WEEKEND RUN DOWN

YAY! It’s the weekend.

Tonight I’ll be doing the Third Street Shuffle starting at 8 at Pete’s to catch the new dueling piano show there (check out next week’s ON for the story), and then moving on over to the Sports Center for the AriSawkaDoria show. I can’t wait to see live drum ’n’ bass virtuoso KJ Sawka in action.

And that’s just the beginning …
So make sure to check out our “What’s going On” section of the blog and all of our calendar listings.

— Kim Nowacki

ARTIST TALK

Artist Suzanne Lamon will give an informal talk about her work at 1 p.m. Saturday at Gallery One in downtown Ellensburg.

Lamon’s current body of work represents a sliver of her life living near the ocean as well as her personal experiences with battling cancer. She will recount how these experiences have influenced her work and her use of imagery.

HOP BLOODED

Organizers of the Fresh Hop Ale Festival have added a new ingredient to this year’s festivities.
From 5-7 p.m. Aug. 29, there’ll be an arty pre-party at the G-Spot where you can select from 200 hand-painted (but dishwasher safe) pint glasses. Confirmed artists lending their talents to the fundraiser include Leo Adams, Delma Tayer, Ann Bowker and Bill Brennan.
The painted pints cost $20 each, and with a glass purchase you get $5 off your festival ticket. Proceeds benefit the Allied Arts of Yakima Valley, the nonprofit group that puts on the Fresh Hop Ale Festival.

Speaking of which, this year’s celebration of those tiny, green grains that give flavor to your brew, is from 6-11 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Millennium Arts Plaza, off South Third Street.
There’ll be microbrews — obviously — wine, food vendors, a cigar tent and live music by The Blue Tropics and The Shreds.
Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 at the gate.
For more information, call 966-0930 or click here.

FUN FACT: More than 70 percent of the nation’s hop supply comes from the Yakima Valley.

TROLLEY TIME

A parade marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Yakima Valley Transportation Company will begin at noon on Sunday on Pine Street between Third Avenue and Tieton Drive.

All operable trolleys and locomotives will participate in the parade which will go up and down Pine Street. Trolley rides and tours of the Yakima Electric Railway Museum will also be available.

For more information, call 249-5962 or click here.

CATCH & RELEASE

Get ready to hoot ’n’ holler — at the appropriate times, of course, — when local bluegrass favorites Catch & Release play The Seasons Saturday.

The concert will be recorded for a possible live album, says the band’s mandolin player John Young. There’s been a demand from fans for an album but the band members’ — Young, Mark Rupert (banjo), David Eichwald (guitar), Rich Riggs (fiddle) and Jerry Comiskey (bass) — busy schedules have kept them from recording.
“Going into the studio hasn’t worked out for us,” says Young.
Besides, he adds, “We think we’re at our best when we perform live.”

The concert begins at 8 p.m. at The Seasons, 101 N. Naches Ave. Tickets cost $15. Call 453-1888.

DEPOT ANNIVERSARY

The Depot Restaurant and Lounge will celebrate its fifth anniversary Saturday with a parking lot party beginning at 6 p.m.

There’ll be food and drinks and live music. From 6:30-8:30 p.m., young electric blues guitarist Alex Wilson will play followed by the Caribbean-pop grooves of the Blue Tropics at 9 p.m. Cover is $5.
(And if there’s a good turn-out, this could become a monthly affair, says Depot owner Karl Pasten.)

The Depot is at 32 N. Front St. Call 469-4400.

BUILT TO GRIND

If you look up the word “mellow” in the dictionary, there’s probably a picture of Vito Luppino.

But while he may be laid-back, man, can he skate.

Luppino, along with some skateboarding buddies from Seattle, Portland and Spokane, as well as locals, will celebrate the second anniversary of Luppino’s Midstate Skateboard Shop on Saturday.

Teams from Midstate, Manik and Bacon skateboards and Dirty Bearings will rip it up beginning at noon at the Selah skate park before moving over to the Yakima skate park at 4 p.m.

So bring your board and loosen up your shwag-catching arm because if you’ve been to one of Luppino’s skate soirees before, you know there’ll be a product toss or two.

For more information, drop by Midstate at 3602 Fruitvale Blvd., or call 469-5400.

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SHINE ON

The popular Monkeyshines: Kids’ Day at the Museum program returns this weekend to the Yakima Valley Museum, 2105 Tieton Drive.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday there’ll be physics exhibits from the Pacific Science Center, Wuppets (weather puppets) and hands-on activities from local organizations.
Admission is free.
Monkeyshines is a collaborative effort between the museum, the Yakima Junior Chamber, Celebra la Ciencia and the Child Abuse & Neglect Coordinating Council of Yakima.

For more information, click here.

I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL

On Fridays, Pete’s Night Club will become Yakima’s only dueling piano bar.
Working in conjunction with Seattle’s popular Chopstix Dueling Piano Bar and Restaurant, Pete’s will be the place to watch — and participate — in this show where you get to request your favorite numbers to be played by amazingly talented musicians working their fingers off on conjoined pianos. (FYI: How long it takes to get your song played depends directly on the size of the tip you attach to the request.)
There’ll be shows at 8 p.m. and at 10 p.m. every Friday through August at Pete’s, 28 N. Second St. Cover is $8. Call 469-1486.

