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Oasis: Western Dreams of the Ottoman Empire
Tacoma, for all its glories, does have its little shortages here and there. We are, in particular, not exactly flush in the ethnicity department. Aside from Lakewood’s Korean Town and the International District, Tacoma lacks the distinctive scent of ethnic potpourri that billows in most great metropolis.

Get off your ottoman and check out the Ottoman!

The Tacoma Art Museum hosts a survey of 19th century Western Artists’ views of the diverse cultures of the former Ottoman Empire: Turkey, Greece, North Africa and the Middle East. The Dahesh Museum in New York organized this fascinating historic and cultural brain swell. Hookah yourself up to diversity. 

[Tacoma Art Museum, through Jan. 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. third Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, $6.50-$7.50, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4258]

Foot Falls
A dance performance in an intimate, tiny space is sure to be interesting. OK â€" and a little complicated. But one thing’s for sure: It’s gonna be good. Tacoma choreographers and dancers Katharine M. Stricker and Stephanie Kriege, who worked for three years with the defunct Barefoot Studios, kick off their version, Barefoot Collective, with original works under the title, Foot Falls. I hope that their feet don’t fall in my face in the intimate studio. Or do I? I might miss the juice and cookie reception after â€" so I wish to skip the foot.

[Barefoot Collective, Sept. 19-20 8 p.m., Sept. 21 2 p.m., $17-$20, 1604 Center St., Tacoma, 253.627.2273]

LINK: ViVA South Sound arts and entertainment calendar