9 Things To Do This Weekend

Dia de los Muertos is a theme that runs through a few of my picks, but lots of this weekend's events are decidedly for the living, featuring flying snowboards, wine tasting, and tattooing competitions. And foodies, don't miss the tasty new event in Tumwater this Saturday.

TODAY -- Dead heads: Enjoy an evening of music, dancing, Latino food and cultural activities at the DIA DE LOS MUERTOS (Day of the Dead) MASQUERADE PARTY at the Eagles Hall Grand Ballroom, 805 Fourth Ave. E, Olympia. Live entertainment includes Los Calaveras, DJ Leon and The Brown Edition at 8 tonight. Tickets are $25-$75 at brownpapertickets.com or at the door. Proceeds support literacy p rograms at Cielo.

TODAY -- Take a powdery ride: Get in the mood for winter at the NORTHWEST SNOWBOARDS WINTER VIDEO PREMIERE tonight at Capitol Theater, 204 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. The screenings feature locally made skate and snowboard videos, along with nationally acclaimed snowboard videos, plus raffle prizes that include snowboards, skateboards and gear. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 at the door.

TODAY -- New Age alchemy: World-class acoustic guitar alchemist SCOTT HUCKABAY is a rhythmic and dynamic player, developing complex and energetic tribal progressions on his alternately tuned guitar. See him in “Music of the Heart” at 7 tonight in the Longhouse at The Evergreen State College, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW. The concert is free.

TODAY & SATURDAY -- Made with love: Mega bazaar HOMEMADE FOR THE HOLIDAYS fills four buildings at the Thurston County Fairgrounds with handcrafted items from 100 crafters. Admission and parking are free, but bring a nonperishable food item for the Thurston County Food Bank. Hours are 4-8 p.m. today and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at 3054 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey.

TODAY & SATURDAY -- World Music: Seattle duo CORREO AEREO – critically acclaimed for its performance of traditional music from Argentina, Mexico and Venezuela – performs two Olympia shows timed to coincide with the Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos. One is at 8 tonight with singer-composer/multi-instrumentalist Amy Denio; the other is at 8 p.m. Saturday with Evan Flory-Barnes on stand-up bass. Both are at Traditions Cafe & World Folk Art, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia. Tickets for tonight's show are $12 for adults, $8 for students and those with low income; for Saturday's show, they are $15 for adults, $10 for students and those with low incomes. For more information, call 360-705-2819, or go to traditionsfairtrade.com or correoaereo.com -- or read Molly Gilmore's interview of the duo at www.theolympian.com/living. Also, in honor of Día de los Muertos, the duo invites those coming to the shows to bring photos, flowers and other objects for an altar honoring loved ones who have died.

TODAY & SATURDAY -- A chilling classic: This weekend, Olympia Little Theatre opens its production of the classic thriller "NIGHT MUST FALL" about a difficult elderly woman and a dashing young stranger who is not what he seems to be. Showtimes are 7:55 tonight and Saturday -- but if you miss it this weekend, it will be running through Nov. 25 at the theater, 1925 Miller Ave. NE, Olympia. Tickets are $10-$14. For more information, call 360-786-9484, or go to olympialittletheater.org.

TODAY-SUNDAY -- The art of ink: Tattoos are increasingly being considered a fine art form. See some of the finest at the ONE NATION UNDER INK TATTOO AND PIERCING CONVENTION starting today. It features 45 of the best tattoo artists in the Northwest competing in 17 categories. Also check out tattoo seminars and everything to do with ink and piercings, plus live music. The three-day event is at the Red Lion Olympia, 2300 Evergreen Park Drive SW. Hours are 1-10 p.m. today, noon-10 p.m. Saturday and noon-7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $15 for a day or $35 for the weekend, and is available at the door.

SATURDAY -- Tasty gathering: The TASTE OF TUMWATER AND BIZ EXPO from noon-7 p.m. Saturday offers food and beer/wine pairings, chef cooking demonstrations, a Sandwich Throwdown Challenge, trade show, live entertainment and local artisans at South Sound Manor, 455 North St. SE, Tumwater. Admission includes 10 tickets and a wine glass. Advance tickets are $15 at Olympia Federal Savings, Scatter Creek Winery in Tenino, and the Tumwater Chamber of Commerce office; tickets are $20 at the door. This is a 21-and-older event. For more information, call 360-357-5153.

SATURDAY -- A little wine with that hike? If you're heading to Mount Rainier for a little outdoor time without the crowds, consider making a stop in Ashford on the way back. You can sip and savor wines and microbrews from small Washington producers at the MOUNT RAINIER WINE FESTIVAL. Enjoy appetizers and music from 2-8 p.m. at the Mount Rainier Lions Club, Grand Tasting Hall, 27726 state Route 706 E. in Ashford. The $25 admission includes a wine glass and 10 tasting tickets.