OMG: Fair announces theme and entertainment

A couple of longtime classic rock and country acts, as well as a parody king, will grace the main stage of this year’s Central Washington State Fair, which runs Sept. 28-Oct. 7 at State Fair Park.
During a mid-morning news conference today, fair officials announced this year’s entertainment line-up.
Set to play the fair’s Budweiser Stage are John Michael Montgomery Sept. 29; Tanya Tucker Sept. 30; Mark Wills Oct. 2; Eddie Money Oct. 3; Bowling for Soup Oct. 4; Kenny Loggins Oct. 5; “Weird Al” Yankovic Oct. 6; and a TBA Spanish-language act Oct. 7. Expanded versions of last year’s popular hip-hop dance contest and battle of the bands will be Oct. 1.

“It’s one of the strongest line-ups” the fair’s had, said Greg Stewart, fair president and general manager.
“They’re all good acts,” Stewart said. “When you look at the numbers, what brings people to the fair seems to tie directly to the entertainment.”

Over at the grandstand, the annual lineup of motorsports and rodeos will return with the Sprint Car Challenge Championship Sept. 28-29; a Hispanic rodeo Sept. 30; and the PRCA Rodeo Oct. 5-6. The fair closes with a demolition derby Oct. 7.

Stewart led off today’s announcement with the unveiling of this year’s theme.
Like numerous themes in the past — including 2005’s “Sweet,” inspired by “Napoleon Dynamite” — the fair is turning to youth culture for it’s slogan.
This year’s theme is “LOL” — you know, as in “laugh out loud.”
“Every year we try and come up with a theme that’s unique and makes you scratch your head and say, “What are they going to do with that?’” said Stewart.

Yup.

All the events and entertainment are free with paid admission to the fair. However, you can purchase tickets for reserved seating at most main stage and grandstand events.
Reserved seats are $20 for Kenny Loggins and “Weird Al” Yankovic; $15 for John Michael Montgomery and Tanya Tucker; $10 for Mark Wills, Eddie Money, Bowling for Soup and the Sprint cars; and $5 for the PRCA events.

Tickets — which do not include the fair admission price — go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through TicketsWest or the State Fair ticket office, 248-7160, Ext. 146.

WINNIE AWARD WINNERS

Mary Kloster, left, in the role of Martha O’Conner, is consoled by Grace Schefter, who played Liz O’Conner in the Warehouse Theatre Company’s production of “The O’Conner Girls.”

The drama “The O’Conner Girls” was the big winner at this year’s Warehouse Theatre Company Winnie Awards — the WTC’s version of the Tony.

In his review of the production for the Yakima Herald-Republic, theater critic Dewey Mee wrote that, “the play by Katie Forgette of Seattle succeeds because it never wallows in cheap, contrived sentimentality. It is, instead, a deft mixture of honest sadness, pathos and dark humor. The Warehouse Theatre production showcases fine ensemble acting from veteran performers.”

The awards were handed out Saturday at the Warehouse Theatre. Here’s who walked away with a Winnie:
• Best Show: “The O’Conner Girls,” directed by JoRee Murphy and produced by Jo Murray.
• Best Director: JoRee Murphy, “The O’Conner Girls.”
• Best Actor: Vance Jennings, “The Foreigner.”
• Best Actress: Mary Kloster, “The O’Conner Girls.”
• Best Supporting Actor: Kurt Labberton, “The O’Conner Girls.”
• Best Supporting Actress: Peggy Lewis, “The O’Conner Girls.”
• Best Set Design: JoRee Murphy and Joe Cook, “The O’Conner Girls.”
• Best Lighting: Moe Broom, Sandi Cok and Bill Rathbone, “A Christmas Carol;” Bill Rathbone and Sandi Cok, “The Foreigner.”
• Best Costume Design: Mary Kloster, “The O’Conner Girls.”
• People’s Choice for Best Show Award: “Forever Plaid.”
• The Bootsy Semon Award for Outstanding Contribution: Julianne Goberville.
• Best Newcomer: Ian McEwen.
• President’s Award: Noel Kelley, for his long years of participation in the WTC.

WITH A BULLET TOUR DIARY UPDATED

Local rock trio With A Bullet hit the road this past Thursday for Portland, the first stop on their West Coast tour.

To keep us back here at home up-to-date on the band’s antics, their tour manager/drinking buddy Scott is keeping a tour diary. (WARNING: Contains foul language and references to drunken buffoonery and farting.)

The With A Bullet boys will play back in town July 20 at the Sports Center with The Ruby Doe and Madraso. Can’t wait!

NICKLEBACK TO PLAY THE GORGE

Concert promoter Live Nation announced today that modern rockers Nickleback will play the Gorge Amphitheatre at 7 p.m. on Aug. 10.

Tickets cost $47.50 and go on sale at 9 a.m. Saturday through all Ticketmaster outlets.

THE COUNTRY SHOWDOWN CONTINUES

RIGHT: Thane and Tom from 92.9 FM The Bull introduce Tony, a contestant in the local round of the Colgate Country Showdown.

I had a great time on Saturday judging the first preliminary round of local talent competing in the Colgate Country Showdown.

Another preliminary contest will be at 8 p.m. on Thursday at Susie’s Bourbon Street Bistro & Bar, 1023 N. First St.

And yes, I’ll be there judging that one too.

— Kim Nowacki

WEEKEND RUN DOWN

YAY! It’s the weekend.

And there is a ton of stuff going ON. So make sure to check out our “What’s going On”calendar listings. section of the blog and all of our

I’m going to start the weekend off by heading over to see Daniel DeSiga’s new abstract paintings at the Red Gallery this evening, and then pop in to see the quirky rock band The Beltholes at the Sports Center.

And then tomorrow, I’ll be doing my best Simon Cowell impression as one of the judges for the Colgate Country Showdown. The country talent showcase begins at 1 p.m. in the Valley Mall.

— Kim Nowacki

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