WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28 2015 >>>

1. For those outside the ska scene, it can be a little bit of a struggle to keep the various "waves" in check. Are we up to 20 waves, by now? In any case, there's no denying the influence that The Toasters had on the ska scene through their developing of third wave ska, which added punk elements into the well-defined skiffle and brass of the ska sound. Now more than 30 years into their career, The Toasters stand tall as godfathers of what would come to dominate the skanking dance floors of the '90s. Their performance at 8 p.m. in the Deadbeat Olympia record store is one that cannot be missed. The Fun Police and Skablin will also perform.

2. Two new exhibitions have open at Kittredge Gallery on the campus of the University of Puget Sound that center on drawing, the creation of imagined or ideal spaces, and the act of perception. The Large Gallery features an exhibition of graphite drawings by Michael Schall selected from several different bodies of work. Formerly based in Seattle, and now living and working in Brooklyn, Schall uses his tightly controlled, graphite drawing style to analyze and comment on the intersection of the natural and man-made. The exhibition in the Small Gallery, Parlor Games: Parallax, is a new participatory installation by Timea Tihanyi exploring the nature of the creative process by drawing together ideas from art, science, and philosophy. Check out both exhibits from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. The "BARE: A Boudoir Exhibition" at B2 Fine Art Gallery features sketches and drawings by Northwest Mystics artist Guy Anderson, a photography collection by Paul Dahlquist combined with a variety of contemporary works by artists Alex Clayton, Marsha Glaziere, Marianne Hanson, Nina Mikhailenko, Ron Schmitt and Ric Hall from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

4. Portland artist James Allen finds inspiration in the ephemera of the common objects we encounter everyday altering objects such as books, magazines, photos, and postcards to create new experiences through existing media. He earned a BFA in 2000 from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and was featured in the book, Art Made from Books: Altered, Sculpted, Carved, Transformed. Listen to explain his "Book Excavations" process at 6:30 p.m. in the Collins Memorial Library at the University of Puget Sound.

5. Narrows Brewing Co. has a new website design. Let's celebrate by attending Luke Stanton's "Singer/Song Writer Showcase" from 6-8:30 p.m. inside the brewery's taproom. Beautiful view, beautiful music and beautiful beers.

LINK: Wednesday, Jan. 28 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area