What's Happening in August

August 3

GET YOUR KID SCIENCED

Kids can do just about anything and call it science. Baking soda and vinegar explosions? Science. Keeping bugs in a jar? Also science. Lighting small fires with magnifying glasses? Ground-breaking science, maybe. Let them enjoy this simple time, like by helping them start an observation journal. Pick an outdoor destination and arm your kid with a notebook and pencil. Explain that scientists document findings by drawing pictures and taking notes on their environment. Set a goal, like cataloguing certain trees (evergreen vs. leafy is easy) and pack sandwich baggies for collecting “samples.” Bonus points if you get them a disposable camera. For more on outdoorsy learning, visit inlandnorthwesttrails.org and click on the “Outdoors With Kids” section under the “Recreation” tab.

August 4

SAY HELLO TO THE BODACIOUS ’90s

So the Barenaked Ladies are playing the Festival at Sandpoint. You should go, but it’s essential you take some precautions. You see, even though the guy with the glasses quit, this band still carries with them the epic force of the ’90s. Frankly, your delicate body has been ravaged by today’s harsh economic climate, and you’re also probably not using as much Aqua Net as you used to, leaving your head small and vulnerable, and your hair shiny enough to attract certain species of birds. You’re not prepared for the happy dream-bubble that was the ’90s.

Let us help. Using this basic meditation technique, you’ll re-condition your body and mind to yesteryear. Start by closing your eyes, imagining you’re at the neighborhood cultural center (the mall). You notice you’re wearing a crop top and cargo pants. You also notice that you look very good. What’s this? Claire Danes is with you, and she just called you a babe. After laughing and drinking these new things called “lattes” you get matching ying-yang tattoos and fall asleep rapping the theme song to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The end.

Practice this once a day, and in no time you’ll be ready to pick up your tickets, which are $50 and available at festivalatsandpoint.com.

August 5

KURONEKOCON

Today is Day Two of KuroNekoCon. For you nerds who don’t know what that is, it’s only just Spokane’s extremely awesome anime convention, featuring karaoke, cosplay, a dance party and so much more. Whether you love anime or just extreme peoplewatching, hit up the festivities at SFCC. Tickets are $15-$20. Visit kuronekocon.com.

August 6

PUT YOUR BODY INSIDE OF A HOT SPRING

There is just nothing quite as relaxing or tranquil as plopping down in some geothermally heated ground water. Lucky us, we got some that haven’t been turned into commercialized tourist destinations.

Stanley Hot Springs: OK, so you may have to crawl across a makeshift log bridge while whitewater rapids just surge right the hell under you, and then, somehow, hike uphill all of the time for six miles, but everything is so, so worth it when you finally plop down into one of the isolated pools at Stanley. The primitive camping areas are gorgeous, just like the rest of this trek through rich forest and over cliffs looking out on the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.

Weir Creek: So they may have tweaked the pool to make it bigger a little bit. Hey! It’s still not a tourist attraction. And now there’s room for 10 of you instead of four in the 105- to 108-degree pools. A not-too-bad hike will get you to soaking in the clear, rockrimmed pools. Near Lolo, Mont.

Jerry Johnson: Also located near Lolo, this is one of the more popular hot springs in our area. So you’ll probably have some company, but that doesn’t mean that folks will be shy about gettin’ naked. Jerry Johnson is known for its “meh” policy on clothing, as well as its pretty waterfall-fed pools — which are especially good this time of year. Due to its popularity, however, the hot springs shut down around 8 pm so as not to have jerks and their late-night antics ruin them for everyone.

August 7

EMBRACE THESPIANISM

Today you should help a youth in your life put on a play. Write one together, or get free scripts off of freedrama.net. Costumes can easily be acquired from a thrift store, and your set is constructed with ever-versatile cardboard boxes (ask around at grocery stores for the big ones). If your kid really takes to theater, check out the improv workshops at the Blue Door Theater. Visit bluedoortheatre.com.

August 8

SO YOU’RE A TEENAGER

If you’ve had a less-than-epic summer, now may be the time to step up the bad-assery before school comes and takes over all of the things. Here are some ideas.

Have a House Show: Ask first. Seriously. But someone’s folks are bound to say yes. Bonus points if you score a low-maintenance outdoor venue like a barn. For music, ask around to see who’s good and would be willing to play for free. If you make a Facebook event, set it to “invite only” but allow friends to invite their friends — keeps the riff raff out.

