THURSDAY, SEPT. 26 2013 >>>

1. First Night Tacoma is hosting a pop-up picnic from 6-8 p.m. at Wright Park, asking diners to wear as much white as possible. The picnic, title Le Diner en Blanc, grabs inspiration from the Parisians, which began in Paris in 1988, when a man named Francois Pasquier arranged to picnic with family and friends in a public park. To easily find one another in the crowd, all participants wore white, and a chic phenomenon was born. Pasquier's picnic has since become an international phenomenon, and, in September, Tacoma. First Night Tacoma hosts the picnic to share its New Year's Eve plans, as well as raise funds for the downtown Tacoma Dec. 31 celebration. Organizers will provide tables, linens and performance snippets of scheduled First Night acts, including L. Lisa Lawrence fire dancing, Adam Martin with his Luminares and Benjamin Doerr and Lydia Ramsey of St. Paul de Vence. You need to bring picnic goodies, a white tablecloth and yourself - dress head to toe in white. Oh, and $10 as it's a fundraiser. Visit firstnighttacoma.org to purchase tickets.

The Tacoma Academy of Fine Art will host a male model in Medieval costume for its open studio session. From 6-9 p.m., and for $15, you have a chance to sketch a man who just defeated the Orcs and has a few minutes before he eats his giant turkey leg without silverware and chases ill-clad wenches.

A selection of original art from the inaugural deck of Tacoma Playing Cards is on view at Tacoma's STAR Center until Oct. 26. Created in 2012, the Tacoma Playing Cards Blue Deck features 54 Tacoma locations and stories created by some of Tacoma's best visual artists. You may have appreciated these incredible images while playing your favorite card game, but you'll have a chance to see Tacoma Playing Cards on a much larger scale and have a chance to meet the creative force behind the works. An artist reception with wine, small bites and poster giveaways will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. at STAR Center.

4. Lakewood Playhouse celebrates its 75th anniversary with a stage production of Arsenic and Old Lace. Without giving too much away, let's say it features a pair of charming old aunties, the Brewster sisters, who welcome potential boarders with something more than a casual drink. Tonight, at 8 p.m., is a special pay-what-you-can actors's benefit show. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of Arsenic and old Lace in the Music and Culture section.

5. Besdies being all fancy, the Hotel Murano is dang smart. It knows a good thing when it hears it. The Kareem Kandi Band is back to fill the lobby with jazz from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.

LINK: Thursday, Sept. 26 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area