Danii Blackwell summed up my feelings when she said, giddy with the vibe of coolness pervading Tacoma's Eye Full event last night, “Doesn’t it kind of feel like New York City or something?”

Given that I’ve never experienced the NYC art scene up close and personal, I can only imagine the energy might be similar.  In New York you might have haughty art-type.  In Tacoma you have an accessible, fun scene of people who smile readily and share in the arts mojo.

The arts mojo last night was all about the girls â€" Women created the art hanging on the walls,  the live nude painted (and sketched) was female, the catering was impressive and done single handedly by Christina Cooley, currently-out-of-dance-work dancer who’s putting together a wicked alternate gig as a caterer, and the impressive dressing was all about the gowns and indie fashions by Lisa Fruichantie and Sherra Laureen, among others. 

Here, the boys represented, with the word “Loyalty” splashed happily on a few of the items of clothing present.  Like Elvis, Daniel Blue was everywhere, his white Wranglers showing off his impressive art skills.  If you missed his praying Jesus hands belt-buckle, you missed out on a lot.  Also like Elvis, but hella more glam, Eye Full organizer Laura Eklund was everywhere too, sparkling.

Shakespeare in the Parking Lot had their time in the (regrettably loud) space, and several dancers danced in many disciplines, with many messages.

Of the crowd present, favorite faces abounded, with Dead Artists Rob Anderson, Jeff Olsen, Jim Price with James Hume in attendance, as well as live artist Teddy and his brother Leonard Haggarty also present.  Sent from heaven, Julie Bennett wandered the crowd with my camera shooting the best and brightest of ‘em.  Check out the urbanXchange Myspace site in the days to come and I’ll bet you’ll see more of her shots.

Naturally, there was a great post-party action at Tempest, where the beautiful people ate, drank, and were merry.  While an ever-so-sweet MLKBallet Alexa told me she wanted to get an “I heart JCB” tee shirt made, I want to get an “I heart Tacoma (and the Eklunds)” shirt.

Ah, Tacoma, where the air is clean and it’s happening. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler