WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 2013 >>>

1. Erica Freas, Your Heart Breaks, Rae Spoon and Ivan Coyote perform at 8:30 p.m. inside the all-ages venue Northern in downtown Olympia. According to Weekly Volcano all-ages columnist Rockford Rowley, Freas' "delicate acoustic guitar and punk-yet-soothing vocals instantaneously impress. Upon further listening, her sophisticated songwriting and thoughtful, heartfelt lyrics also become apparent.

2. The Kareem Kandi jazz band is a talent-heavy bunch that stumps for the power of repertory while also planting a flag for originality. At least once a month it grabs a Wednesday at The Swiss for a night of open mic jazz. From 7-10 p.m. is such a night.

3. Word Nerds! Scrabble is back at King's Books! Chill. You're good with words. Seriously. Get it together! This is Scrabble Rabble at 6:30 p.m. inside King's, remember? It's all in good fun. Now piggyback off that free U to form QUAT - that's 14 points without the double-word score. Word!

4. Dorky's Bar Arcade in downtown Tacoma hosts Trivia for Dorks every Wednesday night at 8 p.m. Weekly Volcano scribe Krsitin kendle has the scoop here. 

5. Play bingo with those not just killing time before the Grim Reaper calls their number. Every Wednesday at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier, bingo players are treated to a rather boisterous evening of number-calling. The music rocks, the prizes are craptastic and there's something very satisfying about yelling "It's not a tumor!" when B-9 is pulled from the hopper (Schwarzenegger anyone?). Sessions are free with $2 margaritas during bingo. Every Wednesday night is also Taco Night with $1 beef, $1 black bean and $2 chicken in soft or crunchy shells.

LINK: Wednesday, May 8 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area