THE FILM
72-Hour Film Competition
You know how sometimes you watch a particularly crappy movie and you think to yourself, “Even I could make a better film than that!”? Apparently, the people at Tacoma’s Grand Cinema agree with you, and that is why they gave folks with a video camera and $50 a chance to write, shoot and screen a five-minute film at the Rialto Theater in Tacoma. Films will be screened, and prizes will be awarded at the “72-Hour Film Competition” at the Rialto today. — Sarah Kahne
[Rialto Theater, Thursday, May 10, 7 p.m., $8-$10, 310 S. Ninth, Tacoma, www.grand cinema.com]
THE FESTIVAL
Candy land
The next installment of the Cans Film Festival — The Emergency Food Network’s food-themed movie fund-raiser — screens “Chocolat” at the Blue MouseCand F May 10. Delicious. I love this Lasse Hallström film. It has the sensual playfulness of “Sirens,” the aphrodisiac qualities of “Like Water for Chocolate,” the transforming joy of “Babette’s Feast,” and the sisterly camaraderie of “Enchanted April.” But that could be the chocolate truffles talking. — Suzy Stump
[Blue Mouse, Thursday, May 10, 7 p.m., $15, 2611 N. Proctor St., Tacoma, 253.752. 9500]
THE WORD
Shock jock
Before there was Howard Stern, before there was Rush Limbaugh, before there was Tom Leykis, before there was Mike Malloy, there was … Barry Champlain, the fictional protagonist of Eric Bogosian’s 1987 play “Talk Radio,” the story of Cleveland’s controversial late-night radio host infamous for slinging insults at callers. Now Pierce College Theatre revives the work. — Michael Swan
[Pierce College, May 11-12, 18-19 7 p.m., May 16-17 10 a.m., $2-$7, 9401 Farwest Dr. S.W., Lakewood, 253.964. 6710]
THE WORD
Writers Bloc
The teenage years are difficult years, often unhappy years. Such angst frequently finds an outlet in poetry, which is all well and good until a few years go by and your former teenager has to burn her diary out of embarrassment at its contents. That’s when you start wishing all that self-expression was backed up by a little, oh, knowledge about poetry. Just to avoid the post-teen cringing stage. Enter the Tacoma School of the Arts Writers Bloc. Teens can hang out with creative writing teens giving feedback on their work. Eloquence learned will pay off for years to come. — SS
[King’s Books, Thursday, May 10, 7 p.m., no cover, 218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.8801]
THE ART
Pretty glass
When Kathleen Elliot stops and smells the roses, she also studies them, then recreates them in glass. Lest time constraints and limited artistic aptitude prevent you from doing the same, there is a simpler way to appreciate the beauty of nature, to become acquainted with the minute details and intricate patterns of flowers or fruits and seed pods. Go see Elliot’s show. — SS
[William Traver Gallery, May 12-June 10 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, artist reception May 12, 4-7 p.m., 1821 Dock St., Tacoma, 253. 383.3685]
THE GAME
Knowledge Night
If somewhere in the deep, dark recesses of your noggin there lurks the knowledge that actor Abe Vigoda is six-foot-four and grew up on New York’s Lower East Side, then this listing is for you. Every Wednesday Doyle’s Public House in Tacoma hosts Knowledge Night where individuals or teams answer two pages of brain teasers, trivia and current events for shirts, tickets and gift certificates. Co-owner Russ Heaton strolls the room, looking over shoulders, giving hints and flat out giving away answers to a certain dumb-ass Weekly Volcano editor. It’s a challenging, fun night. — Brad Allen
[Doyle’s Public House, 7 p.m. every Wednesday, no cover, 208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7468]