SUNDAY, NOV. 4, 2012 >>>

The Stacy Jones Band will play Jazzbones Sunday, along with six other artists and bands as part of the "Back to Beale Street Blues" benefit for the South Sound Blues Association, or SSBA, to send its "band of the year" winners - House of Bourbon and Blues Redemption - to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn. in January. 4-10 p.m., $8-$10, Jazzbones, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169

Art at Work: Tacoma's Arts Month showcases just about every aspect of the arts T-town sports during the month of November - but one of the most unique facets to this dreary month of art is the studio tour program. Today, 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., Tacoma working artists open their studios to the public. For the most part, studio tours are self-directed. While there are 55 artists on the tour and their studios are located all around Tacoma, you can visit just one or all 55 (good luck with that). Not all studios are open both days, or all hours, so check the program first. Programs are available in printed format at Tacoma's museums and many local coffee shops, and online at ArtAtWorkTacoma.com.

For the ninth year, Tacoma Art Museum hosts a Dia de los Muertos Festival. Day of the Dead, ya'll. Despite the name of the holiday, it and this festival are all about honoring life - attendees will be greeted by much color, chances to make their own arts and crafts, life-affirming mariachi music and installations. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free admission, Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4258

Two Pacific Grill staff members lost loved ones in the past two years. Chef Jessica Sewell lost her husband to cancer. Cancer also took Manager Carol Reutercrona's mother. In their memory, the PG staff will throw a benefit party for the Lymphoma & Leukemia Society this afternoon at The Swiss. A silent auction will begin at 3 p.m.  The Ben Potter Band and Poodle Bomb will perform beginning at 6 p.m. A raffle will be held through the party, which end at 10 p.m. Sewell and Reutercrona are participating in the Lymphoma & Leukemia Society's Team in Training. 3-10 p.m., all ages until 8 p.m., The Swiss, 1904 Jefferson, Tacoma, 253.572.2821

Big band leader Rich Wetzel, no stranger to snappy sports coats and even snappier jazz numbers, will put on a damn entertaining show this afternoon. Wetzel and his 15-piece jazz rock orchestra will rattle the rum bottles at Stonegate Pizza. 4-7, Stonegate Pizza, 5421 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.473.2255

LINK: Sunday, Nov. 4 arts and entertainment events in the greater TAcoma and Olympia area

LINK: South Sound happy hours