Paint a Mural: Even if you can’t secure a wall space, murals are awesome to paint with friends on anything from an old piece of plywood (which you could later put in your room) to a tabletop. First get together and come up with a design on a piece of paper. Note colors and major points (like the horizon line). When you’re ready to paint, map it out on your “canvas” — mark important points and outlines, then start painting from the background to the foreground. Finish by cleaning up any lines, then seal with a clear varnish for long-lastingness.

Swap Your Clothes: Clothing swaps are rad because you get rid of clothes you dislike and score some you do — for free. Get together a group of friends, invite them to bring their unwanted garments and accessories, and dump them in a big old pile on the floor. Have a dressing room ready, and snacks don’t hurt either. Donate what’s left to charity.

August 9-12

THE GREAT AMERICAN WANNABE WRITER ROAD TRIP

There are few summer traditions more hallowed in our ongoing quest to understand Americana than the summer road trip. Combine that with the ever-present desire of just about every person to write the great American novel and you have one gnarly excuse for gas-guzzling fun. All you beatnik or gonzo wannabes out there (and let’s admit Spokane lacks neither) should stop wallowing in the (independent) coffee shop — staring endlessly into your MacBook — and hit the damn road. Don’t forget your top-bound reporter’s notebook and digital voice recorder.

We recommend Sturgis, S.D. Why Sturgis? The annual motorcycle rally, known as Bike Week, is in its 72nd year (Aug. 6-12). It is, quite frankly, a must-see for any writer. A road trip to Sturgis for the rally is like Jack Kerouac’s On the Road meets Hunter S. Thompson’s Hell’s Angels, with a bit of Fear and Loathing thrown in for good measure.

In short, a beatnik/gonzo wannabe’s dream.

Sturgis isn’t just for chaps-laden, bad-ass bikers. I experienced it once (by accident) while driving a cross-country road trip. (Though, to be fair, I did have a bike of the cycling variety strapped to my ’92 Toyota Corolla. Pretty bad-ass in some circles.) Along the route you’ll encounter bikers making their long trek to the annual gathering. To say it’s good people-watching and makes for compelling observational narrative is an understatement.

Beware, though: Hotels 200 miles out may be full and way overpriced. I paid upward of $120 at a Motel 6 over 100 miles away because of Bike Week. Ah, the law of supply and demand at its most gluttonous.

With a carload of your closest friends, share the driving and avoid staying in hotels along the way, or plot out camping spots relatively near the freeway.

Hit attractions between Spokane and Sturgis, including fun in Missoula, the Little Bighorn battle site (of Custer’s Last Stand fame), and Devil’s Tower (setting of Close Encounters of the Third Kind). Keep the notebook/voice recorder close at hand at every stop. You never know when a killer line of prose will inspire you to write something profound that only you will ever read (see previous about coffee shops and MacBooks).

And some free advice: If a shirtless, bearded biker in Sturgis asks what you’re riding, don’t say “Whatever you think I should ride.” Trust me. Fear and Loathing, indeed.

August 9

RUN FLYING IRISH

What started as a few folks meeting once a week at an Irish pub has turned into a Spokane running tradition that’s second perhaps only to Bloomsday. The club, which meets every Thursday at 6 pm, is free and open to anyone, even those who aren’t particularly fond of running. Like beer? Then you’re definitely a fit. It’s gotten so popular that the club has taken over the Red Lion River Inn, with discounted beer and food at the end of every run. First-timers (called “virgins”) have to sign a waiver. After that, you’re good to go, and every run counts toward the end-of-season total. The more runs per year, the more chances to win prizes. Even better — it’s not unheard of that runs count twice on particularly hot days in the year. So, mid-August sounds like the perfect time to join more than 400 of your closest friends. Visit flyingirish.org.

August 9-12

OMAK STAMPEDE

Five words: “And world famous suicide race.” Tag those to “Omak Stampede” and you have the official name of what is by many completely subjective measures the most intense summer weekend in north-central Washington. Add in rodeo clowns, calf roping, beer tents, and August heat, and it’s a downright party. The 79th annual event, Aug. 9-12, is known for its signature (and controversial) suicide race, where horses and their riders sprint down a steep embankment into the Okanogan River and (hopefully) emerge on the opposite bank. But there’s much more, including a carnival for the young ones and the Indian Encampment and pow-wow sponsored by the Colville Confederated Tribes. Visit omakstampede.org.

