When I asked Lisa Fruichantie what the word "retrograde" meant, she didn't know. The word was delivered to her in a horoscope, she tells me, in regard to some business with the planet Saturn. Upon discovering the meaning of the term, the complexity delighted me.

You see, "Retrograde" is the name of a fundraiser with a great lineup set to bring glory to Tacoma art this Friday - organized by Fruichantie and her like-minded cohorts.

Retrograde is also the visual phenomenon in which planets appear to briefly stop in their tracks and reverse direction. Astrologers the world over will tell you that when this happens, just hold it right there - don't make any fast moves, say "NO." Saturn is said to rule our psychological strength, and when it's actin' a fool, goin' backward and stuff, humans become insecure and bad decisions spray everywhere.

So what does a party have to do with the current humiliation of the ringed planet? Wait, I will show you.

Lisa Fruichantie barged in through the backdoor of the café where I waited for our interview. When the owner noticed her, he asked her to "watch the place" while he went outside. It slipped my mind that Lisa is special. Then I remembered. Lisa has a key to the city.

Hailing from Alaska (no, Sarah Palin, you may not have a reference made to you or your snowshoes) Fruichantie has made the city of Tacoma her workshop and her playground. In a world full of excuses and lazybones, people like Lisa - who make their lives a project - do so for the benefit of us all.

Fruichantie is not the only badass in the city. Remarkably, Tacoma's dense, glowing scene is chock-full of inspired doers. In fact, Lisa is flanked by birds of her feather on this Retrograde and Urban Arts Festival project: Johanna Gardner, Mandi Webster Martin and Athena Hitson all have a hand in the artistic action. One might ask them, perhaps someone of the lazybones variety, "Why are you doing all of this work when you're not getting paid?"

"Tacoma's arts and music scene inspires me because I see a system based on real friendship. We support each other, we take care of each other," says Fruichantie.

Perhaps the small town aspect is part of the reason the scene is so friendly.

"We have nothing else to do. Tacoma is one step away from a ghost town; everything shuts down at 6 p.m., lights out. We are stuck with ourselves and our imaginations," she tells me. 

"Tacoma has made me 200 percent more productive because I am surrounded by competition," says Spencer Kelley, of Basemint - one of the bands scheduled to play Retrograde. "The musicians here are actually good, and they're serious. We all want to see each other succeed."

Retrograde is a party and you're invited. More importantly, it's a fundraiser to support Tacoma's Sixth Annual Urban Art Festival at People's Park on June 27.  Totally sponsored, clothed and designed LOCALLY, Retrograde will feature a sensational lineup showcasing some of Tacoma's best musical artists, along with newcomers and out-of-towners. The stars will be: Battersea, Paris Spleen, Hotels, Basemint and the Nightgowns. For your $10 donation, you will receive a free drink ticket, five swinging bands, a dozen dancing go-go dancers - the whole freaking circus.

So, Saturn is going backward. We're supposed to say "NO" in this time of confusion.

On the night of April 30, however, I say you don a polyester leisure suit and say "YES" to Retrograde (you'll get an extra drink ticket if you do, as the ‘60s-‘70s retro theme is heavily encouraged).

Go right on ahead, Saturn, you mixed-up, beautiful, gas giant. With support like this, Tacoma can dance backward with you. 

As above, so below.

Retrograde

A benefit party for the Sixth Annual Urban Arts Festival

Friday, April 30, 9 p.m., $10 donation, retro costumes rewarded

Speakeasy Arts Coopertive, 746 Broadway St., Tacoma, 253.426.5704