SUNDAY, JULY 6 2014 >>>

1. Sunday, July 6, Museum of Glass will celebrate its 12th birthday with a party FROM noon to 5 p.m. The Museum has entertained more than 2 million visitors, hosted more than 350 artists and has shown 86 exhibitions and displays since opening in 2002. Numerology states a birthday on the 6th of the month adds a tone of responsibility, helpfulness and understanding to one's natural inclinations. This is a number associated with strong sense of responsibility, artistic, a nurturing disposition and community oriented - with a strong degree of concern for others. Those born on the sixth are more apt to be open and honest with everyone, and more caring about family, too. Makes sense since MOG cares about family so deeply; it's family-friendly party on July 6 will be free for those 12 and younger with free cupcakes, balloon art, chalk art and cookies. That said, if your kid knocks over a piece of glass, MOG will dub your family's number 86.

2. Two great American loves will unite for the fourth time as part of the Gig Harbor Wings and Wheels show at the Tacoma Narrows Airport. The event, which is hosted by the Tacoma Events Commission, runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and feature bi-plane rides, cool cars and aircraft, live music and the Smoke 'N' Thunder Jet Dragster making a 300 mph run down the runway, plus three hours of aerial demonstrations and displays, featuring warbirds and aerobatic airplanes.

3. Operation Ward 57 depends solely on donations to operate their project for wounded soldiers and amputees. Uncle Sam's American Bar and Grill hosts a motorcycle run to benefit Operation Ward 57. There will be a motorcycle run leaving Uncle Sam's Amphitheater at approx. 1 p.m. This run will stop at Lawless Harley Davidson, Destination HD and NW Harley Davidson and returns back to Uncle Sam's for a concert with Commander Cody and His New Planet Airmen plus The Razorback Riders at 6 p.m. Price to join the ride is $15. These funds will support the concert benefit and includes admission to the show.

4. The Social Bar and Grill's patio is a lovely spot to while away a weekend afternoon, sipping cocktails and old world red wine and watching condo residents walk their dogs. Come Sunday afternoon, resident DJ Mr. Melanin and rotating guests spin an eclectic and extremely tasteful selection of lounge, bossa nova and electro soul music 2-6 p.m. This triple threat of delicious happy hour specials, sun and hip tunes is known as Tacoma's only daytime summer party, "Dayclub."

5. Around the mid-'00s, a cavalcade of bands arrived on the scene as blissed-out purveyors of art-pop - off-kilter melodies and shifting time signatures giving nods to progressive rock, without going so far as to approach the uncommercial. Groups such as Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear and Local Natives are on the frontline of this movement of musical geeks, and Talk of Shamans fit right in with that new wave. The San Francisco trio bounces back and forth from bouncy, yelping indie rock and world music-indebted pitter-patter. Catch the band with Globelamp and Union Pacific at 10 p.m. in Le Voyeur.

LINK: Sunday, July 6 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THURSDAY, JULY 3 2014 >>>

1. Every Thursday at 6:30 p.m., for the last four years, waves of runners head out from a Tacoma pub, following a 5K route announced at the start, before returning to the starting line for multiple hugs and carbohydrate-rich beers. Mike and Lisa Hahn, Derek Young, Rob McNair-Huff and several others launched the social group in 2010, with Young, Sarah Cutting and McNair-Huff running it today, hosting a website and setting the routes for 3,347 Facebook members. Tonight, the Tacoma Runners will celebrate our nation's independence with a fun 5K run, beers and karaoke (8 p.m.) at The New Frontier Lounge. Expect at least 25 Founding Fathers costumes.

2. Downtown on the Go group will be hanging at the downtown Tacoma Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. handing out information on transportation options in and out of downtown Tacoma, as well as selling $10 helmets and Walk Tacoma T-shirts.

3. It's un-American to cancel meetings the day before the Fourth of July. Tacoma Green Drinks knows this. The group of environmental-friendly folks meets every first Thursday to discuss sustainable business and lifestyle while tossing back beer, wine and cocktails. Now that's American! The group will gather at 6 p.m. in The Hub Tacoma and listen to folks from Artisan Electric discuss community solar development. Grassroots community-wide bulk purchase solar programs began in Portland and have spread all over the country. Why hasn't it caught on in Tacoma? Find and get buzzed tonight.

4. Steel Creek American Whiskey Co. is throw a free country music party the next two nights. And by free they mean free bull rides and free cover. Rio dance lessons begin at 8 p.m. tonight with drink specials every 30 minutes.

