Little ghouls and goblins can welcome the witching hour Friday in a zillion ways, and not all of them require knocking on doors and begging for food. Here's one cool idea.

Chalie Hill - the man behind the scary decorations at The Spar in Old Town Tacoma and Laura Eklund - the woman behind many gorgeous party and concert set designs - have created a haunte house for kids at the Old Town Music Society building in Old Town Tacoma. Hill says it has a Blair Witch Project feel to it.

All the money raised will help to upgrade the (Music Society) ceiling for better acoustics," says Hill.

"Ohhhh it looks AMAZING!! TELL YOUR FRIENDS!! This is a total kid friendly spooky haunt! Treats for the kids ... If they make it through mua ha ha ha!" screams DJ Suga Jones, a longtime employee at The Spar.

It's a one night, kid-friendly scary affair.

THE OLD TOWN HAUNTING, 5 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Oct. 31, Old Town Music Society, 2101 N. 30^th St., Tacoma, $3 kids, $5 adults, Facebook

SUNDAY, OCT. 19 2014 >>>

1. A prolific songwriter, Doug MacLeod performs his own work. Others like it, too, including the likes of Albert King and Albert Collins, who have covered his songs. MacLeod, winner of two 2014 Blues Music Awards, the perennial Blues Music Award Nominee, is a singer-songwriter in the American tradition. He is a traveling artist that writes and sings original songs that are based on his own life and experiences. In performance, MacLeod is known for his unique, unorthodox and powerfully rhythmic acoustic guitar style that incorporates a churning beat to complement his intricate bottleneck and finger-style technique. At the heart of this is his knack for storytelling, bringing characters-from the faceless to the legendary-to strikingly real life. MacLeod is performing live at Blues Vespers at 5 p.m. in the Immanuel Presbyterian Church.

2. Little Creek Casino will offer "authentic" German cuisine and more than 30 varieties of beer from around the world as well as wines and spirits from noon to 8 p.m. as part of its 2nd Annual Oktoberfest. A traditional keg-tapping ceremony will be held at noon followed by live entertainment. Admission is $10 per person and includes a souvenir beer mug and 10 tasting tickets.

3. "Metal-Urge" is a massive celebration of all things metal-art forged by 80 artists holding firm in 20 venues all around Tacoma through the month of October and November. "Metal-Urge" is a citywide celebration of the metal arts that includes both traditional and non-traditional gallery venues exhibiting the metal work of talented artists and includes jewelry, sculptures, vessels, home décor, enamel and artifacts. "Metal-Urge" arrives today in the form of a community featival from noon to 3 p.m. at Tollefson Plaza. Expect live sword fighting reenactments, blacksmithing demonstrations, hands-on metal crafts, steel music and more.

4. The Northwest Playwrights Alliance's Double Shot Play Fest is a chance for local scribes to show off and, just as important, for the organization to make a little spending cash. Consider this: eager writers go to work the evening before the festival, as that's when they're handed the topic for a brand-new, 10-minute play. A troupe of actors arrives at Broadway Center the next morning to rehearse the resulting scripts for a 2 show at Theatre on the Square. This year, in a welcome shift toward marginalized voices, the writers, directors, and repertory cast are all women. Read Christian Carvajal's full feature on the Double Shot Play Fest in the Music & Culture section.

5. The Lakewood and Tacoma Historical Societies are joining forces to commemorate the World War I centennial and the fascinating role citizens of Pierce County played in establishing Camp Lewis in 1917. "Every year we put on the Destiny Dinner, which is one of our largest events," explained Bill Baarsma, president of the Tacoma Historical Society. "But when we realized it was the centennial of the Great War - because the events that began in 1914 inevitably led to the U.S. entry to the war - we knew this was a great time to honor our military and the long-standing ties to this community." That rich heritage will be showcased during the Salute to Pierce County event at 4 p.m. Oct. 19 at the American Lake Conference Center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord North.

