For the first annual Grit City Fest, over half a dozen venues all over town hosted shows. It was a huge undertaking, and the result was attendance that was more scattershot than Henry desires. In preparation for this year's event, the scope of the festival has been reduced and focused.

"Instead of having a bunch of different venues, we wanted it to be one general area," says Henry. "Instead of doing three days, we knocked it down to two."

As for what differentiates Grit City Fest from other events in town, the most obvious difference is the inclusion of hip-hop - which too rarely gets highlighted in Tacoma. But there's a broader idea behind the event, as well.

To read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature, click here.

Grit City Fest

with Stalley, CityHall, SweetKiss Momma, Art Vs. Science, Grieves and Budo, The Breaklites, Spac3man, the Fun Police, Perry Acker, Ben Union, Big Wheel Stunt Show, Deborah Page, James Coates, Royce the Choice, Gerald Walker, Luck One
Aug. 27-28, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., $8-$20
Hell's Kitchen, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
253.759.6003