SATURDAY, SEPT. 20 2014 >>>
1. The Zags are a prime example of the kind of devotees that worship at the feet of the perfect pop song. It's not surprising that the band, hailing fro Portland, has received so many comparisons to Squeeze, though they've only been around for a little over a year. In that time, they've released several singles, which have just been assembled into their debut EP, Small Bags. Every song is a triumph of economy, packing punch and beautiful harmonies into rarely more than 2-and-a-half minutes. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on The Zags in the Music and Culture section, then catch the band with Full Moon Radio and the Falsies at 10 p.m. at 4th Ave Tavern in Olympia.
2. There are numerous celebrations today involving beer. Narrows Brewing Co. head brewer Joe Walts celebrates the release of his Oktoberfest beer with a party on the deck. That's right Hans, live music, food vendors and a German Marzenbier-ish beer with Munich and Vienna malts from 6-11 p.m. There's no cover during Oktoberfest, Franz. Morso wine bar will pour seven beers from German brewery Ayinger, including its Oktoberfest, beginning at noon. Expect a brewplate special. Dick's Brewing Company hosts the 4th Annual Beer for a Cure, a fundraiser for the Lewis County Relay for Life event. Homebrewers will square off for a chance to have their beer brewed in the Dick's Brewing system. Also expect raffle prizes, food carts, live music and a silent auction from 2-8 p.m. Celebrate the Hub at Gig Harbor's first year anniversary all day at its digs next to the Tacoma Narrows Airport. Expect food and drink specials, a raffle for a Fly and Dine package and live music.
3. Wingman Brewers hosts Made In Tacoma, a Tacoma-based business veritable farmers market featuring 21 Cellars Winery, Bluebeard Coffee, Comeback Sports, Creative Colloquy, Dave's Meats, Ice Cream Social, Libertine Tacoma, Lifestyle Brewery Tours, Tacoma Tree Salvage and Wingman beers from 5-11 p.m.
4. The Moss Brothers Band is unmistakably Southern rock, but with a surprising funk twist. The songs feature whiskey-rattled vocals telling stories of betrayal and re-connections and phenomenal guitar solos break through, just to make sure you are still paying attention to what bad-asses these musicians are. Signed last year to Maurice The Fish Records, The Moss Brothers Band celebrates their second record release, Monarch Jubiliee, at Jazzbones with a 6 p.m. meet and greet and an 8 p.m. show.
5. Lumins Festivus, orchestrated by Adam Martin, should be a magical opportunity for the amateur and the professional photogs to grab incredible shots as it floats from Wright Park down and through Tacoma's Theater District Saturday night, beginning at 7 p.m. Thousands of people doing hundreds of things: illuminated dragons, illuminated butterflies, people on illuminated stilts, in illuminated make up, crazy illuminated hats, and women wearing red and white striped illuminated dresses and yellow illuminated wigs who stopped traffic - anything goes in this autumnal procession of lights in illuminated sea sculpture.
LINK: Saturday, Sept. 20 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area
