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.

University of Washington Tacoma student Katie Linehan, of Olympia, sports new duds purchased at Nordstrom. 
“It was ‘the Sale,’ so I stocked up,” she explains almost apologetically.
The jeans are by Hydraulic (and look almost â€" gasp! â€" acid-washed, but in a good way), and the sleeveless cowl-necked sweater is by Frenchie.  Her earrings are also from Nordstrom; though the necklace, a gift from her brother, is unmistakably Tiffany’s.  Her bags are by Coach (purse) and Dickies (schoolbooks).  Cori at Marie Alice Salon in Olympia does her hair. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler

In today's Weekly Volcano on page 13 I had my head up my Brazilian when I incorrectly listed Tracy Marie's phone number as (206) 349-3790. That's the number for
Erin Laycock.  Tracy Marie can be reached at (253) 383-7782. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler

Zero gravity, zero storyline, zero sense but hundreds of laughs drinks â€" Tiki Bar TV has produced another episode.  Pour yourself a Mai Tai and enjoy. â€" Bobble Tiki

While you were trying to snatch a Brad Pitt podcast, Tacoma's Broadway Center for the Performing Arts announced the line-up for its 2006-2007 season:

• A Taste of the Arts . . . A Grand Opening Celebration â€" October 13, 2006
• Tacoma Philharmonic presents I Musici di Roma â€" October 20, 2006
• Sophisticated Ladies â€" October 27, 2006
• The Second City â€" October 31, 2006
• Danny, King of the Basement â€" November 6, 2006
• Celtic Fiddle Festival â€" November 8, 2006
• Tacoma Concert Band presents Stage, Screen, and Classics â€" November 10, 2006
• Three Mo’ Tenors â€" November 16, 2006
• Tacoma Philharmonic presents Seattle Symphony â€" November 17, 2006
• Joan Baez â€" November 18, 2006
• Bobi Céspedes â€" November 28, 2006
• Tacoma Philharmonic presents The Empire Brass: Holiday Concert â€" December 8, 2006
• Seattle Men’s Chorus â€" December 9, 2006
• In the Mood â€" January 10, 2007
• Sha Na Na  - January 13, 2007
• Lee Greenwood â€" January 25, 2007
• Missoula Children’s Theatre: Beauty Lou and the Country Beast â€" January 27, 2007
• Shanghai Acrobats â€" January 28, 2007
• Little Bear in the Enchanted Wood â€" February 3, 2007
• Tacoma Philharmonic presents Cello Octet Conjunto â€" February 14, 2007
• Bill Frisell â€" February 17, 2007
• Turtle Island Quartet â€" February 23, 2007
• Tacoma Concert Band presents Northwest Focus â€" February 23, 2007
• Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatreâ€" March 2, 2007
• Spectrum Dance Company â€" March 9, 2007
• Tacoma Philharmonic presents Moscow Chamber Orchestra â€" March 16, 2007
• Berenstain Bears On Stage! â€" March 28, 2007
• Urban Cowboy: The Musicalâ€" March 29, 2007
• Arlo Guthrie â€" April 13, 2007
• Tacoma Philharmonic presents Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg â€" April 15, 2007
• Pirates of Penzance â€" April 22, 2007
• Tacoma Concert Band presents An American Salute â€" April 27, 2007
• The Queen of Bingo â€" May 3 - 6, 2007
• Out of the Mist . . . A Dragon â€" May 5, 2007

Single tickets are on sale beginning Sept. 5, 2006.  To request a brochure or order season tickets now, call Broadway Center Box Office at (253) 591.5894, or visit the box office at 901 Broadway in Tacoma’s Theatre District.  For more information regarding upcoming season, check out their Web site. â€" Suzy Stump

Laundromats are crazy-intimate places.   Where else can you scream, “I have teeny lacy underpants, size 10-12-31 trousers, a kid who favors Disney Princesses, and a mate who favors baggy boxers!” while everyone and no one hears you?
While my own very ill washer (leaking) and dryer (thermostat awry) await mechanical intervention, I have no choice but to sample local “Laundro-culture.”  And I think in some perverse way, I dig it.  It is time for me that's also justified family time (I am, after all, cleaning his boxers and her nightgowns, right?)
In other words, after I plunk my quarters in at the Lighthouse Laundry on Pearl Street, I get to romp to The Bull (what we like to call the North Tacoma El Toro in my household) and have a cocktail.  I chose Sangria, which is apparently “Gallo jug red and marg mix.” â€" and pretty tasty, worth all $3.50 it costs. I sense, the dryer awaits, and return to the Laundromat, flinging lace and cotton and towels and denim toward the three huge dryers that will impart their scorched smell and sweet dryness upon my laundry.
And then, because I can, sans kid, I go to the bookstore nearby, Park Bench Books. (5738 N. 26 St. (253) 752 4848).  The place rocks my world. I scan titles: "Wicked, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," "Size 12 is not Fat," and next to it "32AA" â€" subtitled "Size Does Matter" (ahh, glorious Irony!).  Lastly, a table upon which lie "Tacoma Confidential" (in case I wanted to go deeper into Brame) and "Unlubricated" â€" and I'm overwlelmed, and loving every second as my clothes tumble dry. The super-cool gent worker in the place waits as I find the sticker book to end all sticker books for The Kid, and then suggests the book, "The Birdman and the Lap Dancer" to me.  He says the magic letters, NPR and I say, “MMMM!” and buy it, along with my treasured new Moleskine notebook and the kid thing.
On top of all glories, he throws in these wicked-cool metal passage markers (trust me when I say they rock the literature you have to study and write about!) and says, “They're free, tell me how you like 'em.”
I love 'em, I love laundry, I love life.  It's funny how a wee bit of retail therapy will throw a positive spin on the world. â€"  Jessica Corey-Butler

