BRAD ALLEN: THE RED CUP >>>

Last Sunday morning, the day after Hotrod-A-Rama, I drove by the Weekly Volcano box and snapped this photo.

Today, I went by the same box and snapped this photo.

If that cup could talk ...

RON SWARNER: SHOWCASE TACOMA >>>

An impressive crowd for a Friday wandered through Showcase Tacoma today. Pacific Grill, Mad Hat Tea Company, The Harmon, Twokoi and others are providing tasty fuel. Oliver Doriss has set up a cool miniature golf course. There's tons of art projects and music.

And there's the Weekly Volcano Lava Tube.

Mary K Johnson has converted her Volcano covers, as well as James Hume's best of Tacoma cover, into black light posters. It's freakin' cool.

Daniel Blue wrote lengthly explanations regarding the concepts and implementations.

Come on down and check it out. We also have the Volcano Lounge set up next to the Harmon beer garden, which is nice.

LINK: Story on The Helio Sequence who headlines tonight at 7 p.m.

LINK: Showcase Tacoma details

TONY ENGELHART: TODAY'S VIBE >>>

With a career that spans nearly five decades, Judy Collins is one of America’s national treasures and a true legend in every sense of the word. A one-time child prodigy pianist switched gears in the early 1960s aided by the influence of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and the newly formed New York folk scene that was spearheaded by Dylan.

Though she’s not known primarily as a songwriter, the Seattle native’s interpretations of a well penned song are legendary. Her debut, A Maid of Constant Sorrow, in 1961 was chock-full of traditional tunes that showcased her voice. It wasn’t until her third release, amply titled Judy Collins #3, that she began including other musicians on her recordings.

The album was also the beginning of the contemporary Collins as she reworked Dylan and Seeger songs with her soprano vocals. In 1967, Collins wrote a few songs for her masterpiece, Wild Flowers, but was it mainly comprised of covers â€" this trend continued throughout her career.
Now 69, Collins is still recording. Her latest pays homage to Lennon and McCartney.

Judy Collins will make a very special appearance accompanied by the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra on tonight in the new Chambers Creek Central Meadow.

With such a vast body of work, who knows what songs she’ll perform? But who cares, it’s Judy Collins.

[Chambers Creek Central Meadow, 6 p.m., $50 at Broadway Center Box Office, 6320 Grandview Dr. W, University Place, 253.591.5894]

SUZY STUMP: 5 THINGS TO DO TODAY >>>>

10 A.M.: The Pierce County Fair offers animal competitions, carnival rides, kids activities, FFA demonstrations, live entertainment, tons of fair food, and enough vendor exhibits to restock your entire ranch home. Starting today through Sunday, take some time to take part in one of this region's most historical events. Get going to Graham.

10 A.M.: Today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ken's Tires (9601 Gravelly Lake Dr. S.W. in Lakewood) the Hot Hut Girls, who have helped make topless women with tape on their nipples making mochas a topic of discussion and debate for all of the South Sound, will hold a benefit car wash for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

11 A.M.: This year's Showcase Tacoma offering of Tacoma talent reaches a nice, quiet critical mass. We offer as introductory evidence Fulcrum Gallery's topographical miniature golf course made from recycled junk; or seemingly random light-pole cozies by local devil-knitters; or the cardboard whale to be crafted by folks from the Helm; or the Weekly Volcano's Lava Tube; the requisite beaded jewelry kiosks; or the all-day, communal chalk drawing; or the Team Unicorn Records label showcase; or go see Deborah Page Ã," range, rhythm, presence, tone, a little funk; all happening in and around Tollefson Plaza in downtown Tacoma.

3 P.M.: Surf on over to the Sharon McGavick Conference Center and let the Asia Pacific Cultural Center transform you to a tropical paradise. Their annual Polynesian Luau celebrates through Polynesian music, food, dance and a beer garden.

7 P.M.: Seattle rock band Truce and Tacoma's hardcore quintet Sirens In the Sky close the book on Tacoma Public Library's last all-ages Rock The Books concert series for the summer tonight at the Tacoma Public Library.

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight
LINK: Viva South Sound arts and entertainment calendar

STEPH DEROSA: I CHALKED >>>

Yesterday at noon, a worldly and explosive collaboration was made at the Frost Park Chalk Off.  It involved the talented Dawn Fortner, Jessica Corey-Butler, and myself.  I’ll be honest, it was mainly Dawn and Jessica, but I definitely added a small DeRosa touch to the chalk art piece

Note the tiny volcano, the toilet, and the word “spew.”  I did my part and made my mark on chalk society. 