5. Boris a.k.a. The Keys, a French-born and raised but now Toronto-based singer-songwriter playing somewhat edgy pop and folk & roll music will showcase his eighth album, You Can't Beat Me If I'm Not Playing, at 9 p.m. in Northern. Paul Mauer and Vinni Straube will perform, too.

LINK: Thursday, July 3 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, JULY 2 2014 >>>

1. You can't profess to love hip-hop without having, at the least, a passing appreciation for the foundation. You don't get Outkast or Dr. Dre without EPMD. There's no Jay Z without Rakim. The Geto Boys helped open up the South. Afrika Bambaataa, The Rock Steady Crew, Grandmaster flash, Kurtis Blow, Fab 5 Freddy, Public Enemy ... it's not just nostalgia; it's a history lesson you can't miss when DJ Fir$t Lady spins your favorite old school hip-hop, plus other eclectic and funky dance tunes Wednesday beginning at The Brotherhood Lounge's Summer Dance Party. Fir$t Lady will do all the heavy lifting for you so all that's left to be done is to fetch that headband out of the dryer and go freak out. Bonus: Twenty-five percent of the night's sales go to Planned Parenthood. It kicks off at 9 p.m.

2. Remember before the Internet when the only way to discover the local underground punk rock scene, slow food, yurt-builders, Kierkegaard or Shannon Doherty was to read bits of typed paper from someone pulling an all-nighter at Kinko's? Today, it's called Tumblr. Yet oddly enough, old school zines are experiencing a renaissance. How do people who've never existed in a world without the web create these handmade textures to express their unfettered opinions? In celebration of International Zine Month in July, the Lakewood Library will host several zine workshops throughout the month, the first one coming together from 6-8 p.m. Express your opinion between two staples! 

3. There will be an Elvis sighting tonight in Steilacoom when Danny Vernon's Illusions Of Elvis enters Pioneer Park at 6:30 p.m. The show is free. 

4. Here's a reason to toast: Scientists say drinking three glasses of Champagne per week helps stave off brain disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. So head to Abby's on Broadway Bistro and Wine Bar from 5-7:30 p.m. for a bubbles tasting. Fill your brain with Veuve Ambal Blanc de Blanc Brut, Veuve Ambal Brut Rose, Veuve Ambal Cremant de Bourgogne Brut and Veuve Ambal Rose Cremant de Bourgogne Brut.

5. It's the first Wednesday of the month, which means Maurice the Fish Records will take over Jazzbones tonight. The monthly all-ages event showcases some of the best the Pacific Northwest talent, including established musicians as well as young up-and-comers. At 8 p.m., Brooke Lizotte, Strangely Alright and Torre take the stage.

LINK: Wednesday, July 2 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, JUNE 29 2014 >>>

1. Early summer in the South Sound means changing warmer weather, adding a boa and checking out the pride festivals. In conjunction with Olympia Capital City Pride event last weekend, the Olympia Film Society presents the 2014 Pride Film Festival, closing today at the Capitol Theater. Today's screenings include My Prairie Home and Dating Sucks: A Genderqueer Misadventure at 2:30 p.m., Appropriate Behavior and Vecinas at 5 p.m., and Cupcakes, First Date and Becoming Flirty at 7:30 p.m. MC Flirticia Fondue closes the night out.

2. The Tacoma Benefit Jam and Feed is now a quarterly endeavor, bringing together musicians and food to raise money for a charity. Bring your instruments from an afternoon of bluegrass, jazz, swing, and old time from 1-5 p.m. at the Vaeth Mansion, 422 N. E St. in Tacoma. The suggested $15 donations ($10 donations for musicians) will benefit Sister Cities International. A buffet will be available throughout the jam, with food, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages included in exchange for your generous donations.

3. Lakewood Playhouse never seems to disappoint and their most recent production is no exception. People who don't like Monty Python humor, also known as fuddy duddies, might want to skip it but for everyone else, Spamalot (books and lyrics by Eric Idle) will have them laughing, whistling and singing even after the show. Director John Munn's brilliant cast and crew could not have done a better job. Read Joann Varnell's full review of Spamalot in the Music & Culture section, then catch the show at 2 p.m.

4. The Social Bar and Grill's patio is a lovely spot to while away a weekend afternoon, sipping cocktails and old world red wine and watching condo residents walk their dogs. Come Sunday afternoon, resident DJ Mr. Melanin and rotating guests spin an eclectic and extremely tasteful selection of lounge, bossa nova and electro soul music 2-6 p.m. This triple threat of delicious happy hour specials, sun and hip tunes is known as Tacoma's only daytime summer party, "Dayclub."

