1. They say never talk politics at the bar. The Hub in Tacoma encourages it. With the strange political climate and the outcome of recent primaries, there is bound to be some interesting conversations. Drinking Liberally is an informal gathering of like-minded left-leaners and true hardcore lefties who want to trade ideas, get more involved, to rant, or just share each others company. 7 p.m. 203 Tacoma Avenue South, 253.683.4606

2.  David Deacon-Joyner is Professor and Director of Jazz studies at Pacific Lutheran University. He has performed with jazz artists such as Bobby Shew, Marvin Stamm, Marc Johnson, Ed Soph, and others. Dr. Deacon-Joyner is a professional vocalist in both studio and live settings, and is a composer and arranger. He currently arranges big band charts for Jeff Coffin, saxophonist with Bela Flect and the Flecktones and the Jeff Coffin Mu'tet, published by UNC Press. Free coffee. Bring chairs or a blanket and snacks. 7 p.m. Mary Baker Russell Music Center Amphitheater, PLU Campus, 8th Avenue Court S & Wheeler Street S, Tacoma. 

3. KryBoys, who picked up an award for best cover band for Weekly Voclano's "Best of Tacoma 2012," are getting their rock on at Jazzbones tonight. Kry is the #1 cover band in the Seattle/Tacoma area. They have the energy, the talent and ability to deliver all of your favorite songs the way music should be ... LIVE! It's like going to a big time rock show where you know every song. 9 p.m. 2803 6th Ave, Tacoma.

4. Nate Jackson, comedy extraordinaire, is at Varsity Grill tonight. Cracking up crowds of all sizes with his razor-sharp wit, engaging stage presence and his high-energy style, Jackson is loved by audiences of all ages. 8 p.m. 1114 Broadway, Tacoma.

5. Today is kids day and buddy day at Thurston County Fair. Kids 6-14 are admitted for $2 and 2-for-1 carnival buddy wrist bands are available. Kid's tractor pull, buzz-tastic bugs, and chocalate cake contest are just a few scheduled events.Thurston County Fair, 3054 Carpenter Road, Lacey, 360-786-5453.

Happy Monday!

1. After a long day at the office, why not relax? Monday Meditation Meetup at the Center offers relaxation, meditation, and quiet. Please bring a mat, pillow, and blanket for comfort. Shoes Optional. 6 - 8 p.m.  6108 Mt Tacoma Drive SW, Lakewood.

2. Imagine if Harry Potter quit the quidditch team and started a punk rock band. Take that one step further and imagine that he stole a time-turner and decided to start that band with himself from a different point in time. Imagine that band could exist without compromising themselves. Imagine that they are able to operate completely independently, without managers, booking agents, recording budgets, publicists, record labels, or anything aside from a sense of enthusiasm and a desire to have fun. That band is Harry and the Potters. 6:30 p.m. Northern, 414 1/2 Legion Way, Olympia.

3. Teens (going into 6th grade - age 17) may pick up a free book anytime thorugh August 31, 2012. Sponsored by the Friends of the Olympia Timberland Library. This event is part of Summer Reading, a Timberland Regional Library districtwide program.

4. Rod Cook is a well respected, in demand Seattle area guitarist known for his stylistic versatility and soulful, melodic playing. Best known for his work with Folk/funk, Americana artist Laura Love in the 1990's and the early part of this decade, guitarist, vocalist Rod Cook began the guitar at the age of nine. Check him out tonight at the Swiss. 1904 Jefferson Avenue, Tacoma.

5. Olyphant in Olympia presents figure drawing. For these sessions, the models will be holding longer poses. Ideal for portraits, sculptures, working with colors, and for finished works. A good class for all skill levels. 6 - 9 p.m. 117 Washington St., Olympia.

1. Bring the whole family out for a fun, family golf evening at the short William's Nine course at Meadow Park in Lakewood. Fees include a special bag tag for adults, and free golf balls & hot dog for the kids. Adult and youth golf equipment available upon request. Held the last Wednesday of each month May-August. www.MeadowParkGolf.com. 7108 Lakewood Drive West, Tacoma. starts at 4 p.m. $12-$15, 5-18 years Free.

