7 Things to Do This Weekend

This is the first weekend of the Puyallup Fair, so by all means, Do The Puyallup. But will you bring home a scone for me?

And tonight is the Spaghetti Bowl, where the crosstown football rivals Olympia High and Capital High face off at Ingersoll Stadium. I'll be there -- cheering on the marching bands.

Here are 7 other things you can do this weekend right here in South Sound:

Today-Sunday -- Cynical take on politics: Harlequin Productions' “AMERICANS ACROSS THE STREET,” the front porch political comedy by Carter W. Lewis, continues at State Theater, 202 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Showtimes are 8 p.m. today and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $31; $28 for military and seniors; $20 for students. Call 360-786-0151 or go to harlequinproductions.org.

Today-Saturday -- It’s time to party rock: Known as the party rock band of the Northwest, the BOINKERS play throughout the Puget Sound. Catch the band at 8:30 tonight and Saturday at Red Wind Casino, 12819 Yelm Highway S.E., in Nisqually. Don't forget to put on your dancin’ shoes. There’s no cover charge.

Today-Saturday -- Play that funky music: SONIC FUNK, a 12-piece horn-driven party machine hailing from the Northwest, plays all the favorite chart-busting hits by mega artists of the 1970s and early ’80s. Get ready to take a musical journey from Saturday Night Fever to Studio 54 when the band plays at 9 tonight and Saturday at Little Creek Casino, 91 state Route 108, Shelton. There’s no cover charge.

Saturday -- Be a Good Dog runner: Help support Tucker’s Fund that provides emergency veterinarian care to needy animals by participating in the GOOD DOG K9 FUN RUN at 9 a.m. Saturday. The 5K or one mile run/walk is a flat out-and-back route that begins and ends at Huntamer Park in Lacey. Everyone will receive a participant award and a chance for door prizes. All human participants who register in advance receive a T-shirt. The first 250 early registered canines get a doggie bandana. Registration information is at ontherunevents.com/gooddog.

Saturday -- Teachings of Gandhi: Bernie Meyer will play Indian civil rights leader Mahatma Gandhi in “AMERICAN GANDHI,” a six-scene portrayal of the significant events and nonviolent teaching of Gandhi's life. The show is part of the annual September Project, an international grassroots effort to encourage events exploring freedom, justice, democracy and community in libraries. Meyer will perform at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Lacey Library Meeting Room, 500 College St. S.E. The event is free.

Saturday -- Community honors military: Join in honoring our local military at the 10th annual MILITARY FAMILY DAY at Cabela’s from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. It will be a day of patriotic recognition of those who serve our country, including military leaders from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, local distinguished patriots, a C-17 flyover, helicopter candy drop, live music by the I Corps band and Jonathan Harris, free food and interactive displays for kids. The free event is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hawks Prairie. For more details, go to militaryfamilyday.com.

Saturday -- Say farewell to local band: The Afro-Cuban quartet OCHO PIES plays its final Olympia show Saturday night before disbanding because of the departure of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Connie Bunyer, who is leaving on a sailing adventure. The concert is from 8-11 p.m. Saturday at the Waterstreet Cafe, 610 Water St. S.W., Olympia. There is no cover, but you should make reservations, because it is sure to be popular. For more information, call 360-709-9090, or go to waterstreetcafeandbar.com. You can follow Bunyer's adventure at traveleratsea.blogspot.com.