WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25 2014 >>>

1. Do you remember all those career-placement tests you had to take in high school? The endless guidance-counselor appointments taking up your free periods? In all that time, did anyone ever happen to mention the possibility of becoming a professional whiskey taster? At 6:30 p.m., Jim Beam Distillery is sending one to Toscanos Café and Wine Bar in Puyallup. Toscanos will host a summer whiskey dinner pairing Chef Tom Pantley's creations with cocktail and whiskey samples from Jim Beam, such as Knob Creek Straight Rye Whiskey, Jim Beam Signature Craft Whiskey and 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey. Reserve your spot at 253.864-8600.

2. The Red Hot will move into its new space today ... if they get a 30-day Temporary Occupancy permit signed this morning and the inspector to sign off. As we have watched the progress on Facebook, the popular Tacoma tavern has moved its hot dog and craft beer operation next door into a space three times larger on the corner of North Junett Street and Sixth Avenue, formerly occupied by The Wedding Bell. Along with the additional space, the new location will offer more beer - about 25 handles, up from 15 - and a slightly revised menu. Fingers crossed!

3. Cycling through themes inspired by nature, Bill Colby has been creating art for six decades. His work is displayed at schools, museums, galleries and businesses, including the Library of Congress, the Tacoma Art Museum, the Seattle Art Museum, and the Henry Gallery at the University of Washington. At noon, Colby opens "Water and Rocks: A Journey: Prints and Paintings 1956-2014" at The Gallery at Tacoma Community College. "The joy of nature is within all of us and in my art work," said Colby in his artist's statement. "'Water and Rocks' has been an evolving theme from 1956 to the present."

4. OK, back to drinking, Puyallup River Brewing and its Ale House (120 S. Meridian, Puyallup) hugs it out with visiting Narrows Brewing Co. over beers, giveaways and raffle prizes from 6-9 p.m. A Pucker Party will go down at Pint Defiance (2049 Mildred St. W., Tacoma) featuring special sour beer draft releases 5-7 p.m. Expect Oude Bruins, Berliner Weissebiers, Krieks, Sour Blondes from Petrus, Lost Abbey, Jolly Pumpkin, Cascade and many others.

5. OK, let's keep it rollin' ... The Swiss Restaurant and Pub hosts Dusted Valley Wine at 6 p.m. for a four-course, six wine dinner. Expect roasted red pepper bisque, certified Angus beef ball tip sirloin, raspberry chocolate lava cake and more. Tickets are available at the bar for $40.

LINK: Wednesday, June 25 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SATURDAY, JUNE 21 2014 >>>

1. Capital City Pride begins at 11 a.m. in Sylvester Park with the live performances by Sonny Nguyn & Stonewall Youth, Wonder, guitar picker and set designer extraordinaire Bruce Haasl, Something Wicked Comedy Improv, The Downey Brothers at 1 p.m., Xavier Toscano, Full Moon Radio at 2:15 p.m. and headliner Paris Original (with Hattie Hotpants & Gregory Conn) and Thea Austin at 3 p.m. 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.

2. Happy pigs and human heads carved from coconuts, T-shirts, coffee mugs, salt and pepper shakers, trays, bells and toothpick holders stenciled with Florida iconography, metal frames bordered with leaping dolphins, necklaces, nightlights made from mollusks' shiny homes. One person's tacky is another's kitsch at Pierce County Parks & Recreation community garage sale Junk in the Trunk, where people stuff their automobiles with, er, stuff they want to sell from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sprinker Recreation Center. Even if you don't buy any of the crap they're hawking, it's worth a visit for people-watching purposes alone. And if you happen to be looking for old lamps, cheap socks or worn-down appliances, all the better.

3. Fort Nisqually Living History Museum hosts a dozen cooks competing for the coveted Golden Skillet from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. According to pre-event hype, "This event is a glimpse into how we cooked and what we ate during the mid-1800s. The Fort's re-enactors will cook on a wood stove and over numerous campfires." Celebrity guest cook Paula Marcoux, food historian and author of Cooking with Fire, will be in the ... fort.

4. There are no words when a community loses one of its beloved members. There are no words, but there is music. And this is exactly what Brian Redman would have wanted. A stalwart in Tacoma's music scene, (3 Inches of Blood, Trial, Dirty Knockers) it's been nearly five years since Redman tragically lost his life. But, his spirit rocks on. BriFest 2014 features 11 music acts, including Pig Snout, Earth Mother, Kim Archer and Nolan Garrett, beginning at 2:30 p.m. in Jazzbones. BriFest is a fundraiser for the Brian Redmond Memorial Fund, which continues to give out the $1,000 Brian Redman Memorial Fund Scholarship.

