BOBBLE TIKI: PABLUM, GIRLY SHOW, MAHJONGG >>>

THE DAILY WORD

Pablum \PAB-luhm\, noun:
Something (as writing or speech) that is trite, insipid, or simplistic.

USAGE EXAMPLE: Before Bobble Tiki began his career at the Weekly Volcano, he had plenty of odd jobs â€" like stocking the shelves of a Target, and being a valet at a swanky hotel. Bobble Tiki always shows up to work with a copy of the New York Times under his arm, and during these stints of minimum wage employment, Bobble Tiki’s coworkers often scoffed at his appreciation for “All The News Fit To Print.” It seems they always preferred the pablum of the USA Today.

MORNING NEWS

SEATTLE: Contempt of cop?

TACOMA: Hoops tourney

INDIA: Oops

CAMPAIGN ‘08:Bloomberg's OpEd

HUSTLER OF CULTURE
You can stand atop the mountain and scream your naked desires to the universe or shed that synapse epilepsy and hug the South Sound today with your fellow man:

MUSIC: Bobble Tiki realizes it’s his job to recommend a musical performance in this space, but today Bobble Tiki is going to go above and beyond. Not only is he going to recommend the www.myspace.com/redwhiteanddie ">Red White and Die show tonight at Hell’s Kitchen, but he’s also going to mention that the Glam-O-Rama Girly Show Burlesque squad will be there. If that’s not a win for everyone Bobble Tiki doesn’t know what is.

MORE MUSIC: What’s on tonight
REAL STORY: Evergreen riot
FORUMS: Check ‘em out

THREATS AND PROMISES COLUMN
When Bobble Tiki listened to Mahjongg, who released Kontab on Feb. 22, their latest record and first on K, he felt like he had a grasp on where these guys were coming from. Their influences are across the board, delving into afro beat as much as electronica and distortion, but their songs remain digestible and almost catchy at times. Bobble Tiki felt like he’d found a band in Mahjongg (named after an ancient Chinese game of strategy and luck) that he understood. Bobble Tiki knew they were arty, but he didn’t feel alienated.

The band will perform Sunday at the Capitol Theater. Grab the scoop here.

Breakfast with Bobble Tiki runs six days a week now. Deal with it.

NATASHA: SO SWEET >>>

Lately when I’ve been out and about, I’ve found myself talking people into things that I should really steer clear of myself.

But ever since I was a kid, I’ve had absolutely no control when comes to the almighty word: Dessert.

For some reason, I’ve convinced all kinds of people about where they can find some of the very best desserts in town, but maybe that’s because I’ve been sampling so many of them lately and each one has completely changed my life.

I can’t keep this information from you people, so go here fo Natasha’s advice desserts in Tacoma.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: THEATER THURSDAY >>>

How the Other Half Loves
This is a hilarious look at relationships and all things quirky ends its run this weekend.
[Lakewood Playhouse, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $11-$19.50, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd., Lakewood, 253.588.0042]

Mame
A comedic musical about a free-living autie in bohemian metropolitan America ends its run at 5th Avenue Theatre.
[5th Avenue Theatre, 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday, $20-$77, 1308 Fifth Ave., Seattle, 206.625.1900]

The Imaginary Invalid
A comedy by the French master of satire Moliere, continues its run at Seattle Repertory Theatre.
[Seattle Repertory Theatre, through March 16, 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $15-$59, Second Avenue and Mercer Street, Seattle, 206.443.2222]

ROCK
Get your flannel on
What: ‘90s era grunge band Floater rocks your Doc Martens off.
Why: There’s a reason Floater still tours and releases records, and it has nothing to do with a now balding fan base that still wears Candlebox T-shirts.
When: Friday, Feb. 29, 9 p.m.
Where: Hell’s Kitchen, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003.

CLASSICAL
Gems and hits
What: Tacoma Concert Band performs the classics and Hollywood hits.
Why: To keep the Academy Awards drive alive.
When: Friday, Feb. 29, 8 p.m.
Where: Pantages Theatre, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5894.

ROCK
Old old school

What: The Galaxies from Tacoma rock after a 40-year break.
Why: This legendary band helped formed the Northwest sound.

When: Saturday, March 1, 7 p.m.

Where: Temple Theatre, 47 St Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.2042.

