PERMANENT LIPSTICK by Ginger Knoxx
Recently I hit up a local rib and catfish joint for take-out. In the parking lot I almost stepped on a junkie spoon. I shook my head. No matter how much of a touristy/artsy spin the city puts out there, it is still gritty Tacoma. You never know what you're going to get, and it doesn't really matter what part of town you're in. Hell, that rig probably slipped out of a well-dressed man's pocket as he climbed into his SUV.
WEDNESDAY, June 21
Miss Kate and I sipped luscious cocktails on Syren's deck, enjoying ourselves sans significant others. Magoo's bartender Jamie and her man showed up for din din as well, and we were all treated to the site of a lady dropping her trousers in the alley below us for a squat in broad daylight (see what I mean - gritty Tacoma). Like 5-year-olds obsessed with bodily functions, we couldn't stop giggling. Inside, Teddy Haggarty showed us a 1982 Rocket newspaper sporting Joan Jett on the cover and a killer article he had written.
THURSDAY and FRIDAY, June 22 and 23
This month's Martini Club at 21 Commerce featured Stoli Blueberry. The creamy cocktail promo was overpoweringly boozy (not to be confused with floozy). Natasha had a hard time getting hers down, but she powered through. John Tartagglia suggested we try it neat. He was right. Blueberry vodka is best alone. Chesty Meow strolled in positively towering over everyone in her 5-inch heels, and the real girl dirt got started - you know, who has a big cowboy hat, who does a good Power 20, who knows when to leave, and who makes a great omelet. Then it was down to Sanford and Sons to catch DJ LuLu Spice spinning and rock two-piece Lozen before heading up the block to Doyle's. Johanna hooked me up with a tight drink. I have always appreciated that about her; no matter where she's slinging drinks, they are always groovy. Friday night The Italian took me out to dinner at Asado, where everything was yummy, except the ceviche. Server Teresa, ever the courteous pro, made it disappear, taking care of us effortlessly. We went to Hell's Kitchen for Who Cares' last show with bassist Josh before he moves to Las Vegas. I will never grow tired of vulgar sing-alongs. All hail Who Cares!
SUNDAY, June 25 - Urban Art Festival
On the winding way up the many levels from Sanford and Sons, I spied Murphy doing model makeup for Loyalty Clothing's fashion show. That boy should realize that making other people look good is his true calling (kiss kiss). Emerging onto Broadway, my first impression was Holy crap it's hot! My second was Holy crap there's a lot of people here. Taking care to peruse the entire festival before entering the vortex we like to call the beer garden proved intelligent. Artist Desiree Flerchinger had amazing paintings for sale. Jazzbones' Pretty Boy Sean emceed the main music stage bringing on Clinton Fearon & The Boogie Brown as I got my first Manny's beer. Fast-forward an hour and the beer was triggering cravings. Dissing the Mexi-Truck after seeing what was being served (Go Music's food was blah), we headed off to Varsity Grill for AC and hard liqs. Argh! Foiled! It was closed. At Djembe Soul, The Italian and I sipped real Southern sweet tea while contemplating hopping the link to Alfred's. The ultra nice bartender told us about gospel music Sundays, spoken word Wednesday and comedy Thursday that Djembe just started having. Fujiya beckoned like a desert oasis. Truth be told, the icy sweet saki served there is one of the best I've ever drank - and I've drank tons (news flash). Glamour Girl wasn't working, and the service sucked. Regardless, sushi on sweltering days is primo. Back at the festival where the beer garden had been dismantled, half the crowd remained. A noticeable amount of drinkers migrated to Ravenous' outdoor umbrella tables - once again enjoying tasty cold brews. Ebony's black halter and microscopic denim mini were a deadly combo if the appreciative looks she was getting were any indication. The Fashionista shared her joy in downtown co-habitation. Tan boy Mikey hacky sacked for days. Tall Troy with his big cowboy hat is hard to miss. The one thing that stood out the most was the extreme diversity of people that attended Urban Art. Races, ages, incomes, and interests mixed fluidly together with plentiful smiles. And as one longtime resident overheard some out of town hipsters remark, "Tacoma's pretty cool." Mark this day down as a huge success. Job well done.
4th Ave Tavern
It's rock, rock, rock, and more rock. Go see Los Burbanks, In Lunar Blue and Never Quiet Never Still in Olympia Friday, June 30. Los Burbanks puts on a super high-energy rock show. Far from amateurs, the trio is fun to watch as well as rock out to. NQNS is fronted by Linzi Wilt, who belts out lyrics with pre-1985 Pat Benatar intensity. They've recently been played on KEXP and have been in rotation on Funky Monkey's "Garage Monkey" since March. In Lunar Blue, the heaviest of the three bands, pulls double duty playing an all-ages show at The Vault at 7 p.m. before this 21+ show. Friday, June 30, 9 p.m., $5, 4th Ave Tavern, 210 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia.
Give me a wink and a kiss here. Knoxx knows.