SUNDAY, NOV. 3 2013 >>>

1. The 2014 International Blues Challenge will consume Memphis's famed Beale Street beginning Jan. 21. More than 150 acts will fill 16 venues through the following Saturday with the finals in the beautiful Orpheum Theater. The number of competing acts in the competition has more than doubled in the past five years, from 69 acts in 2003 to 125 bands and 80 solo/duo acts from 34 states and eight countries last year, including entries from Finland and India as well as Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Taiwan and the United States. If you haven't heard Finnish blues, you ain't heard nothin'. And the guys from Tacoma are no slouches either. That's right, The Randy Oxford Band (band) and pianist Arthur Migliazza (solo/duo) will rep the South Sound, after they won the harts of the crowd and judges over several competitions held earlier this year, thanks to the South Sound Blues Association. The SSBA hosts its second Back to Beale Street Blues 2014 Fundraiser Concert today to help pay costs and to provide the South Sound with one hell of a blue concert.The following will blast Jazzbones with awesome blues from 4-10 p.m., in order: Michelle Taylor and the Blues Junkies, Nolan Garrett, Blues Redemption, Maia Santell and her All Star Blend, Arthur Migliazza and the Randy Oxford Band.

2. Celebrating Day of the Dead in grand community style, the Tacoma Art Museum caps a month of events with a free community celebration today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Museum. Held in conjunction with Centro Latino and Proyecto Molé, the festival celebrates Dia de los Muertos with traditional music and dance, art activities, sugar skull decoration, and displays of art that include a traditional Tapete, or sand painting, and community altars honoring passed loved ones, as well as student artwork demonstrations. This family friendly event, the ninth in so many years, brings together cultural iconography with activities that bring to light how a grim subject can be celebrated - and enjoyed - by all ages, inviting conversation about loss, remembrance, and the rich fabric of diversity.

3. The Chihuly Weekend Experience continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Museum of Glass. Stop by and watch Dale Chihuly and his team create pieces inspired by the "Irish Cylinders" - originally created in 1975 - with artist Seaver Leslie and glass artist Flora C. Mace in the cone.

4. The 12th annual Tacoma Studio Tour wraps up today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some of Tacoma's better artists open their studios up to the public. If yesterday's tour is any indication, expect a lot of demonstrations today. With 39 participating artists or art groups, you will not be able to visit them all, so study the guide to decide which studios you want to visit. If you're looking for recommendations, click here to see the five artists whose studios Weekly Volcano art critic Alec Clayton would like to visit. If you're looking to kick back and have someone else do the driving, hope on the Art Bus.

5. Dirty rhymes, sexy times, shit-talkin', costume-wearing, debauchery and brilliant parodies have led many to cite Blowfly as the father of rap. Since the early '70s Blowfly has made more than 40 albums, some clean, under his birth name Clarence Reid, and most dirty, with titles like "Funk You" and "'Electronic Pussy Sucker." Now, Blowfly is on tour promoting his new album, Black in the Sack, and will hit up The Brotherhood Lounge in Olympia at 9 p.m. with local rawkers Mosquito Hawk, who have their own special blend of sexy songs and space travel.

LINK: Sunday, Nov. 3 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FRIDAY, NOV. 1 2013 >>>

1. New Directions is an award-winning a capella group made up of veterans who have gone through the New Directions program as well as spouses and family members of vets. Members have recovered from and triumphed over mental illness, alcoholism, homelessness and other challenges. The choir sing with a message of help and hope - if they can overcome, so can you. The New Directions Veterans Choir performs at 7:30 p.m. at Tacoma's Theatre on the Square. Read Kristin Kendle's full feature on the choir here.

2. November is Art at Work Month in Tacoma. It's not only a showcase of the best, brightest and most unique on the local art scene, but also a time that makes art accessible to everyone. Like last year, you can find out what's on when via ArtAtWorkTacoma.com, which replaced the printed booklet of yore. Fret not, for the website is even better than last year's and has a growing list of things to do. Also, find out what happens when Grace Kelly and Katniss Everdeen find themselves transported from their films and into Art at Work Month.

