Come join Tacoma Weekly staff writer Dawn Quinn as she sits on tonight’s panel discussion examining Tacoma’s role in the Pacific Northwest art scene. Sponsored by Tacoma Shunpike Arts Leadership Lab and City Club of Tacoma, panelists will discuss the question: “Is Tacoma’s Art Scene in Seattle’s Shadow?” The panel will also discuss the identity of Tacoma as a place to live and work as an artist, and what should be changed to make the city a more desirable place to live and work.

Panelists also include David Fischer, executive director of the Broadway Center; Jessica Spring, artist and owner of Springtide Press; Aaron Jacobs, owner of Reel Extras Casting; and Elise Richman, artist and assistant professor of art at University of Puget Sound.

Shunpike as an organization seeks to partner with small- to mid-sized arts groups to provide them with the business tools they need to succeed. Successful events in the past have included arts business clinics focusing on how to build a board of directors, best practices for fundraising, and how to determine whether a group should be for-profit or non-profit.

Tonight’s event, moderated by Erik Hanberg, executive director of City Club of Tacoma, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Robert Daniel Gallery, located at 2501 S. Fawcett Ave. Admission is free and guests are invited to stay for Tacoma Art Walk immediately following.

Tacoma’s Hilltop craft cocktail lounge 1022 South opened in March of 2009 and has become a popular stop, with its unique literary theme, inviting ambiance, skilled bartenders and top-notch cocktails. The lounge is hosting a party to celebrate its new fall and winter cocktail menu this Friday, Oct. 22 at 6 p.m.

The new menu includes more than 40 cocktails, which show off the innovation 1022 South has become known for, including house-made infusions, an affinity for apothecary techniques and a use of fresh, seasonal ingredients.

A couple of new drinks that will be on the fall/winter menu are the Beatrice, which is a concoction of vodka, Amaro Averna Liqueur, lemon and fig balsamic vinegar, and the herbal Echinacea Cocktail, which utilizes echinacea and cayenne infused gin, lavender/chamomile infused honey orange and kava kava.

In addition to cocktails and apothecary infusions, the menu includes small plate items and includes vegetarian and vegan options. To celebrate the new additions, all menu cocktails will be priced at $6 each for the night of the party.

1022 South is located at 1022 S. ‘J’ St, between 10th and 11th avenues. 1022 South’s regular hours are Sunday through Monday, 4-11 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Thursday through Saturday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Happy hour takes place from 4–8 p.m. everyday and features $3 wells, $3 draft beers and $4 glasses of wine. For more information, call (253) 627-8588, e-mail 1022south@gmail.com or visit the website at www.1022south.com. Find 1022 South on Twitter and Facebook.

In case you’re not familiar with them, the Tacoma Runners group hits the streets of our fair city every Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. and takes part in what all the members love and bond over: running. They meet at a different bar or tavern each week, (though there have been a few repeats; it’s unavoidable), and run a 2-3 mile route to meet back at the starting location for cold beverages, food and camaraderie. And they’ve proven they have a good thing going with a Facebook group of over 700 members and an average turnout of about 50+ runners, many of whom return for more week after week.

For their run this week, the Tacoma Runners are welcoming two very special guests to their event. Minimalist ultra runners and all-around running inspirations Micah True (also known as Caballo Blanco) and Barefoot Ted McDonald to Tacoma. Join them for a run followed by drinks at The Harmon Tap Room. Individuals who attend the event are also asked to consider donating to Norawas de Raramuri, the nonprofit organization working on behalf of the indigenous Running-People of Mexico’s Copper Canyon region, highlighted in True’s book.

The Tacoma Runners group and special guests will meet Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Harmon Tap Room, located at 204 St. Helens Ave. The event is free. For more information on the Tacoma Runners group, visit their Facebook page or www.tacomarunners.com.

It’s the 50th anniversary of Mt. Tahoma High School and a huge homecoming tailgate celebration is planned for Friday, Oct.15 at the school parking lot.

The event will go from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The entire community is invited to enjoy the event, which will include food, vendor tents, live entertainment with Mt. T. alumns and music from the past five decades.

For more information about the tailgate celebration, call 253-571-3800.

