ANIMALS
Valentines Performing Pigs
This is where we’re at, America. Valentines Performing Pigs. See them today at Tacoma Wheelock Library. The official event announcement says it all: “You will go hog wild watching these chubby mini pigs doing tricks and incredible athletic feats, including dancing and jumping in the air, playing catch with the audience, running up teeter totters, slam dunking basketballs, and madly roaring across the stage on scooters and skateboards!†â€" Simon Moon
[Wheelock Library, 11 a.m., free, 3722 N. 26th St., Tacoma, 253.591.5666]
LECTURE
Typography
There is nothing more dangerous than e-mail. One click, and that angry, angry letter has disappeared into cyberspace, my friend. And guess where it’s going to reappear? Your boss’s mailbox, or your mother’s or whomever you really needed to have a serious, calm discussion with, a discussion that’s a lot less likely to be calm after they read your e-mail. Stick to pen and paper, and â€" since letters can change history â€" typography. Lance Kagey of Beautiful Angle will discuss how the evolution of typography is woven into the history of world civilization. Come see how much happier life can be when you vent safely in the company of those who understand letters. â€" Suzy Stump
[Tacoma Art Museum, Thursday, July 17, 7 p.m., free, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4258]
ROCK
Red Elvises
With an energy that is unsurpassed, this Russian quartet combines the ethnic music of their homeland with good ol’ fashion rock ’n’ roll for a sound that is fun and fresh. Think polka music with a vintage Elvis Presley vibe. Adorned in metallic suits, the band is as fun visually as they are musically.
The Red Elvises were formed in 1995 by two Russian political refugees, singer/songwriter Igor Yuzov and bass-balalaika player Oleg Bernov, who initially played together in a Russian folk-rock band called Limpopo. Rumor has it that Yuzov saw Elvis in a dream wearing a red dress, and that is what inspired the name change. After adding another immigrated Russian, guitarist Zhenya Kolykhaov and American drummer Avi Sills, the band hit the ground running and hasn’t stopped. In between their relentless touring of the U.S. and Europe, they have managed to release 14 discs, the last one being Drinking With Jesus this year. While their recordings are extremely fun, to fully appreciate the Red Elvises is to see them live. â€" Tony Engelhart
[The Swiss Pub, 8 p.m., $8, 1904 S. Jefferson Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2821]
JAZZ
Lance Buller and Stephanie Porter
No, “Buller and Porter†is not a new cop show on UPN. Trumpeter Lance Buller and singer Stephanie Porter front a local jazz quartet worthy of producing the love scenes soundtrack on said cop show. Porter sings like an angel. She can run up and down the scales with the best of those divas on VH1 specials â€" some notes last longer than a cop show car chase.
Buller could stop the chase with one single blast. He never admits channeling Louis Armstrong, but I bet a C note on it.
And like any good cop show, chemistry rules. Buller and Porter own audiences. Each audience member feels like it’s his own private show in his own living room. Buller launches jokes, and Porter tosses back zingers.
Tonight’s Law and Order episodes will replay a jillion times on TNT. Missing Buller and Porter Sunday is just criminal â€" especially outdoors under the stars. â€" Ron Swarner
[Mary Baker Russell Amphitheater, 7 p.m., all ages, no cover, Pacific Lutheran University, Wheeler Street South and Eighth Avenue Court South, Parkland/Tacoma, 253.535.7787]
LINK: Swamp Thing and others in the clubs tonight.
LINK: Check out when the movies start here.
LINK: Let’s eat and drink around Lakewood today.
Read Comments