Tighten up your laces and prepare to walk your way through a poetic adventure with Tacoma's Walk Poetic event, set for Wednesday. This free event encourages participants to journey through 1.5 miles of the streets of Downtown and Hilltop, visiting local historical landmarks and parks in search of inspiration.

Walk Poetic is based on a similar event that began in Portland headed by poet Kaia Sands. As part of Walk Tacoma's Walking series and hosted by UWT professor of poetry/writing and a poet herself, Janie Miller, the event aims to attain many goals:

One, walking is a simple way to include daily physical activity into a healthy lifestyle. While encouraging this fact the event is also proving how walkable Tacoma’s neighborhoods are and fosters the idea that hoofing it may be an ideal way to get from point A to point B.

Two, along the Walk Poetic event you will visit several historical sites and learn some facts that contribute to our culture as Tacomans.

Three, you will learn to use your surroundings as fuel for creativity while visiting said historical landmarks and park areas through poetry. Attendees will be given a pen, notepad and walking map and encouraged to share their musings with others — though you are of course welcome to keep them personal.

The event, which is in its second year, is held annually in April, June and August and sponsored by Downtown on the Go and DaVita. Put on your walking shoes and meet up at 5:15 p.m. by the Woolworth building on the corner of South 11th and Broadway.

"This is a free event,” said Megan Kula, Downtown on the Go coordinator. “No registration is required, simply show up and join the group."

(Wednesday, Aug. 1, 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. beginning and ending at the Woolworth building on S. 11th and Broadway, free)

Happy Hump Day!

1. Bring your family to cozy up in this inviting space and listen to a story or two. Books are chosen and read by ARC volunteers based on relevance to current exhibitions or artists on view, or just for fun. 11 a.m - 12:00 p.m. Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., 253.272.4258.

2. Tacoma Main Library, StoryLab Learn how to take a sound - any sound imaginable - and create custom beats using Logic Pro's EXS-24 digital sampler. Sampling technology lies at the core of rap, dub step, techno and today's pop music. The workshop will consist of teams of 3 - 4 students each, working together to select, edit and process sounds from sound effect libraries in order to build their own virtual drum kit. Lunch provided. Ages 13 to 20. Registration Required. Register online or call 253. 292.2001 ext. 1792, www.tacomapubliclibrary.org 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Free with registration.

3. Leave it to Northern in Olympia to throw a bangin party on a Wednesday night. This all-ages venue plans to get sweaty with Shannon and the Clams, Orca Team, Morgan and the Organ Donors and The Maxines. Touring from Oakland, Shannon and the Clams is all beach rock and pretty punk. The rest of the bands are just as awesome.

4. Join in a celebration of the third printing of the Collective Tarot, a collaborative publishing project of 25 contributors who reimagined the traditional 78 card tarot deck. The presentation also includes a panel discussion about the transformative power of art, magic, and community. Speakers include local mediators, artists, jewelers, camp counselors, and other magic makers. Olympia Timberland Library, 7:30 p.m., 313 8th Ave, Olympia.

5. FUSION (Friends United to Shelter the Indigent, Oppressed and Needy) annual art event to support their transitional housing program. Moulin Rouge*, capturing turn-of-the-century Paris, features an art walk, entertainment, live and silent auctions, and raffle for an ocean cruise. Catered appetizers, wine, beer, espresso beverages served.Tickets $60 online at www.fusionfederalway.org or by phone 253-839-5212. At the door $70. 3 - 9:00 p.m. Dumas Bay Center, 3200 Southwest Dash Point Road, Federal Way, 253.835.2000.