Road Dawg hosts a blues jam every Sunday at The Summit Pub, 9502 Canyon Road E. in Puyallup.  it runs 7-10 p.m.  Call (253) 536-1588 for more details. â€" Bobble Tiki

Pappi's mention of Def Leppard in his review of Sasquatch! reminded me that the band will try to recapture their glory and dominance of the '80s hair metal scene when they visit the White River Amphitheatre with Journey (to hell) Aug. 31. Gone are the mullets and ripped jeans in lieu of a more contemporary look, but don't be fooled, this is still the same Def Leppard: Joe Elliot's trademark vocals, two wailing guitarists, a driving bass line, and a one-armed drummer. Check out Tom Johnson's review of DL's latest work, Yeah!, on Blogcritics. â€" Brad Allen

I just discovered one of the best drinking tools of all time: public transportation.
I accidentally got so trashed at Doyle's on Thursday (damnit, Silvia!) that I left my car in the garage by my office.
When perplexed with the challenge of getting to work without my vehicle, all of the Pierce Transit marketing set it.
There's a bus route a half block away from the beautiful home I own on the East Side (hustlers and soldiers, fo sho). I called 411 to connect with Pierce Transit, and they let me know that the trusty #42 would arrive in five mintues - PERFECT.
For the best $1.50 ever, I got back downtown lickity split.
OK, let's fast forward to my Memorial Day bender where I decided to give the bus another whirl.
I normally take cabs downtown (safety first, people!), and my friends make fun of me because nearly all of the cab drivers in Tacoma know me by name. That's pretty rock star of me, but $10 or $15 one way can add up quickly.
I opted to hitch a ride with the #42 again on Saturday.
I'll be straight: my outfit didn't exactly fit in with my black micro mini and CFM boots (the hooker hoe down), but people haved looked at me sidways all of my life, what the hell do I care?!
The glorious #42 dropped me off right at 21st and Pacific and I simply slithered into El Gaucho to high five best friend Aaron (formerly of 21 Commerce and Varsity Grill fame) who just started bartending there this week.
If you live anywhere near a bus route, do it. Check out the trip planner on their website. It's not as overwhelming as you think if you know where you need to go.
Now, if I could just convince Pierce Transit to run until 2 a.m.
A safe trip, no DUI, cost savings and people who smelled much better than I thought they would.
What more could a drunk girl ask for?
Wait....don't answer that question.
Thank you, Pierce Transit. â€" Natasha

After cavorting in West Seattle over the weekend with my bros, I discovered some information that each of us 253ers can relish in.
Allow me to introduce you to a personal friend of mine, Pat Coyne. He's a spirited soul, originally from Galway, Ireland, and the infamous proprietor of Paddy Coyne's, an Irish Pub on South Lake Union in Seattle. He also owned, and just sold, the Irish Emigrant on the Ave in the U District.
Now that I've whispered in his ear enough about it, my dearly beloved Paddy has decided to make the move to the dirty south, and he'll be opening up his second Paddy Coyne's right next door to where the Matador will be on 9th and Pacific downtown Tacoma. I've heard that Paddy is going to try to open sometime in July. Matador's projected date is Aug. 1.
Billy Dublin: It looks like your Irish accent is going to have some company.
I've also come to understand that the Drake, right across the street from where my friends will be opening up shop, has been bought and is going through renovations. My fingers are crossed that this change in ownership will be a success compared to all of the others who have failed to serve what could be a great location.
I think the timing is right, though. Add in Vin Grotto and Merconi's who are already there, and presto, if all goes well, we'll have the makings of own little Belltown.
I'm so glad I live here. â€" Natasha

The Best Western Tacoma Dome Hotel opens its Seasons Restaurant and Lounge this week with an invitation only party June 1 from 4-7 p.m.  The brochure calls it "fine dining" with nightly drink specials, an eight-tap rotating beer schedule and more â€" all with a "dramatic view of the Tacoma Dome."  Check it at 2611 East E St., Tacoma. For more information, call (253) 272-7737. â€" Jason de Paul

Garlic Jim's Famous Gourmet Pizza, the thin crust pizza joint which recently opened on Mildred in Tacoma, will open another new location the Lakewood Towne Center this summer.  Incidentally, the new Garlic Jim's will occupy the spot once inhabited by the Weekly Volcano's World Headquarters.  Jim, sorry about all the Pabst cans in the back. â€" Jason de Paul

Festival founder Arrington de Dionyso has released a list of performers for the 12th annual Olympia Festival of Experimental Music held in downtown Olympia June 23-25.
Friday, June 23, Traditions Café, 300 5th Ave., $8, 7 p.m.-midnight

• Murderous Copulation of Birds (Seattle/NYC)
• Pan (Japan)
• Paper Boots (Japan)
• Teruki Tamayanagi (Japan)
• Perfect Dancer (Japan)
• Maon (Japan)
• Shiu Yeung Hui (Japan)
• Sans Deer (Japan)
• Paul Hoskin and Doug Hanig (Astoria/Portland)
• Jim RyanÂ's Forward Energy (SF Bay Area)

Saturday, June 24, Traditions Café, 300 5th Ave., $8, 7 p.m.-midnight

• Marco Fernandes and Emily Hay (San Diego/Los Angeles)
• Bill Horist and Knot/Pine Box AKA Ineffectual Healing (Seattle)
• Gust Burns and Gregory Reynolds (Seattle/NYC)
• Maher Shalal Hash Baz (Japan, with guests)

Sunday, June 25, Yes Yes, 320 4th Ave. W., $7, 7 p.m.-midnight

• Eyes and Ears Thunderegg: Experimental Music and Film collaborations featuring Eric Ostrowski, Jon Behrens, Bridget  Irish, Bryan Frye, Jason Gutz, Kevin Jacobs, Sara Biagini, Artis  the Spoonman, Doug Theriault, Foque Mopus, Dead Air Fresheners,  Devon Damonte and Foque Mopus.

For more information on the festival, pick up the Weekly Volcano Thursday, June 1, for Matt Driscoll's cover story on Olympia summer music festivals. â€" Brad Allen

The new Duke's Chowder House in the old Luciano's space on Tacoma's Ruston Way next to Katie Downs opened last week and our first visit went off without a hitch.  We'll offer a full review soon inside the Weekly Volcano, but just wanted all our peeps to know it's safe to dine there. â€" Jason de Paul

We've written a lot about the old Brickyard space one block west of South Tacoma Way at South 56th and Washington Street.  Now the full details have arrived.  Tacoma's own Max Messmer and Jason Matzat, both Wilson High grads, are opening The Factory in early August.  With nearly 10,000 square feet of space, the two story nightclub will boast a 75-foot bar top downstairs with a large stage for live bands and DJs, while upstairs there will be four eight-foot regulation pool tables and a second bar.  The Factory will be open seven days a week.  Nice!  â€" Ken Swarner