5. Today marks the closing of the 20th anniversary of the Olympia Experimental Music Festival. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on the Olympia Experimental Music Festival in the Music & Culture section, then catch Replikants, Malaise, Derek M. Johnson, L.A. Lungs, Four Dimensional Nightmare vs. Infradead and Overdose the Katatonic from 4-8 p.m. at Northern in downtown Olympia.

LINK: Sunday, June 29 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, JUNE 22 2014 >>>

1. It's like money in dog years. For FISH Food Banks of Pierce County, every dollar raised has seven times the buying power. Based on this math, last year's Maurice The Fish Records benefit concert brought in nearly $50,000 to help feed the hungry. This year's FISH Food Benefit Concert has eight bands taking the stage at the all-ages, family friendly 3-7 p.m. show at Louie G's in Fife. Musical artists span many genres and include: James Coates, Champagne Sunday, Vividal, Moss Brothers, The Approach, Tin Man, Nolan Garrett and Strangely Alright. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on the FISH Food Benefit Concert in the Music & Culture section.

2. Capital City Pride began under the aegis of Rainbow Center Olympia. Back then, the festival drew a few hundred people. Now as many as 10,000 celebrants converge on a two-day extravaganza that marks the climax of a very busy year for the organization. Today marks day two of the fabulous celebration with The Pride Parade at noon followed by another full day of music. There will be information and food booths in the park, a marvelous kids' area with activities provided by the Hands On Children's Museum, lots of speechifying and, of course, drag performances.

3. If you are looking for a quiz that calls for more than sitting on a stool with a pint of beer, or if you have killer knowledge of Tacoma history that you feel compelled to show off, then this trivia game is for you. Today you can test your local authority against other history buffs. The Tacoma History Hike is a high-suspense, high-speed scavenger hunt that begins at the Washington State History Museum and leads you to a variety of checkpoints within a 1.5-mile radius, allowing you to walk, run, skip or bike the course. Each checkpoint provides the answer to a question of Tacoma-related historical trivia. Collect as many as you can in the time allotted, and return to the museum for music, awards, goody bags and admission. There is still walk-up registration at 12:30 p.m. with the race at 2 p.m.

4. The Social Bar and Grill's patio is a lovely spot to while away a weekend afternoon, sipping cocktails and old world red wine and watch condo residents walk their dogs. Come Sunday afternoon, resident DJ Mr. Melanin and rotating guests spin an eclectic and extremely tasteful selection of lounge, bossa nova and electro soul music 2-6 p.m. This triple threat of delicious happy hour specials, sun and hip tunes is known as Tacoma's only daytime summer party, "Dayclub."

5. Seattle film director Megan Griffiths' latest film, Lucky Them, stars Toni Collette as a Seattle rock journalist who is ordered by her magazine's editor, played by Oliver Platt, to search for a long lost rock god who also happens to be her ex-boyfriend. In the story she teams up with an eccentric amateur documentary filmmaker played by Thomas Haden Church.  Read Jared Lovrak's review of Lucky Them in our Music & Culture section, and then chat with Griffiths after the 2 and 4:20 p.m. screenings at The Grand Cinema.

BONUS: Don't get stuck watching the World Cup games cornered in some dingy bar with a 10-year-old TV and '80s classic hits on the radio. Doyle's Public House's giant tent with two huge TVs (and a bar) will make it feel like you're along the Amazon watching the games (minus the Piranhas). USA takes on Portugal today at 3 p.m.      

LINK: Sunday, June 22 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THURSDAY, JUNE 12 2014 >>>

1. Steel Creek American Whiskey Company kicks off its three-day, one-year anniversary celebration with a bull-riding contest and line dancing. Enjoy drink specials, but practice moderation so you can partake in all of the fun that requires hand-eye coordination. If not, the whiskey fueled shenanigans can be just another hazy memory. Get the chance to work on your "boot scootin' boogie" with free line dance lessons or hop on the mechanical bull and hang on for dear life - cash and swag prizes go to whomever walks away the bull-riding champion. Read Jackie Fender's feature story on Steel Creek's anniversary and new menu.

2. Doyle's Public House in Tacoma's Stadium District has erected a 4,400 sq. ft. tent in its neighboring parking lot, placing two, 20-foot screens on opposite ends to the 2014 World Cup games, which launches today. There will be raised seating on both sides of the tent to provide better sight lines as well as increased standing room. A centrally located bar will make it easy to quench your thirst. Doyle's co-owner Russ Heaton has some thoughts on the World Cup.

