Rontrose Heathman, guitarist for the self-proclaimed "Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band in the World" the Supersuckers will be co-owner of the coffee shop opening soon above Supernova, in the space where the Temple of the Bean formerly brewed.  More details later. â€" Jake de Paul

Paul Gjording, the Northwest Sinfonietta's executive director since 2002, is saying “see ya Sinfonietta,” leaving the organization for the foundation and government relations manager position with the Seattle Symphony.

The Northwest Sinfonietta's board has posted the position on Craigslist.com and other Internet job sites.

In the meantime, Christophe Chagnard is acting as interim executive director. â€" Suzy Stump

The Tacoma City Council campaign kick-off party for Marty Campbell, held in the lobby of the Pantages Theater, started off with familiar faces: Pat Nagle, Derek Young, Rusty George, Julie Bennett, Patricia Lecy-Davis, Jennifer Johnson, and James Hume (who said he was representing “the underbelly of Tacoma”) as well as a wide variety of local business movers and shakers were present showing support for the businessman and community leader as he kicked off his campaign, after announcing his intent to run in early February.

“I’m a communicator,” he said, as he spoke about his intent to support the business and arts communities, as well as the youth of Tacoma.

Position eight, which Bill Evans is vacating, has four candidates running; while the polls in August and November may focus more heavily on the election of a new president, this race could be as interesting to watch.

Among the things that I found exceptional about the event was the food â€" catered by the Harmon, and the music â€" nice touch! â€" by Craig Hoyer, as well as the conversations and connections made.  New Volcano friend Jesse Holder, looking smart in his Rocky and Coco’s velvet suit, made me realize how lame I was when I was his age, and the chocolate covered strawberries were just perfect.

I was just bummed not to be able to join the group at the after event at the Harmon â€" responsibilities as a parent, and scribe, beckoned. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler

I swear Randy Oxford is one of the hardest working band leaders in the Northwest. We get no less than three press releases per week from the award-winning blues trombonist. His latest venture is Music for the Mountain â€" a benefit festival for Mount Rainer National Park, Gateway Initiative, Ashford Community Park and Performing Arts Center. 

Along with Phil Freeman, owner of the Copper Creek Inn at Mount Rainer, Oxford has assembled an eclectic lineup of some of the Evergreen State’s most celebrated bands.  From rock, blues, funk, and jazz to country and bluegrass, this festival has it covered, and there is literally something for everyone’s musical hankering.  All of the artists who will appear at the event have donated their time, and what a lineup it is. In addition to Oxford’s high-energy performance, Blues Woman of the Year Nicole Fournier & Her 3-lb Universe will blow your blues away.  Knee Deep Band will rock you while Free Reign and Loose Gravel and the Quarry will offer up some down-home blues. Jazz will be well represented with Hat Trick.

For the complete schedule, visit: www.mountrainier.org.  If you are unable to attend but would like to support this worthy cause, send a check or money order to: Music for the Mountain, PO Box 159, Ashford, WA, 98304.  â€" Tony Engelhart

[Mineral Lake Event Center, March 23-25, $25-$40, 114 Mineral Rd. S., Mineral, 360.569.2745]

"Downtown" by Joeski

On March 24, Jeff Olson and the Dead Artists crew at Kulture Lab will debut original works by a group of nearly 20 graffiti artists â€" a term that middle America is still coming to terms with. Graffiti will come inside for this display, if for no other reason than to lend popular legitimacy to a genre that is traditionally defined as crime when it happens anywhere else.

"Most of these cats aren't out bombing walls anymore," says Olson. "But their work is amazing. I want people to come here against it and be totally blown away."

Most of the artists sharing works at Kulture Lab's "Penalty for Removal" show have long since abandoned bombing â€" or what the uninitiated might refer to as "creating art on other people's property without their permission."

But don't expect these artists to makes apologies for the origins of the art or its continuing condemnable manifestations.

"This is not any sort of apology," says Olson. "I just want people to know there is another side."

Graffiti's other side often is hard to see, say proponents, because it is defined in legal terms or spoken of exclusively within the context of property rights.

For the full story and details about Saturday's show, check it here. â€" Paul Schrag

"Mariposa" by Angel 179

Michael York stars as King Arthur in "Camelot."  Photo by Craig Schwartz

As Austin Power’s boss, Michael York struggled to keep his British secret agent in line.  On stage at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, he appears eager to walk in a straight line.

