TUESDAY, FEB. 25 2014 >>>

1. Anyone who has seen them - dance enthusiast or not - can tell you that Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is a feverish love poem to the human body. Ailey founded his company in 1958, with an emphasis on ballet lines in the lower body and modern movements in the upper body. Ailey II embodies Alvin Ailey's pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. According to pre-show hype, "Ailey II is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the most talented young dancers with the passion and creative vision of today's outstanding emerging choreographers." Under the artistic direction of Troy Powell, expect an exhilarating and diverse repertory of timeless classics and thrilling new works at 6:30 p.m. in the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts Mainstage.

2. The man-made modern world often juxtaposes forms and shapes found in nature. Now that crossover will be on display as artist Mike Adams brings his "Gothic Forest" installation to The Gallery at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts beginning today from noon to 4 p.m.

3. One of the happiest developments in recent Academy Award history has been the decision to make available the entire slate of Oscar-nominated short films in an annual theatrical release. The collection of shorts from 2014 and past years will screen at 1:45 and 6:45 p.m. at The Grand Cinema. 

4. The Saint Martin's University School of Business Spring Leadership Lecture Series will focus on "Women in Leadership." Carol Nelson - who was appointed director of the Washington State Department of Revenue by Gov. Jay Inslee in February 2013 after she spent more than 25 years as an executive in the financial and banking industry - will kickoff the series at 6 p.m. in the Norman Worthington Conference Center.

5. With a 90-minute set featuring around 20 of Diamond's hits – ranging from his early work for television shows, such as The Monkees ("I'm A Believer") to songs from his movie "The Jazz Singer" – Neil Diamond tribute band The Diamond Experience will rock the Red Wind Casino from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

LINK: Tuesday, Feb. 25 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area