SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2012 >>>

1. The internationally-acclaimed exhibition Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture caused a ruckus when it debuted at The Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery in 2010. David Wojnarowicz's unfinished film, A Fire in My Belly, was removed from the exhibition, sparking a national controversy, demonstrations and renewed discussions about censorship and artists' rights. Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Virginia) called the exhibition "an outrageous use of taxpayer money," and a spokesperson for House Speaker John Boehner told The Hill newspaper "Smithsonian officials should either acknowledge the mistake or be prepared to face tough scrutiny beginning in January." Tacoma Art Museum - which celebrates the opening of Hide/Seek today - will proudly include A Fire in My Belly along with photographs and paintings by a slew of famous American artists with an eye toward issues of gender and sexual identity for nearly 150 years of American art. Yes, this is the queer show. And despite outrage by a few people such as Cantor and Boehner, it has been a stupendous success with audiences across the country. Read Alec Clayton full feature on Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in the Arts section at weeklyvolcano.com.

2. The Women's League of University of Puget Sound Flea Market will be awesome. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Memorial Fieldhouse, expect more than 50 booths of antiques, not to mention: collectible dolls, oversized calculators, his and hers chocolate mummies, little plastic models of 747 airplanes, a griffin's toe, three rectangular-block-shaped wooden Santa Clauses, bouncing ice cubes, a copy of Rubber World magazine, four condiment trays, lots of walnuts - and more.

3. With its language-related title and collection of seemingly disparate sections that slowly merge into one larger story, Kinyarwanda - its name taken from the official dialect of Rwanda - is the latest docudrama on the 1994 slaughter of some 100 million Tutsis by Hutu militia. The Grand Cinema screens this extremely moving film at 1 p.m. followed by a Skype discussion with the film's producer, Darren Dean. After the 5:55 p.m. screening, The Grand will Skype the film's director, Alrick Brown.

4. Scottish fiddle, Cuban and Brazilian rhythms, funky bass lines and a
healthy dose of jazz harmony and improvisation come together when Neil
Pearlman brings his new band to the Mandolin Café at 8 p.m. according to around 46 news agencies, Pearlman and crew will blow you off Mandolin's comfy couch.

5. There is a rumor that people do something on St. Patrick's Day besides watch Leprechaun 4: In Space on the Sci-Fi Channel (oops - Syfy). We can't imagine what that would be, unless it involves these South Sound joints.

MORE THINGS TO DO: The Weekend Hustle

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight in the region

LINK: South Sound happy hour food and drinks