MONDAY, MARCH 31 2014 >>>

1. There are nature people, and there are not-nature people. But a not-nature person living in a place such as Washington state is sort of a tragedy. Something should be done about this - a slow transition to the outdoors. Just think of the world beyond your walls as a gigantic, interactive television. Introduce yourself to the concept of nature through Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's Animal Scavenger Hunt. Each day of this spring break week will focus on one superstar species: red wolves Monday, sharks Tuesday, elephants Wednesday, polar bears Thursday and wild cats Friday. If the Zoo's hands-on activities and animal action doesn't make you want to be outdoors and in nature, you're hopeless. If it does - you're in the right place.

2. Recalypso, a steel drum party, will kick off at 1 p.m. in the Parkland/Spanaway Library.

3. The Monday night jazz has fired up at the new Rhythm and Rye in downtown Olympia, kicking off with the Hot Club Sandwich at 8 p.m. Founded more than 10 years ago, Hot Club Sandwich began with a deep reverence for Gypsy jazz of the '30s and '40s, growing to incorporate classic jazz and folkloric influences from around the world.

4. Saxophonist Wayne Christopher Swanson joins the house band at 9 p.m. for The New Frontier Lounge's weekly jazz jam.

5. Jazzbones has amped up its weekly live band karaoke. Every Monday at 9 p.m. for the next five weeks it's hosting a singing contest with the grand prize being two nights and flight to Las Vegas. Jazzbones will choose three finalists from each night to compete in the finals. The competition will be judged by the applause-o-meter.

LINK: Monday, March 31 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area