Last week's Drink for the Kids event, a beneïŹt for the Vera Project and the Service Board, was a huge success! Thanks to a week's worth of boozing at various bars across the city and two packed Showbox shows starring Tinkle (a hilarious comedy troupe featuring David Cross, Jon Benjamin, and Todd Barry), the 21+ community raised more than $40,000 for the two very worthy all-ages organizations. Many thanks go out to everyone who was involved.

Moving on, there's a lot happening in showland this week. Actually, there's a lot specifically happening on Friday, May 27. Indie rock lovers should check out the Skrocki Records/Jigsaw Records showcase at the SS Marie Antoinette (1235 Westlake Ave N) that night. Bellingham's cutest indie pop outïŹt, Racetrack, headlines with So Many Dynamos, Dutch Elms, and Suretoss opening.

So Many Dynamos are on tour all the way from St. Louis, and while I haven't seen the four-piece live before, their records make their shows sound like a fantastic time. They have the fun and funky dance energy of the Dismemberment Plan paired with a raw punk rock enthusiasm-much like another favorite of mine, Q and Not U. There's some groovy synth action, a lot of crashing drums and cymbals to make the ears ring, and so many catchy hooks and reasons to shake your hips. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. and costs $5.

Also this Friday is the free Lahar CD release party at the Paradox. While I can't say much about Lahar-except that their heavy-as-shit wall of metal/hardcore kinda scares the crap out of me-I can go on and on about openers Shook Ones, who celebrated a CD release of their own just a few weeks ago. I've already told you all about their fun and infectious melodic hardcore (Ă  la Lifetime), but you should know their live shows are 10 times more entertaining than anything else happening in this city. At the summer camp-themed show a few weeks back, everyone was dancing and singing along, and a few really enthusiastic kids started crowd kayaking-which is exactly what it sounds like, and it was hilarious. Sinking Ships, Murdock, and Wait in Vain also play. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. and, like I said, is absolutely free.

And if that's not enough to make your head spin, on Friday night the Old Fire House in Redmond has a fantastic show all their own with Schoolyard Heroes, the Ruby Doe, Autumn Poetry, and the Lonely H (starts at 8:00 p.m. and costs $6).

Though it was released back in January, the Ruby Doe's latest full-length, Always with Wings, continues to be one of my favorite local records, with its hard rock and '80s post-hardcore sound. If you haven't checked it out yet, the local boys have four tracks posted on their website, www.therubydoe.com. MEGAN SELING

megan@thestranger.com