FRIDAY, JAN. 31 2014 >>>

1. The life and career of folk singer Judy Collins is almost too storied to get into without resorting to bullet points: her rise through the ranks of the Greenwich Village folk scene in the early '60s; her discovering of Leonard Cohen (which led to her making the first recordings of the man's songs, back when he was too timid to perform them himself); her political activism, which included testifying in the infamous Chicago Seven trial, during which she participated in the open heckling of Judge Hoffman by singing "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" from the stand; her transition from exclusively performing cover songs to becoming a respected songwriter in her own right - and this just amounts to roughly the first decade of her career as a musician. Read Rev. Adam McKinney interview with Judy Collins in the Music & Culture section before catching her show at 7:30 p.m. in the Pantages Theater.

2. Dream on stepping inside one of the Woolworth Windows installations in downtown Tacoma? Today is your lucky day. From noon to 1 p.m. Artist Acataphasia ("Cat") Grey will open her window to you and your brown bag lunch then chat about her art. Get in on the lunch party at the corner of 11th and Commerce.

3. North Shore Golf Course hosts a Deschutes Brewery Beer Tasting Night at 6 p.m. A Deschutes representative will introduce new brews, accompanied by live music, raffles and prizes and paired with tasty nibbles for $20.

4. Like emotions? Like, REALLY like emotions? Then you just might go nuts for the "Got Opera? Arias, Duets, and Ensembles" at 7:30 p.m. in Schneebeck Concert Hall. University of Puget Sound voice faculty members Michael Delos, bass-baritone; Christina Kowalski, soprano; Kathryn Lehmann, alto; Dawn Padula, mezzo-soprano; and guest artist Gino Luchetti, tenor will bust out big operatic singing, adding a lot of comedy and a dash of drama. 

5. The majestic feeling of unity is captured quite well in the harmonies of Camp Wisdom. The band takes folk rock and imbues it with the kind of riled-up enthusiasm that's necessary to unite those singular voices into one. Catch Camp Wisdom with Lure and Generifus at 8 p.m. in Northern.

LINK: Friday, Jan. 31 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area