ROCK
Chicks rule
What: Iron Maidens play Iron Maiden’s hits.
Why: The band claims to be the world's only female tribute to Iron Maiden and have the theatric stage show to prove it.
When: Saturday, March 1, 9 p.m.
Where: Station 56, 5602 S. Washington, Tacoma, 253.474.2639.

DESIGN
Let’s get small
What: Wayzgoose, an annual event at King’s Books in celebration of Small Press Month.
Why: No one knows about streamroller printing,” sweet pea of King’s Books says, as it’s done in places outside the Pacific Northwest such as San Francisco and Brooklyn. “It will really be a spectacle.”
When: Sunday, March 2, noon to 4 p.m.
Where: King’s Books, 218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.8801.

CAJUN
Time-honored music
What: The Pine Leaf Boys bring the swampland to Tacoma.
Why: Cajun is truly the first music of New Orleans.
When: Sunday, March 2, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Rialto Theater, Ninth and Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5894.

MATT DRISCOLL: ONE MONTH DOWN, ETERNITY TO GO >>>

For all intents and purposes, we’ve been at it a month now. And by at it I mean producing the big, sexy, Active News and Entertainment packed new Weekly Volcano. It’s been an exciting four weeks, full of highs, a few lows, and even a learning experience or two.

One of our main goals with the newfangled Weekly Volcano is to foster an honest and legitimate dialogue with the people of Tacoma, Olympia, and everywhere in between where this beautiful rag can be found. Without the fine people of the South Sound we’d be nothing, after all. As stated by publishers Ken and Ron Swarner in our very first new and improved issue: “The Weekly Volcano is the future of print media in the South Puget Sound. It’s about conversation. It’s about us sharing this community.”   

In that spirit, I’d like to pose an honest question: How are we doing? Personally, I’ve been proud of a number of things we’ve accomplished in this first month. Joe Malik’s “Life de-railed,” cover story is a fine example, as is this week’s cover “Riot and wrong,” by Owen Taylor. On the other hand, there are a few fuck-ups from the first month which still eat at me. I whole heartedly regret my “Trib talk” post from earlier this week, not to mention using “Hindu” instead of “Hinduism” in the “A first for Olympia” post was a junior high mistake â€" at best. It’s a shame, I suppose, to have dragged you along on such learning experiences, but I guess the good thing is that learning is actually occurring.

But those are my thoughts on our first month. I’m interested in yours.

Let us know what you think, if you’re so moved. We encourage feedback here on the Spew, on our Forums page, through email, and even through old fashioned pen and paper. Letters can be mailed to us at P.O. Box 98801, Tacoma, WA 98496.

MATT DRISCOLL: IS STOKED FOR THESE SHOWS >>>

I spoke with Jeff Angell yesterday about www.myspace.com/Poststardomdepression ">Post Stardom Depression's upcoming shows at Hell's Kitchen on Saturday, Mar. 8. The show is a benefit for guitarist Kyong Kim's daughter, who was born with a birth defect of her esophagus. The alarming medical bills coupled with PSD's desire to get back in action have set the stage for what should be two very memorable shows.

Since PSD hasn't played in fourteen months, the band has decided to take song requests for the upcoming gigs on their Myspace page. You can vote www.myspace.com/Poststardomdepression ">here. If there's a song you're just dying to hear again live, now is your chance to let it be known.

JOE MALIK: MILLER SAYS HE LOST 1.5 MILLION >>>

After more than three years of legal wrangling, University Place resident and Tacoma-area property developer Ken Miller has been awarded $500,000 for 1.25 acres of land taken against his wishes by regional transit authority Sound Transit. That amount, says Miller, doesn’t even cover his legal expenses. For all intents and purposes, Miller received nothing for his property, which he values at $2 million.

A Pierce County Superior Court jury today ruled that Miller is entitled to $500,000 for property taken by Sound Transit via the power of eminent domain â€" the right granted to government agencies to take private property against the owner’s will for purposes that serve the public good. The public good, in this case, would be a parking lot for riders of Sound Transit’s commuter rail line in South Tacoma.

“This wasn’t a good day,” says Miller. “We lost everything.”

LINK: Life de-railed â€" the Ken Miller story.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER SHOW >>>

The Festival of Northwest Plays continues its run with shows Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Theatre on the Square.

Standouts of the festival include Grace Livingston in Rosalind Bell's "New Orleans Monologues," and the world premiere of Brent Hartinger's "Geography Club" and the Kennedy Center award-winning "In the Sawtooths" by Dano Madden.

