THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2011 >>>

1. Today is Cinco de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo is not the Mexican Independence Day (it's actually a celebration of the day Mexican forces defeated the invading French army in 1862). You don't need either of these pieces of information to enjoy discounted Coronas. Everyone and their mother is throwing a Mexican-ish party tonight, but one caught our eye. Masa on Sixth Avenue will host a burrito-eating contest at 6 p.m. followed by the Vicci Martinez Band with Erik Deejay Sessions Sundquist and Rafael DD Precision Moya spinning on two floors. Whoa.

2. From 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (yes, new hours!) the Tacoma Farmers Market invites all cabelleros and senoritas to experience the fine wears of the land, and the natural abilities of camaraderie and free spirits, support the local farmers and eat food all at on Broadway between Ninth and 11th in downtown Tacoma. Billy Farmer, Jerry Miller and Rafael Tranquilino will fill the Weekly Volcano Music Stage with blues.

3. In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, the Tacoma Public Library, in partnership with Conexion Latina, hosts acclaimed artist Alfredo Arreguin in a free slide talk and book signing at 5;30 p.m. in the Olympic Room at the Tacoma Public Library in downtown Tacoma.

4. Olympia's Nikki McClure has many talents. Foremost among them is illustration, no doubt the reason her name has graced the New York Times bestseller list and the Weekly Volcano's Best of Olympia (she won Best Visual Artist this year). This week, McClure will share her new children's illustration book, To Market, To Market, at Orca Books. The Orca website calls To Market, To Market "a paean to farmer's markets, largely inspired by yours, Olympia." See it firsthand beginning at 6 p.m.

5. The all-female Alice In Chains tribute band Allison Chains will join Downpour, Feared Alive, Boneflower and Stript at 7 p.m. inside Hell's Kitchen.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Let's eat Mexican food today!