TUESDAY, JULY 16 2013 >>>

1. Tel Aviv may be Israel's gay-friendliest city, but in 2009 two people died during an armed attack on an LGBT youth center that remains unsolved. In response to the attack, which left 15 others injured, director Doran Eran and screenwriter Bill Ben Moshe wrote the emotionally wrenching family drama Melting Away that explores the heartbreak and defiance a gay teen experiences when his parents discover he's gay and kick him out of the house. Catch the film at 2 and 6:45 p.m. in The Grand Cinema.

2. Did you find The Kite Runner hard to put down? Did you find this story about the structure of society in Afghanistan as well as redemption and atonement within one family fascinating? Some people find is disturbing and frightening, which is why it's King's Books' July selection for its monthly Banned Book Club. This is a story about how two boys and two fathers define honor. Unfortunately the two main characters get it wrong and while they try their best, they live their lives dishonorably and dishonestly. Join the discussion at 7 p.m. in Doyle's Public House.

3. Remember last year when you joined the dance portion of Tacoma Buddhist Temple's Bon Odori festival? How you skirted around the circle as if your pants were on fire? Yea, disaster. You need to slow it down this year. In fact, you should attend the 7:30 p.m. dance lesson at the Temple. The Aug. 3 festival is fast approaching. This is the year you won't be laughed out of the sake garden.

4. Summer Sounds At Skansie continues with a 6:30 p.m. by the 133rd Army National Guard Band in Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor.

5. The Railflowers - the sister trio of Hannah, Beth and Ellen Knight - are perhaps the sweetest thing to happen to folk-music scene in quite some time. Catch them at 9 p.m. in Le Voyeur.

LINK: Tuesday, July 16 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area