THE JAZZ

Moonlight rhapsody

Pacific Lutheran University, home to the stellar jazz and NPR station KPLU, takes the rhythms to the outside hosting Jazz Under The Stars — an outdoor concert series in the Mary Baker Russell Amphitheater. The shows are free, and so is the Starbucks coffee — sweet. The fun starts tonight with Brazilian pianist Jovino Santos Neto adding a little classical to his jazz. The rest of the series, always on Thursday evenings, features Bill Anschell, July 19; Emerald City Jazz orchestra, July 26; Trombanga, Aug. 2; Ben Thomas, Aug. 9; Native Blue, Aug. 16. Complimentary star charts also available. Cool.  — Michael Swan

[Mary Baker Russel Amphitheater, 7 p.m., Thursday nights through Aug. 16, no cover, 124th and 10th avenues, Parkland, 253. 535. 7602]

THE BOOK

Potter-rific

At last, ye wizards, witches and hapless muggles: The blessed day is nigh. No, it’s not Walpurgisnacht again; thanks to J. K. Rowling, book publishing parties are the new Sabbats. The best of these will be seven days of free Harry Potter proceedings at the University Book Store to celebrate the heavily-anticipated release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” Wand-making classes, “Firenze and the Centaurs of the Forbidden Forest” performance, a Potter film and more.  Grab a Horcrux Passport at the store, earn seven stamps (one for each Horcrux), and be eligible to win a Black Wizard iPod Nano. — Suzy Stump

[University Book Store, July 13-21, 1754 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, ubookstore.com]

THE PARTY

Show us the Cans

Cans, the new, fly, moose-head-hangin’, 32-cans-of-beer-havin, pretty-people-peeking, trucker hat haven, will be hosting their official public grand opening on Friday, July 13.

Miller Beer will be on hand to turn this Friday the 13th into nothing but pure luck for one fortunate patron: Miller is giving away a brand new Jeep Wrangler that night. Awesome!

Cans will also be bringing in Seattle’s own Boss Martians around 10 p.m., a band that Rolling Stone Magazine has dubbed as rising stars. Check out the Boss Martians at www.myspace.com/thebossmartians.

Even better, Cans will be opening their downstairs poolroom that night. Yah!

Bottom line, don’t be surprised if you find me there trying to rig the Wrangler raffle, and I might even give you a ride after I win. — Natasha

[Cans, Friday, July 13, 8 p.m., 100 S. Ninth St., Tacoma, 253.272.0777]

THE BEAD

Ogle the orbs

What’s up with beads? They seem to be everywhere these days. The current interest in beads may simply be a reaction to the technological advances that define our moment in history. After all, in an impersonal, stressful culture, what could be more alluring than something intimate, personal and handmade?

Beads of every size and shape will fill the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center this weekend during the Puget Sound Bead Festival. Daily demonstrations, the 9/11 Bead Quilt, lectures and workshops are on the docket.  Discover what all the hype is about. — SS

[Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center, Friday, July 13-Saturday, July 14, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, July 15 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., $7, 1500 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.572. 5529]

THE FILM

Beer and a flick

It’s a damn shame that many wait for their next Netflix delivery with beer in the fridge. Why not create that “at home” experience of sitting back with a mircobrew and watching a film in a movie theater? The Capitol Theater is nearly there by allowing patrons to drink beer while watching “28 Weeks Later” Saturday as a fund raiser for the Olympia Film Society. The film? Four years after “Mission Accomplished,” “28 Weeks Later” reminds us that the mission, whatever the hell it was to begin with, is now officially, apocalyptically fucked. — Brad Allen

[Capitol Theater, Saturday, July 14, 9 p.m., $?, 206 Fifth ave., Olympia, 360. 754.3635]

THE GAME

Calling all guitarists!

Chopstix Dueling Piano Bar hosts Xbox’s Guitar Hero of Tacoma competition on a gigantic screen with a beefed-up sound system every Tuesday. Each Tuesday night’s winner qualifies to play in the gala Aug. 7 when a Microsoft Zune will be given away. Besides the thrill of the game, patrons will enjoy $1 Pabst, $2 cosmopolitans, $3 Jagermeisters and $4 appetizers all day on Tuesdays. — BA

[Chopstix, Tuesdays beginning at 5 p.m., 2702 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.627. 7555]