THURSDAY, JULY 10 2014 >>>

1. Since really wonderful summertime food comes off the grill, the idea that chilled white wine is a good general summer drink becomes nonsensical. More often, room-temperature red wine should be the libation of choice. The marriage of a delicately gamey grilled leg of lamb with a complex yet fruity Pinot Noir, or a perfectly charred hamburger, smothered in caramelized onions and chased by a robust, peppery Zinfandel: Well, isn't this what life is worth living for? Dorian Woodson from Cru Selections knows. He has the scoop on tasty summer reds, which he'll reveal 5-7 p.m. in the STINK Tank wine bar. For $5, you may taste five summer reds, enjoy summer snacks and chat up why sweet, cold and white should stay away from your grill.

2. The second Thursday of the month, the downtown Gig Harbor community skips floating around on their yachts to host a party. The galleries stay open late, artists hold demonstrations, refreshments are passed out and the music goes live from 5-8 p.m.

3. While Van Halen was telling everyone to "jump," brothers Kurt and Rob Widmer opened their brewery with $50,000. It was a slow start. In 1986, the Widmer Brothers introduced their Hefeweizen to America. The rest is history. In 2008, Widmer and Red Hook merged to form what would later be titled Craft Brew Alliance, the ninth largest brewer in the nation. The Copper Door hosts a Widmer Brothers Brewer's Night from 6-9 p.m. Meet the brewer, chat beer history and drink Citra Blonde, Upheaval IPA, Sason de Fleurs and "other secret squirrel beers."

4. We always enjoy a Big Dipper after tight harmonies. And thank the heavenly bodies, Pacific Lutheran University will, once again, make our dreams come true. The college hosts Jazz Under the Stars, an outdoor jazz concert series followed by rare public entry into their Keck Observatory. The series, a different band every Thursday through Aug. 14, kicks off tonight with four-piece Luigi LaCross in the Mary Baker Russell amphitheater from 7-9 p.m. Ah crap, the observatory is open only for the July 31, Aug. 7 and 14 shows. Well, we'll wish upon a star tonight that someone changes his or her mind.

5. Lakewood Playhouse never seems to disappoint and their most recent production is no exception. People who don't like Monty Python humor, also known as fuddy duddies, might want to skip it but for everyone else, Spamalot (books and lyrics by Eric Idle) will have them laughing, whistling and singing even after the show. Director John Munn's brilliant cast and crew could not have done a better job. Read Joann Varnell's full review of Spamalot in the Music & Culture section, then catch pay-what-you-can show at 8 p.m.

LINK: Thursday, July 10 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area