Northwest author Brian Doyle will discuss his new novel, The PLOVER, at 7 p.m. in the Puyallup Public Library. Doyle's appearance marks the kick-off for the Puyallup Public Library's Adult Summer Reading program, which officially begins June 16 and runs through Aug. 16. Doyle's book is about searching for something on a boat in the Pacific Ocean. Like we're going to tell you.

4. Connecticut poppy and punk/emo band Spit-Take, featuring members of Heats of Formation and Secret Parts brings its Wipers, Lemonheads and Jawbreaker inspired music to Le Voyeur for a 7 p.m. all-ages show with Snow Roller.

5. Erick Olson, Matt Johnston and Jason Riley are Forces, a band too weird to live and too rare to die. The electronic rock band will play The Swiss with PYP, Vaughan and DJ Mernsivich at 8 p.m.

LINK: Thursday, June 12 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FRIDAY, JUNE 6 2014 >>>

1. No matter how advanced video games get, there's still something special about smacking a metal ball around a ringing, blinking maze of machinery. Celebrate the bliss of pinball with collectors, enthusiasts and exhibitors alike at this weekend's Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show at the Tacoma Convention Center.

2. University Place based Dance Theatre Northwest, a 501-c-3 non-profit arts and community outreach organization, stages a free performance featuring excerpts from the classics Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and Paquita and contemporary ballet, Broadway, jazz and musical theatre pieces at 1:15 p.m. in Lakeview Hope Academy in Lakewood.

3. Morso wine bar in Gig Harbor hosts Talbott vineyards from 5-7 p.m. for tastes of 2011 Sara Case Chardonnay, 2012 Diamond T Pinot Noir, 2012 Kali Hart Pinot Noir, 2012 Logan Chardonnay and 2012 Logan Pinot Noir.

4. Peter Story - who has appeared in primetime shows on three major networks - will take the Theatre on the Square stage during the one-man stage show Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, and bring the two sexes together over a night of entertainment - especially since males and females operate in such different ways. The 7:30 p.m. show is based on the best-selling book by John Gray. The relationship guide, released more than 20 years ago, was translated into more than 40 languages and has sold more than 60 million copies.

5. Just as turntablism - the art of playing records - has made an instrument out of a medium, the movement's DJs have made the transition from enablers to performers. Tonight's "Smart People" event, organized by Tacoma's Mr. Melanin, seeks to put a little stress on that assumption by presenting DJs in an improvised setting, touching on R&B and electronica, bringing in indie rock, boogie-woogie and disco. Dancing is awesome, but you'll catch yourself gazing at the turntable skills. It's OK. It really begins at 9:55 p.m. at The New Frontier Lounge.

LINK: Friday, June 6 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, MAY 25 2014 >>>

1. Picture your perfect Sunday night: the drinks are flowing, the tunes are cranking and you and your friends are dancing it up, having a grand old time. Now picture that evening exactly the same except you are covered in foam. We are not talking about the type of foam that resembles squishy Nerf balls; this is foam that is caused by soap. Soapy foam! Jazzbones hosts Foam Fest 8 at 8 p.m., promising to be more foaming than Foam Fest 3. DJ Pedro will be spinning, which is nice. Beach attire is strongly encouraged. 

2. Comedian Mike Merryfield will records his Irrelevant Radio podcast live at 8 p.m. in the Tacoma Comedy Club. Expect part talk show, part stand up comedy.

3. Full Moon Radio rock out with sweet and sassy vocals, powerful instrumental, and pure indie rock vibe. Catch the Olympia quartet with The Falsies at 9 p.m. in The Brotherhood Lounge.

4. The truth is, not everyone in town has made a mass exodus this Memorial Day Weekend, and not every painted blue fan will be at the Gorge for Sasquatch! Facts are facts. And it's not as sad as it seems. You see, for those smart enough to be sticking around, The Swiss dropped a last minute bombshell that will totally make hanging around town worth it. The downtown Tacoma hangout will host DJ Switch tonight at 9 p.m. so switch up your plans.

5. A cracking drum machine provides the aggressive backbone of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, post-punkers Rhythm of Cruelty. That relentless beat is what propels these nervy tunes, accompanied by the reverb-engulfed vocals of bassist Brandi Strauss and the sharp guitar attack of Ian Rowley. Things are decidedly moody for Rhythm of Cruelty, but their self-assigned goth label is a little misleading. Sorrow isn't on the table for this band; rather, anger and twitchy outbursts are more their style. Catch the band with Criminal Code at 9:30 p.m. in Half Pint Pizza Pub.

