Arts Roundup: Beats, Eats and Bilbo Baggins

There will be a mixed band of Tacoma funness in the next few days that promises to be good times no matter where out-and-about travelers go. The holidays might be officially over, but the parties continue through the weekend with great live music and stage performances around the South Sound.

The first gig to watch comes tonight as Ryan Purcell and the Last Round (including band mates Ryan Purcell, Evan Purcell, Doug Mackey, Charley Rowan, and Pete Davidson) taking to the stage with special guests Last Chance Romeos for a night of American-rooted political music and crafted brews at the Swiss Pub. Expect dancing, laughs, great tunes with ponderous lyrics and a mixed crowd of young drinkers and graying vibe seekers.
The night will also mark Lynn Di Nino’s birthday. The concrete artist and arts organizer is one of the great gems of Tacoma.

Also tonight is a pay-what-you can night of Lakewood Playhouse’s production of Tom Sawyer the musical. The show runs at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays through Jan. 17, but tonight is a special performance for those folks who want to attend but their wallets don’t allow them to pay full price. The show, written by Ken Ludwig and Don Schlitz, is based on Mark Twain’s classic, coming-of-age story of Tom, Huck and Becky that has been set to music with more than a dash of funny.

Another show for the family is The Hobbit at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Broadway Center for the Performing Arts. This show is a puppet version of J.R.R Tolkien’s fantasy world presented by Théâtre Sans Fils.