THURSDAY, MAY 15 2014 >>>

1. Historic Tacoma throws a postcard party from 7-9 p.m. at 323 Puyallup Ave. by the Tacoma Dome. The organization asks you bring one or more 4x6 postcards, "handcrafted by you of a favorite or most unfavorite Tacoma building," affix a 34-cent stamp, leave room on the back for an address label. Upon entry each guest will fill in their name and address onto a label: the same number of labels as the cards they brought. After a two-hour display of the cards pinned to the walls, the Historic Tacoma board will randomly apply the labels to the accumulated cards and mail them to the attending guests. Besides a postcard, you must bring finger food and/or a beverage to get in. Fun!

2. Ride your bike to Tacoma Art Museum and enjoy an evening of bike-related art activities from 5-8 p.m. The city of Tacoma will be there to chat up Bike to Work Month. Artists will be there to chat up "Inky Spokes: A Traveling Exhibition of Bicycle Art." Thomas will be there because he works there. Admission is free as part of Third Thursday.

3. If you find yourself inexplicably irritated and anxious lately, maybe you need a time-out. By "time-out, " we don't mean standing in the corner or sacking out on the couch like some little munchkin.  We're talking about tonight's Tacoma Art Mingle, officially from 5-8 p.m. Step one: You can never experience too much art, and tonight businesses hang art in honor of the Mingle, museums allow free admission, and the galleries haul out the nibbles and sips.  Step two: Screw walking - take the Art Bus. Tacoma's Mayor of Hilltop, Rand Chiarovano, is the special host tonight. Nice. Click here for details, then meet in front of the Courtyard Marriott Hotel (1506 Pacific Ave.) at 5:4 5 p.m.

4. In its sixth season, the Washington Center for the Performing Arts' Comedy in the Box series presents comedians from the Seattle Comedy Competition in a cabaret setting. The laughs launch at 7:30 p.m.

5. Rebellious Celtic band Bog Hoppers join Tacoma's The Los Hermanos Brothers for a rowdy night at The Swiss Restaurant & Pub beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: Thursday, May 15 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area