Things are heating up at Tacoma Art Museum leading up to the big opening of the new wing featuring the Haub Family Collection of Western Art in November.

Curator Laura Fry and Museum preparator Ben Wildenhaus are finalizing accent wall colors and working with a scale model to determine the layout for paintings and sculptures in each of the galleries in the new wing. Wall colors are chosen to complement the art and form a cohesive color palette.

Curatorial and Education staff is working on a brief video that visitors can view in the new Orientation space at the entrance of the new wing.

Staff and patrons visited the Walla Walla Foundry to meet with artist Marie Watt and see the foundry's work on her sculpture, "Blanket Stories: Transportation Object, Generous Ones and Trek," a sculpture comprising two curving stacks of bronzed blankets in front of the new wing along the Pacific Avenue streetscape. Many people in the community donated blankets to the sculpture and wrote their stories on tags attached to the blankets. One of the challenges is that the various materials of the blankets burn or melt at different temperatures during the bronzing process.

Monday, Sept. 29, the TAM Store is scheduled to be complete and will be turned over to the museum, so look for the new and improved store to re-open soon. The new family restroom on the lobby level is also scheduled for completion Sept. 29.

TACOMA ART MUSEUM, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. third Thursday, 1501 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, $8-$10, 5 and younger free, 253.627.6031

SEE ALSO

Checking in with the Tacoma Art Museum

I've taken the summer off from reviewing awful trailers, but a siren song called me back into the fray. My ears burnt with the suspicion that a new film will be miraculously shone down upon legions of bussed-in parishes. After devoting more of my year than necessary drunkenly catching up Christian films with my friends (God's Not Dead, in particular, is ripe for camp appreciation), I may have finally met my match - a film that appears to be so stultifyingly dull and frustratingly competent that I can't imagine bearing down and actually watching the thing.

Ah, so, here we have The Song. Allegedly based on the life of King Solomon (a guy from that Bible thing), The Song follows the story of singer-songwriter Jed King (yep!), son of David King (YEP!), as he chases his dream of stardom, even as the road and the lure of foul temptresses threatens his blissful family life. King, as portrayed by Christian rock artist Alan Powell, looks distractingly like Joaquin Phoenix, which is unfortunate, seeing as the movie looks essentially like Walk the Line with presumably less drugs and prison concerts.

As far as how close the film hews to the life of Solomon, I can't very well say. All I know about the guy is that he tended to solve problems by cutting babies in half. If there's any baby mutilation to be found in The Song, the trailer is being awfully coy about it. Thankfully, fellow Volcano scribe Christian Carvajal (a man who's actually read the Bible), had this to say:

"It's based on the life of Solomon to exactly the extent my life is based on that of Spanish conquistador Francisco de Carvajal. I wonder if ‘Rose Jordan' (ugh) will be okay with ‘Jed King's' (get it? GET IT?!) hundreds of wives and concubines, aka sex slaves. Also, she needs to make sure he doesn't peep on his neighbors' Jacuzzi."

Wise words! I'll just wait until Nicolas Cage's Left Behind gets its crazy stank all over theaters next month.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 25 2014 >>>

1. Superheroes are coming to Kent's ShoWare Center tonight. These "superheroes" don't actually fight crime. Instead, they battle against a more insidious threat to mankind: fickle, short-attention-span audiences. As part of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Presents Super Circus Heroes, these courageous do-gooders perform super-human feats of athleticism for your amusement. The storyline, such as it is, involves "Mr. Boredom" (award-winning clown Davis Vassallo of Italy, making his American debut), searching for his own superpower while witnessing such acts as The Cuban Comets (springboard artistes), sexy acrobats The Lightning Rods (the jokes write themselves with that name) and the Shaolin Warriors - who, among other feats, swing sticks, chains, swords and their bodies at one another in what looks like an effort to figure out which one of them is more macho.

2. The largest of 12 lakes in Lakewood's Lakes District, American Lake was once envisioned by Tacoma developers as an ideal resort location. But their grandiose dreams came to a crashing halt with the Panic of 1893. Author Nancy Covert has added another book focusing on the area, American Lake Vignettes, exploring the little-known history of American Lake, weaving together stories from lifelong residents. Join Covert for a vivid look back at life on American Lake at the Steilacoom Historical Museum, beginning at 7 p.m.

