. For more information visit: harmonbrewingco.com/taproom/taproom_events.html.

            Jazzbones also offers great live music tonight, featuring The Breaklites. Show starts at 8PM and tickets are $8 at the door. www.jazzbonestacoma.com.

Finally, head over to The Summit Pub on Canyon Rd. in Puyallup for the foosball tournament starting at 8 PM. The buy-in is $10 and the winner takes all. The Summit Pub's website is currently under construction, so visit www.yelp.com/biz/summit-pub-puyallup for more information.

The first Undisputed World Champion in wrestling history is coming to Tacoma with his band Fozzy (yes, like the adorable muppet,) and you have a chance to meet him!

Chris Jericho, nicknamed Sexy Beast, The King of Bling-Bling, The Highlight of the Night, and The Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla, will play the Backstage this Saturday night at 9 p.m. There will be a meet and greet with the pro-wrestler turned heavy meddler, complete with photos and autographs.

Backstage Bar & Grille, with Three Quarter Minus, 6409 6th Avenue Tacoma, (253) 564-0149.

All day long you can help support Stonewall Youth by dining out in Olympia.

You can have coffee at Sizzis, lunch at Darby's and an evening cocktail at the Brotherhood Lounge, as they and nine other businesses are donating a portion of their sales to Stonewall Youth, whose vision is "a community in which all queer, gender variant, and gender non-conforming youth have a full spectrum of choices regarding their bodies, self-expression, and legal rights."

"I'm excited so many businesses signed up," says Emily Pieper, program director at Stonewall. "The whole event is about community showing up; it's that visual that people are here to support."

Dine Out for Stonewall Youth participating businesses are:

The Brotherhood: 4pm-9pm 25%

Cascadia Grill: 11am-10pm 15%

Cryptatropa: 4pm-2am 50%

Darby's Café

Jake's on 4th

Le Voyeur: 8pm-Midnight 15%

Mercato: 11am-10pm 10%

Nineveh Food Truck: 5pm-9pm 10%

Old School Pizzeria: All day 20%

Quality Burrito: 11am-Midnight 15%

SIZIZIS: 7am-1am 50%

Traditions: 9am-9pm 20%

For more information or to donate, visit http://stonewallyouth.org/