The Spar in Old Town Tacoma often has live music-walk by on your way to the water and you'll hear bands jamming inside on many weekends. On October 13, Maia Santell and her backing band House Blend will be in da hizzouse. Kick back with some Spar chips and enjoy the tunes.

Maia Santell is a regional performer known for her snazzy danceable repertoire. She brings along with her anything from a two-piece to a six-piece band (House Blend comes in adjustable sizes), which may include guitar, bass, drums and-if you're lucky-a sax.

The band favors just about every style of music, from jazz and blues, to swing and Motown, to classic rock and some contemporary hits.

The band goes on from 8 to 11 p.m. and there is no cover charge. The Spar is located at 2121 N 30^th Street in Tacoma.

Yet another mural was completed by the Tacoma Murals Project-this one at 5441 S. Sheridan Street. Lead artists were Kenji Stoll and Chris Jordan, a few of the main Fab-5 guys. Fab-5 is a non-profit dedicated to urban arts education and is responsible for several of the very cool murals in downtown Tacoma, including the Broadway garages. Fab-5 has classes on everything from legal graffiti to calligraphy-so let's just say these dudes know how to make a wall awesome.

So they did. On this mural.

The assisting artist team included: David Long, Yvette Simone, Chelsea O'Sullivan, Natalie Oswald (involved in mural design, not painting).

The neighborhood appreciated this mural so much that they even brought the artists some gumbo and other food while they were working. And it wasn't poisoned, which can only mean that Tacoma loves its artists.

It's a busy weekend, lots to do. Here's some of the stuff to see that's 253 Hip-Hop related:

                  Many of the shows this weekend exist around Luni Coleone, one of the biggest Hip-Hop artists to ever emerge from Sacramento, California. He's a West coast underground legend, and he actually comes to Tacoma and does his thing quite frequently. Luni's career is remarkable. He's dropped 21 albums since 1997! Coleone has got down with other West coast giants in his career, including X-Raided, Spice 1, Mac Dre, Brotha Lynch Hung, C-Bo, and many others. See him this Friday at the California Club with openers Tom Hutch, Big Bounce, and Sav Nights. This is an early all-ages show from 4-9pm, with a $10 admission. That's not too bad for a huge West coast artist like Luni. Immediately after the all-ages show is a 21+ show also at The California Club. This show features openers Tacnology Entertainment, Patron, Breathe Easy, and Beanz & Rize. This show starts at 9pm and is $15 to get in.

                  Saturday night, Tacoma's fav' Hip-Hop band, The Breaklites, are rocking Jazz Bones. Doors open at 6, show starts at 8pm, and its $8.50 for presale or $13 at the door. This is a mixed-bill; there'll be some rock music and some out-of-town touring talent.

                  Moving onto Sunday and the party just don't stop! At 1:30, Occupy Tacoma is celebrating its 1 Year Anniversary and holding an event at Occupation Park. Will they seize the park again? Who knows!? They will be having Hip-Hop and spoken-word that day with a performance from Beanz and Rize and other local artists. The entertainment starts at 4pm and there is an open-mic segment!

                  Then finally, to top it all off, is the legend Too Short at Jazz Bones! I'm not going to drop a bio' on Short, if ya don't know about him then you're probably not even reading this column right now - but to sum it all up, he is the O.G. of Oakland Hip-Hop, ‘nuff said. Leezy Soprano is opening, 6pm doors - 8pm show, 21+, $20 tickets in advance. Seeing Leezy and Short Dog at Jazz Bones is worth it. See ya'll around town!

Calling all brides and grooms! Here's a chance to share your unique wedding stories in a one-of-a-kind exhibit at the White River Valley Museum in Auburn.

The museum wants to hear your wedding stories in correlation with a new exhibit, I DO! Traditions of the American White Weddingsponsored by Auburn's own Nelson's Jewelry and Gifts .  The exhibit uses antique wedding gowns and accessories to explore the histories and myths surrounding the traditions of the American white wedding. 