LINK: Sunday, Oct. 19 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FRIDAY, OCT. 17 2014 >>>

1. Named after a scientific discovery, The Van Allen Belt are doing their part to tear down and rebuild. Their recent LP, Heaven on a Branch, is a sly study in mixing and matching. The ways they play with sounds and expectations is sometimes so subtle that you find yourself waking from a trance at a song's end and wondering what route you took to get your head where it's arrived. A big part of the band's success comes down to lead singer Tamar Kamin's effortlessly soulful voice, which handily weathers the storm of mastermind Benjamin Ferris' gently forceful experimentation. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on The Van Allen Belt in the Music and Culture section, then catch the band with Anna Gordon, Swoon and Beatrix Sky at 8 p.m. in Northern.

2. Following a successful first run, "Reach Out at the Well" returns to downtown Olympia's Artesian Commons Park from noon to 3 p.m.  The Olympia Outreach Workers League, a coalition of nearly a dozen downtown service organizations who operate with generous volunteer support, hosts the free community fair. Participating organizations setup booths and provide information on their services and volunteer opportunities. "We aim to uplift the downtown neighborhood through strengthening relationships, cultivating networks, and encouraging volunteerism," said Renata Rollins, event organizer and a coordinator with the Outreach Workers League. "It's all about the ethic of courageous community caretaking. It takes a village to raise a village."

3. Members of the BJ Shea Morning Experience will celebrate their 15th year on the radio with a little shindig at 7 p.m. in Jazzbones. BJ will be giving away a trip to Atlanta to attend a VIP party on the set of the Walking Dead, where you'll tour the real Terminus location, meet members of the cast and maybe even some of the undead. You'll also get the chance to win tickets to see Judas Priest and Lewis Black. Admission is free for this 21 and older event.

4. St. Patrick's Day celebrations aren't easy. You must practice to prepare yourself for the zaniness that goes down every March 17. Doyle's Public House knows this. That's why they host monthly St. Practice Day parties, of which happens again Friday. The party begins with Doyle's Guinness Club toast at 5:17 p.m. All the members gather before Grand Poobah Russ Heaton, who recognizes members who have hit milestones, such as 500 pints of Guinness, while the other members tear up. After the announcement, Heaton raises a glass of the Irish Mother's Milk and toasts the members. At 9 p.m., musical guest Polecat gives everyone another reason to raise a glass. The Bellingham band's nimble, high-energy, fiddle-fueled, hybrid-Americana music really must be seen live to be truly appreciated.

5. The lessons '70s psych bands taught us were not in vain, and some restraint applied to the right blend of mind-melting antics can be very effective. Enter Indigenous Robot, who cram the stomping menace of Black Sabbath and the masculine poetry of the Doors into something resembling Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Psychedelia still works, as shown in Indigenous Robots' in-and-out brevity, which allows them to pack a considerable amount of punch into three minutes or less. The band performs with Bottlenose Koffins and Static and the Cubes at 10 p.m. in Half Pint Pizza Pub.

LINK: Friday, Oct. 17 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, OCT. 5 2014 >>>

1. Midday Veil takes cues from krautrock without explicitly copying it. There's experimental improvisation and rigid beats, but the '70s were a long time ago. What remains with Midday Veil is an exploratory way of approaching an inscrutable subgenre dipping into different cultural influences to provide an mélange of textures and atmosphere. Catch the band with Swahili, Total Life and Lost Integrity in 8 p.m. at Northern.

2. The town of Steilacoom will host their annual cider squeeze from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. offering to press apples for folks, or having jugs of fresh squeezed cider available. And if the cider isn't reason enough to go, then go to sample fresh baked apple pies, cider floats, apple fritters, pony rides and music by Barleywine Revue and Steve and Kristi Nebel.