5. The Thermals have never skimped on passion - musically or lyrically. With straightforward opinions about politics being spat by Hutch Harris at a furious rate per minute, over the driving pop-punk explosions of the unimpeachable trio, the Thermals have been, at their best, near unmatchable for fist-pumping power. It's not often that the band graces a Tacoma stage, so consider this show unmissable. Catch the band with Big Eyes and Wheelies at 9 p.m. in The New Frontier Lounge.

LINK: Saturday, June 21 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FRIDAY, JUNE 20 2014 >>>

1. The Grand Cinema and Tacoma Symphony Orchestra celebrate the union of film and music by teaming up to present An Evening of Cinematic Music. Narrated by Northwest Public Radio's Steve Reeder, the event features TSO's string nonet (a fancy way of saying "nine musicians") and "some of Tacoma's most popular singer-songwriters" performing selections from various iconic songs from throughout film history, such as "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music, a medley of James Bond theme songs, Breakfast at Tiffany's "Moon River" and "I Just Called To Say I Love You" from Lady In Red. All proceeds will benefit The Grand and TSO. The music kicks off at 7:30 p.m. in the Urban Grace. We can only hope they'll cover "Lethal Weapon" by Honeymoon Suite.

2. The selfie craze has hit The Gallery at the Kenneth J Minnaert Center for the Arts. Well, kinda. "Faces from the Crowd"will be on exhibit today only from 2-6 p.m. Inspired by the longstanding tradition of portraiture and the much more recent social media "selfie" craze, but with a filter focusing on positive self-image and personal empowerment. The show highlights the faces that converge on campus, and participate by creating a selfie of their own or by posting a positive comment next to someone else's picture. Think social media in person.

3. Hotel Murano kicks off summer with a golf themed party from 4-7 p.m. Locals are invited to "Swing Into Summer" with a miniature golf course in the hotel plus test new summer drinks. Expect raffle prizes.

4. The last-minute firings, hirings, and general histrionics behind Gone With the Wind are legendary among film buffs. It's this last angle that's the primary concern of Tacoma Little Theatre's Moonlight and Magnolias, a comedic romp about the monumental difficulties of making Margaret Mitchell's humongous best-seller into a decent film. Read Christian Carvajal's review of Moonlight and Magnolias in the Music & Culture section, then catch the show at 7:30 p.m.

5. Luke Short, the mind behind Egg Plant, is too laid back of a person to really make much of a thing about his Tacoma homecoming. It's been four years since I've written about Egg Plant, as the band had made its home in Portland shortly before then. While Short had made Tacoma his home, he went south to complete his music project. Also, in 2010, I interviewed The Thermals. Both bands are performing in Tacoma this weekend, four years since last we contacted, but Egg Plant's show carries with it a connection that The Thermals does not, regardless of their merit as a band. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on Egg Plant in the Music & Culture section, then catch the band with Boy and Bean, People Under the Sun and Tyson Griffin at 9 p.m. in The New Frontier Lounge.

LINK: Friday, June 20 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18 2014 >>>

1. We red-blooded Americans like our meat smoked, cooked long and slow until it's tender enough to be cut with a sharp glance. Travel with us to the town of Steilacoom to hear Pat Maddock, championship pitmaster with Pacific Northwest BBQ Association and Kansas City Barbecue Society, share secrets of competition barbecue we can use behind our office building. Maddock covers barbecue types, smoke woods, rubs, sauces, cookers and meats, and demonstrates the way competition chefs prepare winning pork ribs at 6 p.m. We salute you, Pat Maddock!

2. The Museum of Glass has invited visiting artist Donald Lipski to hang out in the Hot Shop for the week. Lipski is a sculptor known for his poetic combining and altering of existing things and for his enigmatic installation works. Things fire up at 10 a.m.

3. From 5:15 to 6:30 p.m., why not get up off your booty and commune with Tacoma on foot? Downtown On the Go hosts another Walk Tacoma events. Tonight, it walks in the name of public art. Participants will join Pacific Avenue Streetscape artist Elizabeth Connor for a 1.5 mile walking route in downtown Tacoma starting at Fireman's Park. After the walk, participants are invited to attend a social event with food and drinks at The Forum. There is no need to pre-register for the event, simply meet in the park.

4. The Four Beer Horsemen ride into the area tonight.Fort George Brewery unloads its beers at the ParkWay Tavern beginning at 5 p.m.Boundary Bay Brewing Company makes its way to the Puyallup River Alehouse for a 6-9 p.m. party of beers, giveaways, raffle prizes and dollar tacos. Double Mountain Brewery swings through The Swiss Restaurant & Pub for a 6-9 p.m. brewer's night and raffle. Deschutes Brewing Co. bursts through the Pint Defiance doors for a 5-7 p.m. hoopla.