August 10-12

WALLACE ACCORDION FESTIVAL

That’s not a misprint. We’re talking accordion — as in the musical instrument. Yeah, that one. Just think Steve Urkel and Lawrence Welk. And who doesn’t love Steve Urkel and Lawrence Welk? Seriously, the accordion gets a bad rap. And it shouldn’t. Head to Wallace, Idaho, Aug. 10-12 for the second annual free festival. Oh, and there’s a parade. Do you really want to miss the chance to say for the rest of your life: “I went to an accordion festival in the historic Idaho mining and brothel museum town that was the location for volcano blockbuster movie Dante’s Peak? We didn’t think so. Visit wallaceaccordionfestival.com.

August 11

GET HIGH IN NORTH IDAHO

Ever get pumped for an epic hike only to be turned around by snow-covered trails — in July? Yeah, it can happen, even in Inland Northwest mountains. But if you’re running into heavy snow in North Idaho’s Selkirks in mid-August, you’re not just out for a leisurely day hike. For the weekend warrior hikers, take advantage of the melted-out mid-August trails to access high areas of North Idaho that are sometimes overlooked in lists of must-do Northwest hikes but are nonetheless appealing. A highly recommended trail is the very scenic (and a good climb on established trails) Two Mouths Lake west of Bonners Ferry. Take a Saturday or Sunday, leave early, and be home before dark. To make it a true hiker’s dream, stop in Sandpoint on the way back for local beers and good food at MickDuff’s Brewing Company, 312 N. First Ave.

August 16-19

RAGTIME

Based on E.L. Doctorow’s novel of the same name, Ragtime: The Musical uses the social and political forces that were at work in Jazz-Age America to bring together a host of characters of varying races, creeds and ethnicities. Ticket prices are steep — almost $40 for adults and $36 for seniors — but it ought to be worth it. Oh, and the subject matter might also be too charged for children under 13, so use your discretion. It runs from Aug. 16-19 and 23-26, with shows at 7:30 pm (Thu to Sat) and 2 pm (Sun). Visit www.cdasummertheatre.com.

August 17

PEACHES, LENTILS AND MICROBREW FESTIVALS

Peaches, lentils and beer would make a pretty gross stew. Individually, though, they’re each worth celebrating. Start off with the National Lentil Festival (Aug. 17-18; lentilfest.com) in Pullman, Wash., to honor this staple of Palouse agriculture — which, incidentally, makes up 25 percent of all lentils grown in the U.S. Then move on to Silver Mountain’s Brews Fest (also Aug. 17-18; silvermt.com) and sample 30 some microbrews from the likes of No-Li and Big Sky — all while enjoying diverse live music. On Aug. 18, you can head up to the kickoff of the annual Green Bluff Peach Festival to test whether or not peaches in one of their many forms are a viable hangover remedy. Visit greenbluffgrowers.com.

August 17

UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY

Unity in the Community, now in its 18th year, proudly proclaims itself “the largest multicultural celebration in the Inland Northwest” and will once again take a day to spread out across Riverfront Park with vendor booths, a cultural village with a fun “passport” activity and crowd-pleasing stage shows. Drop by sometime between 10 am and 4 pm on Saturday, Aug. 18 and pick up some freebies, chat with a few organization reps, and let your kids hop in the bouncy castle. They might even get to meet a real, live foreigner! Visit nwunity.org.

August 17-19

RODDERS AND RACERS

You’d think that auto enthusiasts would fall into two general camps: the racers and the rodders. To hear Bill Love tell it, there’s a divide, to be sure, but not one that either camp spends much time working to maintain.

Love is a longtime member of the Dukes Auto Club and the owner of three Chevy Novas (’63, ’69 and ’72), two Corvettes (’79 and 2007), as well as a ’48 Chevy pickup. He’s tuning up the latter in his Spokane garage as he talks about when the worlds of racing and rodding meet.

“Some of the guys in our club, they do both. I have two cars that I could very well race on the drag strip. But I feel like I have too much money in them,” he says. “I know my friends end up breaking them and they have to repair them.”

And showing, like racing, is an expensive hobby — it would take deep pockets to fully participate in both. Love says one of the reasons Chevy is such a popular brand of collector’s car is because its vintage parts are less expensive than Ford’s.