3. Matika Wilbur's "Project 562" is an ambitious and fascinating photographic study of Native American culture and an equally ambitious artistic project of which Tacoma Art Museum is fortunate to be able to present to the world the inaugural exhibition. Today is the last day to see the exhibit. Read Alec Clayton's full review of Matika Wilbur's Project 562" in the Music & Culture section., then see the show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

4. Shakespeare can be a bit inaccessible for the average Joe and many a community theater company has butchered it so badly as to make the audience loathe ever catching another production of The Bard's works. So leave it to director Suzy Wilhoft and Tacoma Little Theatre to stage something that could go so, so wrong. Fortunately it doesn't and the audience is presented a modest start and a whiz-bang finish in A Midsummer Night's Dream, which closes today at 2 p.m. Read Joann Varnell's full review of A Midsummer Night's Dream in the Music & Culture section.

5. Fans of Comedy Bang! Bang! rejoice! James Adomian will be at the Tacoma Comedy Club at 7 p.m. You've no doubt heard his voice on the podcast, doing spot-on impressions of Jesse Ventura, Tom Leykis, Dov Charney, Alan Rickman and Paul Giamatti, among others. While Adomian is nominally an impressionist, what makes his characters so special is that he takes them and spins them into surreal and inspired territory. It's a crime that he hasn't been cast on Saturday Night Live, where he is destined to become a post-modern Darrell Hammond. He's only appearing for one night, so consider this a can't-miss.

LINK: Sunday, Oct. 5 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SATURDAY, OCT. 4 2014 >>>

1. If you like your bluegrass complex, melodic and focused on weighty matters such as the hard life of Washington state living in the early 20th century, have we found something you're going to love. Olympia bluegrass outfit The Oly Mountain Boys has released their new, epic concept album, White Horse, for your consideration. Comprised of Menser (banjo, piano, lead vocals), Derek McSwain (mandolin, vocals), Chris Rutledge (guitar, vocals), Phil Post (bass, dobro, pedal steel, vocals) and Josh Grice (fiddle), The Oly Mountain Boys dwell in the musical (and conceptual) neighborhood inhabited by outfits such as the Who, Tool, Queensryche and the more operatic rock groups. Join the Boys for a CD release party with The Hollerbodies and The Warren G. Hardings at 9 p.m. in Rhythm and Rye.

2. Wood-fired pizza and goats: Do you need any more reason to drive to Orting? At Terra Organic's annual Harvest Fest, you can also pick the perfect pumpkin to carve. The crisp air of the fall in the country and the sunchoke maze are pretty good reasons for getting in a little farm-browsing, too. If it's warm, leave the jackets at home and dig into the flavors from Ice Cream Social; if it's cool, dance up a gig in front of the Pine Hearts, Dysfunction Junction, Squirrel Butter and Roosevelt Road. Shop the market area. Take a hay ride. Modern farm-to-table take on Mediterranean food ... Primo Grill is there, too! Join in from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tahoma Farms.

3. More than 15 breweries, three wineries and a couple cideries will stretch along the esplanade from the Museum of Glass to the entry of the Foss Harbor Marina for Yachtoberfest, running 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. German food will be served from The Social Bar and Grill, Paesan Kitchen and Bar, Fleischkuechle food truck, Hess Bavarian Deli and Choripan By Asado. Moorage will be available at Delin Docks, Dock Street Marina, Foss Harbor Marina and the Foss Waterway Seaport. Tickets are $20 at the gate. Beverage tickets will be five for $10. Each ticket is worth a 5-ounce beer pour; two tickets will put a 12-ounce pour. Limited edition commemorative beer steins and apparel will be available for purchase. Read Pappi Swarner's full story on Yachtoberfest in the New Beer Column.

4. The New York-based Heritage Blues Orchestra plays traditional blues backed by a classic jazz horn section. Young vocalist Chaney Sims has been compared to jazz/blues legend Nina Simone. The band's 2012 debut album, And Still I Rise, which included covers of Son House and Muddy Waters classics alongside traditional material, was Grammy-nominated. Catch the band at 7:30 p.m. in the Rialto Theater.

