Bloglander

Take a run through our events listings and Staff Picks to get the most out of the remaining days of summer. Here are some of the highlights I found looking at the week ahead:

Monday, Aug. 21

ECLIPSE | I'm going to go ahead and assume you've heard about the big solar eclipse. If you're reading this on Sunday, you have time to check it out at one of these events. Reading this after Monday morning?  You can go play some trivia tonight at the Observatory.

Tuesday, Aug. 22

COMMUNITY | Spark Central has been enjoying a month-long birthday celebration, but tonight is special. There's free cake!

FILM | The Garland Theater's Summer Camp series continues with the classic (IMO) Smoke Signals, based on Sherman Alexie's writings. Here's a trailer, if you haven't seen it in a while:


Wednesday, Aug. 23

FILM | Enjoy a Movie with the Marmots at Glover Field as the Peaceful Valley Neighborhood Council screens Benny & Joon for free at dusk.

FESTIVAL | It's opening night of the North Idaho State Fair! We won't quibble over the fact that North Idaho isn't its own state, because we'll take any excuse for funnel cakes and rodeos. It runs through Aug. 27 at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

Thursday, Aug. 24

COMMUNITY | The Wall That Heals, a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., sets up shop in Spokane Valley for the next four days.

WORDS | The Spokane slam poetry community is an impressive one, and now you can read some of the poets' works on your own time thanks to the release of Uncensored: Spokane Slam Poetry Collected. Celebrate its release with a party at the Steel Barrel.

MUSIC | The Mike Love coming to Spokane tonight is not the old Beach Boy, but a rising reggae star with some serious skills he'll put on display at the Big Dipper. Here's a taste:


MUSIC | Spokane singer/songwriter Dario Ré celebrates his CD release with a show at the Bartlett tonight. Here's our interview with him about the new songs' inspirations.

Friday, Aug. 25

COMMUNITY | Who doesn't love a Big Bounce House? Not this guy! This 10,000-square-foot bad boy will be set up for three days at Joe Albi Stadium, and features different zones, DJs, basketball hoops and more.

COMMUNITY | It's time once again for the Gathering at the Falls Powwow at Riverfront Park, starting tonight and running through Sunday.

Saturday, Aug. 26

WORDS | Celebrate local author Stephanie Oakes' new young adult book The Arsonist with a release party at Auntie's.