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Good morning, Spokane!

Some weekends you have to hunt for plans. This is not one of them. There are bagpipes and caber tosses out on the Havana Street fairgrounds, Benson Boone and Slightly Stoopid both touching down Sunday night, and a Civic Theatre run taking its final bow. Pace yourself.

In today's Spokane Pulse:

Let's get to it.

— Laina & Lucas Wyland

Bring your family and friends to enjoy a day of Scottish culture, music, athletics, dancing, and family fun on August 1st from 9 am - 5 pm!

Explore clan tents, Celtic vendors, demonstrations, and live entertainment throughout the day. With affordable admission and free parking, the Spokane Scottish Highland Games is an event you don't want to miss!

https://www.spokanehighlandgames.net/

🎭 A Midsummer Night's Dream takes its final bow at the Spokane Civic Theatre this weekend — Sunday, Aug 2 at 2 PM is the last show of the run, after a Friday 7:30 PM evening and a Saturday 2 PM matinee. Shakespeare's tangle of lovers, fairies, and bumbling actors, staged by Civic's teen and college students. $36.50 (students $20).

🛍️ Lilac City Vendor Fair sets up inside NorthTown Mall Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., with more than 40 rotating local makers and small-business booths to browse. Free to wander.

😂 Henry Cho: The Empty Nest Tour brings the clean, easygoing Southern comedian — the first comedian inducted into the Grand Ole Opry since 1973 — to the Bing Crosby Theater for two nights, Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 7 PM.

Three pop-punk time machines on one outdoor bill — cue up "I'm Just a Kid" and pretend it's 2004 again under the Airway Heights sky.

The Texas songwriter and sharp-eyed storyteller plays The District with BettySoo, whose harmonies are worth showing up early for.

Portland metalcore heavyweights bring the noise to the Knitting Factory, with Holder and Contention warming up the room first.

Eric Eaton, a three-time Comedy Magician of the Year, mixes sleight of hand with grown-up stand-up for a 21-and-up night at the Comedy Club.

Imagine Jazz hosts an easy evening of live local quartets in the lounge at Hotel Indigo — no cover charge to just wander in and listen.

Hillyard throws its own party down North Market Street — a morning parade, then a street festival with food, vendors, and neighborhood pride.

A free afternoon of local music at Brick West, with James Berkley, Light In Mirrors, and more on the bill.

Casa De La Salsa hosts a beginner lesson, an open-air dance floor, and a potluck under the shelter at Mirabeau Point Park — bring a dish to share.

Local historian Chet Caskey leads a free stroll through Riverfront Park, unpacking the stories behind the falls, the Pavilion, and the 1974 World's Fair grounds.

The Big Dipper hands the stage to a stacked local heavy lineup for a loud, sweaty Saturday night downtown.

The "Beautiful Things" hitmaker and his backflips land at the arena with Ashe opening — easily the biggest ticket in town this weekend.

The SoCal reggae-rock vets bring their Road Trippin' summer tour to the riverfront Pavilion for a breezy, sunset-into-night set.

The band formerly known as Mike and the Moonpies plays honky-tonk built for a two-step, closing out the weekend at The District.

Wind the weekend down on the patio at The Boiler Room with an easy afternoon of live music and a cold drink.

🍔 Avista Stadium's concession stand is back after last September's fire and roughly $1 million in losses, reopening with new fryers, in-house carnitas, and a fresh hot dog on the Indians' menu.

🏙️ Downtown Spokane drew 50,000+ more visitors in the first half of this year than last, recovering about 90% of its pre-COVID foot traffic, per the Downtown Spokane Partnership.

🦅 Eastern Washington football is leaning on experience and continuity as the Eagles open a new season, saying at media day the foundation is already built.

🏗️ A proposed West Plains data center has residents and county leaders debating transparency, tax breaks, and who would pay for the added infrastructure.

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