THIS WEEK: Dar Williams, free UFC, Festival at Sandpoint and Art on the Green

A world of great entertainment opportunities abound at all times in our event listings and Staff Picks, so you have no excuse if your summer is a bummer. 

Here are some highlights of the week ahead: 

Monday, Aug. 1

LIVE BANDS | I saw Hurray for the Riff Raff a couple years back at Bumbershoot, and the New Orleans band led by Alynda Lee Segarra delivers an off-kilter and utterly excellent combination of folk, blues and rock. They headline the Bartlett. Here's a little sample: 

COMMUNITY | Hey's it's Free Swim Week, Spokane! Get swimmin' at the city pools, free of charge!

Tuesday, Aug. 2

SPORTS & OUTDOORS | If you love UFC or are merely curious, head on out to Lone Wolf Harley-Davidson for War at the Wolf, a free night of fights and the chance to get autographs from Spokane UFC stars Julianna Pena and Michael Chiesa. There will be food trucks, a beer garden, vendors and more.

COMEDY | Spokane Comedy's Standup Showdown goes down at The Observatory, where comedians will be called to the stage two at a time to riff on topics in a battle royale-type situation. But funny. 

Wednesday, Aug. 3

LIVE BANDS | Dar Williams is an excellent folk singer/songwriter as well as performer, and the fact she's playing in one of the coolest venues in town at Chateau Rive just makes this show all the more appealing. Here's a sample of her music: 

Thursday, Aug. 4

THEATER | The Modern Theater in Coeur d'Alene continues its run of Dogfight, which takes place in 1963 and follows Marine Eddie Birdlace and his buddies, out for one last night of fun before their deployment. Eddie picks a waitress named Rose to satisfy the requirements of a cruel game with his friends, but the woman is more than he bargained for. If you can, check out the 1991 movie with River Phoenix and Lili Taylor, it was pretty great. 

FOOD & DRINK | Consider upping your culinary game with a class at SCC, this week on preparing Sensational Salmon. 

FESTIVAL | The Festival at Sandpoint kicks off with Bruce Hornsby, a pop star in his own right, and a long-time member of the Grateful Dead during the band's latter years. 

Friday, Aug. 5

FESTIVAL | Take a little trip north to the Colville Rendezvous Days, where you can get to know the community through grub, tunes, an historic encampment and car show, among so much more. 

VISUAL ARTS | It's First Friday! Get out and see some awesome art in Spokane. 

FESTIVAL/ VISUAL ARTS | Over in CdA, it's Art on the Green time again, so make your way to Idaho and see some amazing art.  

Saturday, Aug. 6

VISUAL ARTS | Art on the Street is a new event this summer in the Garland district, where noteworthy artists working outside the Spokane Art School and the public is welcome to join the fun. This week, Deanna Camp is the artist.