3. Last night you cowered behind darkened doors, hoping the pint-size ghosts and goblins didn't invade when they discovered you were keeping the candy for yourself. Time for a change of tradition. This year, introduce mini-monsters to the Mexican practice of Dia de Los Muertos (The Day of the Dead). Descending from an ancient Aztec ritual, the festivities honor departed family members while celebrating the continuing cycle of life. Kiddies (and the young at heart) will dig the Sixth Avenue Business District's Day of the Dead procession, a night of parades, altar ceremonies, music, words and a party. It begins at 5:30 p.m. in front of 6th Ave Photography. Don't be caught dead missing it.

4. Les Rhinoceros make experimental music that vacillates from the understatedly regal ("Seepy Seepy") to defiantly abrasive ("Brea Spiders") and everything in between. Incorporating elements of noise-rock, world music, progressive rock, and ambient electronica, Les Rhinoceros make for a difficult band to pin down. From song to song, or even moment to moment, this is a band that seems utterly determined to take the listener on a journey of surprise after surprise. Catch the band with No Body at 7 p.m. for an all-ages show at Le Voyeur in downtown Olympia.

5. Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Sarah Ruhltransforms the reputation of the vibrator from Seattle Fringe Festival prop to serious theatrical subject matter in In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play) at 7:30 p.m. in the Norton Clapp Theatre at the University of Puget Sound. With pre-show hype claiming it's "a story of repressed sexuality and physical exploration with equal doses of humor and emotion," In the Next Room revolves around the prim Victorian medical practice and home life of Victorian-era gyno Dr. Givings and his wife, Catherine. They just had their first child, but they are forced to hire a wet nurse, bringing the bereaved Elizabeth into their lives. As Catherine gossips with Elizabeth, and meets more and more of her husband's patients, she learns about the mysterious, new therapy.

LINK: Friday, Nov. 1 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SCARY DAY, OCT. 31 2013 >>>

1. The frights are upon us once again, and there are, as always, plenty of ways to spend the Devil's holiday. The Weekly Volcano has gathered a list of parties, theater performances, haunted houses, kids fare and live music - it's up to you to decide where you'll go, and, of course, what you'll wear. Boo, South Sound.

2. The Tacoma Runners will summon their inner ghoul for tonight's Halloween running Spook-tacular. That's right, the Runners will don costumes for their weekly run, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at Puget Sound Pizza in downtown Tacoma. We're talking running zombies people.

3. Comedians Daniel Clarkson and Jeff Turner send up all seven Harry Potter novels and stage a live match of Quidditch in only 70 hysterical minutes in Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry experience in the Rialto Theater. We're talking 300 characters, many female, with a variety of accents from Beauxbatons in France to the highlands of Scotland. Oh, and what the hell, let's throw in a fire-breathing dragon - live on stage. The zaniness begins at 7:30 p.m.

4. No one expresses that raw blend of punk and country like Joe Buck Yourself, the Kentucky-blooded boozehound who has collaborated with the likes of Hank III. Buck will bring his one-man show - with kick drum, aggressive guitar playing and honey-toned voice - to the Acme Grub Cage at 8 p.m. with Viva Le Vox and C.F.A. opening.

5. DJ Freshwell will spin beats while Bacardi hands out swag beginning at 9 p.m. at The Swiss.

LINK: Thursday, Oct. 31 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 30 2013 >>>

1. Halloween might be tomorrow night, but pull out your LED Tron costume anyway. Providing house music geeks to get their bump on early, The Lochs is hosting ARSON!!! Devils Night in Tacoma featuring DJs dAb, Cide, The Architects, Chris Savenetti and Demetre Baca. Just to make the night more blinking and glowing 1313effect.com will be in the house.

2. Founded 20 years ago in response to a wave of attacks on freedom of speech and artistic expression, Rock the Vote concerts represent the intersection of young people, politics and popular culture. From 5:30-8:30 p.m. at The Swiss, the University of Washington-Tacoma and Pacific Lutheran University will Rock The Vote with several bands, including Michelle from the Club and SHEBEAR. There will be a ballot drop bag on site.

3. Wednesday night is always good for getting quizzical in the South Sound. The Harmon Brewery hosts Trivia Night with Gordon Adams, Doyle's Public House offers Knowledge Night team trivia with awesome prizes, and Rev. Colin holds trivia court at Meconi's in downtown Tacoma. Find all the info you need right here.

