Bob Newhart, murder and more

Arts and cultural picks of the week

By Volcano Staff on June 7, 2007

THE LEGEND

Hi Bob! (Drink!)

Bob Newhart, the befuddled comic genius best remembered for his TV shows “The Bob Newhart Show” and, later, “Newhart,” strolls into the Pantages Theater Thursday to ma-ma-ma-make people laugh. The Jesuit-educated funnyman began his professional life as an accountant. So perfect.  Newhart looks like an accountant. He is, on the surface, the picture of boring. But his standup is certainly not. PBS recently honored Newhart with an “American Masters,” er, honor. Tell Bob hi (hmm, drink anyway!) Thursday. — Suzy Stump

[Pantages Theater, Thursday, June 7, 7:30 p.m., $56-$79, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5894] 

THE STAGE

Murder!

A recipe for success requires one part mystery, one part comedy, one part food, and one part murder. Is that too many parts? Of course not! Many parts are required to make Tacoma Musical Playhouse’s dinner mystery show, “Community Theater Is Murder,” a success.

Allow me to paint the picture: You cram your face with food while a murder mystery unfolds around you. Interacting with the characters of the production allows you to help solve the mystery and uncover the hidden villain.

It’s your classic Scooby Doo-type mystery, folks, and I know you’re itching to discover whodunit. Even better, the dinner is included in the ticket price. That means you can’t use that old predictable excuse: “I’m too hungry for a variety of food goods to watch uproarious murders transpire.” — Suzy Stump

[Narrows Theater, Friday, June 8 7 p.m., Saturday, June 9 6:30 p.m., Sunday, June 10 2 p.m., $38, 7116 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.565.6867]

THE FUN

Love Tacoma

Love Tacoma (that’s the name, and I doubt we’ll ever wear it out) is a group of volunteers who have come together to create fun social engagements in downtown Tacoma to unite 20-and-30-somethings. The group formed as a result of a Creative Cities workshop where various community leaders converged to figure out how they could make Tacoma smooth enough to continue to attract and retain creative professionals like you and me. The first-ever Love Tacoma event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on June 12 at the Pacific Grill. We’ll slide in to mingle, jingle and experience a signature Love Tacoma cocktail that the PG has been kind enough to create for us. The PG has also extended its happy hour until 7 p.m. for those killer $5 treats. — Natasha

[Pacific Grill, Tuesday, June 12, 5-7 p.m., 1502 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, www.lovetacoma.com]

THE KIDS

Junebug Jubilee

It’s most likely sunny outside. Summer is almost here, you know. Pretty soon, all those free events you supplement your entertainment with are going to be held — gulp — out of doors. Where everyone can see you. Where you are exposed to UV rays, pollution, birds gone rabid. Better catch the last few indoor events including the Junebug Jubilee at the Museum of Glass Saturday. Grab the family and explore the concepts and themes behind the artwork through tours and hands-on projects. Artist Jennifer Adams, no relation to Grizzly Adams, will help your kids build colorful, movable bugs. — SS

[Museum of Glass, Saturday, June 9, 1-4 p.m., $4-$8, 1801 Dock St., Tacoma, 866.4museum]

THE BOOK

“The King”

Tacoma deputy prosecutor Mark Lindquist reads once again from his new book, “The King of Methlehem,” Thursday, June 14, at King’s Books. In 2004, Lindquist was named trial team chief of the drug unit for the prosecuting attorney in Pierce County — perfect preparation for “King of Methlehem,” which chronicles the anti-tweaker crusade of Detective Wyatt James. The book is replete with T-town references. — Paul Schrag

[King’s Books, Thursday, June 14, 7 p.m., no cover, 218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.8801]