2. Stink hosts a Belgian beer tasting tonight.  Belgian beers are some of the most food friendly and complex of all beverages. Won't you put down that IPA for an hour or so and refresh in the frothy, tasty glow that is provided by Kent Wetzler and Wetten Imports? $10 per person includes some tasty snacks and beer. 628 St Helens Ave
Tacoma.

3. You may have seen Maria Jost's work around town and wondered who it was by. This elusive artist would make a limited number of prints and then, under the light of the moon, put them up around town on telephone poles and vacant buildings. If you were fortunate enough to grab one of her prints, most likely it had staple holes and rips in it. Now you have an opportunity to not only buy unblemished prints as well as the original art pieces tonight, 6 p.m. at Amocat Cafe, 625 St Helens Ave, Tacoma. As a bonus, Kaletron will be making his special awesome brand of music for the event.

4. Cosmic BINGO - this new entertainment craze sweeping the country takes a very old game of chance, applies some shock therapy, and creates an entertainment option that today's younger generation are flocking to. Cosmic bingo is played in a stimulating, high energy, black light environment that is driven by DJ entertainment and the players favorite song titles. BJ's Bingo; 4411 Pacific Highway E.; Fife. 11 p.m. $7 buy in pack.

5.Come sketch from a live model! Easels will be provided but artists must bring their own materials. All skill levels are welcome. All skill levels are welcome. On the last session of each month there is an optional group critique that all artists are welcome to participate in. Questions? Call Tim Mansen at (253) 579-6908 or email tim.mansen@gmail.com. www.tacomaacademyoffineart.com. $15 per session on a drop-in basis. Merlino Arts Center, 508 Sixth Avenue, Tacoma. 6:30-9:30 pm.

TGIF!

1. Bring your picnic supper and the whole family and participate in games, music and dancing of the mid-1800s during 19th Century Family Night at Fort Nisqually in Point Defiance Park. Kids of all ages will enjoy the special firings of the Candy Cannon throughout the evening. Lemonade and ice cream will be available while supplies last.6-9 pm, Free with membership or admission, $6-$7.50, 5400 N. Pearl Street, Tacoma.

2. Have you ever stood in an old cemetery and thought, "How I wish these stones could talk"? The Fort Nisqually Time Travelers, a select group of living history re-enactors, had that same thought. Together with the Tacoma Cemeteries and Tacoma Historical Society they invite you to experience Tacoma's history as it comes to life in a unique, fascinating way at the Fourth Annual Living History Cemetery Tour. Eight reenactors will portray people who had an impact on our history as they share their life stories from their grave sites. This year, we celebrate the railroad, boats and trails of all varieties that have had a great influence on Tacoma with our theme, “Rails, Trails and Sails”. Tours last one hour and start every 20 minutes. advanced tickets are required ($8) and available Tuesday through Saturday at the Cemetery, (253) 472-3369. *As the cemetery ground is often uneven, comfortable walking shoes are encouraged. 6-7:40 pm Fri, 5:40-7:40 pm Sat. Tacoma Cemetery: 4801 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma.

3. West Side Story in the park...Bring your lawn, blanket or sleeping bag. Dress warm. Free popcorn and sodas provided. Movies begin at sundown. Donkey Creek Park
8714 North Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor.

4. Summer wine tasting at Safeway is a great way to spend happy hour today. Bring a friend to try Waterbrook Melange Noir, Waterbrook Sauvignon Blanc, and Waterbrook Chardonnay. Ask the wine department Steward Jennifer Elkins at the store how to compliment your next summer picnic outing or dinner menus from our fine wine selection. 3-7 pm. Safeway: 2411 North Proctor, Tacoma.

5. We are hearing really good things about the Kids At Play production of Little Shop of Horrors at Capital Playhouse in Olympia.  7 pm. $15. www.capitalplayhouse.com/buy.

1. The Mandolin Cafe is retiring to South Sound history, but before it does, you can take part in the last four days of live music and events.  Starting tonight, here's the final count-down plan: Dave Berry & Friends Thu. 12. July (7:00pm-9:00pm), Fang Chia & Conveyer Fri. 13 July (7:00pm- 9:00pm), Kitt Bender, Kurt Lindsay & Dave Hannon Sat. 14 July (7:00pm-10:00pm), Open Mic w?Denny Foreman Sun. 15 July (6:00pm-9:00pm). Mandolin Cafe. 3923 South 12th Street Tacoma, WA.