4. It's no surprise that Rufus Wainwright should find himself years later to be a consummate showman. The son of folkies Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, Wainwright grew up in a house of music, joining his mother's band at the age of 13. Even his sister, Martha, has a respectable music career in her own right. Wainwright was destined for the stage, though he veered off early on from the folk music legacy of his family. Wainwright takes the Pantages Theater stage at 7:30 p.m. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's interview with Rufus Wainwright in the Music and Culture section.

5. Lindsey Pavao from NBC's The Voice will perform at Jazzbones with Hero's Last Mission, Whitney Myer and Olivia De La Cruz, beginning at 8 p.m.

LINK: Wednesday, Oct. 30 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, OCT. 27 2013 >>>

1. A good harmonica player seems like he or she never breathes, he or she just blows and blows and blows until his or her ears say enough, and the intricate collection of notes and rhythms hangs over the audience like a heavy lace curtain. That's about the time people start screaming like wildcats and demanding more, which is exactly what will happen at 5 p.m. when the ninth annual Blues Vespers Harmonica Showcase blows into Tacoma's Immanuel Presbyterian Church. Paul Green & Straight Shot host the affair with Steve Bailey, Stacy Jones, Kim Field, Dan O'Bryant and others. The combined talent (and personalities) will be an indescribable treat for the ears and eyes, and you will walk away jaw hanging like a codfish.

2. The frights are upon us once again, and there are, as always, plenty of ways to spend the Devil's holiday. The Weekly Volcano has listed the parties, the theater performances, haunted houses, the kids fare and the rock 'n' roll here - it's up to you to decide where you'll go, and, of course, what you'll wear. Boo, South Sound.

3. Cindy McCoy has battled and survived breast cancer twice before. She lost her son tragically in 2005, and now she is in the midst of another hardship: she has been diagnosed with terminal stage IV spindle cell sarcoma. McCoy's spirit has reached far and wide, and from 5-9 p.m., a benefit will be held in her honor at The Swiss. Live music by local acts, including The Voice's Vicci Martinez, will be part of the celebration. A silent auction will take place as well, with donated items including a weekend cabin getaway; a custom-made gun safe; a $1,000 Home Depot gift card with three days labor; artwork; window tinting; and a private performance by Martinez. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on tonight's benefit show here.

4. The Mix will host a unique art exhibit where you will experience works from local artists, live music, figure drawing, live performances, fashion, body painting and much from 5:30-9:30 p.m. There will even be an interactive human Tetris game (you read that right). Local vendors will also be present selling merch. There will be wine and snacks as well as a full bar. Halloween costumes are encouraged.

5. At 7:30 p.m., Tacoma's Broadway Center welcomes Ian Anderson to its Pantages Theater stage. He and his mates will perform Thick As A Brick in its entirety for the first time since 1972, then follows up with TAAB 2. This will be Anderson's only West Coast stop this tour. Read Nikki McCoy's interview with Ian Anderson in the Music and Culture section.

LINK: Sunday, Oct. 27 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

B Sharp Coffee House Tacoma - Triangle District. Rod Cook. All Ages. 8 pm. NC.

Capitol Theater Olympia - Downtown. Night Of The Living Tribute Bands, featuring tributes to The Specials, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Beastie Boys, They Might Be Giants, The Pixies, Queens Of The Stone Age, Spinal Tap. All Ages. 8:30 pm. $8-$10.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Aaron Daniel's One Man Banned. 9:30 pm. NC.

Harmon Tap Room Tacoma - Stadium District. First Degree The D.E.'s Halloween Horror Night Costume Party, with Blue Nose Music, Shao Sosa, Awall AKA 2Piece, Beanz & Rize, hosted by Josh Rizeberg. 8 pm. $10.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Clinton Fearon & The Boogie Brown Band, with New Kingston. 8 pm. $10.

Kilworth Chapel Tacoma - Northend. La Familia Valera Miranda. All Ages. 7:30 pm. $12.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Oly Freakdown Halloween Hardcore & Metal Show with Eidola, Redeem the Exile, ThisTopia, Enclosures, T.H.O.R. All Ages. 5:30 pm. $5. MC Swamptiger, Smoke Of Oldominion. 9 pm.

