5 Things To Do Today: Sand In The City, pottery sale, comedy, Argonaut and more ...

By Volcano Staff on August 23, 2013

FRIDAY, AUG. 23 2013 >>>

1. There comes a time when you realize there are a lot of things you've never had a chance to do.  You've never painted with artichokes, run with the salmon, tasted garlic ice cream or spent a little face time with a llama.  But as sure as Mel Gibson has kicked sand in many faces, you are determined not to miss this year's Sand in the City. Washington state's largest sand sculpting event with 240 tons of sand, nationally known sand sculptors, 40 different hands-on art and science activities and a live entertainment stage are all held in downtown Olympia from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All proceeds from Sand in the City directly support the Hands On Children's Museum's free and reduced admissions program. Show up with a shovel, a bucket and an idea.

2. Stumped for holiday shopping ideas? Start early and take the fam on over to Tacoma's Stadium District (717 N. D St.) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and score some pottery by Susan Thompson (earthy, hobbit-type vessels), Barbi Lock Lee (functional brights) and Charan Sachar (Indian fabric-inspired) and others. The sale also runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

3. The merengue, as well as the bachata and salsa, are taught in mini-versions, with or without partner, at varying levels of experience, every Friday night at 8:30 p.m. in Studio 6 Ballroom in Tacoma. After the last instruction, the club lights flip on, disco ball drops and Studio 6 fills with cross body leads, hand throws and hammerlocks. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on Studio 6 Ballroom's Latin dance Night in the Weekly Volcano's Clubs/Bars Section.

4. Spokane native Meghan Flaherty has been a stand-up comedian for the past eight years, dropping her clean, edgy, relatable style on crowds throughout the Northwest, including 8:30 p.m. at the Grit City Comedy Club, which is now in the basement of the 502 Downtown.

5. Tacoma's Argonaut is Brandon Boote on drums, Matt Sader on bass and vocals and Dave Takata and Chad Baker on guitar. Van Conner of Screaming Trees fame owns Strange Earth Records. Together, they have dropped a much-anticipated EP What's Your Perfect Day? into the South Sound this past winter. The heavy rock band is still asking, performing Dead, Burning Gnats and Towers at 9 p.m. in The New Frontier Lounge.

LINK: Friday, Aug. 23 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area