Festivals celebrate heritage, and Olympia band honors ‘70s NW rock and punk with show

It’s the water

Celebrate Tumwater Falls at the fourth annual Tumwater Falls Fest, happening Saturday, Sept. 27. So important are the falls to Tumwater history that the city takes its name from the Chinook term “tumtum,” meaning waterfall or noisy water. Performances by String and Shadow Puppet Theater, The Oly Mountain Boys and Celtic band Shamrock are among the attractions at the free festival, which also will offer face painting, an arts market, food vendors and opportunities to learn about salmon, stone carving, Tumwater history and more. Attendees are encouraged to stroll along the Deschutes River and take in the beauty of the falls, too. The festival happens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls, 110 Deschutes Way SW, Tumwater.

Lula Fest celebrates heritage with music and more

Olympia’s Lula Fest, happening Saturday, Sept. 27, puts a spotlight on Latinx arts and culture. The free Hispanic Heritage Month celebration happens in and around the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. Among the highlights are performances by Los Cumbieros, La Nueva Novedad, Mariachi Ayutla and Duende Libre beginning at 4 p.m. in the theater. The street fair, from 1 to 3 p.m., will include a classic car and motorcycle show, an arts market, food trucks, a beer garden and music by DJ L Albina Cabrera (aka KEXP’s El Sonido), DJ Kalambre and DJ Trademark. Admission is free.

True Olympians rock on

Tom Dyer and the True Olympians, whose “Olympia: A True Story” documented the town through original tunes, are celebrating the release of “History of Northwest Rock, Vol. 2” with a concert Sunday, Sept. 28. Though it involves history of a sort, the new collection is not a tale of Olympia but rather a hard-hitting compilation of the band’s takes on ‘70s Pacific Northwest rock and punk — a show for those who like their tunes loud and edgy. The release show, a benefit for the Thurston County Food Bank, is set for 6 p.m. at Wild Child, 414 Fourth Ave. E.., Olympia. Dyer expects some of the original artists to attend the benefit, which will also feature guest artists Danny Kelly, Christine Gunn and Arrington de Dionyso. The show is open to all ages, and advance tickets are $17.34.

Freelance writer Molly Gilmore talks with DJ Kevin the Brit about what’s happening around town on KGY-FM’s “Oly in a Can,” airing at 2 p.m. Fridays.