Louie G's Pizza Fife. Wide Eye Panic, In The Between, December In Red, Insuburban Avenue, Watcher's Eye. All Ages. 6 pm.

Matrix Coffee House Chehalis. 16 Sparrows. All Ages. 8 pm. $6.

Maxwell's Restaurant + Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. The Kareem Kandi Band. All Ages. 8 pm. NC.

Northern Olympia - Downtown. Lovers Without Borders, Lois, The Hive Dwellers. All Ages. 8 pm. $6.

• Saturday's show at the Northern is a showcase of Olympia legends, including K Records founder Calvin Johnson with his Hive Dwellers project, and a supergroup of Karl Blau, Allen Peril, and Jessica Bonin by the name of Lovers Without Borders. Of particular interest is a performance from Lois Maffeo, who tends more often to go by the Google-confounding title of, simply, Lois. A prolific member of the Olympia DIY community throughout the '90s, Lois's output has slowed over the years, but she leaves an impressive collection of collaborations with any number of alt scene movers and shakers - most notably her quite good album, The Union Themes, which she recorded with Brendan Canty of Fugazi. All along the way, what distinguished Lois were her lovely voice, her strong songwriting and her flair for knocking out warmly catchy folk-pop. - Rev. Adam McKinney
  

Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma - Downtown. 13 Eves of Halloween with Ghost 211. Creepiest costume contest for cash. 9 pm.

The Royal Lounge Olympia - Downtown. E-40, Beejan, Krucial Barz, Mr. Tist 7 Yak Nasty, Frankie Hustle, Circle of Bosses, Free Whiskey and XPerience. 9 pm. $20.

• The legend, the lyricist, the greatest gamespitter of all time, the Ambassador of The Bay, E-Feezy Fonzarelli ... Call him what you want, but don't be late catching this man rock the stage at The Royal Lounge Saturday night in Olympia - and he often travels with his cohort from The Click, B-Legit. E-40 is the hardest working man in hip-hop, at least in terms of albums output.  In the past three years, 40 Water has dropped the Revenue Retrievin' series (four CDs) and The Block Brochure Volumes 1-3, his collaboration with Too Short's Mob & Function Music (double disc) and the forthcoming parts 4-6.  You do the math - that's 12 quality releases in as much time as it took you to write your last resume. He's a model for the art of hustling and he's in The 25360 this weekend, The Mailman cometh. Alongside 40 will be a lineup of local talent including Beejan, Krucial Barz, Mr. Twist & Yak Nasty (celebrating a long-term of sobriety - go, Yak!), Circle of Bosses, Free Whiskey, XP (coming off the release of his new classic, The Revelations [EP] and hosted by Frankie Hustle. Bound to be plenty of memorable moments at this one. - Jose Gutierrez Jr.
  

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Pre-Halloween Party, with Crosswalk Band, costume contest. 9 pm. NC.

Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe Tacoma - Eastside. 6th year Anniversary Show featuring Pioneers West Reunion, with The Wheelies. 9 pm. NC.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Spanaway & Tacoma ABATE Halloween Bash, with Justice Creek. 9 pm.

Westgate Bar and Grill Tacoma - Northend. Halloween Party, with Tumbling Dice. 9 pm.

LINK: More live music Saturday, Oct. 26 in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

LINK: Today's Halloween events in the South Sound

SATURDAY, OCT. 26 2013 >>>

1. Held at the Capitol Theater, Night of the Living Tribute Bands is in the business of resurrecting famous, favorite bands. This year, The Specials, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Beastie Boys, They Might Be Giants, The Pixies, Queens of the Stone Age, and Iron Butterfly will rock the stage beginning at 8 p.m. A recurring theme with the bands is that they strive to make their tribute as true to life as possible, bringing in the same instruments, costumes and nuances to the stage as their music heroes would have. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on Night of the Living Tribute Bands in the Music and Culture section.

2. Jeanne van Heeswijk is a visual artist who helps create lively and diversified public spaces, typically from abandoned or derelict sites. Van Heeswijk's projects distinguish themselves through their strong social involvement, often engaging hundreds of participants and extending over a long period of time. She sees herself as a mediator who creates connections between people and institutions that lead to public improvements, the organization of local groups, self-sustaining enterprises, and a stronger community identity. Tacoma Art Museum Curator Rock Hushka will interview van Heeswijk at 1 p.m. at TAM as part of the University of Puget Sound's Living Art series.

