8 Things To Do This Weekend

With the Fourth of July falling on a Wednesday, lots of folks are heading out of town now, and holiday weekends can mean entertainment pickins in town are slim. But considering that, there are some great choices starting tonight and running through Sunday.

TONIGHT -- A polyrhythmic groove: SKERIK'S BANDALABRA, a Seattle quartet featuring saxophonist Skerik, is celebrating the release of its album, "Live at the Royal Room," with a 9 p.m. show tonight at the Olympia Ballroom. Opening the show is High Ceiling, a reggae-rock jam band from Shelton. The ballroom is at 116 Legion Way, Olympia. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students. Learn more at olympiaballroom.com or watch them perform "Beast Crusher" during the making of "Live at the Royal Room" at youtube.com/watch?v+kEuo05FPyFE.

TONIGHT -- Aberdeen hosts The Ventures: Tacoma classic rock band THE VENTURES will put on a show tonight at the D&R Theater in Aberdeen. Lt. Gov. Brad Owen is slated to join them on stage playing the sax for a concert filled with Northwest rock ’n’ roll. Tickets are $20-$55 at dandrtheater.com/ventures.html.

TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY -- Lacey is swingin’: Lacey’s DIXIELAND JAZZ FESTIVAL is in full swing. Visitors from around the world will join the Greater Olympia Dixieland Jazz Society to share their love of all things Dixieland at four venues on the Saint Martin’s University campus, 5300 Pacific Ave. S.E., Lacey. Some of the bands playing include Grand Dominion, High Sierra, Tom Hook/Black Dogs, Ivory & Gold and Uptown Lowdown. Go to olyjazz.com/festivalinfo.htm for festival details.

SATURDAY -- A virtual Tanzanian journey: After studying at Saint Martin’s University and completing graduate work at The Evergreen State College, Alicia LeDuc headed out to do volunteer work in Tanzania. She’s back and ready to tell her story when she presents “BRAVERY ON A BUS, A TRAVEL ZINE OF TANZANIA” at 6 p.m. Saturday at Orca Books, 509 Fourth Ave E., Olympia. The evening is free. Call 360-352-0123 for details.

SATURDAY -- Celtic sounds at Traditions: MAGICAL STRINGS – a Northwest favorite – centers its music around the Celtic harp and hammered dulcimer and at times is augmented by violin, cello, pennywhistle, percussion and various instruments from around the world. Enjoy traditional sounds at 8 p.m. Saturday at Traditions Café & World Folk Art, 300 5th Avenue S.W., Olympia. Tickets are $15; $10 for students/low income. Call 360-705-2819 for details.

SATURDAY -- Celebrating Klezmer: Local Klezmer orchestra EREV RAV is throwing a CD release party at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Olympia Ballroom on Legion Way to celebrate its new Klezmorphic album. Enjoy special guest performances by members of the aerial dance troupe Tallhouse Arts Consortium, belly dancing with Wild Honey, and performances by guest musicians Miles Nowlin (original Erev Ruvian) and Drew Gibbs. Tickets to the all-ages show are $5; another $5 at the door gets you the CD, too. Go to erevravmusic.com to learn more.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY -- See what’s hidden under the sea: The South Sound Estuary Association will hold its BEACH NATURALIST PROGRAM at several locations in the coming days, coinciding with some low tides. The programs are designed to introduce beach visitors to one of the most heavily populated habitats in the world. Programs will run from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Tolmie State Park, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday at Priest Point Park, and 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday at Burfoot Park. Trained volunteers will be stationed at each of the beaches to talk about what creatures can be seen and answer questions. While the naturalist program is free, there is an charge to enter the state park. A Discover Pass is $10 a day or $30 for a year. Learn more at sseacenter.wordpress.com.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY -- Say ‘yama’: It’s Christmas in June and July with the JINGLE BELLS EXTRAVAGANZA LLAMA & ALPACA SHOW this weekend at the Thurston County Fairgrounds in Lacey. You can learn everything you wanted to know about llamas and alpacas and witness a full-fiber competition that features some of the best fleeces and products in the country. Vendors will sell items such as halters, leads, novelty gifts and soap. Hours are 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 3054 Carpenter Road S.E., Lacey.