MATT DRISCOLL: THE MAY FIRE >>>

Every week I have the pleasure of selecting one of the CDs we receive here at Weekly Volcano World Headquarters â€" sent to us by bands near and far â€" then digesting it and pumping out a review for all to read. It’s a lot better than what I did on Thursdays prior to the start of Thursday Album Reviews â€" which involved fetching Bobble Tiki’s weekend stockpile of boxed wine and removing stains from the blouses of Steph DeRosa.

(To find out how to get your band’s CD into our prestigious pile, click here.)

This week, the lucky winner is San Francisco’s The May Fire â€" who sent with care their soon to be released EP, The List, not just to the Weekly Volcano offices but to my ACTUAL HOUSE.

That’s a little creepy, but it also shows conviction. Since The List happens to be a stand up effort â€" not to mention short and sweet â€" that conviction was enough to earn the May Fire a little Internet ink.

Check out my review of The List here.

FILM
The Wackness
In the early ‘90s, our high school classmates were â€" and I'm speaking in purely musical terms here â€" spoiled and thoroughly unappreciative of my pep rally band's all-out efforts to entertain them and inspire our athletes on to victory. We played all the hits of the day: "Bump N' Grind" by R. Kelly, "Flava In Your Ear" by Craig Mack, and "The World Is Yours" by Nas.

When I heard that the Weekly Volcano is sponsoring the opening of The Wackness today at The Grand Cinema, I demanded tickets from Pappi Swarner. The film’s soundtrack has the three songs I mentioned above plus “Heaven and Hell” by Raewkon, “Tearz” by The Wu Tang Clan, “Can’t Ya See” by Total featuring Notorious B.I.G. as “Can I Kick It” by A Tribe Called Quest. The memories are flooding in.

In celebration of the opening The Weekly Volcano will knock $1.50 off the ticket price for all freaks, geeks, walking catastrophes as well as all the cool students, too. Just show your student I.D.

Here’s Roger Ebert review. â€" Michael Swan
[The Grand Cinema, 2:30, 4:50, 7, and 9:15 p.m., $.50-$8, $1.50 off ticket price for student, 606 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, 253.593.4474]

BLUES
Nick Vigarino and Meantown Blues
The South Sound Blues Association will host the second Blues, Brews and BBQs Summer Concert featuring the incomparable Nick Vigarino and his band Meantown Blues. Friday, Cheney Stadium will turn into a Louisiana picnic with plenty of barbecue chicken, Jambalaya, red beans and rice, and a live crawfish boil prepared by Jambalaya Restaurant. Tickets are $35, which includes dinner and show or $15 for the show. â€" Tony Engelhart
[Cheney Stadium, 6 p.m., $35, 2502 S. Tyler St., Tacoma, 253.752.7700]

EVENT
Family Fun Night
There once was a time when e-mail took four months to arrive and the world was filmed in black and white. It was a time when men would talk about hunting for some tail and they would actually be referring to furry rodents. It was a time when the world would stop for a spot of tea in the middle of the afternoon and pinkies stood erect with each sip from a porcelain teacup. Welcome to the 19th century. The Fort Nisqually Living History Museum hosts a Family Fun Night as a way to show folks how life was back in the day England was a world power. â€" Steve Dunkelberger
[Fort Nisqually, 6-9 p.m., bring a picnic supper, $2-$4, Point Defiance Park, 5400 N. Pearl St, Tacoma, 253.591.5339]

LINK: Umber Sleeping and others in the clubs tonight.
LINK: Viva South Sound arts and entertainment calendar
LINK: Movie Clock
LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

BOBBLE TIKI: BREAKFAST WITH BOBBLE TIKI >>>

THE DAILY WORD

Sempiternal \sem-pih-TUR-nuhl\, adjective:
Of never ending duration; having beginning but no end; everlasting; endless.

USAGE EXAMPLE: Sometimes on the campaign trail John McCain will be stricken by a sempiternal bowel movement. Everyone aboard the Straight Talk Bus hates to see it happen.