3. La Familia Valera Miranda, six musicians from the Oriente region of Cuba, will perform at 7:30 p.m. in Kilworth Memorial Chapel. Oriente, near Haiti and Jamaica, is a region where the dominant musical form, son cubano, differs from that of the capital Havana. Son cubano is a style of music that originated in Cuba, and gained worldwide popularity by the 1930s because it combined Spanish guitar elements with African rhythms and certain percussion instruments. Among its many derivatives is salsa. Keep your shoes on and dance in the aisles.

4. Tacoma Musical Playhouse opens its 20th anniversary season with the Broadway hit Les Miserables at 8 p.m. TMP raised roughly $1.2 million to renovate the stage, orchestra location and backstage areas. The stage is larger and the orchestra is now placed above and behind the stage which helps the actors voices come through better whether they are mic'd or not. TMP's choice of opening its new stage with Les Mis practically guarantees a solid start to its season. With added space, choreography is less cramped and sets are able to be more grand. The spectacle of this production did not disappoint with the sets showcasing the talent and skill of the designers and carpenters. Read Joann Varnell's full review of Les Miserables in the Music and Culture section.

5. Pioneers West's debut album, Move West, was recorded live in the ballroom above The New Frontier Lounge. Released in 2010, it captures a band at its most vital, so confident in the energy that they conjure that they decided to lay their songs out unvarnished, straight to tape. But this sort of energy is never destined to last. A little over a year ago, Pioneers West decided to set the band aside and dedicate more time to things like children and marriage and careers - you know, all that grown-up stuff. After more than a year apart, though, Pioneers West will be reuniting to help celebrate the Top of Tacoma's six-year anniversary with the wheelies at 9 p.m. Their yelpy post-punk-shades of Modest Mouse and Built to Spill-will be on full display. Has time affected their self-described sound of "western doom." Have jobs and kids hurt the caterwaul? Hear for yourself.

BONUS: Giant Halloween events calendar for the South Sound

LINK: Saturday, Oct. 26 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FRIDAY, OCT. 25 2013 >>>

1. This Halloween, Pimp 'n' Ho parties just aren't cuttin' it anymore, are they? Neither are the toga parties, the erotic costume contests or the naughty nurse costumes. So much bare flesh, so much cold weather. If Halloween is really to turn into The Day of Getting As Close to Naked As Possible, it should be moved to July. This is not the point. The Weekly Volcano apologizes. The point is, for you, today no longer holds the magic it once did. You seek alternative par-tays. May we suggest Bonfires, Beaver Pelts and Bogeymen from 7-9 p.m. at Point Defiance Park? Celebrate Halloween in the style of past centuries with ghost stories told around a roaring bonfire set to fiddle music.

2. At 7 p.m. the Tacoma Soccer Center will host the second annual Northwest Soccer Legends Night. Two teams of past professionals will compete in a grand indoor night match including local and international legends Alan Hinton and Jimmy Gabriel serve as captains and coaches of the match. Read Kim Thompson's full story here.

3. You have one chance to see The Acting Company's production of Hamlet so err not. The national touring company presents the tale of a young man who finds his father has been murdered and must avenge the horrid deed. Power politics, a haunting, a love story, murder, revenge and great fight scenes converge in one production. The show runs three consecutive nights at the Theatre on the Square beginning tonight at 7:30 p.m.

4. Tacoma Opera's season opener is the Gilbert & Sullivan comedy Pirates of Penzance, at 7:30 p.m. in the Rialto Theater. This will mark the first Gilbert & Sullivan show produced by Tacoma Opera. Bernard Kwiram, musical director and conductor of the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society, will conduct a cast that includes several Pacific Northwest Natives or residents. Read Joann Varnell's full story here.

5. Lakewood Playhouse presents a live, radio-style revival of Orson Welles's War of the Worlds at 8 p.m. Not only will we be performing the 1938 radio drama live before your ears to commemorate its - and the Playhouse's - 75th anniversary, but you'll also get sound effects created to order. That's not even the best part! No, they'll also be paying tribute to a certain expat Kryptonian Boy Scout for his silver birthday, plus a horror short called "The Giggler." It will be a fun night out, but beware: you only have tonight and Saturday to catch it. And stay away from that crater in Grovers Mill! There's something not at all right about that place. Read Joann Varnell's full preview of the production here.