“I had a few cars when I was younger, and you know how it goes. Everyone gets married and has kids, and then you can’t afford them anymore.”

His mid-life crisis about two decades ago was met with something unusual: spousal sympathy. “I was going to buy a sports car and she talked me into buying a hot rod.”

That first hot rod was a ’39 Chevy that he later sold. “You have them for a while, and then you trade off. You find one you like a little bit better. I just got rid of a ’53 Chevy. It gets to be that you have so many of them you can’t drive them all.”

The social side of hot rodding is just as important as the souped-up vehicles themselves, Love says. That also might explain why it doesn’t matter to auto enthusiasts if you’re pursuing the finish line or the judges’ favor. They’re two sides of the same coin.

“It doesn’t seem like there’s any rivalry,” he says. “It’s all just a love of cars.”

Love is organizing the Goodguys 11th Great Northwest Nationals Auto Show, which runs from Aug. 17-19 at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center (tickets $15). Along with the Rockstar Friday Night Drags (Aug. 17) and the Napa Night of Fire (Aug. 18; tickets $20), both of which are at the Spokane County Raceway, it makes for a weekend that will please both the racing and rodding camps — or, more simply, car lovers.

August 22

BUCK DODGERS

Don’t call Frankie Smith a rodeo clown. Although he goes by the cartoonish alias Punkintown (in honor of his hometown of Pumpkintown, South Carolina) and paints his face with a sweeping red grin, the 47-year-old thinks the formal name for his profession is more accurate: barrelman.

“When the bull riding starts, we put a barrel in the middle of the rodeo arena, and that draws the bull’s attention when the rider and the bull get into a tight spot. [The rider] gets the extra second to get out of the way.

“It ain’t for mama’s boys,” he adds.

In fact, it’s probably one of the most dangerous slapstick acts in the world. Over the past 16 years, Smith has suffered several concussions and blown out his knee.

“Nothing serious,” he drawls with characteristic cowboy understatement. And the way he sees it, it’s a better gig than the riders have. “Them boys have to fight for a check, but I know I’m getting paid.”

Punkintown has been perfecting his clog dancing (among other things in his bag of tricks) for his appearance at the North Idaho Fair and Rodeo (northidahofair.com), one of three local rodeo-related events taking place that week. It will be held at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds in Coeur d’Alene from Aug. 22 to 26. Young Canadian trick rider and Heartland stunt double Madison MacDonald will also be on-hand to keep the crowds rapt.

Due north in Sandpoint, Idaho, Bonner County will be hosting its own rodeo on Aug. 17-18 as a prelude to the county’s fair (co.bonner.id.us/fairgrounds). The theme this year is “All Roads Lead to the Fair,” and they’ll be featuring Clarkston-based rodeo clown Josh “Slick” Sheppard as part of their entertainment. For a taster, YouTube has several videos of his schtick.

Moving across the state line, the Cusick Rodeo takes up two solid days of the Pend Oreille County Fair (povn.com/POCOFAIR/), which runs from Aug. 16-19. Like the other rodeos, the larger fair surrounding it will include 4-H involvement, livestock exhibits, and “mutton busting,” in which children ride sheep.

The reason behind rodeo’s enduring popularity — there are about 30 in Idaho alone this year— is something Smith chalks up to its good, clean, family friendly fun.

“In our sophisticated world, rodeo gets back to the basics. Saddle-bronc riding is how rodeo got started — two old boys trying to break their horses and see who could ride the longest. It takes people back to those early days.

“It’s how America got started, and here we are with the great things God blessed us with — livestock and each other.”

August 23

GET A FREE LUNCH

Late summer brings a unique bounty of flora, much of which can be dined on. Greens, mushrooms and fruit abound, falling out of trees at the slightest hint of a breeze. Foraging for a meal can provide an educational and connective experience for old and young alike. Tightwads take note — this also makes for a creative date. Most parks with a natural, unsprayed area (Lincoln Park and Finch Arboretum are good places to start) provide several different greens, which can simply be stir-fried or steamed in place of your favorite vegetable. Or, if you want to get bold (and raw), bring a picnic kit and let the park bring the salad. (Remember to wash your food first!)

Arboretum Salad Toss with Cardamon Candied Walnuts
You’ll need:
1 bunch watercress
1 bunch dandelion greens
1 bunch lamb’s quarters (wild spinach)
1 small handful elderberries

For Dressing:
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons agave nectar (or honey)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
pinch salt
Combine all ingredients in a sealed container. Shake. Drizzle over washed greens.

