Saturday Keep on truckin’ Saturday Be friends with War Today-Saturday Philatelic battle Saturday–Sunday Barter or buy Tuesday Christian music star Thursday Love shack, baby Saturday Vibrant music Thursday Green Coat philosophy Saturda

THE OLYMPIAN • Published September 09, 2011 Modified September 08, 2011

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E xplore the world of big and specialized trucks at the free Touch a Truck event from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Saturday. Kids of all ages will love to climb, sit in and honk horns of vehicles such as a fire engine, dump truck, bucket truck, tractor and school bus at Sprinker Recreation Center, 14824 C St. S., Tacoma. For more information, call 253-798-4177 or go to piercecountywa.org/parks. Formed in 1969, War was one of the original West Coast funk bands that fused elements of rock, funk, jazz, Latin, rhythm and blues, and reggae. The group transcended racial and cultural barriers with a multiethnic lineup and created hits including “Low Rider,” “Spill the Wine,” “The Cisco Kid” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” Catch War live at 7 p.m. Saturday at Little Creek Casino, 91 W. state Route 108, Shelton. Tickets for the 21-and-older-only show are $20-$35. For more information, call 360-432-7300. It’s the final weekend for the Theresa Rebeck’s comic thriller, “Mauritius.” Two bitterly estranged half-sisters are forced to clear out their dead mother’s house together. The discovery of a rare stamp collection pits them against each other in a game of ruthless cunning. The Harlequin Productions’ show closes Saturday at the State Theater, 202 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Showtimes are 8 p.m. today and Saturday. Tickets are $12-$35. Call 360-786-0151. Check out local and regional vendors when they come together for a family style gathering at Olympia Family Barter Faire. Barter for handmade crafts, produce, cuisine, skills, and collections. There also will be singing, dancing and music from local bands. Bartering is encouraged but not required at the event at The Cabana on Shincke, 4326 Shincke Road N.E., Olympia. It opens at 8 a.m. each morning. Admission is $10 Saturday and free Sunday, but there will be no organized workshops or stage music that day. oly-wa.us/olybarter/home.php. Amy Grant has be touted as putting contemporary Christian music on the map, and she was the first contemporary Christian artist to have a platinum record, hit No. 1 on the pop charts, and perform at the Grammys. She also opened the door for a flood of other artists to sing about faith, soul and family, and still grasp stardom. She will take the stage at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the D and R Theatre, 205 S. I St., Aberdeen. Tickets are $55-$78 at dandrtheatre.com. They like presenting themselves as a positive, enthusiastic, slightly oddball party band. The B-52s tell tall tales, glorify wild youth and celebrate romance in their music. Catch them at 7 p.m. Thursday at D and R Theatre, 205 S. I St., Aberdeen. Tickets are $55-$78 at dandrtheatre.com. Peruvian guitarist Ciro Hurtado, is also a storyteller. Each of his compositions is paired with a story to illustrate the cultural and social contexts that bring his music to life. He will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at Traditions Cafe, 300 Fifth Ave. S.W., Olympia.Tickets are $12 or $8 for students/low income. Call 360-705-2819. Join in a fun discourse hosted by local filmmaker Reid Urban titled “Everything and Nothing – Again and Again” at Olympia Timberland Regional Library, 313 Eighth Ave. S.E., Olympia. Urban will explain the theories and philosophies of the locally made movie “The Story of the Green Coat,” which also will be shown. The event begins at 8 p.m. Thursday and it’s free. Go to trl.org. You don’t have to be a climber to enjoy this weekend’s Rainier Mountain Festival, just have an interest in the sport. Attendees can meet some of the area’s best-known climbers, listen to presentations, take part in a five-mile trail run or walk (10 a.m. Sunday, $10) and climb a rock wall. Visitors also can compete in alpine events and enjoy music, food and games for kids. The free festival is at Rainier Basecamp, 30027 state Route 706 E., Ashford. Go to rainiermountainfest.com.