THURSDAY, JULY 18 2013 >>>

1. March 15, 44 B.C., conspirators murdered Julius Caesar on the steps of the Senate in Rome, and an immortal tale of power and politics was born (and the Roman empire was just fine, thank you very much). At some point in your life, you've probably encountered Shakespeare's version of this story inside a dark theater, but if there's one location that does immortal tales of power struggles (and politics) even better it's when Julius Caesar is performed outside our own state capitol. This is an official reminder to go see the Animal Fire Theatre's version of this timeless piece of politcal tragedy at 6:30 p.m. Standing Rome only, unless you bring a chair.

2. The ever-popular Art Bus pushes off at 6 p.m. from the Tacoma Art Museum. For the uninitiated, the Art Bus is a tour of art exhibitions and galleries around Tacoma. But it's really so much more than that. Every excursion on the Art Bus has a different local celebrity tour guide, free pizza from Puget Sound Pizza, games, prizes and a "bus-load of fun." The tentative schedule for this month's Art Bus is as follows: Freighthouse Square, Clara Spa, Proctor Art Gallery, Tacoma Glass Blowing Studio, 253 Collective, Brick House Gallery, Embellish Multispace Salon, Hilltop Heat Concert Series and Bleach. Tickets are $10, or $20 for VIP (includes VIP bag), and is available at brownpapertickets.com.

3. Capital Lakefair has launched along Capitol Lake in Olympia, with all its debauchery, carnies, high school folks you'd rather not see, Demo Burgers, janky rides, over-priced games and the saving grace of it all - tons of music! The Hard Way plays the stage at Lakefair around 9 p.m. The Hard Way are one of those bands that are a staple in Olympia - helping shape the music scene, always rocking no matter the weather, the mood or the crowd. They are true Oly talent - with Scott Taylor's nimble fingers and easy voice and the band's many influences that create a grungy, peaceful, angry, awesome, harmonic and psychedelic sound. See them live. It's like comfort food.

4. He is more than a "rapper." He's not your average MC either. He's a legendary writer, freestyle MC and a member of another legend's crew - Marley Marl's famed Juice Crew. He is called by the name Craig G and he will headline Word 3rd Thursday at 9 p.m. in The New Frontier Lounge. Craig G will be hosted by Tacoma's own Josh Rizeberg and Shigg Tha Rhythmspeaker with DJ Seabefore (206 Zulu) and DJ Cues (206 Zulu) as they celebrate the album release of L.O.E.E.'s, The Marauders.

5. Mugen Hoso are a two-piece rock band from Japan. They sound like the perfect mix of the Clash and the Ramones. They do not sing in English, and their harmonies are outlandishly good. Needless to say, they are fucking awesome. Seen in concert, Mugen Hoso are whirling dervishes of energy. All of the feeling confined to the minimalist arrangement of one drum set and one guitar is expelled in torrents of sweat and gigantic sound.Catch them at 10 p.m. with Red Red Red and the Mona Reels in Le Voyeur.

LINK: Thursday, July 18 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area