Weekend offers beer tasting, toe tapping and a healing of the waters in South Sound
Brews, games on tap in Tumwater
More than 100 beverages — including selections from 40-plus craft breweries, cideries and distilleries — will be flowing at the Tumwater Artesian Brewfest, happening Saturday, Aug. 17. And the drinks aren’t the only draw to the festival, known for its stein-holding competition and such oversized pastimes as giant beer pong and a large version of the block-balancing game Jenga. The event, which runs from 1 to 8 p.m. at Tumwater Valley Golf Course driving range, 4611 Tumwater Valley Drive SE, also features a lineup of live music, including reggae-dancehall artist Alex Duncan, a native of St. Kitts. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Designated drivers are admitted for $10. Everyone must be 21 or older.
Grand Oly Opry
If you search for the Grand Oly Opry, Google will autocorrect to Grand Ole Opry. While the Olympia version is certainly nowhere near as known as the Nashville showcase, the Oly Opry does boast such bands as Oly Mountain Boys, The Sweet Lowdown and The Lady Drinks Whiskey, along with burlesque, beer for purchase and free cupcakes. The seventh GOO (no one gave The Olympian permission to call it that) is a fundraiser for the Puget Sound Estuarium and Souper Sunday, Chris Hyde’s soup project. Doors open at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Olympia Eagles Club, 805 Fourth Ave. E. Admission is by donation, with $10 suggested. There’ll be a raffle, too. The event is for ages 21 and older.
Festive farewell to the 5th Avenue dam
You can celebrate the upcoming restoration of Olympia’s downtown estuary — and learn more about the cultural and ecological importance of the change — at the second Festival of the St̓əč̓as (Steh-Chass), set for Saturday, Aug. 17. The Squaxin Island Tribe and the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team are collaborating on the festival, happening from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Heritage Park, on the east side of Capitol Lake. The event includes performances by Suquamish hip-hop fusion artist Calina Lawrence and Ts’mysen rock artist Saltwater Hank and poetry by Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation along with art demonstrations, storytelling, workshops and speeches. At 5:30 p.m., there’ll be a Healing of the Waters Ceremony by the dam.
Freelance writer Molly Gilmore talks with DJ Kevin the Brit about what’s happening around town on KGY-FM’s “Oly in a Can,” airing at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Fridays.
