RON SWARNER: CHECK THEM OUT CHECKING IT OUT >>>

Just another reminder that the South Sound â€" while not loaded with transvestite poetry slams and Ecstacy-poppin' hippie dragon boat races and not-so-underground Hokey Pokey parties â€" does have unique events that have the ability to make you stop and go, “huh, that’s something.”

The Barefoot Collective presents its first 8@8 of 2009 tonight. Nope, not a news program or a thrilling game of “I one the increasing piles of dog crap on Broadway, I two the increasing piles of dog crap on Broadway, I. …” The Collective's 8@8 is a formal event of artists presenting their art form informally to an audience. A training ground for constructive feedback if you will.

Tonight, Andre Bouchard, Kate Monthy, Carrie Goodnight, Jeff Hansen, Luke Smiraldo, Ron Gilbert, Jeanne Douville, Michael Hoover, Katharine Stricker and others show you what they have up their sleeves.

[BareFoot Collective, Monday, Jan. 26, 8 p.m., $5, 1604 Center St., Tacoma, 253.627.2273]