Bloglander

You gotta love a short work week, right? Even if it means summer is essentially over, like Labor Day does. Ah well, still plenty of fun to be had indoors and out; check out our Staff Picks and event listings for some great options. 

Here are a few highlights of the week ahead: 

Monday, Sept. 5

FESTIVAL | Last call for Pig Out in the Park, people! Catch some live tunes and, you know, pig out and whatnot. 

LIVE BANDS | It's day 2 of the Dave Matthews Band annual stand at The Gorge. One last roadie before the end of the weekend, perhaps?

Tuesday, Sept. 6

COMEDY | Get some laughs at The Observatory with Spokane Comedy's Standup Showdown, where you decide which comic does the best with his four-minute time slot. 

Wednesday, Sept. 7

WORDS | Join former Spokane police officer and author Frank Zafiro at Auntie's for a reading from his new book The Short List. 
Thursday, Sept. 8

CRAFTS | You've undoubtedly heard about how adults are enjoying coloring books as much as they did when they were kids. What, you haven't? Well, head to the North Spokane Library and join a group doing Adult Coloring for free. 

WORDS | The inaugural Connecting Writers With Hollywood conference kicks off, giving local aspiring screenwriters the chance to learn from some pros in the industry. 

Friday, Sept. 9

DANCE | Get thee down to the Red Dragon Chinese restaurant and get into some Belly Dancing. Doesn't seem a natural for a Chinese restaurant? That makes it all the more special. 

THEATER | It's opening night of Disney's Beauty and the Beast at the Spokane Civic, so get ready to sing along with your kiddos. 

FESTIVAL | Northern Quest hosts its annual celebration of excellent cigars, paired with wine and beer for two days during the Little Smoke Festival. 

THEATER | Gonzaga opens a play with an intriguing conceit. Freud's Last Session imagines a  conversation between the legendary founder of psychoanalysis and the up-and-coming young Oxford don C.S. Lewis during a visit to Freud's London home on the day of Britain's entrance into WWII. 

Saturday, Sept. 10

FOOD & DRINK | The first-ever Restaurant Wars offers free admission, a bunch of food and food-related vendors and a $17 wristband to sample grub from eight local restaurants, all at Kendall Yards. 

FILM | A special fundraiser for Operation: Dog Tag, the Garland Theater hosts the only screening in the area of For the Love of Spock, a documentary by filmmaker Adam Nimoy about his father Leonard, the legendary Star Trek star.