But of course, there is also "Tater Tots" and other collections of really great short works.

Friday's lineup, which starts at 8 p.m., includes "The Three," "Charlotte’s Web We Weave," "Diarrhea, a Love Story," "Tads," "Less Steady," "Blanks," "The Laurel & Hardy Love Story," "Pool Parlor"  and "The Evolution of Chaos."

Saturday's line up, which starts at 4:30 p.m., includes: "Fish Play," "We Remember Breakfast," "Poor Shem," "Europa & Bull," "Hamlet, Prince of Denny’s," "Memorable Moments with Strangers," "The Man Who Fell off His Bicycle," "Kuwait," "The Soft Sand," "Snippy," "Ravishment," "Mammals and "Chat Room."

The night-time line up will be "Geography Club."

Saturday's double-feature line up, which starts at 2:30 p.m., includes:  "New Orleans Monologues," then "In the Sawtooths," at 7:30 p.m..

All performances at Theater on the Square, 915 Broadway, near the corner of Broadway and 9th in downtown Tacoma. Tickets available at the door or at www.ticketwindowonline.com. Visit www.northwestplaywrights.org for more information.

THE STAGE
Blithe Spirit
Tacoma Little Theatre has gotten ghostly with a staging of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, a comedy about a man struggling to come to terms with the death of his wife in ways he never thought he would have to face.

British writer Charles Condomine is mourning the death of his wife and decides to invite a medium, Madame Arcati, to his home to study her as a research character for his next novel. During a post-dinner séance, Arcati found herself talking to Elvira, Charles' wife from the great hereafter. She then decides to stay in the house and attempt to rekindle her relationship with Charles. His current wife, however, takes issue with that idea. â€" Steve Dunkelberger

[Tacoma Little Theatre, through March 2, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $16-$20, 210 N. I St., Tacoma, 253.272.2281]

MORE THEATER: On local stages tonight.

INDIE ROCK
Hornet Leg
If you follow music in Olympia, you’re familiar with the name Chris Sutton. That has something to do with Olympia being such a tiny bubble town, but more to do with the fact Sutton has been in (practically) every band to ever come out of Olympia. That’s an overstatement, of course, but an overstatement bred in reality. Dub Narcotic Sound System, C.O.C.O., Nudity, Spider and the Webs. The list goes on.

The list also includes Hornet Leg. Along with being Sutton’s nickname, Hornet Leg the band is built on sparse blues meets garage meets educated indie kids with enough time to dedicate their existence to something as ridiculous as art. It’s a very Olympia vibe, which makes their show at Le Voyeur on Friday, Feb. 29 a sure bet. Something tells me the cozy confines of Le Voyeur will be the place to be tonight in Olympia. â€" Matt Driscoll

[Le Voyeur, The Old Haunts, Congratulations, Hornet Leg, 10 p.m., no cover, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710]

ROCK
Floater
With Floater set to hit Hell’s Kitchen tonight, the obviously hip thing to do would be pan the ’90s era grunge band for existing in some sort of yesteryear time warp. Flannel isn’t popular anymore, after all. Times have changed. Cobain blew his brains out. Pearl Jam has AARP cards. Hip alterna rags in places like Portland would probably have a mockery field day with Floater. (This kind of makes you feel sorry for the band, since they still live there.)

But fuck that. This is Tacoma, and here we don’t have to abide by hip pretenses, devotion to mind-numbing experimentation, and ironic facial hair. In Tacoma we’re not cool to begin with, so we’re free to do as we choose. â€" Matt Driscoll

[Hell’s Kitchen, Floater, Weight Of The World, In Lunar Blue, 9 p.m., $10, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

DJ
Donald Glaude
During the past 16 years as an international DJ, Lakewood-grown Donald Glaude has been responsible for seeding vibrant musical landscapes for audiences up and down the West Coast. Born in Tacoma, he grew up listening to Parliament, Funkadelic and R&B radio. After falling in love with the precise, hypnotic, bass-heavy sound, Glaude amassed a huge record collection before he ever got his hands on a mixer.

Welcome Glaude back to town tonight with DJ dAb and Omar at Jazzbones. â€" Paul Schrag

[Jazzbones, 9 p.m., $12, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

MORE MUSIC: In the clubs tonight.

BRAD ALLEN: TOP 10 LIST OF THE DAY >>>

IT World reports: Top 10 Ballads for Product Launches.