FRIDAY, JULY 12 2013 >>>

1. Describing them musically, Fox and the Law are easy to undersell. Basically, they're just a really good rock band. Genre-wise, they lean in a garage rock direction, but there's little in the way of the typical Nuggets or punk influences that usually characterize modern garage rock acts. Check them out at 9 p.m. with Thunders of Wrath and Mammoth Salmon in The New Frontier Lounge. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full featur eon Fox and the Law in Northwest Military's Music & Culture section.

2. With a second story view, the Narrows Brewing Company's taproom is divided into two separate rooms connected at the same bar, lending itself to an L-shaped arrangement. Reclaimed wood from the marina is used in the structure and décor, and while there is wine, beer and food from Boathouse 19, there is no liquor. Grand opening weekend is July 12 to 14, with live music by the Lucy Horton Band and the introduction of three beers on tap: a pale ale, an IPA and a golden ale. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on the Narrows Brewing Company in Northwest military's Bars and Clubs section.

3. In the 1980s Alec Clayton's paintings were figurative and often dealt with sexual content, including poking fun at society's attitudes about sex. In 1988 he and his wife, Gabi, invited friends and students from The Evergreen State College to examine and discuss the paintings. Gabi, a film student at the time, filmed the session. The film, and two other of Gabi's films about live action and stop-action animation of paintings being created, will be screened and discussed from 7-9 p.m. at B2 Fine Art Gallery. 

4. Distinguished writers, poets, playwrights, short story writers, and people who scribble on cocktail napkins will step up to the mic from 7-9 p.m. as part of the Distinguished Writer Series and Open Mic at King's Books. Lucas Smiraldo - a local poet who has worked in solo performance and spoken word for many years in Tacoma, as well as an online film series called Slam Town, a piece called Voice of the Americas focused on post-9/11 America and other projects that take spoken word and give it a dramatic flair - will be the featured poet.

5. Beginning her career at open mics in Boston, Paula Poundstone soon moved to San Francisco, which in the late '70s and into the '80s, was the hub for freethinking and unique comedians. People like Dana Gould, Jake Johannsen and Bobcat Goldthwait, among others, would hone their craft at places such as the Holy City Zoo, which was a home for these kind of absurd and original voices. Quickly, Poundstone rose through the ranks, with her quick wit, observational style and masterful crowd work. Like other comedians who have mastered the art of crowd work (like Jimmy Pardo, to use a more recent example), Poundstone is able to make something that takes a lot of skill look completely natural. Laugh with her at 7:30 p.m. in the Pantages Theater. Read Rev. Adam McCkinney's full interview with Paula Poundstone in Northwest Military's Music & Culture section.

LINK: Friday, July 12 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area