THURSDAY, JAN. 22 2015 >>>

1. The annual Tacoma Home & Garden Show opens 11 a.m. and runs through Sunday at the Tacoma Dome. It features more than 750 exhibitors, television personality and designer Rachel Kate, the popular Vintage Market, a major kitchen showcase, the Plant Market,  "how-to" seminars and more. Sponsored by the Western Washington Toyota Dealers, the state's largest combined home and garden event is a one-stop opportunity for show-goers to discover a huge range of products and services for the home and garden.

2. The Nearsighted Narwal hosts "Bad Poetry Night" from 7-9 p.m. It's a chance for poets to cleanse his or herself of literary atrocities. After he or she reads a bad poem the opportunity exists to read a piece of work he or she is proud to read. Expect laughter, red faces and hugs.

3. Miss Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles last night at the Pantages Theater? The faux Fab Four return at 7:30 p.m., this time at the Washington Center in Olympia. The show features a rotating cast of musicians in a multimedia spectacular that carry the band from its jangly, Liverpudlian roots to the grand psychedelic finale of Abbey Road and Let It Be. Since the cover band's inception in 1975, its members have played everywhere from Broadway to the Today show. Dick Clark (who'd know better?) was so impressed by their vocal talents that he engaged Rain for the soundtrack of his 1979 film The Birth of the Beatles.

4.  A night on the town turns unexpectedly poignant when four best friends convene to reminisce about the past and provide insight into relationships. Just kidding. They sing Gloria Gaynor tunes, toss back shots, and yell things like "That one made my hoohah tickle!" That doesn't stop Louise Roche's otherwise flighty karaoke-standard revue from attempting to delve into substantial topics, and things get a little awkward once the Shake Weight jokes take a hard right to marital regret and miscarriage. Catch Centerstage's version of Girls Night: The Musical at 8 p.m. in the Knutzen Theater.

5. The Keith Henson Octet presents five-horn arrangements of popular and jazz standards featuring trumpet wonder Tracey Hooker, alto saxophonist Tracy Knoop, and Dr. David Joyner on piano at 8 p.m. in B Sharp Coffee House.

LINK: Thursday, Jan. 22 2014 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area