3. Like many a young independent filmmaker trying to get a foot in the door, Eric Ayotte felt disenfranchised. It's not an easy life, he learned, and you just have to make your own way through the muck. In 2002, he took his future into his own hands and started the ragtag gypsy Gadabout Traveling Film Festival. The microfest seeks not only to expose audiences to quality short films by unknowns, but also comes with live music by Ayotte. His sincere songs bring a political message as well as an emotional truth. This tour will be supporting his fourth full length record, Transparency, a full band album that explores the concept of honesty, and wanting more open communication from his community, government, friends, religions and himself. See it all at 8 p.m. in Northern.

4. Katchafire are an all-Maori reggae band from Hamilton, New Zealand. With three of the original band members coming from the same family, guitarist Grenville Bell and his sons Logan (vocal) and Jordan (drums/vocals), connections are a driving force behind the band. As the group's name suggests, Katchafire was inspired by Bob Marley, whose fifth album was titled "Catch a Fire." Katcha the band at 8 p.m. in Jazzbones.

5. Astral, visceral, ethereal - all of these "al" words describe Los Angeles indie rock band Nacosta. Synthy, dancey and poppy describe them, too. Releasing their first album this past spring, Under the Half Moon is full of harmonic tendencies, resulting in dreamy songs, backed by solid instrumental work. The song "Aberlina," for instance, is lyrically, and musically, a love story laced with creepiness, as good love stories should be. Do I hear a Beatles and other '60s psychedelic influence? And perhaps some Radiohead and other '90s pop influence as well? On a successful tour, including SXSW, these hotcakes will hit The Swiss at 9 p.m. before heading home and busting out another album. Catch them while you can.

LINK: Thursday, Sept. 25 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Red Williamson and Newspin Photography changed the hip-hop game in Olympia by opening up shop for local hip-hop artists to step their YouTube game up. For the past couple of years, the accomplished photographs - and Sasquatch Music Festival documentarian - has been making quality music videos for the Olympia hip-hop scene. Therefore, it was a logical choice to have Williamson document K Record's Northwest hip-hop collection release, All Your Friend's Friends.

The Olympia record label allowed 30 hip-hop artists to rummage through its 30-year catalog of hip-hop tunes to turn beats into new classics. Those performing on the album include XPerience, Free Whiskey, AKA, Smoke, the Chicharones, XPerience, Heddie Leone, Ang P, MG! The Visionary, Bishop, Puget and many others.

Williamson's trailer for his documentary and the first track off of the album dropped yesterday. Three words from participating musicians - including Macklemore and Calvin Johnson who aren't on the compilation, and Weekly Volcano scribes Paul Schrag, Owen Taylor and Jose Gutierrez, all playing a part in the rise of South Sound hip-hip - hype the release of the documentary, which will drop in a few weeks.

All Your Friend's Friends drops Nov. 11 in both physical and digital formats.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 26 2014 >>>

1. Who doesn't like a little pizzazz with their jazz? Short answer? No one. Jazzy tunes inherently beg to be paired with a little spice, like a beer and a plate of nachos (don't hold the jalapenos), like a fine wine and ... well, actually pairing wine and spicy food is kind of tricky. Jazzbones has noted this pairing potential and set out to create the perfect show - soulful tunes both local and from afar coupled with just the right amount of spice. Enter the tri-fold powerhouse that is Davina and The Vagabons, Chmpagne Sunday and Gritty City Sirens. Read Kristin Kendle's full feature on this ritzy retro night of serious girl power on our Walkie Talkie blog., then catch the show at 8 p.m. in Jazzbones.

2. Henry Louis Gates Jr., the renowned historian, author, and filmmaker, popularly known for his Public Broadcasting Service series Finding Your Roots, will speak at University of Puget Sound at 4 p.m. A theorist and cultural critic and the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, Gates will lecture on "Genealogy and Genetics" in the Memorial Fieldhouse. Admission is $20 for the general public and free for Puget Sound faculty and staff, but tickets must be ordered in advance. Attendees to the 2014 Race & Pedagogy National Conference enter free, after their purchase of one-day or three-day tickets to the conference.

3. Compass Rose Tacoma hosts a Jamie Joseph Trunk Party with sips and treats from 4-8 p.m. Working together in Seattle, Jamie and Jeremy Joseph convey their artistic vision by focusing on bringing light, shape, and an organic framework to some of the most beautiful stones in the world. Jamie has an artisan's aesthetic and her collections are renowned for meticulous craftsmanship, signature stone cutting techniques, and an abundance of color. A woodworker and craftsman in his own right, Jeremy Joseph is the head stone cutter. The Proctor District store will keep the jewelry on display throughout the weekend.