Taking center stage as King Arthur in Lerner & Loewe’s "Camelot," York is perfect in the role as the aging king, but appears a bit off playing a younger man wooing his soon-to-be wife Guenevere, played by Rachel York (no relation).  Heck, the two never even kiss on stage, as if to say, "yeah, we know we look awkward up here."

Past that point, the evening’s entertainment is fun and engaging.  Rachel York’s voice is nothing short of enchanting, while James Barbour as Guenevere's lover, Sir Lancelot, is funny with a fanciful bass voice.

"Camelot" runs through April 8 at 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., Seattle.  Tickets are $20-$73 and available at 206.625.1900 or www.5thavenue.org. â€" Ken Swarner

Michael York knighting a member of the Round Table in "Camelot."  Photo by Craig Schwartz

The tragic, yet ultimately inspiring story of Rachel Corrie made its way from Olympia to around the world in a matter of days back in 2003, when The Evergreen State College student made her way to the Gaza Strip to protest the destruction of homes of Palestinians at the hands of the Israeli government. She was killed by an Israeli bulldozer when she stood between the heavy machinery and the house only to be crushed to death as the bulldozer went about its business.

Her death sparked not only international attention and outrage but highlighted the struggle of the Palestinian people. Now her story is coming home. The Evergreen State College is set to present the Seattle Repertory Company’s production of "My Name is Rachel Corrie" in the college’s Experimental Theater, April 27 and 28 at 8 p.m. and April 28 and 29 at 2 p.m. as part of the Evergreen Expressions Visiting Artist program.

The play, written largely from Corrie’s own journals and letters, was edited for the stage by director Alan Rickman, best known for his roles in the Harry Potter series of films and New York stage productions of "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" and "Private Lives," and Katharine Viner, features editor of The Guardian newspaper in London. The production opened at London ’s Royal Court Theater to critical acclaim in 2005.

The Seattle production will play in the Emerald City until April 22 when it will then move to Olympia. If you can't want into the South Sound run, visit their Web site for play times.

Tickets are $30 or $20 for seniors and atudents. They will go on sale at noon on April 2 at Rainy Day Records, The Evergreen College bookstore, online at BuyOlympia.com or by placing a phone order at 360.876.6833. â€" Steve Dunkelberger

The thing about culture is it can bore you on occasion.  The thing about Kulture Lab, is that it’s never, ever boring.

This month’s installment, Kulture Lab curator and Dead Artist Jeff Olson’s “Penalty for Removal” installment of graffiti art, cunningly applied directly to walls (and including mounted canvasses) brought an infusion of youth, excitement, and really cool art into the space.  Joeski’s pieces blew me and the culture babe away, while James Hume’s Daniel Blue wearable art, Tim Kapler’s collaboration, and all the other divinely groovy works made us examine our definition of “art.”

I liked that the faces were new, the vibe was young, and the energy was infectious.

I loved that the art was amazing, whatever the genre definition was.

Bravo, Jeff, bravo, Dead dudes â€" bring on the next one!

Note: the next installment is the last installment, as we know them.  Catch ‘em, because they kick ass. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler

Live Nation is going freakin' nuts today with the concert announcements.  The following go on sale this weekend:

On sale Saturday, March 31, 9 a.m.

• Soul II Soul 2 with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill: June 14, Tacoma Dome, $50.75-$90.75 at Ticketmaster.
• Brandi Carlile: June 1, Moore Theatre, $22-$24 at Ticketmaster.  She plays Seattle's Triple Door this Friday, too.

On sale Saturday, March 31, 10 a.m.

• Rush: July 20, White River Amphitheatre, $28.50-$86 at Ticketmaster.

On sale Saturday, March 31, 11 a.m.

• Morrissey: May 6, Paramount Theatre, $55-$75 at Ticketmaster.

And here's one from AEG LIve:
On sale Saturday, March 31, noon.

• Justin Timberlake: Sept. 8, Tacoma Dome, $TBA.

Olympia Little Theatre's production of "When the World Was Green" kept it real by nabbing honors at Washington State Community Association Kaleidoscope in Walla Walla.

Director Tim Samland received the Best Director for a Drama award, while Dennis Rolly, (who played the Old Man) won Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Drama; Chad Carpenter, the stage manager and lighting designer received the award for Outstanding Lighting and technical director for the production, Paul Gisi, received the awards for Outstanding Set Innovation.

Olympia Little Theatre was also named 1st Runner-up for Best Show. â€" Steve Dunkelberger