BONUS: Giant Halloween events calendar for the South Sound

LINK: Friday, Oct. 25 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

People are gullible. Maybe not all people and maybe not in all situations but given the right set of circumstances, people will believe almost anything. Sunday, Oct. 30, 1938, Martians invaded the earth. Millions of earthlings panicked as they heard the details of the attack unfold on the radio. Even though the report was simply Orson Welles' adaptation of War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells, many listeners were convinced of the authenticity of the radio broadcast.

The genius of the performance was Welles' adaptation came across as a real news broadcast with interviews, weather reports, orchestras, announcers and newscasters. Anyone who listened from the beginning of the hour-long broadcast understood it as a radio play but those joining afterward would not have any indication the invasion was not real.

Lakewood Playhouse is producing War of the Worlds for its annual Halloween Radio Show Oct 25 and 26. Lakewood Playhouse is celebrating its 75th Anniversary. The show will open with an episode from the radio show "Lights Out" before commemorating the 75th anniversary, almost to the day, of The War of the Worlds broadcast.

Due to the popularity of the shows, both nights are already over halfway sold out. If last season's shows are any indication, War of the Worlds will be a success. Fellow Volcano theater critic Christian Carvajal is among the cast reenacting the live radio programs. True to the original production, all of the special effects will be done live in the classic '30s radio style. The show kicks off Lakewood Playhouse's Annual Friends Fund Campaign.

Tickets are $25 per person, or if you have a date, $40 per couple. Couples tickets are only available by calling the box office at 253.588.0042. Single tickets can be purchased visiting its website, or by calling the box office.

THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25 and Saturday, Oct. 26, Lakewood Playhouse, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd., Lakewood, $20-$25, 253.588.0042

See Also

Where to drink after the show

Giant South Sound Halloweeen Calendar

THURSDAY, OCT. 24 2013 >>>

1. FLAVOR, a night of dining at immigrant-owned and immigrant-supporting restaurants will be held tonight with participating restaurants kicking back 25 percent of food sales to Tacoma Community House. Participating restaurants include El Toro downtown, Indochine, Lele, Gateway to India, El Guadalajara, Adriatic Grill, Il Lucano, La Crème Brulee, La Fondita and others. To add excitement to the night, TCH will offer several prize packages, including a seven-day Mexico trip, Keurig B70 Platinum Brewing System, restaurant gift cards and cookbooks. Read Kristin Kendle's full story, including participating restaurants, here.

2. The annual Beautiful Tables Showcase, in Lakewold Garden's Wagner House, evokes the gracious spirit of entertaining while offering the visitors ideas to continue the tradition at home. The event showcases more than 30 table decorators from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

3. Two highly distinctive, contemporary artists, Jeanne van Heeswijk and Randy Bolton, will be featured in free public events this fall as part of University of Puget Sound's Living Art visiting artist series. The events include presentations, conversations, a reception and art exhibit. At 5:30 p.m. in the University's Kittredge Art Gallery, van Heeswijk will discuss how art can promote urban renewal and participation, as well as the strategies that she employs in creating her socially engaged art.

4. Today, low-income people and the middle class are now in the same boat - living near poverty, or an illness, lost job, or disaster away from poverty. Eight low-income and middle class families living in and around Portland, Ore., each of whom called 211info, a nonprofit referral organization, in search of help with paying bills, finding housing, or getting advice on how to weather the current financial downturn, are profiled in the documentary, American Winter, directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmakers Joe and Harry Gantz (Taxicab Confessions, The Defenders). Shot over the winter of 2011-12, this powerful film reveals the human impact of budget cuts to social services, rising poverty and economic inequality and the fracturing of the American Dream. Catch it at 6:45 p.m. in The Grand Cinema.

5. The frights are upon us once again, and there are, as always, plenty of ways to spend the Devil's holiday. The Weekly Volcano has compiled a giant list of Halloween parties, theater performances, haunted houses, kids fare and music - it's up to you to decide where you'll go, and, of course, what you'll wear. It all starts today. Boo, South Sound.

LINK: Thursday, Oct. 24 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area