4. Tacoma Brewing Company celebrates the fist bottling of its Dr. Alexander's Hard Ginger Ale with a release party from 5-9 p.m. Come dressed as your favorite Ginger and receive a buck off your first bottle. Expect ginger ale cocktails tonight, too.

5. The music typically coming out of Denmark leans toward art punk, power electronics and cold synth pop. Jessica Lynne, who grew up 60 km south of Copenhagen, sings country music. Country Music Television had an effect, as did rural life, with cows outside the church windows. Whatever, Lynne relocated to the Pacific Northwest to be with family, and has struck up a relationship with local label Maurice the Fish Records. We found her Spiritual Cowgirl release on Spotify to be lyrically rich and melodically pleasing. Catch her at 8 p.m.at The Hub in Gig Harbor.

LINK: Friday, Sept. 26 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

"We're going back to the future here, it's like I'm looking for the DeLorean," said Col. Philip Raymond, new commander of the newly re-activated 2nd headquarters, better known as a DIVARTY, overseas training for all artillery units supporting the second infantry division.

The unit's long history spans almost a century. Established in 1917, it saw action in both world wars, provided support for American and Korean troops during the Korean War. After the end of the Korean War, it relocated to Fort Lewis, Washington, where it made its home for decades.

But in November 2006 the Army deactivated its DIVARTYs so that artillery assets could be more easily dispersed in support of counterinsurgency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. "(Artillery units) have gotten used to deploying as modular units," explained Raymond.

But as American forces began drawing down in Iraq, the Army began re-evaluating its organizational needs. In December 2012 Maj. Gen. James McDonald, commander of the Fires Center of Excellence, submitted a proposal to bring back Field Artillery command headquarters.

In his remarks during the DIVARTY's dedication ceremony, Gen. Maj. Terry Ferrell, Commander of the 7th Infantry Division, said that this is part of the process of working to "restructure and re-right our forces" in response to the draw down in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's about planning for the future.

"So far, the 2nd Infantry Division's DIVARTY is one of three to be reactivated, with more on the way.

Lt. Col. Bill Coppernoll, the 7th Infantry Division's public affairs officer, explained that "this helps with standardizing training and procedures for units across the region."

>>> Col. Philip Raymond, incoming commander of the newly re-activated 2nd Infantry Division Artillery (DIVARTY) chats with Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza after the unit's reactivation ceremony Sept. 25.

Raymond and his staff will oversee training for all artillery units in Washington and Alaska. This DIVARTY is regionally oriented toward threats in the Pacific Region. "I am laser focused on Korea," said Raymond.

But, he specified that subordinate artillery battalions that answer to the DIVARTY can be deployed elsewhere should the need arise. Raymond said that in an ever changing security environment, they are training for any contingency that may arise.

But as he comes into his new position here, he's not solely focused on threats overseas, but also wants to spend time getting to know his new home at JBLM. He's a newcomer to the Pacific Northwest. He recently completed studying at the U.S. Naval War College, and said he and his family are excited for the change in scenery. "We're eager to meet the community," he said.

You know that Facebook friend who's always sharing videos with such status updates as "SOOOO cute!" or "Fluff ball awww"? (Yes, these are real quotes from real Facebook friends.)

Come Friday night, all of those people can go AFK and head for the Lacey Timberland Library, which will be hosting an Animal Video Festival and Photo Contest.

The event's celebrity guest is Will Braden, creator of the Golden Kitty-winning 2012 "Henri 2: Paw de Deux," starring Henri, le Chat Noir, aka Henry, Braden's laid-back cat.

Braden of Seattle has made a career of the animal video craze; having taken the Golden Kitty at the first Internet Cat Video Festival, he now curates and hosts the festival, the original animal video festival and the inspiration behind the local one, developed by librarian Kelsey Smith.

The library will show compilations of mostly funny and occasionally aww-inspiring videos, announce the winners of its animal photo contest and offer a photo booth where people can pose with cutouts of animal celebrities.

Smith is including all kinds of animals in the library festival, though cats do have a prominent place.

The event will even include a guest appearance by Cal, the office cat of Joint Animal Services. Accompanying Cal will be Joint Animal Services director Susanne Beauregard, who as host of TCTV's "Best Friends Animal Adoption" is something of animal video star herself.

