Music
When I first heard Red Hex - a single, lonely song called "Run Like Hell" on their MySpace page - I decided to write a show preview simply based on that. I described the song as sounding similar to how I imagined the Sonics must have sounded to the bewildered
Music
In the Spring of 2010, when I was general manager of the University of Washington's student-run radio station, I collaborated with the campus' Committee Organizing Rape Education to host a "Riot Grrrl" concert featuring three local bands, with proceeds going to the Eastside Domestic Violence Program's women's shelter. I recall
Music
ROMANTEEK >>> Thursday, Feb. 24 Romanteek’s stated mission is to “bring the love, to help people get in touch with their feelings, and to induce a dance attack.” When singer Ruby Valentine started Romanteek as a one-woman vision in 2001, these are the lines she was plotting along. When
Arts
An Oscar party hosted by The Grand Cinema. "A contradiction in terms!" you, Perceptive Reader, exclaim. "Our quaint and unassuming town's quaint and unassuming oasis for independent film raising a champagne flute to the Hollywood machine's 83rd annual love-in? Pure poppycock!" Oh pish to your overcritical airs and overindulgence in adjectives!
Food Matters
Ready for a big night out in France? Yeah, me too. However, a leap over the Big Pond isn't in the cards. In Tacoma, The Melting Pot offers a rotating themed "Big Night Out" four-course dinner - and its dipping its forks in France right now. This gastro-excursion of
Stage
Selinda Sheridan's exhibition at Mineral, Contour Intervals, is a nice little show with a nice big purpose. From 2004 to 2008, Sheridan was the art coordinator at Nativity House, a daytime shelter for the homeless in Tacoma that operates an art room where guests may come to make art with
Guides
Thank you to all who took the time to vote in our Best of Olympia 2011 Readers' Poll. You are the Best. Best Politician: Joe HyerBest Non-profit: SafePlaceBest Use Of City Money: Supporting parks and the Parks and Recreation DepartmentWorst Use Of City Funds: New City HallBest Local Hero: Joe Hyer
Guides
If you are reading this and find yourself asking, "Who the fuck is Jerry Ziegler?" I can only recite the immortal words of Jeffrey Lebowski: "Obviously, you're not a golfer." If you don't know Ziegler, you don't know downtown. Ziegler is the absolute embodiment of the rock-and-roll lifestyle ethos that many purport to
Guides
>>> BEST NICE GUY WITH A QUAKER BEARD Glen Anderson Everybody in Olympia who is not blind or in a coma recognizes Glen Anderson's white hair and Quaker-style beard, not to mention his soothing and reasoned voice. Anderson has been a longtime leader of Olympia's chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, and
Guides
SafePlace - voted Olympia's best non-profit - has a wide-ranging array of programs to serve those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. There is a confidential shelter, a Crisis Line, English- and Spanish-speaking support groups and a new support group for teens. And then there's a restaurant, MIJAS, started by
Guides
Thank you to all who took the time to vote in our Best of Olympia 2011 Readers' Poll. You are the best. Best Restaurant: Tofu Hut Best Bartender: Janelle O’Leary, The Vault Best Happy Hour: The Brotherhood Best Pizza: Oldschool Pizzeria Best Burger: Eagan’s Big Tom Drive Inn Best Thai Food:
Guides
I'd never set foot in Lacey's Tofu Hut until you selected it Best Restaurant of the Year. I'll be honest: it was the name. I've never been a huge fan of tofu, and I don't expect killer cuisine from a hut. Even numerous recommendations from colleagues, in print and in
Guides
In a town like Olympia that has a coffee shop or Asian food restaurant every 10 steps, a couple of the more highly contested awards handed out in this year's Best of Olympia Readers' Poll figured to be Best Barista and Best Thai Food. Apparently to our readership, however, there was
Guides
>>> BEST DIVE ON FOURTH AVE. McCoy's Tavern There is no shortage of dive bars in our fair city. There's no shortage of dives on Fourth Avenue, either. The Clipper, the 4th Ave. Tav, the Eastside - plenty to pick from. But which dive is king? Friendly bartenders, stiff, stiff drinks and
Guides
Thank you to all who took the time to vote in our Best of Olympia 2011 Readers' Poll. You are the best. Best Local Filmmaker: Kanako Wynkoop Best Movie Theater: Capitol Theater, Olympia Film Society Most Creative Person: Jordan Taylor Best Theater Company: Harlequin Productions Best Local Actor: Josh Anderson and Jason Haws (tie) Best Local
Guides
When I asked about his creative influences, Josh Anderson mused, "I read Marc Chagall's biography, My Life in Art, and he talks about how, in order to truly create, we have to treat each day-to-day experience as if it were art." He and Mariella Luz are living art, their working
Guides
Perhaps it's no wonder papercut artist Nikki McClure was voted Olympia's Best Visual Artist. Her work seems to be everywhere, from people's chests to kitchen walls to the covers of Olympia's storm drains. "Maybe it's the most popular or the most identifiable, not necessarily the best," McClure says. "There are some
Guides
>>> BEST THEATER UPGRADE The Midnight Sun I have an obscure spinal condition that both shortens and limits the mobility of my neck. It also renders me vulnerable to screaming back and shoulder aches. I reveal this personal weakness, not merely to explain why I look like a Chicago Bears Superfan, but
Guides
Thank you to all who took the time to vote in our Best of Olympia 2011 Readers' Poll. You are the best. Best Local Business: Dumpster Values and Archibald Sisters (tie) Best Shoe Store: Yolli Shoes Best Record Store: Rainy Day Records Best Thrift Store: Dumpster Values Best Grocery Store: Oly Food Co-op Best Outdoor Gear:
Guides
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a tie! Two Oly originals swept this category, and rightfully so. Congratulations Archibald Sisters and Dumpster Values for being named Best Local Business(es) in Olympia. First, let's give props to Archibald Sisters. With its home in downtown Olympia since 1975, this local favorite continues to charm