MORNING NEWS

TACOMA: Impressive strongman

OLYMPIA: A greener softer Lakefair

SEATTLE: Schultz and his trials

UNITED STATES: Obama's world tour

ENVIRONMENT: Green funerals

JUST BIZARRE: Sometime you need a smoke

MORE STRANGE NEWS: One way to make a point

THINGS TO DO TODAY
FILM LISTINGS: Look here
MUSIC LISTINGS: Here’s what’s happening
SHOOT THE SHIT: Weekly Volcano forums

LINK: Today's Frost Park Chalk Challenge details

MATT DRISCOLL: SELL YOUR STUFF >>>

Like it or not, in this capitalist Mecca we call America, money is almost a necessity. Sure, you can sow your own seeds, raise your own chickens, and drop out of society for the simple life â€" but most people would rather just figure out a way to earn a few bucks to get by. You’re not forced to do so, but, then again, you pretty much are.

Club Impact at Brick City is just like everyone else. Just because they put on Jesus-approved rock shows every weekend with an almost entirely volunteer staff doesn’t mean the club doesn’t need some cash from time to time.

To help raise said cash, Club Impact at Brick City is hosting their first annual “Club Impact Rummage Sale” Saturday, July 26. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the rummage will be selling like hotcakes â€" or at least that’s the hope of the powers that be at Club Impact. According to Derek Smith, Club Impact’s main man, people can rent a table for $15 and sell their own stuff â€" keeping the profits for themselves or donating it to Impact â€" or the club will gladly sell your stuff for you (naturally, keeping the money earned for Impact’s work).

To learn more check out their MySpace page.

BRAD ALLEN: ANOTHER WEIRD HOLIDAY >>>

We just received our monthly Weird Holiday postcard from Rusty George Creative this time reminding us that July 28 is Cow Tippings' Eve.  We almost forgot. Thanks Rusty George!

You can play the online game version here.

MATT DRISCOLL: BEEF ON THE GRILL MAKES HIM HOT >>>

While there are countless subjects and topics of debate that Republicans and Democrats will never agree on â€" there’s at least one thing both sides of the aisle stand behind.

Barbecues.

Of course, don’t expect Democrats to invite Republicans to barbecues they put on, or vice versa; and a Democrat barbecue will probably always have things like veggie burgers and tofu dogs that would repulse a Republican - but still. Everyone, red or blue, likes a good old, American barbecue.

In fact, if you don’t like barbecues, studies have shown you’re probably a terrorist.

Next Sunday, August 3, the 27th District Democrats are throwing a barbecue of their own, and - assuming you’re a Democrat - you’re invited. The barbecue â€" an annual event for 27th District Dems - will be at the main picnic area of Point Defiance Park. Festivities are scheduled start around noon.

Look for a big 27th District Democrats sign to show you where to go, and expect burgers, brats, veggie burgers, and turkey dogs to be served around 1 p.m. Also, expect Democratic candidates from the area to be on hand to shoot the breeze and pass the relish.

DANIEL BLUE: MEET KERRY MUISE >>>

Kerry Muise is the sweetest and most gentle woman in Tacoma. A soft voice and elegant smile wins the heart of every man in the bar. One night at The Monsoon Room I saw three of my friends falling all over themselves in comical attempts to win her attention. Life for Kerry must be interesting, she sits back and watches masculinity at its competitive finest and graciously holds herself in patient speculation and mystery. 

Kind to everyone, even other women, which is a rarity among "it" girls these days, Kerry enjoys the social aspects of "going out" as much as the soulful aspects of "getting out."

Pictured here on the Washington Coast, nimbly weaving her way through the killer beach logs on our pleasant outing, which was and filled with many long periods of just being and listening to the waves.

During the day Kerry spends her time in the Wells Fargo building downtown, running an official sort of office in a secretarial manner. I bet her phone voice is very soothing. 

Originally from Alaska, Kerry moved here with her ex boyfriend several years ago and has resided in the Stadium District near the Parkway Tavern ever since.

LINK: The Tacoma Files archive