MONDAY, SEPT. 9 2013 >>>

1. Tacoma loves it some Pacific Grill. It was no surprise when the chef/owner Gordon Naccarato-powered upscale dining option on Pacific Avenue took home "Best Restaurant" honors in the Volcano's 2011 Super Best of Tacoma Readers' Poll. Tacoma's love for Pacific Grill has been proven time and time again. After being open for eight years this month, Naccarato and his team recently rolled out thoroughly revamped menus, featuring small plates, lower prices and more vegan and gluten-free options. From 4-7 p.m., Pacific Grill will celebrate its eighth birthday with a party extravaganza, featuring free appetizers and desserts, prizes and hot DJ action with Mr. Melanin. The only thing more exciting is the food.

2. Think of them as Nashville's version of Fleetwood Mac without quite so many psychosexual head games, and you have Little Big Town. The country foursome will ride into the Washington State Fair at 7:30 p.m. taking turns singing lead and harmonize like no other group in Nashville right now.

3. Pianist Nate D., bassist Cameron and drummer Peter T. host the city's newest jazz jam inviting talent to sit in with them as the house trio explores straight ahead, funk and space at 8 p.m. in The New Frontier Lounge. Not all gigs qualify as a hang, but this one has the precise alchemy that could draw the area's best players: a high level of musicianship, a relaxed atmosphere and a sympathetic intergenerational crowd. Ask any working jazz musician, and the hang is what it's all about.

4. Every Monday Jazzbones is packed to the brim with college kids. Party types. The type that wear tight shirts and trucker hats. Throngs of Chad Fratguys and Sarah Sororitysisters swarm the bar, line up for the bathroom and dance to the Rockaraoke - live band karaoke. The Rockaraoke band is skilled, too. Expect $2 PBR drafts, $3 Sinfire shots, $4 Smirnoff flavor vodka bombs.

5. The stereotype is racing through your head: Everyone is in all black, many are wearing dark and heavy eye make-up and every now and then, the DJ stops a tune with a vertebrae-shattering guitar riff for chants of, "Kill! Kill! Kill!" But O'Malley's new "Mondays For The Damned," is not some cartoon-like parody like you see in the movies. For the most part, the 9 p.m. Monday DJ night is just your typical above ground underground new wave, synth pop, goth, industrial and post-punk haven, and, if you're into it, it's one of the best places to find yourself in the company of the city's goth and industrial scene. Night Shift (Nicole and Aaron) and guest DJs will spin, while Rich Sumner screens videos and movies. Get dark over $3.25 micro brew pints and a pound of wings for $5.50.

LINK: Monday, Sept. 9 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area