2. Cosmic BINGO - this new entertainment craze sweeping the country takes a very old game of chance, applies some shock therapy, and creates an entertainment option that today’s younger generation are flocking to. Cosmic bingo is played in a stimulating, high energy, black light environment that is driven by DJ entertainment and the players favorite song titles. BJ's Bingo; 4411 Pacific Highway E.; Fife. 11 p.m. $7 buy in pack.

3. Beginning Tai Chi in Puyallup. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese 'moving meditation' practiced by millions throughout the world for its health, fitness, and stress-reducing benefits. Participants will learn a short Tai Chi form along with complimentary Qigong (energy) exercises and meditation. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes. Pre-registration required. Register online at: www.piercecountywa.org/parks. 7:30-8:30 p.m., Frontier Park
21800 Meridian S. $61 (8 weeks).

4. Character Blitz Party will be gathering a group together in order to wreak havoc on our fair city. Well, ok, maybe just unleash a little tomfoolery. You see we have these characters we’ve made this year to rep the block party and we’re going to cut out 11 x 17 versions of each of them, break into teams, and put out 200 of the little guys in random places all over Tacoma. The team with the most out-of-the-box character placement and the team with with the most prominent placement will win a nice little prize. (so bring your camera phones - you'll be uploading your best pics as you go to FB!). RSVP here: www.facebook.com/events/335161596559317. 6- 9p.m., 1120 Court E., Tacoma.

5. Commune with nature in the Seymour Conservatory. Join an hour of meditation guided by Megan Zaback. Call (253) 591-5330 to reserve your spot. Accessible to all. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a mat or pillow to sit on. 6:30-7:30 pm., $10 suggested donation, 316 South G Street, Tacoma.

Happy Tuesday

1. The City of Lacey is getting an early jump on the 4th of July with fireworks scheduled for this evening. The rockets red glare at William A Bush Park, 4400 Chardonnay Dr. SE., Lacey.  Expect the show to dazzle around dusk.

2. If it's Tuesday, it must be The Grand. The Tuesday film series features Boy (87 min, NR) containing some Maori with English subtitles. The year is 1984, and on the rural East Coast of New Zealand "Thriller" is changing kids' lives. Inspired by the Oscar nominated Two Cars, One Night, Boy is the hilarious and heartfelt coming-of-age tale about heroes, magic and Michael Jackson. Boy is a dreamer who loves Michael Jackson. He lives with his brother Rocky, a tribe of deserted cousins and his Nan. Boy's other hero, his father, Alamein, is the subject of Boy's fantasies, and he imagines him as a deep sea diver, war hero and a close relation of Michael Jackson (he can even dance like him). In reality he's "in the can for robbery". When Alamein returns home after 7 years away, Boy is forced to confront the man he thought he remembered, find his own potential and learn to get along without the hero he had been hoping for.  Show times are 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. $5-$7 with membership, $6.50-$8.50 general. The Grand Cinema, 606 South Fawcett Avenue. Tacoma.

3. The lanes are paved with savings, where $2 gets you a game at Chalet Bowl on Tuesdays in Proctor.  Shoes are $2, too. There's nothing more to say. Chalet Bowl is at 3806 North 26th Street, Tacoma.

4. Try Tacoma's newest restaurant. Boat House 19 opened yesterday at the Tacoma Narrows Marina.  Owner Denny Driscoll states the focus of the restaurant is regional American food with a waterfront emphasis.
Items on the menu include...

Sandwiches: House-made corned beef, po' boys, American backyard-style burgers, Carolina pulled pork sandwiches, Monte Cristos
Entrees: Scratch-fried chicken with fresh-cut fries, blackened rock fish with Cajun rice and Southern slaw remoulade, ribeye steak with barbecue French fries
Desserts: Cupcakes, banana splits, warm apple pie
Soda fountain: House-made ice creams and syrups for sodas, custom sodas with a soda fountain, milkshakes, lemonade, sweet tea and handmade drinks
Is is July 2nd already?

Boat House 19 is the fourth restaurant owned by Driscoll in Tacoma.  His other places include The Lobster Shop at Commencement Bay, The Lobster Shop at Dash Point, and The Tanglewood Grill.

