WEDNESDAY, NOV. 17>>>

1. Add "slam" to almost anything and it becomes just a little cooler. In truth, however, the event planned for tonight at the Rialto Theater in Tacoma - Art Slam - really doesn't need anything to spice it up. Expect art of all kinds, coming at you from all directions. Expect projected works by the likes of RR Anderson, Laurie Davenport, Brad Dinsmore, Carla Barragan, Shirley Benton, Colleen Black and a ton of others. Expect live spoken word, music and dance from Antonio Edwards Jr., Josh Rizeberg, Elliot Trotter, Dawn De Castillo, Tammy Robacker and - yes - more. It's non-competitive, super-awesome, and it starts at 7 p.m.

2. Join author Judith Adler Hellman at the University of Puget Sound's Wheelock Student Center for a lecture on Mexican immigration. The author of three books on Mexico, Hellman's lecture is titled, "The Real World of Mexican Migrants," and will provided insights into the experiences immigrants from Mexico face in this country - from the trip itself to work in an "informal economy."

3. Duane Hulbert performs the Piano Concerto No.4. tonight at Tacoma Community College. Busting out two of Beethoven's most impressive works, the Grammy nominated UPS piano professor will be joined by the TCC Orchestra, who will hold their own with Symphony No. 5 in c minor.

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 hits theaters Friday. In fact, the Volcano's film critic Rev. Adam McKinney has already seen it - with his review scheduled to run in tomorrow's paper. Tonight, The Brave Foundation hosts what sounds like an epic Harry Potter themed celebration at the Temple Theater in Tacoma. From 6:30-9:30 p.m., costume contests, prizes, guest appearances, total geek outs, and a showing of the previous Harry Potter flick will rile the masses in anticipation of Deathly Hallows' debut.

5. Get your groove on close to the water tonight, as DJ Contagious spins at Rock the Dock's "Old School College Wednesdays."