If you survive this weekend's festivals â€" Hotrod-A-Rama, Woofstock, Proctor and University Place festivals â€" pound the Rock Star all week because more is on its way, including this one. â€" Suzy Stump

• Forward Tacoma reports: Embellish Salon is turning their move from 545 St. Helens to 1121 Court D into more than a grand opening function. They’ve partnered with Tacoma Arts Community to create a community festival on Aug. 19 from noon to 6 p.m. on Court D, featuring salon tours, a VIP tent for Embellish clients, various artists and artisan booths, food vendors, and live music. Embellish will also be recording a 12-track CD of the musicians playing that day, with proceeds going to Tacoma Arts Community and a Jazzbones philanthropic group that gives music instruments to children. Visual artists are being invited to submit art for the cover of the CD. For more information call Embellish at (253) 752-8144.

Good morning.
Before you fry up some eggs, you better rase that heart rate of yours.  Yes, it's time for a little aerobics.  Push play and dance away. â€" Suzy Stump

Bobble Tiki has a question.  If little red Porsches are for emasculated middle-aged men and monster trucks are for tattooed mullet-heads in muscle shirts, what rides do cool guys roll in? The answer idles among the cars in the fifth annual Hotrod-A-Rama today at the Swiss Pub. That's right, see how they made them when they used to make them like they don't make them anymore - traditional hotrods, custom cars, motorcycles and lowriders. Car lovers should pop on www.hot rodarama.com for the lowdown. As for the tunes - slap and twang. That's what Bobble Tiki is talkin' about.
Bobble Tiki caught up with slap band All American Playboys sax player Brody before their show today at Hotrod-A-Rama.
BRODY: We're psyched to play Hotrod-A-Rama. It's always one of our favorite events each year.
BOBBLE TIKI: What do you think is your perfect song for the Tacoma crowd and why?
BRODY: Perfect song? Original of ours, I would probably have to say "Love Potion NO. 2". It's 1) about drinking, which is a big part of the event, at least for us, and 2) it's about falling for a girl b/c, and ONLY b/c, you're inebriated. And let's face it, you definitely need a few drinks in ya before you can appreciate some of the ladies that show up for this event. Kidding of course.
BT: what's your favorite cover song to perform?
BRODY: Most definitely "Boss Hoss." The Sonics hail from Tacoma for chrissakes, and it's also about a car!
BT: Who's your other favorite band performing at the Hotrod-A-Rama and why?
BRODY: Probably the Stood Ups. They do a great spin on rockabilly/swing, and as a hornplayer myself, I totally appreciate the insanely tight horn section.
BT: What can of car do you drive?
BRODY: I'll get raked over for this one. I've got a '72 Triumph TR6. Not exactly hotrod material, so I'm not bringing it to the event. A couple of the guys have both early '60s â€" a Galaxie 500 and a Bonneville. They're stock and don't run worth a shit, so I doubt they'll be bringing those either.
BT: What is it about hotrod culture that you enjoy the most?
BRODY: For me, it's the modded, lowered and primo'ed out jobs. Never been a huge fan of the flames and flat black stuff. It's just been done too many times I guess and there are too many Joes out there that think that's the only way to do it. There are always a few that still surprise me, where someone's taken the time to do some creative cutting and whatnot, but I still prefer a nice, sleek coupe. Head on down to the Swiss right now.  The music and cars will be there until the wee hours. Aug. 5, $10, The Swiss, 1904 S. Jefferson Ave., Tacoma.

Bobble Tiki is a sucker for good conversation.
Sports and rock ’n’ roll are good. Just please do me the favor of saving the politics for your Tacoma business district meetings and lame-ass Wicca bonfires.
The last two days at Tacoma's Hotrod-A-Rama, a spectacular and thrilling event that combined traditional hot rods with superior slap and twang bands at Tacoma's Swiss Pub, the conversation was just right.
Here's a rundown of the conversations Bobble Tiki overheard at Hotrod-A-Rama:
A dude who dove his classic car 36 hours from Texas has a crappy job that he hates. Hobbies include: repeatedly quoting from the movie "Fletch" and buying lots of sporting goods in an attempt to psych himself into improving his fitness.
The next guy over lives in Portland, where he burns a lot of rockabilly CDs on his computer.
There’s a bald guy who grew up in Kent, but has spent the past few years in a foreign country. His hobbies include: being critical of others, shooting his mouth off and constantly seeking the approval of the few by arousing the disapproval of the many. In some ways, he’s a lot like Bobble Tiki. Maybe that’s why Bobble Tiki hates him.
The fourth guy at the table just keeps looking around at all the gorgeous women decked out in '50s hotrod culture clothes.  He kept saying "Say again" because he was focused on other things.
OK, that's all Bobble Tiki's got, because:
1) The Swiss served PBR Tallboys at $2.50 a pop.
2) The dragsters rev ups destroyed all surrounding noise.
3) The bands were spectacular.  Hotrod-A-Rama organizer Dale Seaholm deserves a medal.
4) The Swiss served PBR Tallboys at $2.50 a pop.
5) Buzzard's Video & Discs owner Marty Campbell sported a VIP room with drinkies.
6) The event was packed and loud.
8) Two 30-year-olds at the Swiss bar were discussing why Superman couldn’t bang Lois Lane until he gave up his powers.  That conversation, plus the 12-hour day I put in at the Swiss on Saturday, sent Bobble Tiki on his way home.

Thanks Hotrod-A-Rama.  You were a great time. â€" Bobble Tiki