Live & CD Reviews
DELIBERATE, STRUCTURED, PENETRATING HAZE >>> What a difference a mix makes. I bought Drag Lake Sin, the new EP by Tacoma outfit Slowwave, upon its release Tuesday. Five dollars for six tracks, and man, they are good ones. There is a layering and nuance to the instrumentation and production
Arts
It's not every day I'm treated to a guided tour of an alien world. About 2,600 years ago, a temple priest by the name of Ankh-Wennefer died near the age of 60, probably from internal bleeding from a broken pelvis. His name, of course, meant "Jennifer's obnoxious hieroglyphic tattoo." (Just kidding.
Stage
I don't think I've ever seen an arts organization make a more swift and dramatic turnaround than Capital Playhouse. Is it weird to say I'm proud of them? For years I sat through shows that could've, should've been better, with listless or dissonant performances from actors I knew could act.
Music
It's a new week, which means it's time for a new installment of Bobble Tiki's South Sound music news and notes column. Without further ado, let's get rolling. Well, aloha! Bobble Tiki has just returned from two weeks in the islands - tan (or as tan as an island themed souvenir
Arts
Jared Abwawo is both a math teacher at Tacoma Community College and a photographer. Where many mathematicians may consider solving the Rubik's Cube an artform (or, worse, solving an equation) Abwawo is a master at combining calculus with composition, algebra with art. As such, he has succeeded in defying nerdy
Food Matters
BEER DINNER: Executive Chef Gabriel Cabrera and beer monger Scott McDowell pair Oregon's Deschutes Brewery with Northwest flair in five courses at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28 at Salty's at Redondo Beach (28201 Redondo Beach Dr., Des Moines). The cost is $64.99. BACON: Doyle's Pubic House (208 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma)
Music
"I suspect we're named after a porno," says Heddie Leonne, the front woman for one of Olympia's wildest and most original acts, Night Fox. "I don't know where the name came from, honestly. Originally we were called Jesus Pieces but then Chonie (Night Fox's beatsmith) demanded we be called Night
Music
For the longest time, I couldn't have told you why those two W's sitting next to each other in the middle of Slowwave made me feel so uneasy. Something about two W's in cahoots looked to me like dissonance. Then it hit me: Deep sleep is also known as slow-wave
Food Matters
GET IT WHILE IT'S HOT >>> Often, when a business closes it's viewed as a negative situation. On the other hand, the closing of Water to Wine, a favorite wine shop in Gig Harbor at the corner of Peacock and North Harborview Drive, may just be one of positive
Music
MOSQUITO HAWK >>> Friday, Jan. 28 Mosquito Hawk, Olympia's newest supergroup power band, is testing the waters this Friday night at McCoy's. With Jerry Zeigler (Fitz of Depression) tearing up drums, Jon Merithew (C Average) ripping guitar, Olivia Love (Black Bettie) belting out vocals and local Phil Heinze pounding bass, this band
Music
Reader, I have here a handy litmus test for you: Apache Chief - a quartet from Tacoma School of the Arts who refer to their style of music as "alternative buttrock" - is readying the release of their debut LP. It is called Trail of Beers. Its lead track is
Arts
The Vetri and Traver galleries are located next to the Museum of Glass on Dock Street in Tacoma. The original Traver Galleries were founded in Seattle about 35 years ago, and the Tacoma versions have been around for about eight years. What the general public may not know is that
Stage
Words that come to mind while thinking about Sean Alexander's new drawings at Fulcrum Gallery include funny, sad, inventive and hopeful. Also precise, obsessional, illustrational, folksy and cartoonish. Alexander's drawings are many things. Boring is not one of them.Alexander is no stranger to Tacoma's art scene. He was co-founder of
Music
Last weekend I went to a show at The New Frontier. It reminded me of those days of my youth when music from the NW was all still our little secret. My good friend (and everybody's favorite German) Niels told me if I could find a sitter, he would be at
Music
There's a strong case to be made for the importance of New Age, soft rock, smooth jazz and "adult contemporary" as influences on modern electronic and indie music. Hear me out. Previously taboo realms of unambiguous, technically-minded schmaltz are inspiring visionary musicians like Oneohtrix Point Never, Dolphins into the Future,
Listings
ACOUSTIC/FOLK/CELTIC Tempest Lounge Tacoma - Upper Tacoma. Maurice The Fish Records Showcase. 7 pm. NC. Hannah's Bar & Grille Olympia - Downtown. Open Mic. 9 pm. NC. BLUES Charlie's Sports Bar and Grill Olympia - Downtown. Blues Jam with Blues Attitude. 9 pm. NC. COMEDY/GAMES Tacoma Comedy Club Tacoma - Downtown. Comedy Open Mic Night. 7:30
Listings
ACOUSTIC/FOLK/CELTIC O'Blarney's Irish Pub Olympia - Eastside. Irish Sessions. Live traditional Irish music. 7:30 pm. NC. Olympic Club Hotel and Theater Lewis County. Jon Koonce. All Ages. 7 pm. NC. Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. Oly Songwriter Circle. All Ages. 7 pm. NC. Tugboat Annies Olympia - Westside. Open Mic
Listings
ACOUSTIC/FOLK/CELTIC Yenney Music Olympia - Westside. Kate Power and Steve Einhorn Uke & Song. All Ages. 7-8 pm ukuleles and instrument playalong 8-9 pm singalong. NC. BLUES Harmon Brewery and Eatery Tacoma - Downtown. Billy Stoops & Jim King. 7 pm. NC. The Swiss Tacoma - Downtown. Dave Roberts. 7 pm. NC. COMEDY/GAMES Willoughby's Restaurant and
Listings
BLUES Dawson's Bar and Grill Tacoma - South. Blues Jam, hosted by Tim Hall. 8 pm. City Hall Saloon and Eatery Enumclaw. Rockin' Blues Jam Session. Hosted by Max Renshaw. 6 pm. Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Sunday Blues Jam Night. Hosted by Shelly Ely. 7-10 pm. The Spar Tacoma - Old
Listings
ACOUSTIC/FOLK/CELTIC Blue Heron Arts Center Vashon. Hanz Araki's Celtic Conspiracy, with Kathryn Claire. All Ages. 7:30 pm. $13-$16. Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Scott Cook. All Ages. 6 pm. NC. Paddy Coyne's Irish Pub Tacoma - Downtown. Traditional Irish Music Session. Leo MacNamara & guests. 7 pm. BLUES Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma