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: Spokane United Way calls it quits, four contenders battle for a Spokane Valley council seat, and WSU sleep research steals headlines — catch up here.

State-level stories: Ivy sales get axed statewide, Washington asks for public takes on future EV chargers, and 21 AI wildfire cameras go live for fire alerts — see what else is brewing.

National headlines: 24/7 social security access, dogs detect Parkinson’s, and a new method or reclaiming 98 percent of battery metals — peruse the best of the rest.

Highlights this week

• Explore Spokane history with free walking tours
• Learn money smarts while having fun
• Experience Spokane River ecology with hands-on fun
• Book your one-on-one Medicare counseling appointment
• Pedal to help rescue animals
• iTustCapital offers $0/mo crypto IRA accounts

🫶 We got your back

Eats: Sure, a salad is fine once in a while but sometimes your soul needs proper indulgence. These burger joints actually live up to the hype and will make you forget you ever cared about counting calories.

Real Estate: Whether you’re ready to ditch your starter home or plant roots somewhere that feels just right, these top realtors in Spokane are the ones who actually get what you need.

Coffee: Tired of gas station swill and drive-thru letdowns? These nearby caffeine sanctuaries have baristas who remember your usual and pastry cases full of sweet temptations, because coffee is about way more than just the beans.

Family Fun: Want to keep the littles busy without a screen? Check out this guide to the coolest summer outdoor toys and on-the-go activities that will keep them entertained all season.

👀 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 entirey outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

🎵 Name That Song @ Knitting Factory | Friday (7/18) at 7:00pm – If you can still hum a classic ’80s hook better than your Spotify algorithm, slide into this 21+ night where bingo meets Name That Song. Expect snarky hosts, throwback tunes, and bragging rights for your trivia prowess.

🔔 Seventh Wave Sound Healing Reiki Sound Bath @ Alchemy Hillyard | Friday (7/18) at 7:00pm – Roll out your yoga mat, leave the real world at the door, and let Seventh Wave’s chimes and reiki beams do the heavy lifting. It’s a sound bath with bonus healing vibes, guaranteed to unknot shoulders only your kids and desk chair could create.

This weekend

🎈 Kids Fest @ Franklin Park | Saturday (7/19) at 10:00am – Need an excuse to eat someone else’s cooking? Head to Franklin Park for free burgers, hotdogs, and a bounce-house marathon for the kids. No tickets, just local pride, sticky fingers everywhere, and a solid reason to dodge yard work.

🎸 Sam Lewis @ Live At Andre’s Concerts | Saturday (7/19) at 7:00pm – Sam Lewis is landing in town with his molasses-thick voice and story-worn songs that blend soul grooves with sly social commentary. Think modern Townes Van Zandt meets a swampy Southern dreamscape. Grab a drink, settle in, and let that voice hug your ears.

🎬 Movies @ Gesa Pavilion | Saturday (7/19) at 8:30pm – Grab a picnic blanket and head to the Gesa Pavilion for free outdoor flicks under the stars, from live-action Jungle Book to E.T. No need to dress up, just bring your snacks, low-profile chair, and unleash your inner kid, but leave the wine at home.

🏀 Summer Slam Basketball 2025 @ HUB Sports Center | Sunday (7/20) at 10:00am – High school hoops take center court for three days of non-stop competition, strategy, and bracket battles. With a guaranteed five-game minimum, this isn’t your average weekend shootaround—it’s a full-on summer showdown. Expect buzzer-beaters, rising stars, and plenty of high-energy action.

🐕 Houndmouth @ Knitting Factory | Sunday (7/20) at 8:00pm – Think you’re too seasoned for crowded pit vibes? Knitting Factory’s new 21+ reserved table seating lets you snag an individual ticket, then cozy up with three strangers at a four-top, all while your personal cocktail server keeps the pours coming. Cheers to civilized chaos.

Next week

🏞️ River Run @ South Hill Library | Monday (7/21) at 1:00pm – Trade one more round of couch-based civil war reenactments for a celebration of the Spokane River’s ecology and some hands-on muck wading. Peer at local critters, learn the river’s best-kept secrets, and call mud ‘research’ without batting an eye.

💍 Love is Endless Necklace @ The Hive | Tuesday (7/22) at 5:30pm – Need an excuse to get crafty? Indigenous Artist-In-Residence Lacey Bacon will guide you through stringing dentalium shells, beads, sinew, and deer hide to make a necklace that’s equal parts history and therapy. No experience necessary, bring patience and a dry wit.

🎼 Music in Manito @ Manito Park | Tuesday (7/22) at 7:30pm – Manito Park’s Festival Lawn has you covered with mind-bending Brazilian beatbox, slick hip hop, and cool jazz, then a string quartet shows up to tackle Piazzolla’s Four Seasons like it’s dinner party entertainment. Pack snacks, a blanket, and your best head-nodding moves. Zero tuxedos necessary.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 7/18 Friday Night Movie @ Northwest Museum of Arts – 6 pm
• 7/19 Sturtz @ Wildland Cooperative – 5 pm
• 7/19 Sam Lewis @ Live at Andre’s – 7 pm
• 7/19 Cody Jinks and more @ Northern Quest Resort – 7 pm
• 7/19 Ole 60 @ Knitting Factory – 8 pm
• 7/21 Blue Elephant and the 7 Snakes @ Spokane Washington Temple – 7:30 pm
• 7/22 Dropkick Murphys and more @ BECU Live – 7 pm
• 7/22 Music in Manito @ Manito Park – 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).

*This 👇 could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.

Listed by: Suzy Dix (Windermere Manito, LLC)

Sunlight pours into the open kitchen and living area, thanks to southern exposure and big windows framing distant skies. A grand entry sets the tone, leading to a formal dining room with built-ins and a living room warmed by a fireplace. The kitchen is all about high-end touches—Subzero, Viking, and views for days.

Out back, the new deck sports a built-in barbeque and a private, luxe yard. The primary suite got a 2025-worthy glow-up with a soaking tub and dreamy outlooks. Bonus room over the garage, wet bar, dog wash, and a three-car garage with shop space. Minutes to Manito Country Club, hiking, and Trader Joe’s.

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