THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Rain, hi 55, lo 43

Saturday: Rain, hi 58, lo 43

Sunday: Partly sunny (maybe), hi 63, lo 48

>>> FRIDAY, MAY 27: BLAME SALLY

It's not every night you get an opportunity to drop in on a foursome as talented and in-tune as the Bay Area's Blame Sally, making a stop at Traditions Cafe in Olympia Friday as part of a much larger national tour. Packing the individual punches of female songwriters Pam Delgado, Renee Harcourt, Jeri Jones and Monica Pasqual, fans of Blame Sally have come to stand behind this group for a myriad of reason; the obvious musicianship and skill is only the start. The collective voice of this band is one of real life experience, highs and lows, and the power of unity. It doesn't take much listening to realize it's an easy thing to get behind. You'll have a chance to see for yourself Friday.

• Traditions Cafe, 8 p.m., $15, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia, 360.705.2819

>>> SATURDAY, MAY 28: OUTDOOR CHALLENGE

You're goddamn ridiculous. Just admit it. For this reason, the Metro Parks annual Outdoor Challenge is right down your alley. Starting at 11 a.m. Saturday morning at Owen Beach at Point Defiance Park, teams of two adults and family teams of four will battle for supremacy in a bevy of outdoorsy and just plain absurd challenges. Cross-country skiing, golf ball chipping and adult dress up will all be in play. Be warned, and be ready.

• Point Defiance Park, 10 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. competition, 2:30 p.m. awards ceremony, $40 per team, metroparkstacoma.org/challenge

>>> SATURDAY, MAY 28: BOOM TOXIC ROLLER DERBY

It used to be that roller derby events were few and far between - whenever one popped up it was to be savored like a rare commodity. These days, in a major improvement, it seems South Sound derby fans have roller-skate-clad fun to get behind almost every weekend. Saturday, Tacoma and Fircrest upstart team Toxic 253 will engage in their second bout ever, taking on the Ft. Lewis Bettie Brigade Team Bravo at Wheelz Skate Arena. Did we mention there'll be a beer garden? Sold.

• Wheelz Skate Arena, 6 p.m., $10, 2101 Mildred St., Tacoma, 253.460.7655

>>> SUNDAY & MONDAY, MAY 29-30: TWO FINAL DAYS OF ROCKWELL

Norman Rockwell, the guy who - we swear it must be so - invented Thanksgiving, watermelon, baseball and prayer, has been on display in Tacoma since February. Or, rather, his art has. The exhibition American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell scheduled its only Northwest stop at TAM Feb. 26 through May 30, with 44 paintings and 323 original Saturday Evening Post covers.  This means Monday, Memorial Day, is your VERY LAST CHANCE TO SEE IT! It's been here since February, people! There's no excuse for having missed it. See archival materials showing how Rockwell worked, from preliminary sketches, photographs, color studies and detailed drawings to the finished painting. There's more nostalgia, sentimentality and Americana here than at a lifetime of family reunions and Fourth of July picnics. See it before it's gone.

• Tacoma Art Museum, through May 30, Wednesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4258

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
In my fantasies, I'll be doing something awesome, like spending the weekend wakeboarding on Lake Shasta in Northern California, then heading west to camp in the Redwoods, followed by a leisurely drive back up the 101. But, in reality, I'll be bartending, changing diapers, cleaning house, changing chicken coop poop and - if I'm lucky - having a barbeque. Guess all those things are awesome in their own right, too.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
Not much going on this weekend, really, just catching a screening of Bridesmaids...OH, AND GETTING MARRIED! And yes, we are registered, on Honeyfund.com. It's so sweet of you to ask!

MATT DRISCOLL: Editor
I realize you're probably going to freak out if you have to read me whine about another toddler birthday party in the Weekend Hustle. The gag is old ... I get it. Thing is, next weekend is OUR toddler's birthday party and nary a party hat or kazoo has been procured. There's not a single streamer in the house. This will never do. I anticipate a weekend of hurried preparation and store-bought sheet cake research. 

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
I'm gonna take my four-day weekend and spend three of those days in Portland where we will ride bikes and hang out with the cool kids and talk about how great riding the train is. Oh yeah, and buy books from Powell's that may or may not have run-on sentences or fragments.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
Well, I've run out of my monthly allotment of cigarettes, and I am too broke to buy more. So, as a kind of forced experiment, I will be taking a few days off from smoking, for what will be the first time in probably four years. I will only have expired nicotine patches to protect me. As a result, my plans for the weekend will largely feature staying inside in the fetal position.

JENNIFER JOHNSON Food and Lifestyles Writer 
Friday luncheon then karaoke and dancing. Saturday morning temple trip to Bellevue followed by nice weather (oh please, oh please, oh please), so I can work in the yard. South Tacoma Way Farmers Market Sunday morning with secret chef then church and down time.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Meat Market Photographer
I am hitting the Rockwell exhibit at TAM and maybe the music festival at Freighthouse Square on Saturday, yada yada yada, kiddo weekend.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

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