LINK: Sunday, May 25 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

TUESDAY, MAY 20 2014 >>>

1. Each year, the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom compiles a list of the top 10 most frequently challenged books in order to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools. Between May 2011 and May 2012, John Berger - a novelist, storyteller, poet, screenwriter and art critic - had his To the Wedding dinged by some parents for dropping f-bombs to describe sexual relations. That doesn't sit well with King's Books owner, sweet pea. The Berger novel will be front and center at King's Banned Book Club 7 p.m. discussion in neighboring Doyle's Public House. Expect much worse language inside Doyle's if a televised soccer match turns nutty.

The Palestinian Oscar nominee for best foreign language film has the title character, Omar, climbing over the Israeli separation wall to visit his romantic interest Nadia, her brother Tarek and his other childhood friend Amjad. Without much thought, the three men conspire to kill an Israeli soldier, and Amjad is the one to do the shooting. When Omar is captured and tortured by the Israelis, they give him an ultimatum. Find out what happens at 1:55 and 6:30 p.m. at The Grand Cinema.

Every so often, we come across the argument that rosé lacks merit as a wine, and, therefore, has become over-hyped. To the residents of southern France, rosé equals lifestyle; we doubt they would agree their Provençal existence isn't deserving of recognition. Pour At Four knows this. The Tacoma Proctor District wine bar will pour complimentary tastes of six roses from three regions from 5:30-8 p.m.

This might be hard to believe, but you can't go see The Beatles live anymore, unless you have some sort of resurrection or time traveling technology. If you do have said technology and are using to see The Beatles, you've got some problems, so let Red Wind Casino help you out. It hosts Beatles tribute band British Export at 8 p.m. Go scream your head off.

The 1230 Room probably has you at "$3 You Call Its," but you also may be interested in the downtown Olympia club's Tuesday deep, tech and progressive house night "The Deep End." It launches at 9 p.m. with drink specials, no cover and resident DJs Alex Bosi, Evan Mould, Chris Paro and Braxxus.

LINK: Tuesday, May 20 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SATURDAY, MAY 17 2014 >>>

1. Metro Parks Tacoma is throwing a big birthday party today for Queen Victoria from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum. Ah, that's nice. Hey, wait a minute. Victoria, daughter of Edward, the Duke of Kent and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg, was born in Kensington Palace in London on May 24, 1819. Metro Parks is throwing a huge birthday party on the wrong day! The dancing, the songs, the re-enactors, the games - all on the wrong day! There's punch and cookies? Happy Birthday Victoria! 

2. Today marks our country's 64th annual Armed Forces Day, a poignant day to acknowledge, honor, remember and support the extraordinary and brave men and women of the United States armed forces. Throughout the Puget Sound, plans are well underway for some extraordinary events for the general public to partake in the spirit of Armed Forces Day and say "thank you" to our servicemembers. Here are four big celebrations.

3. Matika Wilbur, a leading photographer from the Pacific Northwest (Tulalip and Swinomish Tribes), has traveled more than 60,000 miles in the Western United States over the past year, acquiring extraordinary portraits and remarkable narratives in her quest to visit and photograph people from all 562 federally recognized sovereign Native American tribes. Her provocative work exposes the tenacity and richness of contemporary Native life, and seeks to encourage a shift in consciousness toward Native Americans. Tacoma Art Museum is honored to present the inaugural exhibition of Project 562 featuring 40 of Wilbur's Native American portraits, accompanied by stirring audio narratives from select sitters from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

4. Tonight's music selection at Bob's Java Jive includes the promise of noise rock at its finest with a killer line-up: Heavy hitters Giza just put out a new record; Bali Girls, with their avant-garde noise rock, are making the show a CD release party; Diesto, a prog metal band from Portland, are playing live in the KEXP studio earlier in the day. What strikes my curiosity most is the set by sludge rockers Ex-Gods, the new incarnation of Mahnhammer. Bob's booker Brandon Rowley says expect the band, "To not necessarily abandon all that was Mahnhammer, but to build off of it. ... But, really I have no hopes other than for them to fucking rock." 

5. Encore Boutique Nightclub hosts Hef's girls. Yup, Alana Campos (September 2012 Playmate from Brazil) and the well-rounded Jessa Hinton (July 2011 Playmate from Southern Cal) will be in the house handing out free signed pictures beginning at 10 p.m. It should be an entertaining night with Encore's reputation as an upscale party spot and DJ Phase spinning. 

LINK: Saturday, May 17 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area