THINK AND DRINK

The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts has extended its annual Fall Free For All events to a yearlong pow wow called Tacoma Free For All, which includes its Think and Drink series. This free event will encourage participants to gather, over beverages, and discuss big ideas and community building through select topics. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 at in the Pantages Lobby (901 Broadway, Tacoma) attendees may connect over "Bit by Bit: The Digital Evolution of a Neighborhood" discussion lead by author Alex Alben, University of Puget Sound professor Amy Fisher and moderated by KPLU radio reporter Ashley Gross. For more details visit broadwaycenter.org.

BANQUET OF BOUNTY

Tacoma Farmers Market partners with Hotel Murano (1320 Broadway, Tacoma) to present its annual fundraising dinner Banquet of Bounty at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11. This event encourages community to connect and celebrate agricultural culture. Chef Matt Stickle, the man in charge at Murano's restaurant BITE, will present a menu incorporating locally sourced market ingredients. Riding shotgun will be locally crafted desserts, which will be auctioned off during the Dessert Dash, and a wine wall featuring Washington varietals for purchase. Dinner costs $75 with proceeds benefiting the Farmers Market to keep vendor fees affordable and help fund future projects such as chef demonstrations and other sustainable culinary educational opportunities. For further details or to purchase tickets visit brownpapertickets.com.

EAT OKTOBERFEST

Every Friday late afternoon the Bayview School of Cooking hosts a wine-tasting event at the Bayview Thriftway (516 W. Fourth Ave., Olympia). This Friday, Oct. 11, its presents an appropriate Oktoberfest themed "Friday Uncorked" from 5-7:30 p.m. Sample five German biers for $5. To accompany your Oktoberfest flavors, a dish of Redhook Bratwurst, German potato salad, autumn apple slaw and harvest beans will be available for $7.99.

COOKING CLASS

Polish your culinary skills at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 when Primo Grill (601 S. Pine, Tacoma) presents another culinary course. Join Chef McManus for a tour of Tuscany, which includes instruction, lunch, recipes, a glass of vino, tax and gratuity for $65. Reservations are required at 253.383.7000.

TASTE OF CUBA

To celebrate cultural diversity join Tacoma's Cienfuegos Sister City for the annual Taste of Cuba event at 5 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center (4851 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma). Festivities include a fabulous meal, including a whole roasted pig in a pit. To accompany your meal there will be live entertainment, a live auction featuring merchandise from Cuba and salsa dancing - dance instructions are available if you're afraid to shake your groove thing. Tickets are $30, and available by contacting Marisela Fleitas at salsaflamencamary@hotmail.com.