SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012 >>>

1. The Museum of Glass presents Scapes, a new exhibition of work created by siblings Laura de Santillana and Alessandro Diaz de Santillana and executed in the Museum of Glass Hot Shop during two Visiting Artist residencies in 2010.  The four room-based exhibition - inspired by the Hindu belief that the world is a series of disks made up of wind, water and earth, upon which float four continents in a vast circular ocean - will open in the Museum's North Gallery today at 10 a.m. and remain on view through January 2013. 

2. Tacoma is a living, breathing example of the powerful positive impact art can have on a community. So it's not surprising to see today bringing an event at Tacoma Art Place simply known as Community Art Day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. And the title pretty much says it all. Expect workshops, demonstrations and family fun all day, and all for free. A huge raffle will be part of this year's Community Art Day. For $10 each, you could win a two-night stay with breakfast in the Waddell Spa Suites at Courtyard by Marriott, three-course dinner for two at Pacific Grill, a Rasul Mud Chamber treatment at Clara Spa Salon & Studios or Republic of 253 gift certificates. These staycation goodies hit the $1,000 mark in value.

3. You might think swinging and flipping over high bars and prancing on two-inch-wide beams are skills only Olympic athletes like Mary Lou Retton can pull off with any degree of grace.  But the performers of the Jordan World Circus have mastered those gymnastic feats, and much more. Their show is full of extremely flexible performers who could wow even the most jaded Olympian. Where else can you watch men your dad's age twist their bodies into pretzel shapes? Marvel at the exotic animals, clap and rub your tummy simultaneously over the incredible balancing feats by Deiter Galambos, gasp in awe at the Dangerzone Rider in the globe of death, and be deeply, deeply frightened by the clowns at 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. at the Puyallup Fairgrounds.

4. Happy National Beer Day! The Harmon Tap Room will be hosting an all day event celebrating said day with door prizes and giveaways, a cool / crazy / interesting hat contest, $3 pints all day, a special food menu and the debut of its spring seasonal Rajahs Royal IPA on draft and on cask. Harmon brewers will hang from noon to 3 p.m.

5. Swing Cafe & Wine Bar hosts guitarist Vince Brown and renowned gypsy jazz violinist Michael Gray from 9-11 p.m. Gray has performed at concerts and festivals around the world with Pearl Django and a recent stint at Seattle's Jazz Alley with master guitarist Martin Taylor. 

PLUS: More event suggestions in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: South Sound happy hours