THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011 >>>

1. It's the third Thursday of the month, meaning it's time for Artwalk in Tacoma. The Art Bus will be in full force (leaving at 6 p.m. in front of the Tacoma Art Museum), the galleries will all be putting their best foot forward, the major museums will be free and open to all and even Clancy's Coffee on Pacific Avenue will be getting into the action - offering up poets, dancers and an open mic from the D.A.S.H. Center for the Arts, as well as artist Liza Brown painting and music from Kashmir. Good times will be had by all from 5-8 p.m.

2. Speaking of Third Thursday Artwalk, make an effort to WALK up 11^th Street to catch Andrea Trenbeath's werewolf art at her artist reception from 6-7:30 p.m. inside Tacoma Art Place. It's killer. Her werewolf art is part of the exhibit "Dichotomy, which includes a collaborative painting between Andrea Trenbeath and artist James A. Tucker.

3. Tacoma's Theater District Association kicks off its new visual arts lecture series VERB with Prof. Gail Tremblay of The Evergreen State College speaking on contemporary expressions of native art backed by a panel of arty brains including panel moderator Rock Hushka, curator at the Tacoma Art Museum. This word on art runs 7-8 p.m. inside the Theatre on the Square, followed by a group hug at B2 Fine Art Gallery at 8 p.m. for the closing reception of "Coyote Forward."

4. Tacoma's Urban Art Festival hits the Thea Foss Waterway in little over a week. Are you mentally ready? Channel into the vibe from 7:30-11:30 p.m. at The Swiss when the UAF fundraiser "Funtasia" hits the historic building with Gritty City Sirens burlesque, The Vibe Project, Apricot & the Beginners and the brilliant Umber Sleeping. Your $7 cover nabs you a raffle ticket.

5. Let's be honest. You're young. You were born in 1980-something, maybe. You don't really KNOW much about Hüsker Dü, except to nod in knowing coolness when someone more musically seasoned brings up the band during a party or coffee shop conversation. It's time to stop faking it. Grant Hart is at Hell's Kitchen - former Hüsker Dü drummer, co-songwriter and just plain dude you should know about. It's not every week T-Town gets an opportunity like this. Negative Press, Check Please and Love Songs for the Hated open the 8 p.m. show.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Happy hours!