Dawn’s creative force brought on a theme of explosive Tacoma love ala “Volcano."  Her adaptation of Tacoma’s Glass Museum “spewing” love had people gawking at the brightly colored pastels.  ($18 Prang set at Tacoma Art Supply, FYI.)

For a time-lapse of RR Anderson’s drawing today, check out Kevin Freitas’ page.

By the way, Dawn and Jess' piece won. Neat.

LINK: Check out the works of art here.

DANIEL BLUE: MEET MELANIE CANTARA >>>

Melanie Cantara moved here in 2004 to help take care of her mother who has since continued her journey in other forms than our tangible cage.   

Melanie and I have much in common. I moved back home in 2001 for the same reason. Melanie is a special girl. There is something wonderful about her countenance. I find her to be overwhelmingly easy to behold.  Our culture has managed to tangle sexuality into nearly every activity you can imagine, yet somehow Mell can kiss your cheek and bring to mind a familial warmth that exists in very few places on this planet outside of my childhood memories of being loved by my Aunties. 

Soft and often smiling, Melanie is an example of feminine prowess that was lost to women for decades after the roaring twenties came to a close. Never coy, her matter-of-fact nature of conversation causes one to feel important and heard. 

Last Halloween, she and her friend led me around the dance floor in a series of charades that I have not appreciated the likes of since I was a teenager in the spiritually charged steppes of New Mexico. 

I am very glad she has decided to stay around in the wake of all that has come to pass.

LINK: The Tacoma Files

BOBBLE TIKI: LUNCH WITH BOBBLE TIKI >>>

THE DAILY WORD

Tittle-tattle \TIT-uhl TAT-uhl\, noun:

1. Idle, trifling talk; empty prattle.
2. An idle, trifling talker; a gossip.
verb:
1. to talk idly; to prate.

USAGE EXAMPLE: As the party wound down, and the many drinks began to take their toll, nothing but tittle-tattle began to spew from Bob Vila’s mouth. 

AFTERNOON NEWS

TACOMA: Missing campers

OLYMPIA: Governor's Mansion wedding

SEATTLE: Having cake and eating it too

UNITED STATES: Bernie Mac is dead

ENVIRONMENT: Amtrak's tries to meet rider increase

JUST BIZARRE: Trail of Cheetos

MORE STRANGE NEWS: The old switcheroo

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

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: BENEFIT GATHERING AT THE SWISS>>>

As some in the arts community already know, Johanna Gardner recently vacationed unexpectedly at Tacoma General's Intensive Care Unit, courtesy of a neck injury.

This tattooed artsy chick with a plucky spirit now has some medical bills to pay and few options to cover those bills since she can't return to work. A benefit party is set for 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Swiss. Pass the word and then pass the hat.

[Hosted by: Ocean Grooves, 8 p.m. Aug. 13, The Swiss,1904 S Jefferson St.
Tacoma.]

SUZY STUMP: 5 THINGS TO DO TODAY >>>

10 A.M.: The Pierce County Fair offers animal competitions, carnival rides, kids activities, FFA demonstrations, live entertainment, tons of fair food, and enough vendor exhibits to restock your entire ranch home. Starting today through Sunday, take some time to take part in one of this region’s most historical events. Get going to Graham.

10 A.M.: If all you plan to do this today is sit on your rear end at one wienie roast after another, spitting watermelon seeds in the grass and contemplating a beer, here's one event you'll be missing: The 11th Annual Street Fair & Classic Car Show, a good, old-fashioned street fair in Historic Fern Hill, featuring, er, a street fair and classic cars. Head toward 84th and Park Avenue.

4:15-9:10 P.M.: Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson is a documentary about the hell-raising journalist who stood stride the 70s, staggered through the 80s, crawled through the 90s, and killed himself in 2005. Catch it at The Grand Cinema.

6 P.M.: Hot off yesterday’s Showcase Tacoma gig, Kareem Kandi Band visits Engine House No. 9 tonight. The Tacoma-based sax player â€"along with guitarist Mason Hargrove and crew, performs a style of jazz that incorporates blues, funk and rock. Kandi, who lists his influences from such renowned jazz greats as Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, and John Coltrane, plays in a free-style manner that sounds improvised.

7 P.M.: Melding styles between country, folk and rock, Cassandra Robertson’s music is accessible and borders on contemporary â€" but not in a bad way. The Oregon-raised singer/songwriter is subtly political as her self-penned ballads call for social change. A self-proclaimed tree hugger, she is dedicated to writing about environmental issues. Catch her at The Mandolin Café tonight.

LINK: Viva South Sound arts and entertainment calendar
LINK: Live music and DJs tonight