Do you have a special wedding tradition in your family?  Will people not believe what your "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" was?  If your "white wedding" has a unique twist, the White River Valley Museum would like to hear from you and possibly use your story in an exhibit!

To submit your white wedding story: Please mail a short description of your unique wedding tradition or happening, no more than 250 words, and a photo copy of one of your favorite wedding photos to the museum. Please do not include original photos-no submissions will be returned. Please include your: name, address, phone number, email address and the year of your wedding.

Please Mail all Entries by December 1^stto:
White River Valley Museum
918 H St. S.E.
Auburn, WA 98002
attn: White Wedding Stories

ABOUT THE WHITE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM
The White River Valley Museum combines history and culture to create an exciting and educational experience for visitors though a series of award-winning exhibits. Museum collections focus on Puget Sound history, Northwest Indian culture, Japanese immigration and the Northern Pacific Railway. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. and is located at 918 H St. S.E. in Auburn. Regular admission is $2 adults, $1 seniors and children. Admission is free on Wednesdays and the fourth Sunday of the month. Call 253-288-7433 or visitwww.wrvmuseum.orgfor event information.

Thursday, October 18, Tacoma ART BUS is going to Wonderland.

From a press release:

Tacoma ART BUS is a bus tour of art exhibits every Third Thursday. Every month the tour has different exhibits at different locations. Some of the stops offer free food and drinks. Each month we have a different guest tour guide.  We also give out terrific prizes and play fun games. 

Tickets are $10 regular admission and $20 for VIPs. VIPs get gift bags with items from lots of local businesses and participate in a raffle for even more great prizes!

Bus  leaves at 6 pm from the curb next to Tacoma Art Museum (1701 Pacific Ave); will return by 9 p.m.  

Go trick-or-treating from art exhibit to art exhibit with ART BUS! Come as you are. No costume required. 

This month instead of doing something Halloweenie, the tour has an Alice in Wonderland theme. Our mystery celebrity tour guide will be wearing a top hat with bunny ears so we can all "Follow The White Rabbit." When the bell rings, he will make sure we are not late, late for a very important date! 

In addition to this, instead of buttons, our riders will be given their own set of bunny ears in their choice of 4 different colors.  We will be playing an Alice in Wonderland trivia game on the bus.  We will have an Alice in Wonderland photo-op with the mural next to M.O.M. At the last stop we’ll be giving away prizes and serving pizza provided to us by Puget Sound Pizza.
 
Here are the stops on this month's tour: 

253 Collective
Market on Market 
Nine Lives Vintage
Laughing Lotus
Art Stop
Meier's House of Clocks 
Catwalk

Prizes so far include:

~2 Museum of Glass Tickets
~2 Tickets to Rock-a-Bye Deadman 
~$50 Gift Card for Maxwell's Speakeasy and Restaurant
~Dia de los Muertos Plaque by Rebecca Herrera courtesy of Laughing Lotus
~Custom Jewelry Piece from Dewy&Byrd Co. http://www.facebook.com/DewyByrdCo


Tickets are now on sale for the October ART BUS Tour. Last month we sold out so get yours early if you want to make sure you have a seat!

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/282288

"Yes, Yes, No, No: The Solace-of-Solstice, Apogee/Perigee, Bestial/Celestial Holiday Show" by Tony Kushner is a fantastic short play and it will be a part of the first ever Prodigal Sun Holiday Show.

Prodigal Sun is looking for four actors/actresses that would like to participate in this ensemble style piece. Singing will be required of all performers.

Auditions run Monday, October 15th, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. and Tuesday, October 16th, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

"The whole thing is just like a poem that the actors work through," says John Ficker, director.

"It touches on a little of everything about the holidays," he says, "Families, where does it all come from, solstice, and a whole section on why we need a holiday when it's all cold and rainy."

The show will run the weekend of December 14-16. In addition to the play, the holiday show will include music from local Senior Services for South Sound's choir, storytelling and, according to the event page, "more winter holiday charm than you can handle."

Prepared audition pieces not required.

Prodigal Sun Productions, 113 Columbia St NW, Olympia

For more information visit the facebook event page here.

