THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012 >>>

1. Squeaking. Squawking. Rocking. And rolling. The Squeak and Squawk Music Festival kicks off today in Tacoma full of indie posturing, a dollop of wacky costumes, a healthy dose of experimenting and a heaping helping of tight pants and ironic haircuts. You'll find the back story and full schedule here. One band you won't want to miss is The Back Pockets from Atlanta, Ga. Some 10 or a dozen members fill out the band, including some people seemingly specifically recruited to wear masks and make whooping sounds. The band's music can be poorly encapsulated as art-folk-punk, but the performance adds up to so much more than that. The Wimps and the Cutwinkles join the Back Pockets at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier Lounge.

2. Democrat Tim Farrell, who represents Tacoma on the Pierce County Council, seeks to change the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer office by commanding it. On his "Elect Tim Farrell for Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer" website, Farrell list his most important priority if elected to the position, is to "... run a professional office where staff, constituents, and fellow public servants are treated with respect." Hear his plan at 5 p.m. at Amocat Café in downtown Tacoma.

3. As you no doubt heard, and stated several times on the Weekly Volcano's website, the HIDE/SEEK exhibition currently residing at the Tacoma Art Museum is the first major exhibition to explore homosexuality in American art, featuring more than one hundred works spanning from the late 19th century to the 1980s. The exhibit seeks not to offend but rather to explore - and what exploration it offers is surprisingly moving. Wait for it. ... The Tacoma Runners explore the streets and bars of Tacoma every Thursday, and their running attire is often surprisingly moving. Yea, that doesn't make sense. Tacoma Runners will meet at the Tacoma Art Museum at 5 p.m. for a 3-mile jaunt around downtown Tacoma. Afterward, the group will check out HIDE/SEEK and have some drinks. There.

4. For baseball fans looking for that small town community feeling that minor league baseball exudes, the Tacoma Rainiers are ready to provide another season of wholesome family entertainment. The Rainiers, the Seattle Mariners' AAA affiliate, kick off their 2012 campaign with the club's home opener at 7:05 p.m. against the Salt Lake Bees. In celebration of the season opener, beers will be $2.

5. The McKassons are way more talented than your family. Brother and sister Ryan and Cali McKasson put their Celtic/Scottish magic on full display every time their feet touch the stage, especially when Ryan's wife Brooke McKasson and Cali's husband Matt Jerrell join the band. Tonight at 8 p.m. Ryan escapes the family for a show at the Lakewood Playhouse. Dig fiddle? Get there.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: South Sound happy hours