Attractions
You know what a hotel looks and feels like, but Salish Lodge is so much more than that. It's a self-contained resort, perched over glorious Snoqualmie Falls and loaded with amenities for getaway travelers. Military guests get more than they pay for, as they're rewarded with 15 percent discounts on
Travel
In movies, the second a guy walks into a Russian spa, he gets whacked by some goon from the Organizatsiya. That violent fantasy couldn't be farther from the truth. This is the first in a series of Volcano articles about winter getaways within reasonable driving distance of the South Sound. For
Music
There are writers who classify Portland-based Pink Martini as a lounge band, but it's clearer to call it a danceable jazz combo with international flair. Pianist Thomas Lauderdale was hoping to be mayor someday and founded Pink Martini in 1994 as a backing band for political fundraisers. His plan derailed when
Music
Maia Santell, performing New Year's Eve at Johnny's Dock Restaurant & Marina, is a name you should know. With a vocal timbre reminiscent of Rosemary Clooney, she and her venerable backing band, House Blend, are stars of contemporary jazz and blues in Tacoma. Her parents and uncle were fixtures in
Stage
In the great Finnish song cycle known as the Kalevala, compiled from folk tales by Elias Lönnrot in 1849, heroic first human Väinämöinen fights an epic battle against witch queen Louhi for a magical talisman, the Sampo. (Full marks if you're reminded of J.R.R. Tolkien, who acknowledged the Kalevala as
Attractions
Maybe you're the kind of person who spends half of Thanksgiving Day watching animal videos on YouTube. Perhaps your family needs additions to its regimen of well-loved but timeworn holiday activities. Either way, there's an animal park nearby to spice up your holiday fun with something wild. Cougar Mountain Zoo Our first
Music
Unless you're a bigger band geek than most, the word euphonium likely means nothing to you. It derives from the Greek euphonos, meaning "of good sound." It's essentially a little baritone tuba that hails from the 1840s in Germany. Depending on where you live, a euphonium player may be referred
Music
If you've seen a movie this week, there's a good chance you've enjoyed the work of reliable talent Jeff Daniels. He plays a NASA chief in The Martian and Apple CEO John Sculley in Steve Jobs, written by multiple-award winner Aaron Sorkin. We spoke to Daniels in advance of his
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
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
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
South Sound Cinema
According to Priceline, round trip air fare to Mumbai is currently running around $1,300. Happily, the Lakewood Arts Commission is giving away a cinematic tour of five Asian cities free this Labor Day weekend. You'll be home by Monday night, and all you'll buy is the snacks. First stop: 1938 India,
Outdoors
I've lived in Washington for seven short years now, but yes, I have made the pilgrimage to Puyallup to attend the state fair. It's a rite of local citizenship. My wife, an immigrant from that far-off land called Wichita, impressed upon me an obligation to sample Fisher scones with raspberry
Travel
For some of our readers, international travel may seem cost-prohibitive. A car trip to Vancouver, British Columbia, however, is well within most budgets, assuming you know a few economizing tips. Tip #1If you drive your own car, Vancouver's just shy of three hours north of Lakewood. You'll need a passport
Music
Ethnic Fest is among Tacoma's richest, most rewarding institutions. Each July since its inception in 1986, this two-day event has attracted tens of thousands of visitors to Wright Park. Revelers are treated to art, dancing, food, and music from cultures all over the world; and this year, we'll learn more
South Sound Cinema
What do a bullfighting mariachi, a bionic dolphin, an inflatable robot, a Viking dragon tamer, and four globetrotting penguins have in common? All will appear in an outdoor venue near you in coming weeks. You can see them for free, in fact, courtesy of BECU, Click! Network and Metro Parks
Music
By day, Sonics Guy is mild-mannered Kris Brannon, who managed Comedy Underground Tacoma till 2013, then changed home bases to the Emerald City. Diehard champion for the Green and Gold, Brannon makes frequent appearances in vintage Supersonics gear, a sweet set of muttonchops, and an Afro that'd give Lucas Nogueira
Bars & Clubs
The Mix, Tacoma's pre-eminent gay and lesbian bar, would be a likely poll winner, so I needed a picture of its exterior for this edition. I live in Tumwater, and only get up to Tacoma every few weeks. Thus, after a Saturday afternoon appointment in Lakewood, I decided to drive