Henri will not be attending the festival. One might guess that's because he turned up his nose at the inclusion of non-felines.

"Yes, your cat thinks of you with disdain," he recently tweeted (and posted on his website at henrilechatnoir.com). "But it's not because of anything you've done. You simply had the misfortune of being born a human."

ANIMAL VIDEO FESTIVAL AND PHOTO CONTEST, 7-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26; Lacey Timberland Library, 500 College Ave. SE, Lacey; free; 360-491-3860 or trl.org

SATURDAY, SEPT. 27 2014 >>>

1. Psychomagic's recent self-titled album begins with flutes and a tremulous vocals from Fusco, before breaking off into a kaleidoscopic array of '60 sounds, all blended up and spat out in a colorful cornucopia. In performance, Psychomagic never takes itself so seriously. Everything is filtered through the glassy-eyed gaze of a person who has no need to dig trenches in their brains, but would rather take a moment to notice how fine it feels to be bombarded with the serene vibrations of psychedelic rock. Face-melting can be found elsewhere; Psychomagic is a brain massage. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on Psychomagic in the Music and Culture section., then catch the band with Santoros, MILK and Bath Party at 8 p.m. in The New Frontier Lounge.

2. Did you know that Metro Parks Tacoma hosts a Fall Garden Festival? It's true, and this year's fest, set in picturesque Point Defiance Park, packs educational and resourceful activities, such as how to keep bees, the best ways to grow fruit, "Chickens 101," creative ways to grow your own foods and flowers, and many more, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Little ones can grab a dose of eco-friendly gardening. Gardening superstar Ed Hume will make an appearance at 10 a.m. In "65 years of Gardening" Hume will recount his favorite gardening tips. Bus tours of Tacoma's community gardens and the heritage garden at Fort Nisqually will be led by Harvest Pierce County. Five tours are planned to depart from the Point Defiance Pagoda.

3. Like beer? Jump in and enjoy the Aroma of Tacoma Pro-Am Pub Crawl along Sixth Avenue. For $35 attendees can present a punch card at participating stops and redeem a 10-ounce pour of one of five beers from the 2014 Aroma of Tacoma Homebrew Championship that were selected by local brewers and brewed commercially. Attendees also receive a commemorative T-shirt. The crawl kicks off at noon at The Red Hot then heads out to Engine House No. 9, O'Malleys, Dirty Oscar's Annex and the Crown Bar. Click here for full details and to purchase your ticket.

4. Fish Brewing Company's 16th Annual Oktoberfest will pack their downtown Olympia brewery from 4-10 p.m. There you'll find all the things you've come to expect from a Fish Oktoberfest: down home, ole' fashion, ass kickin' southern-roots band The Slow Rollers and high energy funk, soul and sexy The Brown Edition. Live German oom-pah bands would only squash the groove. These two bands will pump out tunes to incite beer guzzling, various delicious wursts (there is no such thing as too much wurst), a sneak peek at the Hobbit beer series and an obscene amount of Leavenworth Biers Oktoberfest. 

5. The Bad Things are born out of cabaret and drink. A motley crew, made up of urchins and drunkards, The Bad Things bring theatricality and tongue-in-cheek fatalism to a variety of genres. Taking cues from the likes of Tom Waits and the Pogues, the band piles accordions, mandolins, singing saws, upright bass and all manner of sqeezeboxes onto their stage, inciting polka riots and rowdy singalongs in their audiences.Catch them with Victoria Renee and Middlewav at 8 p.m. in Bob's Java Jive.

LINK: Saturday, Sept. 27 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, SEPT. 28 2014 >>>

1. The South Sound Blues Association (SSBA) is hosting a fundraiserto help send The CD Woodbury Band to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January today at The Swiss. As readers may recall, guitarist CD Woodbury and his band emerged victorious earlier this year at the SSBA's Back to Beale Street Competition.  The band's eclectic array of originals and obscure "gem" covers encompassing roots, blues,rock, old school R&B, funk, jazz, jump swing and Americana - all flavored with the spirit of Jam Band improvisation - blew the judges minds. Now the booty-shaking contemporary blues band is headed to Memphis - meaning the SSBA will be footing the travel bill. Aside from being for a good cause, this Sunday's show at The Swiss will bring together a formidable collection of blues musicians, all of whom will no doubt bring the house down. Starting at 4 p.m. and running until 10 p.m., those scheduled to perform include former Back to Beale Street winner The Randy Oxford Band, Richard Allen and The Louisiana Experience, Emily Randolph and Oaklawn, The Wired Blues Band - and, naturally, The CD Woodbury Band with guest vocalist Maia Santell.