5. Zeahorse is a band that does not stumble blood-crusted out of the outback. They're from Sydney, which, one imagines, could not be without at least a couple air-conditioned fast food restaurants. The prospect of losing one's mind in the wasteland of the desert would likely be far from the minds of the members of Zeahorse. Still, the legacy of groundbreaking Australian acts is a heavy load to carry. Zeahorse, being a band that trades in heavy psych-rock, must be particularly aware of how they enter into the conversation of heavy bands that come from down under. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on Zeahorse in the Music & Culture section, then catch the band with Sok and the Faggots, Blanco Bronco and MILK at 8 p.m. in Half Pint Pizza Pub in Tacoma.

LINK: Saturday, Oct. 4 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

It's a story most South Sounders know well: on the afternoon of March 16, 2003, Rachel Corrie, a 23-year-old Olympian peace activist, planted herself in front of an armored Israeli bulldozer in the Gaza strip city of Rafah. She was in Rafah to aid the International Solidarity Movement, a nonviolent pro-Palestinian organization, and that confrontation resulted in her untimely passing. Yet a death sometimes brings new things to life, and so it was with Corrie: her activism and determination inspired the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice, a grassroots effort that seeks peace in the Middle East and around the world. The group's mission includes "foster(ing) connections between people, that build understanding, respect, and appreciation for differences." In that spirit, then, the Corrie Foundation (along with numerous cosponsors and individual donors) presents Shuruq II, otherwise known as Olympia's second Arab Festival.

Shuruq is the Arabic word for sunrise. As used here, it evokes a new day in international relations and intercultural understanding. According to Masjid al-Nur, the Islamic Center of Olympia, the capital community boasts Islamic people of more than 25 different ethnicities, yet even in this liberal bastion Muslim culture seems poorly understood. The Corrie Foundation's Arab Festival proceeds from the belief that deeper understanding and appreciation puts many concerns to rest and engenders a sense of intercultural responsibility which, in turn, inspires greater activism.

Having said that, the festival is really about fun over anything else. The festival staff welcomes visitors at 11 a.m., followed quickly by a presentation of Gulf and Saidi (upper Egyptian) dancing by the Shahrazad Dance Ensemble of Seattle. House of Tarab, the band performing at noon, is a well-regarded septet of Egyptian-style magicians; the tarab in their name refers to the joy of being transported by the evocative power of music. The one-o'clock hour is devoted to Arab fashion. Belly dancer Sabura takes the stage at 3:15, followed by the Levantine folk dancers of Jafra Dabke at 4:45. The festival finishes huge when Al Andalus, an internationally recognized ensemble fronted by oudist Tarik Banzi, plays from 5:30 to 6:30. The Olympia Center will also host a half-dozen side presentations, including lessons in Arabic for people from kindergarteners to adults at 11 a.m.

Just don't get so wrapped up in the day's entertainment that you miss out on the food! The intersection of State and Capital Way is the site of the Olympia-Rafah Solidarity Mural. This weekend it'll also host the "Mural Café and Hookah Lounge," a center of (as the Golden Arches once had it) food, folks and fun including more music and dancing. Here's hoping the café's menu includes harissa-spiced merguez sausage, a standout of north African Islamic cuisine, as it is just ridiculously tasty. And yes, there will be hookahs, so smoke 'em if you got 'em.

This Saturday marks the eve of Eid al-Adha ("Festival of the Sacrifice"), an Islamic holiday which honors Ibrahim's (Abraham's) obedience to the will of Allah. Eid al-Adha is a day of sacrifice, devout prayer, and charitable acts - but hey, there's nothing that says we can't get our party on the evening before.

OLYMPIA ARAB FESTIVAL-SHURUQ II, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, Olympia, free admission, 360.754.3998

Star Clayton felt appreciated.

"It just good to be here today," said the active-duty member's spouse as her daughter, Emily, had her bangs trimmed.