The Tacoma Weekly attended the Get Out the Vote Rally this morning at the University of Washington-Tacoma, where Vice President Joe Biden was present to pledge his support to U.S. Senator Patty Murray in her campaign for re-election. Look for the article on the cover of the upcoming Oct. 14 issue.

Here are some of the live music highlights for the coming week.

Thursday, Oct. 7

UNCLE SAM’S (Spanaway): Jerry Miller (Blues) 7 p.m., NC

DAWSON’S (Tacoma): Billy Shew (Blues) 7 p.m., NC

HELL’S KITCHEN (Tacoma): No Living Witness, Lenore, Odyssey, Terra Morta, Seker, 7 p.m., $3

JAZZBONES (Tacoma): Kry (Rock) 9:30 p.m.

MANDOLIN CAFÉ (Tacoma): Mad Silence, 7 p.m., NC

Friday, Oct. 8

JAZZBONES (Tacoma): The Staxx Brothers, The Excellent Gentlemen, 8 p.m., $7

EMERALD QUEEN (Tacoma): Soul’d Out (Pop) 9 p.m., NC

GREAT AMERICAN CASINO (Lakewood): Idol Eyez (Pop) 9 p.m., NC

HELL’S KITCHEN (Tacoma): American Wrecking Co., Hide the Scarz, Solace in Black, Koz of Confusion, Depths of Insanity, 9 p.m., $5

MANDOLIN CAFÉ (Tacoma): Glenn Johnson (Folk) 6 p.m., NC, AA

MANDOLIN CAFÉ (Tacoma): Seven’s Revenge, 8:30 p.m., NC, AA

NEW FRONTIER (Tacoma): Strength, Reporter, 9 p.m.

VARSITY GRILL (Tacoma): Josh and Mike (Dueling pianos) 8:30 p.m., NC

Saturday, Oct. 9

CASSIDY’S (Tacoma): Loose Gravel and the Quarry (Blues) 8 p.m.

BOB’S JAVA JIVE (Tacoma): Milk Tooth, All on Seven, 8 p.m., $5

EMERALD QUEEN (Tacoma): Soul’d Out (Pop) 9 p.m., NC

GREAT AMERICAN CASINO (Lakewood): Idol Eyez (Pop) 9 p.m., NC

JAZZBONES (Tacoma): The Fabulous Thunderbirds, 8 p.m., $25

MANDOLIN CAFÉ (Tacoma): Maren Christensen (Folk) 8:30 p.m., NC, AA

NEW FRONTIER (Tacoma): Hands of Toil, Lozen, Mahnhammer, 9 p.m.

SPAR (Tacoma): Kris Orlowski (Rock) 8 p.m., NC

UNCLE SAM’S (Spanaway): Black Top Demon (Rock) 8 p.m.

VARSITY GRILL (Tacoma): Josh and Mike (Dueling pianos) 8:30 p.m., NC

Sunday, Oct. 10

HELL’S KITCHEN (Tacoma): Joell Ortiz, Island Trybe, City Hall, Whikid Matticuluess, 9 p.m., $10

MANDOLIN CAFÉ (Tacoma): Phil Hansen (Folk) 1 p.m., NC, AA

UNCLE SAM’S (Spanaway): Shelley Elly (Blues jam) 7 p.m., NC

Monday, Oct. 11

NEW FRONTIER (Tacoma): Ulrich Schnauss, Soundpool, 9 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 12

HELL’S KITCHEN (Tacoma): The Forgotten Dream, Solar, Walk the Giant, 8 p.m., NC

MANDOLIN CAFÉ (Tacoma): Uncle James (Bluegrass) 7 p.m., NC, AA

Wednesday, Oct. 13

MANDOLIN CAFÉ (Tacoma): Billy Farmer and Rocking Chair Money (Bluegrass) 7 p.m., NC, AA

If you have a live music event you would like included in our Live Music Highlights or online calendar, send the info to makeascene@tacomaweekly.com

Don’t miss the big fun taking place across the Stadium District this weekend. Most neighborhood businesses are participating with wine tasting, a featured artist and some tasty snacks. Advance tickets are $25 and include wine tastes, hors d’oeuvres and a commemorative wine glass. See more here.

Our blog friends at Exit 133 have a good post this morning on this weekend’s festivals in T-Town: See it here.

The Tacoma Craft Beer Festival should be high on your list of things to check out this weekend — and it’s on, beginning today. Look here for more information.