THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>
WEATHER REPORTFriday: Cloudy, hi 53, lo 43
Saturday: periods of annoying rain, hi 47, lo 37
Sunday: Some rain here and there, hi 46, lo 35
The Fifth Annual Olympia Old-Time Music Festival is in full swing. Through Sunday the event takes over the Olympia Ballroom and The First Christian Church with workshops - such as Appalachian basketry, waltzing and beginning mandolin - and of course, musicians! A full schedule of performers include Grizzle Grazzle Tune Snugglers, the Gold Diggers and Kendl Winter. The Oly Old Timers mission statement is to "... spread a love of traditional Appalachian music and create a good excuse to interact with real, live, people, through music and dance and pie-eating." - Nikki McCoy
King's Books is undeniably the literary epicenter of Tacoma these days. So it's not surprising to see Aaron Dixon, one of the co-founders of the Seattle chapter of the Black Panther Party, is at King's Friday to discuss his new memoir, My people Are Rising: Memoir of a Black Panther Party Captain. - Weekly Volcano
Something unique will happen in the Museum of Glass Hot Shop. An artist will return for the second of two back-to-back residencies, a rare occurrence to be sure. Said artist is Raven Skyriver, maker of intriguingly real-looking marine creatures large and small. He scored two residencies in a row by winning two separate awards at the Red Hot Party & Auction last September. He won both the People's Choice and Artists' Choice awards, each came with a hot shop residency. - Kristin Kendle
You're damn right we love pancakes. Like, we Ron-Swanson love pancakes. It's an almost unsettling level of obsession. But whatever. We'd eat pancakes for almost any reason or cause, making Saturday's pancake breakfast at Saint Martin's University benefiting the Campus Ministry's annual mission service a total no-brainer. According to the press release, this year 16 students will travel to Yakima Vallery to work with Migrant Farm Workers and Catholic Charities Housing. Eat pancakes AND make Yakima a better place! It's a win-win! The $5 ticket, which can be purchased prior to the event at the Campus Ministry office, includes pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit and beverages.
The Big Beer Festival this Saturday in Tacoma will feature 60 hand crafted beers with big character and big flavor. This first annual event has two time slots available, noon to 4 p.m. and 4:30-8:30 p.m., and features 5.5-ounce commemorative taster glasses plus six tasting tokens. Additional 5.5-ounce pours can be purchased for $1.50. Plus, there will be great food. But hurry, it looks like the Big Beer Fest is getting a big response and is almost sold out! Well done, Tacoma. Check Tacoma Craft Beer's Facebook page for updates and where to purchase tickets.
"Numero By Northwest" is an unusual DJ showcase at The Brotherhood Lounge Sunday. And by unusual, I mean rare - but I also mean weird, which in Olympia, equates to awesome. The Numero Group's Ken Shipley, Justin Trosper from Unwound/Survival Knife and DJ Wildman James will spin soul, garage and other obscure gems in the comfort of a lounge where a wall of carpet JFKs and gigantic hanging guitars make it feel like your best friend's living room. Dancers and wallflowers welcome. - NM
CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
It's Valentine's Day weekend, I'm a happily married man, and I'd prefer to stay that way. Ergo, I'm creating a bed and breakfast in our home by adding cozy touches and cooking Amanda breakfast in bed. She may also get dinner and a movie out of the deal. Mr. Romance, that's me.
REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
This weekend, if I have any brain at all, I'll take it easy and just stay inside. But, if I do go out, I'll probably hit up the Saucy Yoda show at The New Frontier, or maybe The Albert Square show at the Wingmen Brewery, which I've never been to.
ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
It's my birthday. Party time.
NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
How about a bubble bath while the servants, I mean children, clean the cat box and fold the laundry? How about a full body massage with lavender and jojoba oil while my husband serenades me on the guitar? How about a luxury shopping trip with girlfriends and martinis while a team of top-rate gardeners prepare my yard for spring? Oh, sorry, what was that? My weekend plans? Nursing a cold and scrubbing toilets while the tyrants, I mean children, fight over Legos and complain about dinner.
JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
Fiday, Beanz & Rize are performing at the Central Ave Pub in Kent for Nuvo Tha1's birthday party. Saturday, I'll be teaching my spoken word/poetry class at D.A.S.H. - then that night I'm going to celebrate the 9th Anniversary of the 206 Zulu Nation chapter. Sunday, I'm going to try to get down to the Graffiti Garage M.C. Cyphers.
JACKIE FENDER Food Writer
Friday will include art bus pow wowing, checking out a certain local community kitchen and topped off with a Wrist poetry reading and open poetry slam at Bluebeard. Saturday will start with convincing others to start their day with a moonshine mary and more Peace Out fundraising planning. Sunday is committed to work and sleep.
JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
The husband and I will be taking the toddler to the mountains for some legit sledding on Friday. Saturday, I will set my alarm so I can make it to a friends house for 3 and 1/2 hours of writing before hopping on the train for a family weekend in Portland. While there, I'm hoping to sleep but most likely I'll just end up at Powell's. Probably more than once per day.
TIMOTHY GRISHAM Music Writer
Friday is the day after hallmark gift card day,the amazing BLACK MARBLE is playing, Broken Water is playing and Happy Noose is playing. Hey, that's me!
JENNI PRANGE-BORAN Features Writer
Trying, trying, trying to catch up on Oscar-nominated movies. Look for me at The Grand!
NIC LEONARD Music Writer
Friday night I will be tossing pizzas at I.talia Pizzeria on the westside of Olympia. Afterward, I plan to relax and watch the movie Flight. Saturday, I will be spending a good portion of the day hitting up various Goodwill and Value Villages around the South Sound area followed by a relaxing evening at home with a bottle of whiskey.
ROCKFORD ROWLEY All-Ages Music Columnist
This weekend I will be leaving my beloved city of destiny for another destination: San Francisco. I am traveling there to see one of my favorite bands, The Vaccines, play at The Fillmore. I'm also looking forward to taking in the SF culture, and visiting some places I've never been to before. And of course, I'll be sure to wear some flowers in my hair.
LINK: Even more local events that we recommend
LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar