5 Things To Do Today: Best Damn Music Show, Oso benefit shows, Ira Glass and more ...

By Volcano Staff on May 4, 2014

SUNDAY, MAY 4 2014 >>>

1. The band was jamming in the studio that's situated to accommodate both musicians and fans. Around 40 people were there, some in suits, some with piercings and tattoos, all with toes tapping or heads banging. Behind a large window, an audio engineer sat in his recording studio, and in front of the stage a gracious hostess introduced the band. This was the scene at Arcade Recording Studio, home of The Best Damn Music Show in Olympia, a live, one-hour performance and recording session that takes place every Sunday at 7 p.m. Read Nikki McCoy's full story on The Best Damn Music Show in the Music & Culture section, before you hit up tonight's show.

2. The Swiss Restaurant & Pub and Stonegate Pizza will host Oso landslide benefit shows featuring local musicians with net proceeds being donated to Arlington's Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation. Put some gas in the car: Rafael Tranquilino and Leah Tussing (1 p.m. Stonegate), Steve Stefanowicz (2 p.m. Swiss), Stephanie Anne Johnson (2 p.m. Stonegate), Little Bill Trio (2:45 p.m. Swiss), Tatoosh (3 p.m. Stonegate), Still Got it (3:30 p.m. Swiss), Junkyard Jane (4:15 p.m. Swiss), Rich Wetzel's Groovin' Higher Orchestra (5 p.m. Stonegate), Andrea Miller with The Collective (5 p.m. Swiss), Linda Myers Band (5:45 p.m. Swiss), Burnham Drive (6:30 p.m. Swiss), Steve Cooley and The Dangerfields (7:15 p.m. Swiss), 9 Pound Hammer (8 p.m. Swiss) and Bobby Hoffman' All Stars (8:30 p.m. Stonegate)

3. Entirely well-acted, thoughtfully directed, in a evolved play about past loves we can't leave behind, Fighting Over Beverley by Israel Horovitz hits Harlequin Productions' stage at 2 p.m. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of Fighting Over Beverley in the music & Culture section.

4. Ira Glass, the creator of the public radio show This American Life, will discuss his program- what makes a compelling story, where they find the amazing stories for their show, how he and his staff are trying to push broadcast journalism to do things it doesn't usually do - and demonstrate how it's actually created, at 3 p.m. in the Pantages Theater. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's interview with Ira Glass in the Music & Culture section.

5. Jazzbones also hosts Musicians for Oso, a benefit show whose proceeds go directly to those affected by the tragic mudslide in Oso. A disquieting event, to be sure, but the lineup of bands assembled for the show is tremendous and very, very loud. And it's all ages, to boot! expect Antihero, Jamie Nova, Black Powder County, The Mothership and Wanz beginning at 5 p.m.

LINK: Sunday, May 4 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area