Boat House 19. 9001 S. 19th St, Tacoma, WA. (253) 565-1919 http://boathouse19restaurant.com/

5. Sing with the people.  Do a little Star Spangled Banner tonight before a live audience during one of many available open mics.  Here is our list:

• Dirty Oscar's Annex Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Musician's Industry Night. Hosted by Steve Perez. 8:30 pm. NC.
• The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Open Mic Night. 8:30 pm. NC.
• Vinum Coffee and Wine Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. Open Mic Night. All Ages. 6-9 pm. NC.
• LakeBridge Forza Lakewood. Open Stage. All Ages. 7 pm.
• Antique Sandwich Company Ruston. Victory Music Open Mic. All Ages. 7-10pm Sign-up by 6:30.

1. Learn how to make a lei. The Asia Pacific Cultural Center, 4851 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, hosts a hands-on workshop from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. tonight. The workshop will introduce you to making a simple crochet lei with eyelash yarn. Cost is $20 and includes all the materials to make a lei. Call (253) 383-3900 for more information or to register.
2. Watch Drum Taps: Nine Poems on Themes of War at Pacific Lutheran University's Lagerquist Concert Hall tonight at 8 p.m. The show, by composer Gregory Youtz, is a 55-minute oratorio for four vocal soloists, mixed choir and orchestra. Four poems by Walt Whitman written during the United States' Civil War (1861-65) from his series Drum Taps, written during the Civil War, provide an evolving view of war from an American perspective: from excited anticipation of a quick and heroic experience, to a somber reflection on the human cost of war. Interspersed amongst these are five poems by writers from other lands and other times - perhaps not coincidentally places where the U.S. has been involved in wars: Vietnam, China, the Middle East and Europe. Tickets are $8 for general admission, and the event is free for those 18 and younger. Call (253) 535-7150 for more information.
3. Learn how to make salad a dish for dinner from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Olympia. Instructor Leanne Willard prepares four main dish salads that you'll want to serve more than once during the summer months. Her selections include gruyere fondue salad, great on its own or with grilled meats; Thai shredded chicken and strawberry salad with rice noodles; salmon sesame salad with won ton and lemongrass-chile dressing; and Mediterranean barley with chickpeas, pistachios, feta and arugula. The class is held in the Bayview School of Cooking (BSC) demo kitchen on the second floor of Bayview Thriftway, 516 4th Ave W in downtown Olympia. For more information on this event or other classes call (360) 754-1448 or visit www.bayviewschoolofcooking.com.

 4. Listen to pianist Angela Hewitt tonight at 8 p.m. at Meany Hall, 4001 University Way N.E., Seattle. Tickets start at $42. For more information, call (206) 543-4880 or visit uwworldse

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2012 >>>

1. The synthesizer is a powerful tool that has suffered much abuse since its entrance into the pop world. Cheese-doodling, lipstick-wearing hairspray bands of the '80s are to blame for the synth's lowly place among "real" instruments like guitars and snare drums. But Stepkid, a.k.a Benjamin Tyler from Portland, Ore., has reclaimed the keyboard's unique ability to create otherworldly audio on his new release, Cosmonauts. The drummer has crafted his Stepkid from a strange musical universe that encompasses the paranormal, mythology and both outer and inner space. His output feels like a musical battle between good and evil, an electronic, synthesized dance night for Rod Serling. Read the Weekly Volcano's Q&A with Stepkid on its blog, Spew, then catch him at Le Voyeur at 10 p.m.

2. Mayor Marilyn Strickland and Erik Hanberg, chair of the Tacoma Reads Together committee, will discuss this year's choice, Shoeless Joe by W.P. Kinsella, at 7 p.m. inside King's Books. The conversation will focus on pursuing one's dreams, faith, and baseball as America's national pastime.

3. Many things go well with beer: Pretzels. Football. Your mother-in-law away on an extended cruise. You know what else goes great with beer? Tacos and tunes. Every Wednesday night Tacoma's Lucky Silver Tavern has $1 tacos and $1 plates of tater tots, not to mention a full docket of karaoke songs. Chugging beer, pounding beef tacos and belting out some Fleetwood Mac - now that's a Wednesday night.

