Music
In musical jargon, a fantasia is a freestyle composition, arrived at by improvising. We know it better as the title of Walt Disney's 1940s collection of animated classical music videos. Disney's mesmerizing cartoon, recorded in and presented via way-ahead-of-its-time multitrack sound, was nevertheless a financial failure till 1969. (Audiences of
Music
Certain bands and artists come along that blow one's little, wannabe music-loving mind. Tom Waits did it for me when my dad showed me Big Time; St. Vincent threw me for a loop when I saw her video for "Marrow;" Prince challenged my sexuality the first time I heard "Darling
Arts
If I were allowed 6,000 words instead of 600, I probably still couldn't do this exhibition justice. The amazing thing about it is that it was locally curated, by Tacoma Art Museum's Rock Hushka with co-curator Jonathan David Katz from the University at Buffalo (New York). The exhibition is organized
Stage
We know you don't give a tinker's toss about ballet. You're sitting there, sipping your latte, looking ahead to a series of beer flights and bearded folkie shows this weekend. That's fine. We like that stuff, too. What you may not know about Swan Lake, though, is this: it's a
Stage
At the end of 2014, Theater Artists Olympia produced a musical comedy called The Head That Wouldn't Die! which was probably the biggest hit of the season if not the biggest hit of TAO's entire history. In my Dec. 9, 2014 review I wrote: Theater Artists Olympia's original musical The Head That
South Sound Cinema
This year marks the 10th anniversary of what has now become the definitive film event in Tacoma: the Tacoma Film Festival. Since its humble beginnings a decade ago, the Tacoma Film Festival has grown into a globetrotting roundup of the best and the brightest in film, as well as stubbornly
Attractions
Here's a "thanks for your service" with a buzz to it. Saturday, Oct. 10, there will be free admission for military families for a night of car racing at the Evergreen Speedway. They're calling it military appreciation night. Whether you're active-duty, retired or in the Reserves, admission is free for a military
Attractions
You expect certain things from a naval museum. History. War stories. And ships; of course, you expect to see drawings of ships, models of ships, and facts and figures about ships. You get all this when you go to a certain museum in Bremerton, but you get so much more.
Music
There's a little-seen but eminently watchable movie from 2013 called Grand Piano. The film, framed as a sort of cross between Speed, Phone Booth, and the most stressful recital you've ever seen, stars Elijah Wood as a concert pianist who spent years in seclusion following a poor performance of a
Stage
Calendar Girls, adapted by Tim Firth from the movie of the same name, is a sweet and frothy comedy with a heartfelt underlying theme of self-acceptance and caring for others. Chris (Kathy Harris) and her best friend, Annie (Jane Brody), are fed up with the leadership style of the president of
Arts
If there are noticeable similarities between the works by the half-dozen artists now on view at Fulcrum Gallery, it is because they are friends who met while living in New York in the early 2000s and have continued to influence each other since - Patrick Berran, Ben Grasso, Jean Pierre
Reviews
The great thing about a city that thrived in the pre-WW2 era is that there are great old buildings that are being utilized as condos, studios and restaurants all over town. This makes for some venues that draw people in for the old timey feel, and if you add quality
South Sound Cinema
You've probably heard the ancient tale of Pheidippides, an Athenian herald in handmade sandals who ran 25 miles home to the Acropolis from the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C., thereby reporting Greek victory over the Persians. You may not know he accomplished this shortly after sprinting the 150-mile round
Arts
It's hard to say whether kids or adults get more excited about the Day of the Dead. It's the one night of the year when everyone feels entirely comfortable schlepping around suburban neighborhoods dressed in a cosplay outfit. The kids are stuck wearing spectral sheets and plastic masks, but we
Arts
Who doesn't love an entire month devoted to the arts? October in Tacoma is Arts Month and it's all inclusive fun. Tacoma Arts Month begins, as such things should, with a party. In this case, the opening night gala will be held in Tacoma's historic Armory, 715 S. 11th St., at
Bars & Clubs
When it comes to football season, even casual sports fans appreciate good food, fans and atmosphere - and finding the right spot to watch the game can be half the fun. For casual and hardcore enthusiasts alike, here are a few favorite bars and restaurants in the South Sound to keep
Features
Being a successful small-business owner today is a huge risk; often times with very little reward. The competition from large, corporate chain stores and restaurants has forced local businesses across the Nation to close their doors. Though being able to say he owns several locally owned restaurants is a huge
Arts
Like his work, glass artist Dale Chihuly stands out in a crowd. With his black eyepatch and willful hair, he is Seattle's own fiery fusion of Picasso and Warhol. When he was growing up in Tacoma, his kindergarten teacher at Sheridan Elementary held up a ceramic pig Chihuly had adorned
Stage
When I was a child, my dad showed me a Jerry Lewis and Tony Curtis vehicle called Boeing Boeing. The manic comedy was based on a well-liked play by Marc Camoletti, and it featured the very farce-friendly concept of a bachelor in France juggling three girlfriends, who are conveniently unaware
Arts
This year's faculty and staff art exhibition is one of the better shows they've had in quite some time and the best faculty exhibition since I've been reviewing them. The first thing to strike the eye when entering the gallery is Joe Batt's installation, "Oculus." It is a dramatic, inventive and