PERMANENT LIPSTICK by Ginger Knoxx
WEDNESDAY, July 26
The 100th Monkey Parties have pretty much reached their max. What do I mean by this? I'm simply pointing out the fact that there aren't any places large enough in Tacoma's city limits to hold all of the artists, writers, musicians, appreciators, collectors, supporters, active participants, volunteers, live music, fashion, live art, performance art, spontaneous singing and comedy riffs, social celebrities and scene seekers that attend and occur at these great soirees. It's an enormous, raucous human mash-up, albeit a very fun one, and needs a huge hall or auditorium to contain it, but even more to let it shine with arms flung out in abandon. This is not to say that I did not have a superb time at the Maritime Museum down on Dock Street. Or to say that I did not absolutely adore hearing Daddy Knoxx relate his first date story with now lovely young wife Suzy Q to Seattle's upright bass man James Whiton (of the Downtown Apostles and Eric McFadden Trio). Did I also love Solar Richard and his rad green power car parked and drawing a crowd outside? Yes, I did. Did I not catch myself shamelessly rubbing my hands along the silky smooth mahogany sides of antique skiffs and rows as The Italian (who gets the award for the most creative hand-inked title tag, reading: Hanger On-er) read the info plaque aloud? You bet. I'm a sensation junkie. Did I not laugh out loud at Broken Oars' tales from their tour of going up against California convenience store burritos? Absolutely! But packed to the gills, it was cumbersome to navigate or appreciate the art on display. I had seen only one painting until artist Suzanne mentioned she had others hanging as well. I tried to maintain a conversation with Houston but was jostled from so many sides that I just gave up and got back in the wine line. The girls behind us ogled Robcat out loud. I snickered, telling them I knew him and that he was not on the market (I'm a bubble burster, I know). I adore the 100th Monkey tiles. I hate the crush of humanity. It is a true love-hate relationship. The after party at Tempest for various peeps' birthdays was quite the spectacle. I bounced one saucy Ms. Eklund on my lap while blonde Suzanne spoke of needing a birthday spanking. Yeeeowzer!

SATURDAY, July 29
Folk guitarist Joshua Adams played Northern Pacific Coffee Company (aka NPCC) out by Pacific Lutheran University. NPCC is nestled in what I refer to as the "protected zone," or the one block of restaurants and coffee shops in the immediate vicinity of Garfield Street. You have to hand it to the city planners. Who would have thought adding landscaped, curbed sidewalks would so greatly decrease drug and hooker traffic? Parkland's stretch of Pacific Avenue looks like it might actually be nice one day. And still farther out, jam band trippers Tangerine Space Odyssey played Clover Creek Festival, a free and super dope private shindig (no, I did not say they had super dope, but a betting man would bet they did).

SUNDAY, July 30
The bare virgin alley wall of Sixth Avenue Art Gallery was tagged by a graffiti artist who signed his name as Carlos The Liar (Mentiroso). This brazen move has sparked an animated online conversation among area artists with a range of opinions as broad as Brittany Spears baby-making booty (Hey B, stick to what you know - making crappy pop jingles). What's your take? Just a few days back artists Teddy Haggarty, James Hume, and Jeff Olsen along with collaborative artists Hogbot Jim and Linda stood in that same alley looking at the inviting canvas that same wall made. Looks like someone jumped their train.

Local news
Sleater-Kinney fans brace yourselves. The ladies are going on permanent hiatus, which we all know means they are breaking up but leaving it open-ended for those surprise shows and appearances. Their last shows are on Aug. 11 and 12 (sold out) at Portland's Crystal Ballroom.
Imagine if Tacoma's own Crescent Ballroom got back in the game. That would mean T-town could attract bigger acts that head straight for The Showbox. Just imagine.

In the big business world, Fender Musical Instruments acquired (bought) Tacoma's own Tacoma Guitar Company for "slightly under $2.0 million." Was anyone aware that a 42,000 square foot acoustic guitar manufacturing facility even existed right under our noses? Yeah, me neither.

Give me a wink and a kiss here.  Knoxx knows.