2. Walk, bike and roll to enjoy 6.5 miles of trails and roadways along Tacoma's waterfront from 8 a.m. to noon during Downtown to Defiance 2014. Organized by the city of Tacoma, Metro Parks Tacoma and Downtown On the Go, the event is open for anyone and everyone and there will be plenty of activities from the Tacoma Dome, along the waterfront to Point Defiance Park, including a button-making activity at Marine Park.

3. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium has planned a special day for its sea otters in the Rocky Shores area. Festivities include special treats for the otters at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.; tours of the Marine Mammal food preparation area from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; and hands-on sea otter-themed activities and crafts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Marine Discovery Center.

4. A few of Roxanne Wolfe's friends are holding a fundraiser to help cover costs of her medical condition that her health insurance won't cover. A night of music is scheduled from 7-11 p.m. at The New Frontier Lounge. Emcee Doug Mackey will keep the laughs coming and The Crazy Texas Gypsies, Stonepony, Evan Purcell and special guests on track. Expect a silent auction and good times.

5. Nate Jackson returns with a double-header of his Super Funny Comedy Show at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. in Keys On Main. Two comedy shows in one night is a nice twist. Tiffany Haddish (The Arsenio Hall Show, Def Comedy Jam) and Shawn Harvey (Bad Boys of Comedy) will headline the shows, which have received rave reviews since Jackson began hosting and producing them a few years back. The show will be flanked by SFCS resident soundman DJ Tu and a special performance by Grammy nominated singer/songwriter William Jordan.

NATE JACKSON'S SUPER FUNNY COMEDY SHOW, w/ Tiffany Haddish, Shawn Harvey, William Jordan, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Keys On Main, 1003 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, $15-$20, brownpapertickets.com

LINK: Sunday, Sept. 28 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

MONDAY, SEPT. 29 2014 >>>

1. Once upon a time, before the advent of iPhones and Google Glass, people sat with rapt attention and listened as storytellers wove magical word-tapestries. Thanks to the Creative Colloquy, this fairy tale doesn't have to end. Storyteller connoisseur Jackie Fender has gathered more local storytellers for a night of tales and beverages at the B Sharp. Melissa Thayer, Jack Cameron, Tiffany Aldrich MacBain, Michael Haeflinger and Erik Hanberg - who was named Best Tacoman in the 2014 Weekly Volcano Best of Tacoma issue - will read from their latest works, then step aside as an open mic busts out beginning at 7 p.m. in the B Sharp Coffee House. You will delight in this night chock-full of good, old-fashioned entertainment ... and then they'll live happily ever after. The end.

2. Karen Hanan, the executive director of Arts WA, share the achievements Washington state had had in the arts and culture community in since the Centennial, beginning at noon in the State Capital Museum in Olympia.

They both are owned by Carole Ford and Pat Nagle. They both are operating breweries. And they both are hosting a week's worth of Oktoberfest events beginning today. But between the downtown Harmon Brewery & Eatery and the Stadium District Harmon Tap Room, which can truly claim Tacoma Oktoberfest star status? Click here and decide.

4. Every Monday night beginning at 9 p.m., Jazzbones hosts Rockaraoke - a chance to sing onstage with a live band - plus a plethora of cheap Miller High Life. It's valid excuse to drink on a Monday (!) night.

5. Astral, visceral, ethereal - all of these "al" words describe Los Angeles indie rock band Nacosta. Synthy, dancey and poppy describe them, too. Releasing their first album this past spring, Under the Half Moon is full of harmonic tendencies, resulting in dreamy songs, backed by solid instrumental work. The song "Aberlina," for instance, is lyrically, and musically, a love story laced with creepiness, as good love stories should be. Do I hear a Beatles and other '60s psychedelic influence? And perhaps some Radiohead and other '90s pop influence as well? On a successful tour, including SXSW, these hotcakes will hit Le Voyeur at 10 p.m. before heading home and busting out another album. Catch them while you can, with openers The Celestials and Woolen Warrior.

LINK: Monday, Sept. 29 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area