THURSDAY, AUG. 7 2014 >>>

1. Today, as you surely know, is a pretty big holiday: National IPA Day (or #IPADay, if you're joining the cause on Twitter). National IPA Day celebrates this particular style because the India Pale Ale is one of civilization's saner inspirations for a holiday: it evolved from a means of preservation during beers' arduous travels from England to India; nobody died or was tortured; nobody has to fast; nobody has to commune with the dead or celebrate war. All you have to do is be glad this good beer made it to America and enjoy the hell out of it. Click here for IPA suggestions we found at last week's Olympia Brew Fest.

By now everything about Tacoma Green Drinks, the sustainability network platform to inspire new ideas and awareness, and get a little buzzed. Tonight's Green Drinks is something special.  The local chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, Cascadia, will graciously be offering a tour of the Pacific Plaza in downtown Tacoma. The building has received LEED Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council - the highest rating possible - for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. After an informative look at this green building, there will be a regroup at Tacoma Cabana for drinks and green talk. All are welcome. Meet at 1250 Pacific Ave. in the lobby at 5:30 for the tour. 

Do you know Tacoma Runners Emily and Brian? They're getting married. Therefore, the Tacoma Runners will convert their weekly Thursday 3-mile run into a travelling wedding, asking everyone to meet at the Harmon Tap Room at 6:30 p.m. dressed in bridesmaid dresses, bow ties and other wedding-themed outfits. Don't invite that family member who gets drunk at every wedding. After the run, it's toasts and garter belts at the Tap Room.

Knoxville's the Black Lillies have done a nice job uniting varying strands of the country spectrum. They're an indie-label band that plies its trade at rock bars, but, in addition to making a big impact on the Americana charts and year-end lists as the case with their 2011 album, 100 Miles of Wreckage, the band is freakin' cool to rock a benefit for United Way of Thurston County and its work to support vulnerable children and families. Their sound is rooted equally in bluegrass and country-rock, but taken to the next level with the vocal interplay of songwriter/bandleader Cruz Contreras and vocalist Trisha Gene Brady. Olympia favorites the Blackberry Bushes will kick off the night at 8 p.m. in the Capitol Theater.

5. It's crazy band name electro night at Olympia's all-ages club Northern. At 8 p.m., electro-punk Violent Vicki, hip hop-ish Garlicman & Chikn, electro-dream-pop Vibrissae and dreamcore Nightspac3 take you to another time, space and dimension.

LINK: Thursday, Aug. 7 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area