For Walnuts:
1 cup walnuts
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
pinch salt
1 1/2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Toast walnuts in a 350-degree oven for about 10 minutes, stirring halfway. Combine sugar, milk, cardamom and salt in a small saucepan, cooking until the mixture stops steaming and begins to look syrupy, about five minutes. (Or 230 degrees, if you want to use the candy thermometer.) Add vanilla and quickly pour toasted walnuts into sugar mixture, stirring until they are coated. Spread on a cookie sheet and cool. Garnish salad. Eat!

August 23

HILLBILLY OUT

It’s fair/rodeo season, so strap on your spurs and check out the Tough Enough to Wear Pink night at the Benton Franklin Fair, a rodeo event that raises thousands of dollars in the fight against breast cancer. Save some energy, though, because Foghat rocks the house on the 24th.

August 24

READ THE STARS

The Spokane County Library District and Spokane’s Astronomical Society have teamed up to host stargazing classes in Deer Park. Learn about basic constellations, their meanings and how to spot them. Check out the library’s online calendar for class dates; visit scld.org.

August 25

GET OVER YOUR FEAR OF HEIGHTS

Patients with phobias are often treated using a therapeutic technique often referred to as exposure therapy, or “flooding.” This method is a direct attack to the patient’s fears, which will be in this case acrophobia. Below is a step-by-step guide that will smash any fear into a million tiny shards after plummeting from the terrifying heights on which you will perch. Better bring some backup pants.

Zipline over Wallace, Idaho: Silver Streak Zipline Tours in Wallace straps you in and lets you loose to fly, topping out at around 55 mph. Race a friend on the side-by-side line, or just take in a true bird’s eye view. Cost: $60-$130. Call 208-556-1690

Rent a Mountaintop Fire Lookout: The terrifying 50-foot ascent of Bald Mountain’s former lookout is completely worth it; crystal-clear 360-degree views for miles around, which include forested pockets and trails where huckleberry and elderberry bushes abound. Cost: $35. Visit recreation.gov.

Ride in a Hot-Air Balloon: You’ve seen it before, a yellow gourd sleepily floating in the distance, proudly displaying its heritage. “Spokane at its best,” states the balloon, and from that height, the city really must look pretty majestic. Spokane Valley’s Avian Balloon Corporation gives guests a lift all through the summer and fall. Packages vary from a basic ride to an all-out dinner party with an onboard chef. Call 926-1368.

Climb Black Peak in Winthrop: Steep trails and craggy peaks await, ready to desensitize the wary hiker. Make it an overnight trip, and pack a map, as some trails require climbing gear.

August 25

FIGHT CANCER, ONE ROUND AT A TIME

Every year, Spokane’s Coaches vs. Cancer outdoes itself, this year being no exception. Comedian Jim Gaffigan will be performing at the Fox Theater, followed by a swanky after-party at the Davenport Hotel. If you’ve got a Benjamin or two to spare, there’s no better reason to spend a night out on the town, or out on the putting green. Visit cvcspokane.com.

August 25

ATTEND SUMMER THEATER

Summertime is musical high season in Leavenworth. From the American West to World War II Austria, tales will be told in song and dance. Get in the mood amidst the Bavarian Gingerbread by snacking on a bosche bollen at the Danish Bakery after watching The Sound of Music. Check out leavenworthsummertheater.org for show times and tickets.

August 27

SEE A FREE SHOW

Los Angeles, 1971.The Manson trial is in full swing. Charles’ “family” has just been arrested after a botched attempt to free their beloved messiah. In all the turmoil that was the media frenzy, a few select voyeurs were able to experience history firsthand from the benches allotted to public viewers. One witness later recalls the experience in his memoir:

“Sexy, scary, brain-dead, and dangerous, this gang of hippy lunatics gave new meaning to ‘folie à famille,’ group madness and insanity as long as the same people are together and united. It was an amazing thing to see in person.”

Culture commentator and filmmaker John Waters returned to Baltimore so profoundly affected, he penned, directed and dedicated his next film, Pink Flamingos, to the famed femmes fatales.

If not for literary inspiration or good old-fashioned curiosity, it’s always good to witness the transparency of the public court system. Spokane Superior Court’s webpage features a convenient trial calendar organized by trial type (criminal, civil, family, or drug court), as well as an open invitation for all to attend. Visit spokanecounty.org.

