THURSDAY, MARCH 28 2013 >>>

Organist Cameron Carpenter began studying the piano and the organ at age 5. At 11, he completed Bach's entire Well-Tempered Clavier, which is like the bible of baroque keyboard music. Now, in his early 30s, he performs around the world. His technique is superb and musicality stunning. He is blessed with a sense of perfect pitch. He has a photographic musical memory. Needless to say, he always performs without music. AND, as if being a musical genius wasn't enough, he designs his concert attire and has a reputation of being a stud. Catch his studliness at 7:30 p.m. inside the Washington Center on the mighty Andy Crow Wurlizter.

Let's talk ham. Kurobuta, Japanese black hog, is revered as an exquisite breed with superior flavor, texture, and marbling. It's smoked using hardwood chips to create a slightly sweet taste, suggesting a mild essence of smoke, truly highlighting the incredible taste. From 1-3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m., Metropolitan Market in Tacoma's Proctor District will offer tastes of the precious Kurobuta. Here's how the Weekly Volcano would play it. Arrive at 2:55 p.m., load up on ham, then hit the free cheese samples by the deli, grab an espresso and read the Weekly Volcano (it's on the top shelf of the newsstand), then hit the cheese again on your way to the 4 p.m. ham tastings.

The Ale House Sports Pub & Grille hosts Georgetown Brewing Company for a beer tasting of Roger's Pilsner, Manny's Pale, Lucille IPA, Imperial IPA, Porter and Lisa's Nitro Chocolate Stout at 6 p.m.

4. Heels on Wheels Glitter Roadshow - the New York City based queer performance art cabaret of radical extravagance and thought-provoking glamour - will be fabulous at 8 p.m. inside the Olympia all-ages venue Northern. Expect poetic theater, comedic performance art and rock 'n' roll from Shomi Noise, The Lady Ms. Vagina Jenkins, Heather Acs, Damien Luxe, Adelaide Windsome and others.

5. Barleywine Revue credits itself simply as a bluegrass band, but to hear it, the band somehow transforms that format into something more. Depending on whose lead vocals you get (in a very egalitarian move, the members trade off lead vocal duty), you'll either find yourself in a jumping jam like "Sunshine in Tacoma," a Fleet Foxes-esque reverie like "Burb on the Rocks" or the stately sway of "Ghost Woman Blues." Catch the band at 9 p.m. inside The Swiss.

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