1. Adults & children of all ages! Please call Lakewood Playhouse box office, to reserve an audition slot, or at www.lakewoodplayhouse.org or send an e-mail, requesting one, to: boxoffice.lakewoodplayhouse@gmail.com. Performances: December 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th / December 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd / Special Performance Christmas Eve at Noon. 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Boulevard SW, Lakewood, (253) 588-0042.

2. Promoting the art of beautiful writing. Beginners, professionals, and everyone in-between are welcome! Pre-meeting 5:30pm, 6:30-8 pm, Free for visitors, $20 per anum for members, 6501 North 23rd Street, Tacoma.

3. Time again for drunken poetry. Readings operate on a first-come first-serve sign-up basis. Time is limited so three poems of moderate length or one long poem and one short from each reader. You must however submit a piece to be read by the Designated Drunk, who will be chosen at the end of each reading or shortly after and will be informed well before the next reading. Buying of drinks for the Designated Drunk is encouraged. Make it good because submissions will be considered for publication on the blogs and anthologized in a chapbook published quarterly by Last Word Press. Hours may vary without meaning or purpose. 7:30-9:30 p.m., free, Last Word Books, 211 4th Avenue East, Olympia,(360) 786-9673.

4. Presented in cooperation with Secret Garden Bookshop, Seattle. Seating is limited and on a space-available basis. This event is for her grown-up fans, for the teachers, educators, and everyone else who's grown up and taught with and from her books for years. Rosemary will talk about incorporating her work into curriculum and the importance of teaching children's literature. This is not a story time! Booksigning follows. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event. 7 p.m., Tacoma Public Library Main, 1102 Tacoma Ave. S.(253) 591-5661.

5. Soft jazz for the whole family, as well as (not drunken) open mic poetry. Starts at 4:30 p.m., so you can grab some dinner at Kitzel's Crazy Delicious Delicatessen and enjoy the free entertainment. 514 Capitol Way South  Olympia, (360) 357-7747.

And you thought Oktoberfest was over. As long as brats and beer are produced in this world, you can indulge your every German whim somewhere. Friday, October 19, from 6 to 10 p.m. celebrate Oktoberfest at Katie Downs on Tacoma's Waterfront.

For your German entertainment purposes, the Gary Hausam Band will be in the house to cater to your oompa-music needs. There may be a chicken dance in there somewhere, too.

For your German dining purposes, there will be a special menu of Oktoberfest delights, including a German sausage chowder, bratwurst and giant pretzels. There will also be two or three Oktoberfest beers on tap. Of course, the regular menu is also still available.

If German food and music just isn't enough to turn your torque, there will also be door prizes and no cover charge.

The award-winning Hilltop Artists are holding their 6^th annual fundraising Luncheon, “All Fired up,” Wednesday, October 18, at Hotel Murano in Tacoma.

Attendees will hear directly from students, families and community members about the impact of Hilltop Artists' award-winning glass arts programs and outreach work. They will also be able to participate in a silent auction and share a meal with others who are invested in transforming the futures of our youth.

While it’s too late to register for the event, it is never too late to learn more about this program, who declares on their web page, “We use alternative experiential arts learning in two dedicated hot shops to create powerful change and long term outcomes in the lives of our youth and their families. Through our programs, partnerships and youth advocacy, Hilltop Artists is an acknowledged force in reducing truancy and recidivism, encouraging academic success, and increasing graduation rates.”

For more information, or to donate, visit their website here.

Each year, Tacoma Little Theatre at 210 North I Street puts on a creepy or suspenseful show in honor of the Halloween season. Starting October 19 and running through November 11, "Night Watch" is this year's creeptastic show.

The plot centers on Elaine Wheeler-a woman who sees the body of a dead man in a window of a building near her home. Police look into the matter, but find no evidence of a death or a body. It appears that poor Elaine is losing her mind. Her husband even calls in a psychiatrist to check her out and back up his idea that Elaine needs to check herself into a sanitarium. The mystery unravels quickly, full of suspense and chills and thrills.

Tickets range from $12.50 to $24.50 and there are evening shows and afternoon matinees.