FRIDAY, FEB. 22 2013 >>>

1. What's your perfect day? I'm not asking a question; the question isthe name of Argonaut's latest EP, released on Strange Earth Records. If your perfect day has anything to do with rock 'n' roll that's heavy in sound and heart, that's saturated with the sweat of hard and pounding drums; includes a wonderfully mastered EP set on replay, lyrics hitting home and guitar driving hard, then your perfect day would include spending quality time at Argonaut's CD release show at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier Lounge. Read Nikki McCoy's interview with Matt Sader about the new album in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

2. Mary Larson's portraits of homeless people in Seattle are pop-style portraits executed with bright colors, and every one is a straight-on portrait with the head practically filling the canvas and looking right at the viewer. Most of them look dignified and happy. Like people you'd really enjoy knowing. What her paintings do for the people whose portraits they are is something that perhaps no one else could do in any other way. She shows them as what they are: people like any others. How often have we passed homeless people on the streets and seen them, if at all, as a class or group or concept and not as individuals who just might want to be acknowledged - who have parents and children and probably former friends and neighbors who more than likely no longer see them. Larson's portraits of the homeless ends its run at the Pierce College Fine Arts Gallery with a closing reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Read Alec Clayton's full feature on Mary Larseon's paintings on the Weekly Volcano's blog Spew.

3. Wildside Wine (608 S. Oxford, Tacoma) will host a dinner and blind wine tasting pairing at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22. Sip, swirl and compare Syrah and Shiraz varietals from all around the world as you nibble on the likes of beef bourguignon on potato puree and a poached pear and bleu cheese salad. The feast is $30, though RSVP is required to insure enough for everyone. All wines being sampled will be available at a 15 percent discount that evening.

4. Douglas A. Blackmon, author of the Pulitzer-Prize winning book Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II, will speak at the Olympia Timberland Library from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Blackmon presents evidence that slavery in the United States did not end with the Civil War, instead persisting well into the 20^th century.

5. Alex Tapia of RowHouse, Allan Boothe of Humble Cub and J. Martin will perform solo at 7:30 p.m. inside Amocat Cafe.

LINK: Friday, Feb. 22 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area