5. The country genre nowadays often seems to favor superstar pop-artists, and one can also admit that it has lost a lot of original flavor and a great amount of heart and soul. The Twang Junkies are loaded with original flavor and soul. The Tacoma band moseys up to the bar with Cash, Haggard, Hank and Earle on one side and Jagger, Lennon, Bowie and Gibb on the other, then taking the Jazzbones stage at 8:30 p.m. with their own blend of alt-country: a Southern twang bass with a hint of indie rock.

LINK: Wednesday, June 18 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

MONDAY, JUNE 16 2014 >>>

1. Every year, more than 30 street bands from around the nation converge in Seattle for Honk! Fest West. Olympia's Rhythm and Rye will be hosting a rowdy Pre-Honk! primer with two of its favorite Honk! bands: The Bucharest Drinking Team and Artesian Rumble Arkestra June 16. The Bucharest Drinking Team, a band that borrows stylistically from great Balkan brass bands such as Fanfare Ciocarlia and Boban Markovic, mixes in a liberal shot of Romanian folk music and a penchant for '80s disco from behind the Iron Curtain to bring you a high-proof Eastern Bloc Party, complete with dancing, drinking, and music. The utterly delightful punk marching band Artesian Rumble Arkestra play a variety of jazz standards and atypical covers reflecting the broad diversity of its members' favorite music: samba, rock, Balkan, New Orleans, gospel, reggae and pop. This will be a sight to see ... and hear.

2. Ghana knocked the Americans out of the last two World Cups with 2-1 victories, beating the Americans in group play in the 2006 tournament and in extra time during the round of 16 four years ago. Only four Americans who appeared in the 2010 match are likely to start: goalkeeper Tim Howard, midfielder Michael Bradley and forwards Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore. USA takes on Ghana at 3 p.m. today. Doyle's Public House has a sweet setup to watch the match.

3. A couple of beer events happen today. Pint Defiance hosts notable craft brewer David Walker of Firestone Walker Brewing Co. to discuss beer and sign bottles from 3-5 p.m. Expect Union Jack and DBA on tap, Stickee Monkee Barrel-Aged Central Coast Quad bottles and a rare keg of Barrelworks Li'l Opal Blended Oak-Aged Saison, which was released April 19. The Twisted Kilt Irish Pub in Puyallup will serve 99-cent beers whenever the U.S. scores against Ghana during World Cup action.

4. The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wes Anderson's latest and eighth feature overall, is clearly a very Wes Anderson film, complete with many of the idiosyncrasies that make his work distinctive and, to some, excessively precious: quirky, deadpan humor; characters communicating via handwritten letters; richly detailed and meticulously arranged production design; the presence of Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, and Owen Wilson. Catch the film at 4 and 8:40 in The Grand Cinema, or 6:30 p.m. at the Capitol Theater.

5. Phoenix garage punk band The Rebel Set and Sacramento folkadelic band Honyock rock Le Voyeur at 10 p.m.

LINK: Monday, June 16 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, JUNE 15 2014 >>>

1. Chef Riley Morgan will release his summer menu at 1022 South J on Hilltop Tacoma. The Southern-raised Morgan has created a Northwest meets Southeast menu, adding a Northwest touch to deviled eggs, pulled pork, collard greens, grits and other Southern staples. He's taking Southern flavors and airing them out for summer. For the full story on the new menu, click here. The new menu will debut toward the end of next week. New cocktails will be added in conjunction with the summer menu. Gone are the hot drinks, replaced with patio drinks, including whatever Morgan calls his new mojito, with mint leaves he grew, smoked infused rum, lime zest poured over smoked ice into a smoked glass. Smojito? The 1022 South J will send off its spring menu in style, hosting its one-year anniversary party Sunday, June 16. Launching at 4 p.m., happy hour prices will remain until close, plus food and drink specials.

2. This year why not give Dad the gift of something delicious and local. The Harmon Tap Room presents a "Father's Day Brewery Tour & Tasting" from noon to 4 p.m. For $20, Dad may tour Harmon's brewery operation, and then enjoy five small plates paired with beer. Reserve Dad a spot at 253.212.2725.

3. With music and lyrics by the Grammy Award-winning team of Eric Idle and John Du Prez and book by Idle, SPAMALOT tells the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. At 2 p.m. in the Lakewood Playhouse, expect to see flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen, and show-stopping musical numbers, including "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," make for a very Monty Python telling of the Camelot legend.

4. The Swiss Restaurant and Pub hosts a fundraising music and burlesque show at 8 p.m. The goal is to raise money to help the fight against breast cancer in honor of Aunt Lisa who passed away last September. There will be awesome raffle prizes, burlesques dancers Funny Face Fanny, Heather Hostility, Rosie Cheex and bands Noi!se, Rat Path, Crooks To Kings and Overboard. There will be a cover charge at the door; all profits go directly to the Susan G. Komen under the team name, Survivor Chick's Breast Friends.