August 31-September 3

MUSIC FESTIVAL TIME

Labor Day Weekend is probably the biggest weekend of the entire year, when it comes to food-and-music festivals, so you’re spoiled for choice. Let’s break it down from biggest to smallest.

Bumbershoot: Now in its 42nd year, this gigantic festival at the Seattle Center is an extravaganza of food booths, big-name and Northwest acts, theater events, readings, street artists, you name it. The pathways through the center get absolutely packed on good weather years, so be ready to jostle with the hordes, who are sure to turn out for Jane’s Addiction, Mudhoney, Tony Bennett, Gotye, Sharon Jones, M. Ward, Best Coast, Fishbone, Rebirth Brass Band, Skrillex and a ton of other big acts. Tickets are on sale now for $45 a day or $110 for all three days.

Dave Matthews Band at the Gorge: Dave returns to the Gorge for his annual three-day pilgrimage. This year he’s featuring the Avett Brothers and Chewelah’s own soul-pop sensation, Allen Stone. Tickets go for $60 to $90 a day (plus a bunch more for camping).

Pig Out in the Park: Spokane’s version of Bumbershoot is considerably more modest, but it’s one of the best events of the year around here, with an enormous (and still growing) selection of food vendors and music on multiple stages throughout the park. Check out talent like Silver Treason, Folk Inception, Cathedral Pearls, Nude and the Hot Club of Spokane, and stick around for the headliners: Jr. Cadillac, Too Slim and the Taildraggers, the Verve Pipe (“for the life of me, I cannot remember…”) and the Yardbirds (the group that spawned Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page). In downtown Spokane. Free.

Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples: If you like deep, soulful, shout-worthy gospel and blues music, then is there a better double-bill for you than Bonnie Raitt and Mavis Staples?

The latter is one of the biggest living names in gospel music, having gotten her start singing in churches around Chicago and opening for Martin Luther King, Jr. A close friend of Bob Dylan (very close, she admitted to the NPR program Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me in 2008), she and the family group signed to Memphis’ renowned Stax Records (think Booker T. and the MGs) in 1968, and Mavis has been putting out solo work since ’69. Her latest, You Are Not Alone (produced by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy), earned her her first Grammy award last year. Its title track is a must-listen — one of the best songs of last year.

Bonnie Raitt is one of the greatest blues guitarists of all time. She got her start playing bottleneck acoustic around Harvard University in the late ’60s and early ’70s and became a commercial success in the ’80s and ’90s with super-hits Nick of Time and Luck of the Draw. Aside from her guitar talent, she has one of the greatest, rawest, most powerful voices ever heard in the blues. And it’s still that good. We just listened to her latest album, Slipstream, which she released in April. She’s still got it. It’s one of her best in years. At the INB Center on Sunday, Sept. 2 at 8 pm. Tickets: $40-$65.

Coeur d’Alene Music Festival: The Lake City’s own four-day music festival will feature headliners Vertical Horizon and Eric Hutchinson, as well as support from a bunch of locals, like Jesi B and the All-Rites, Terrible Buttons, Monarch Mountain, Cristopher Lucas, B Radicals, Flying Mammals, Colleen Rice, Kari Marguerite, and Jerad Finck. At the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. Tickets: $25 a day, or $75 for all four.

Spokane Symphony in the Park(s): Nothing better than kicking back on a blanket in the park and letting the powerful sound of a full symphony orchestra wash over you. No word yet as to what they’re playing, but expect some big, popular tunes. At Liberty Lake’s Pavilion Park on Sat, Sept. 1 from 6-8 pm, and at the South Hill’s Comstock Park on Mon, Sept. 3 from 6-8 pm. Both shows are free.

September 1

ARTWALK AND AFFAIR

Take a trip way up the Pend Oreille River to Metaline Falls, Wash., a tiny town of 238 people. Artists and craftsmen will be hawking their wares all over town, including at the beautiful, historic Cutter Theatre. 10 am-4 pm.

September 1

FALL FEST AT SCHWEITZER

Regional wines, hard ciders, more than 40 beers on taps and some pretty impressive live music. What else do you want? Head up the mountain with a blanket, pick up some tokens and start drinking. Music for this year’s three-day event is presented by Seattle indie faves Pickwick, Americana punks Larry and His Flask and veteran singer-songwriter Jerry Joseph and his band.

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