Happy Friday, Spokane. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Spokane Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.

📰 In the news

Local happenings: Hillyard gets creative district status for art events, a ballot could bring free swim lessons for second graders, and AI cooling plants are made — catch up here.

State-level stories: In-N-Out opens first restaurant in Ridgefield, state fairs feature rodeos, reptile exhibits, and carnival rides, and life sciences jobs jump fifty percent — see what else is brewing.

National headlines: Previously hacked data repository relaunches, ramen packs recalled over missing soy warning, and crypto markets tumble on inflation fears — peruse the best of the rest.

Highlights this week

• Get plant tips from WSU Master Gardeners
• Book in-person one-on-one Medicare counseling
• Ask Treasurer Volz about property taxes
• Browse fall plants at Manito sale
• This home warranty is 50% off until 8/24

🫶 We got your back

Beauty: Second guessing your reflection? Spokane’s top med spas turn science into a stylish pamper sesh. Walk out looking like you actually have it all together.

Startup: Dreaming of launching your business in just 2–4 weeks for about $300–500? Dodge the quirky B&O tax that hits you when you’re in the red and sidestep filing in the wrong order with these startup essentials.

Kitchen: Skip the $800 monster machines that could probably blend your iPhone and the $30 lumps that choke on ice. Our 2025 blender guide cuts through the hype so you get a blender that actually works without leaving you $200 poorer.

Chocolatier: From silky truffles to bars you’ll 100% hide in the back of the pantry (sorry, not sorry), Halletts Chocolates is here to fuel your cocoa-fueled happiness. Just remember: sharing is optional, and “just one piece” is a myth.

Home: Many homeowners have no idea they’re sitting on thousands in equity they can use to redo their bathroom, kitchen, or whatever their hearts desire. This free equity loan comparison tool can help you find the best fit and get started on the right foot.

👀 Why just read it when you could be in it?

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📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

🎸 Doom Scroll, Dahlia Dahlia, Thundergun Express @ J Bones Musicland | Friday (8/22) at 7:00pm – This summer Doom Scroll is storming into town alongside the ever-reliable Dalia Dahlia and Thundergun Express, so swap your quiet night at home for something more headbang-worthy. Expect searing riffs, sweaty floors, and that charming neighborhood dive bar camaraderie we all pretend to hate.

🎵 Pop 2000 Tour @ Spokane Live at Spokane Tribe Casino | Friday (8/22) at 8:00pm – Dust off your butterfly clips and crank the volume – the Pop 2000 Tour is rolling into Spokane Live for a night of chart-topping boy band moves and pop princess anthems. Think Y2K nostalgia, platform sneakers, and enough catchy hooks to transport you straight back to the era of dial-up internet.

This weekend

🎨 Art & Glass Fest 2025 @ Arbor Crest Wine Cellars | Saturday (8/23) at 11:00am – If you need an excuse to escape the sofa, head up the hill for local art, live music, world-class wine, Square Wheel brews, and Mediterranean bites. DHB Designs will be holding court at their tent, so swing by and say hi.

🕯️ Candlelight: 90s Unplugged @ Riverside Place | Saturday (8/23) at 6:30pm – Think Spokane’s outdoor adventures can’t beat nostalgia? Riverside Place glows under hundreds of candles as a local string quartet tackles Nirvana, Oasis, and No Doubt, minus the parking-lot acoustics. It’s cozy, grown-up, and utterly unplugged.

🧘 Cocoon Soundbath with Guided Breathwork @ Coil – Yoga, Dance, & Aerial | Saturday (8/23) at 7:00pm – Suspended from the ceiling and nested in a cozy cocoon, Jessie Jo’s soundbath with guided breathwork feels like a lullaby for your overworked brain after Monday’s freeway fiasco, complete with crystal bowls, gentle instruction, and enough zen to ditch that buzzing to-do list.

⚽ Gonzaga University Women’s Soccer vs Simon Fraser @ Gonzaga University | Sunday (8/24) at 1:00pm – Nothing beats a Sunday with fresh-cut grass and halftime cheers, especially when the Zags take on Simon Fraser. It’s college soccer at its finest, no corporate jingle, just hometown grit, gleeful goals, and a sunlit excuse to avoid yard work.

🧘 Authentic Indian Yoga @ Shadle Park Library | Sunday (8/24) at 1:00pm – Whether you’ve been bending like a pretzel at sunrise or still think Namaste is a cocktail, Devika Gates leads us through authentic Indian Yoga. Just bring a mat, loose clothing, and a sense of humor for gentle stretches and mindful breaths.

🎷 Hot Club of Spokane @ Corbin Park | Sunday (8/24) at 4:00pm – Think your weekend could use a soundtrack that isn’t just the neighbor’s leaf blower? Hot Club of Spokane throws down soulful string action at open-air Corbin Park, delivering gypsy-jazz bliss, no fancy footwork required. Bring moves, a picnic blanket, and your best local swagger.

Next week

🧠 Trivia Night @ YaYa Brewing Company | Monday (8/25) at 6:30pm – Gather your brain trust (up to eight folks) and show off your trivia chops at this all-digital showdown—no paper, just your smartphone and wicked wit. Hosted by Bearded Trivia, there are prizes at stake, bragging rights on the line, and plenty of pints to fuel your brilliance. Ready to school the competition? Assemble your squad and let the games begin!

🎡 Spokane County Interstate Fair Night @ Avista Stadium | Tuesday (8/26) at 6:35pm – Tuesday night at the ballpark means more than third-base glory and seventh-inning slump. Think face paint under the lights, a petting zoo roaming the stands, and free fair tickets launched your way every inning, all courtesy of Cascadia Screen Printing.

🎭 Readers Theater: Puffs @ Spokane Civic Theatre | Tuesday (8/26) at 7:30pm – Grab your folding chair at the intimate studio for a stripped-down riff on the wizard school saga, following three would-be heroes and their underdog housemates as they blunder through spells and sideways glances. No sets, no props, no shame, just gleeful booklights and bad puns.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 8/22 www.schennum.com @ Big Barn Brewing – 6 pm
• 8/22 Doom Scroll and more @ J Bones Musicland – 7 pm
• 8/22 The Sword @ Knitting Factory – 8 pm
• 8/23 Steve Everett @ Live at Andre’s – 7 pm
• 8/24 Five for Fighting @ Knitting Factory – 8 pm
• 8/24 Mihali @ The District – 9 pm
• 8/24 Zuezue @ Montvale – 9 pm
• 8/26 Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley and more @ BECU Live – 7:30 pm

🏠️ Price is right – Spokane edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: Kathy Bixler (Coldwell Banker Tomlinson)

This Comstock two-story brings classic curb appeal and clever design together, thanks to Jim Stack’s build and Jon Saylor’s vision. Maple hardwood floors shine beneath a dramatic dual staircase, while three sets of French doors keep the vibe bright and breezy. The chef’s kitchen is ready for culinary experiments, with a center island, eating bar, and casual dining that spills into a family room with custom built-ins and a gas fireplace.

Upstairs, a primary suite with double sinks and dual closets keeps mornings easy, while two guest bedrooms and a laundry room add everyday convenience. Down below, a finished lower level serves up guest space, a full bath, and a bonus family room. The attached three-car garage is big enough for all the toys.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →