FRIDAY, MARCH 14 2014 >>>

1. Man of La Mancha opens at 8 p.m. in the Tacoma Musical Playhouse. Set in the 16th century, this play within a play is the musical version of Cervantes's Don Quixote. While Cervantes awaits his trial with the Spanish Inquisition, he fights to put on a show that involves all of the other inmates. Sue Brabham, who plays Maria, says the music is very representative of 1500's Spanish music. It has a "flamenco element," which made it "more challenging for the performers to learn," she adds. She also said for the music, the means are as important as the end. As this play progresses, Brabham says watch for the transformation of Aldonza into Delcinea as she progresses from a "whore to having self esteem and self respect," which is Brabham's favorite part.

2. Used books reign supreme over new books because there's something to be said for encountering a chocolate stain, a teardrop or a snot smear on random pages, reminding you that you're holding something someone enjoyed before you. Used books are things with histories. At the Friends of Lakewood Library's Book Sale you can unleash your fetish for used books with wild abandon from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tens of thousands of books will be on sale, not to mention CDs, cassettes and DVDs. Knowledge has become ridiculously cheap and accessible. Take advantage.

3. The genial satire of contemporary feminism Angry Housewives ran for ages in Seattle centering on Jetti, Bev, Wendi and Carol — good friends, but angry over the lack of respect from their men. So, they form a punk rock band, Angry Housewives, and take their local club scene by storm gaining new self-respect and renewed respect from their men. The play hits the Paradise Theatre stage at 7:30 p.m.

4. Award-winning vocalist/songwriter/harmonica icon Curtis Salgado, touring in support of his Alligator Records debut CD, SOUL SHOT, will perform at 8 p.m. in Jazzbones.

5. Dance beats and distortion, love and anger, tooth and nail -in all its lo-fi, 8-bit finery will go down when MirrorGloss and RowHouse meet at 8:30 p.m. in the Half Pint Pizza Pub.

PLUS: South Sound St. Patrick's Day parties tonight!

LINK: Friday, March 14 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area