5. Calvin Johnson has long been one of the weirder ducks in local music. He played a large role in not only popularizing Olympia and its vibrant music scene, but also helping to set the tone of the city's musical output in general, with his lo-fi alt-rock group Beat Happening and his founding of K Records. The Hive Dwellers is Johnson's most recent project, and it finds him continuing down that weird path he set for himself back in the '80s. His guttural monotone is still front and center, and his arrangements are exceedingly off-kilter. Catch the band with The Shivas and Panduhs at 8 p.m. in Northern.

LINK: Sunday, June 15 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SATURDAY, JUNE 14 2014 >>>

1. Sometimes it's hard to think of how to describe a group, other than by saying that they're a fucking solid rock group. Dude York is so adept at making ridiculously catchy, wiry indie rock that it's enough to make one tongue-tied. On their most recent LP, Dehumanize, Dude York dip their toes into supercharged R&B, leaving everything as muscular and straightforward, but bringing in a welcome swagger. Catch the band with So Pitted, FF, Trees and Timber at 8 p.m. in Bob's Java Jive.

2. LeMay - America's Car Museum is celebrating 50 years of the Ford Mustang with Masters of Mustang, which opens today showcasing more than 20 of the most sought after pony cars in history. The Mustang exhibit's opening coincides with Father's Day weekend and ACM's annual "Hoods Up" event in which the engine bays of more than 100 vehicles can be viewed through June 20. The hoods open at 10 a.m.

3. P.S. I Love You Festival kicks off at 11 a.m. at Olympia's Percival Landing featuring music by The Oly Mountain Boys, Holy Oly Girls, Dana Lyons, Kim Archer, Che Oke Ten, One World Taiko, Pan Leggo Steel Drums, Mukana Marimba and Morpho-Man. 

4. The 100.7 The Wolf inaugural Hometown Throwdown Concert and Homestyle Chili Cook Off kicks off at 1 p.m. in Cheney stadium featuring International Chili Society sanctioned chili contest and rising stars in country music, including Dan + Shay, Danielle Bradbery, Lindsay Ell, American Young, Joel Crause, Kelleigh Bannen, Joey Hyde, Rae Solomon, Sammy Steele and Robbie Walden. The after party will be held at Steel Creek American Whiskey Company.

5. Masterworks wraps up its 33rd season with a tribute to Ol' Blue Eyes at 7:30 p.m. in the Washington Center. The community choir under the direction of Gary Witley will present a lively line-up of Frank Sinatra favorites. "People who know Sinatra will know everything that we sing," says Witley, "but there will still be room for surprises in the arrangements. For example, ‘Blue Moon,' a ballad sung by Sinatra, will be done as doo-wop." The program will include "That Old Black Magic" and "Just One of Those Things," and guest soloist Karen Karnes singing "All the Way." 

LINK: Saturday, June 14 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

TUESDAY, JUNE 10 2014 >>>

1. More than 20 years have passed since Anita Hill testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas' workplace sexual harassment. Conservatives then set up a smear campaign to discredit her testimony, but the national dialogue about harassment had changed. The television broadcasts sent shock waves through every office in America, bringing the issue of harassment into the open and ending the Mad Men era forever. Freida Mock documentary Anita: Speaking Truth to Power, is compelling for its first hour, as she recounts the high drama of Thomas' confirmation hearings. The second half shows Hill being applauded at lecterns. So strange to think there are now generations who don't know the name Anita Hill or understand her importance in history, which makes the documentary important. Catch it at 2:10 and 6:45 p.m. at The Grand Cinema.

2. Westside Olympia is happening, but that's not news to those who live up on the hill. If you want proof, drop by the Tuesday West Olympia Farmers Market from 4-7 p.m. In addition to an awesome selection of local vendors, this season features live music, raffles and special events. Drop by for fresh produce, baked goods, pastured poultry and meats, flowers, veggie starts and crafts.

3. Commencement Bay Haiku will meet at King's Books to read haiku or one page of haibun (prose with haiku), as well as discuss various aspects of haiku, haibun, or haiga (a painting, sketch or photo with haiku). It's not easy to convert the innards of your soul into scrawled words on paper and then wax rhapsodic as judging eyes stare at you. You have our permission to use this haiku at King's: "At the tractor pull / We shared super nachos, Coors / Belched each others' names."

4. The Pierce College Concert Band presents "A Little Bit of Americana" spring concert including students Aaron Petit on "Rhapsody in Blue" and trumpeter Tyler Rasmussen on "Danse Napolitaine" at 7:30 p.m. at the Pierce College Puyallup campus.

5. Teeph, Joseph, Enumclaw, Mad Mardigan and Amigos On Speed will rock Half Pint Pizza Pub at 8 p.m.

LINK: Tuesday, June 10 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