4. Hell's Kitchen hosts the Asian Hip Hop Summit featuring the Yellow Boyz, Lyricks, Smokes, Eetree, Lok Skywalker and Shao Sosa beginning at 8 p.m.

5. Want to get into the habit of doodling dudes? Tonight at 8:30 p.m. The Mix hosts live body painting giving Tacoma's creative community an opportunity to socialize, sip and scribble. Most succinctly described as figure-drawing sessions with a tarot readings twist, the sessions are open to the public, as long as you're of drinking age. Oh, there will be drinks.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: South Sound happy hours

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012 >>>

1. The Diversity Film Festival continues at The Grand Cinema with each film a meditation on the theme of cultural diversity. The concept began a few miles (and years) away from The Grand, at Tacoma Community College. Dr. Scott Earle, a TCC English and Humanities instructor since 1999, along with fellow teachers and staff, has hosted on-campus film screenings of this sort for some time. A suggestion was made to Earle and his colleagues in late 2010 to graduate their young program - let it leave the classroom and test its wings in the community. Today at 2 and 6:30 p.m., the Grand will screen Scheherazade, Tell Me A Story, which playfully yet bitingly evokes the titular Arabian Nights fabulist in contemporary Egypt.

2. Tacoma Restaurant Week continues through Thursday offering diners a $25 three-course dinner menu and optional $15 three-course lunch at 25 participating area restaurants. For a list of participating restaurants, and their phone numbers for reservations, click here.

3. Taking cues from early hardcore, as well as perennial punk from the '80s, Portland's Autistic Youth make driving, anthemic stuff that'll clear up your sinuses. Songs rush by in delirious two-minute bursts of group cheering and insistent drumming. The band will be joined at 6 p.m. inside Tahoma Tea & Co. by a stupid good assembly of punk acts from all over: the frantic Youth Avoiders from France, Oakland's chunky and melodic Acid Fast, rising punk locals Snak Pak, and fellow Tacoman punks Criminal Code, who will be leaving on tour following the show. 

4. The Choir of the West returns from its tour to Oregon with 10 more ways to order coffee and a bunch of varied choral work, which it will present at 8 p.m. inside Lagerquist Concert Hall.

5. The guttural growl and the howling vox of Author & Punisher's post industrial robotic doom metal will fill The New Frontier Lounge at 9 p.m. Taurus and Helms alee will also join the fun.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: South Sound happy hours

MONDAY, APRIL 23, 2012 >>>

1. Every Monday at 8:30 p.m. inside Magoo's Annex DJ Melodica hosts the Monday Showcase - a night of guests DJs and live bands. Tonight, guest DJ Darren Selector will spin his garage tunes in between sets by Umber Sleeping.

2. We often hear the cliché about "taking things to the next level." But what does that mean exactly? Would we recognize the next level if we saw it? Maybe so. Beginning today, the City of Tacoma would like you to take your homestead to the next level, and by that we mean off the Sanford & Son Junkyard Spitting Image Tour before someone at City Safety has "The big one." The City won't send over colorful fellas from the Bravo network, but it has developed a yard load of awesome free workshops and events to help you improve your home and yard during its Tacoma Neighborhood Makeover Week April 23-28. 

3. The Tacoma School District needs to know your thoughts on budget, services and programs. It asks you to attend a 6 p.m. meeting at First Creek Middle School and participate in an interactive polling session where you will use an individual handheld electronic device - like a TV remote control - to vote on and prioritize more than 60 district programs and services.

4. Tacoma Food Co-op invites the public to its screening of Food Matters at 7 p.m. in Rausch Auditorium on the campus of the University of Puget Sound. The focus of the documentary is in helping society rethink the belief systems fed to people by America's modern medical and health care establishments. The interviewees point out that not every problem requires costly, major medical attention and reveal many alternative ways that can be more effective, more economical, less harmful and less invasive than conventional medical treatments.

5. In Jon Wells' new book Shipwrecked: A People's History of the Seattle Mariners he asserts that the reasons the Mariners haven't reached the World Series are poor management and short-sighted ownership, despite the fact that they have three first-ballot Hall of Fame players. Hear his thoughts live at 7 p.m. inside the Olympic Room at the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: South Sound happy hours