SUNDAY, JULY 7 2013 >>>

1. Count yourself blessed, Tacoma, because you got to see something few people in the world have seen. Throughout his career Eric Carle, famous for children's books such as Brown Bear - Brown Bear, What Do You See? And The Very Hungry Caterpillar and more than 70 other picture books - has created art for his own personal satisfaction that he never showed to anyone outside of family and friends. He called it his "Art Art," and he had to be coaxed into showing it publicly. To our great benefit, Tacoma Art Museum Director Stephanie Stebich is a personal friend of the Carle family. She is the one who talked him into showing this work, and Tacomans were to the first to see it. And it is great. Absolutely outstanding. Read Alec Clayton's full review of "Beyond Books: The Independent Art of Eric Carle" in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

2. Jazz musicians are some of the coolest cats you'll ever meet, such as groovy jazz pianists Joe Baque. Pronounced in French as “Bach,” it is almost as if Baque were destined to play piano, and his career has been amazing as he has accompanied the likes of Lena Horne, Stan Getz and Louie Armstrong and has played at such legendary clubs as the Roxy, Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall. The one-time pianist for the NBC orchestra settled in the Northwest much to the delight of local jazz connoisseurs in 1984 and has been a staple on the scene ever since. Catch him at 11 a.m. at the Olympia Farmers Market.

3. Rich Wetzel's 15-piece jazz-rock, Latin funk big band will perform from 5-8 p.m. at Stonegate Pizza. Jerry Miller's band will take the stage after.

4. Jeanne Hopkins, the singer and songwriter better known as Jeanlizabeth, hosts an open mic at 8 p.m. every Sunday in the Steilacoom Pub and Grill. The night's entertainment can include poetry readings, original songs and rock covers from Pink Floyd to modern hits. Past crowds ran the gamut of age groups, but many, including seniors, wore hoodies.

5. Northern all-ages music venue hosts its first comedy show featuring  Jason Traeger (Portland), George Chen (Oakland), Nicole Calasich (San Francisco), Zach Mandeville (Olympia), Bridget Irish (Olympia), Sarah Adams (Olympia) and special treat Bongo Randay Speaks at 8:30 p.m.

LINK: Sunday, July 7 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area