"This is the first time I've ever experienced something like this, and it's nice to be appreciated by the community."

In what has become an area tradition, The Ranger and Northwest Airlifter newspapers hosted its free annual Salute the Troops celebration Saturday at the Lakewood Towne Center.

Judging from the smiles in the former GI Joes space in the Center, the celebration had much to offer.

"I just love this," said a very happy Joshua Orvis as he rejoined his mother.

"This is fun!"

>>> Joshua Orvis is all smiles as he posed with a Home Depot cutout. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

>>> "Princess" Nichole Cavener receives some face paint during the Salute The Troops celebration. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

More than 60 vendors were on hand to offer active duty, Reserve and Guard members and their families services, information and opportunities.

Along with bargains and coupons from businesses such as The Home Depot and the House of Donuts, more than $20,000 in gifts and prizes were given away to the nearly 700 families.

"This is a great day for the family," said Shydelle Cavener, whose husband serves at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

"I like this day, and I appreciate all of the effort that went into it."

>>> Little Girl Smile:  Emily Clayton cracks a smile while getting her hair trimmed. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

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

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

SUNDAY, SEPT. 21 2014 >>>

1. The Weekly Volcano gears up for the annual Tacoma Maritime Festival like the Super Bowl. We just can't get enough of celebrating Commencement Bay, and the "Working Waterfront" as it's known. This year marks the 22nd annual Maritime Fest - and it might host the most fighting ever at the Dock Street Building, Foss Waterway Seaport and the land in between the tow buildings from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Today's events include NOAA Tours, port tours, free guided tours of the Foss Waterway, LEGO exhibit, remote-controlled boats, crafts, games, Seaweed Sisters band at 12:30 p.m., Doug Mackey and Mr. Blackwatch at 2 p.m., Steve and Kristi Nebel at 3:30 p.m. and much more.

2. The rapid growth of Valhalla Coffee Company, which includes shipments overseas, forced A.J. Anderson to relocate his operation from his embedded situation at the former Mandolin Café to the small storefront on Sixth Avenue. Anderson thinks in terms of flavor profiles and uses adjectives such as "robust, rich, and acidic" to describe his coffee. He wants people to realize that coffee is not just a cup of black liquid but a complex and important commodity. In conjunction with its exhibition, "Ethnobotany: An Artists' Study of Planets," the W.W. Seymour Conservatory hosts Anderson for an aromatic and educational Valhalla Coffee tasting titled "Tacoma Loves Coffee" from 10-11 a.m.

4. Little Bill Engelhart is soul on wheels, thanks to his musicianship and polio. He grew up on Hilltop Tacoma and learned rock 'n' roll by playing rhythm and blues with the black musicians downtown, which was unusual for a young white kid at the time. He formed a band with some of his teenage friends and had a national hit when he was just 19 titled "I'm in Love with an Angel." He is a legendary Northwest blues musician and perhaps the Godfather of rock 'n' roll in Tacoma. He and his band, the Bluenotes, will perform at The Spar at 7 p.m.

4. The Lord Franzannian Royal Olympian Spectacular Vaudeville Show promises a "fast paced variety show" with "a little something for everyone." Will this mean jugglers? Probably. Contortionists? Perhaps. Rampant fun? Almost certainly. Proceeds benefit BigShowCity, a non-profit Performing Arts Organization that supports and helps finance burgeoning artists. They say laughter is good medicine. Here's a heaping spoonful of proof at 8 p.m. in The Midnight Sun Performance Space. 

5. Remember that time in high school when your parents went away? You know, plot line of every teenage movie ever made - except this time, you blew up the house. Standing in the ashes as your parents roll up, what do you do? Say it with us now -iiiiiimprovise. Take notes at 8 p.m. in the Tacoma Comedy Club when male and female comedians battle with improve and sketch skills.

LINK: Sunday, Sept. 21 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area.