THURSDAY, FEB. 28 2013 >>>

1. Let's talk Tacoma Runners, cause you know we love them. As it does every Thursday, the running group will gather at 5:45 p.m. outside a venue, stretch a bit, listen to Rob McNair-Huff describe the 3-mile route, then hit the pavement. What makes tonight's run extra special is the venue - The Grand Cinema. The group skips the typical bar homebase and will start and end it srun at Tacoma's independent film house. Once returning from its run, the group will enjoy food, beverages and a free showing of The Mountain Runners. Tonight would be a good night to join the group.

2. During the 1970s, a new genre of music called funk was making its way into the American mainstream and Seattle was droppin' the bass big time.  The documentary Wheedle's Groove profiles Seattle's once-thriving now-forgotten soul/funk scene of the 1960s and '70s in entertaining and highly educational fashion. The University of Puget Sound Black student Union and KUPS radio present the film at 7 p.m. inside Rausch Auditorium. It's the first film of the KUPSxSSU Film series. A short discussion led by UPS Prof. Renne Simms will follow the free screening.

3. Like fiddles and facial hair? Good. The Barleywine Revue performs tonight at The Swiss at 9 p.m.

4. The Weekly Volcano has brought you reports from the South Pacific Restaurant, describing its over 40 crowd, including "Muscular, graying men in leather jackets and blue jeans dance with equally attractive, equally middle-aged partners." Tonight, the scene might be a bit different. The "Hip Hop At South Paw" show will feature Blue Nose Music, AR Mastermind, Spikkoli, Syncopated Knock, Model Citizens and Back Magic Noize at 9 p.m.

5. Swing dancing's Africanist cousin, blues dancing, hits the Olympia Eagles Ballroom in the form of OlyBlues every Thursday at 9 p.m. Blues dancing derives from the so-called "Black vernacular" of Southern dance styles and includes such moves as the Lindy and the irresistibly named "Funky Butt." Worst-case scenario: you have two left feet but get to listen to Nina Simone.

LINK: Thursday, Feb. 28 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area