SUZY STUMP: BEAUTIFUL MESSAGE >>>

This morning on the way to the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters I spotted a new Beautiful Angle poster stapled to a side of a building. It's a tribute to the new civil rights exhibit at the Washington State History Museum. The poster reads as follows:

When Willie Hadley was a baby,
weighed more than 13 pounds.
Formed his hands into tiny little fists,
said, “Gonna bring these hammers on down,
Lord, Lord. Gonna bring these hammers on down.”

Hadley drove ‘round Tacoma,
cruisin’ in his red Corvette.
Women said, “You know I love that man.
The biggest & best I seen yet, Lord, Lord.
The biggest & best I seen yet.”

Date of the Mother’s Day Riot,
a mob set fires all around.
All the police and all of the preachers
couldn’t settle that crowd down, Lord, Lord.
Couldn’t get that crowd to settle down.

Hadley told the policeman,
“A man ain’t nothin’ but a man,
but before I let them burn my town,
they’ll feel the force of my hands, Lord, Lord.
They’ll feel my fists, my hands.”

Willie sang alone to the masses,
Keeping the rhythm with his fists.
“The riot’s over, “ he sang for the chorus
and the riot, it ceased to exist, Lord, Lord.
Like that riot didn’t ever exist.

Willie died years later,
‘cause a man ain’t nothin’ but a  man,
but if you ever think of burnin’ this town,
you’ll feel the force of his hands, Lord, Lord.
You’ll feel the force of his hands.

The South was not the only place where Americans were denied equal rights. Right here in Tacoma, as little as 35 years ago, Americans couldn’t get jobs or housing because of their color. Learn how local leaders fought Washington’s own civil rights battle in Tacoma’s Civil Rights Struggle: African Americans Leading the Way now on display at the Washington State History Museum. Guests will also see how the equal rights effort continues today.

Catch a screening of the companion film to the exhibit Sunday, Sept. 7 at 3 p.m. Produced by award-winning documentary filmmaker Sidney Lee, the film features interviews with a dozen participants in Tacoma's civil rights struggle, including former Tacoma mayor, Harold Moss.

[Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 888.238.4373]

MATT DRISCOLL: THIS WEEK'S CD REVIEW >>>

While everyone has â€" and is entitled to â€" their own preferences, for me the perfect place to digest a new CD is driving in my car. I know, I know â€" Daniel Blue and plenty of others would probably point out what an outdated, non sustainable and downright environmentally evil way that is to listen to music â€" but there’s just something about it. Tell the earth I’m sorry.

Loud music in the car is awesome. There’s no way for me to get past it. I love the way the drums knock around in my chest thanks to the close confines of my Volvo, and there’s nothing quite like the way a crunchy guitar, lit cigarette and open windows make me feel.

Alive. Vibrant. Cooler than I actually am.

In that light, today I waited until my drive home from Weekly Volcano World Headquarters to dive into this week’s record. When I say “this week’s record” I mean record to be reviewed on www.weeklyvolcano.com, but you probably caught onto that. I’ve been doing this for a few months now â€" Thursday comes. A record gets reviewed. It’s not rocket science.

Anyway, this week’s lucky band is the Liars Club from Seattle. Check out my review of their four song, self released, little shiny demo disc here.

AMY ALKON: MOVIE OF THE WEAK >>>

MOONING: I really clicked with a woman I met. We like the same music, movies, etc. She has a boyfriend who only calls her for sex. Her friends think she should dump the jerk. She agreed to, to be with me, but then he started leaving her notes and flowers. Her therapist, without meeting me, advised her against dating me because she always falls for the wrong guy (I just learned she's been married five times). She says we're through. Will I be stepping into a minefield if I try to get her back?

AMY ALKON: Will you be stepping into a minefield? Not exactly. Read my advice here.

TONY ENGELHART: AL GREEN AT THE QUEEN >>>

Like most people, my introduction to the soulful sounds of Al Green was via his classic hit, “Let’s Stay Together.” I could listen to it a million more times. Green is a legend in every sense of the word. His voice is unmistakable, his life is well documented, and his place in music history is cemented.

He had to work a bit on his status. While his debut, Back Up Train â€" when he was still Al Greene â€" went relatively unnoticed, it showed real promise for the then 21-year-old singer as he began collaboration with producer Willie Mitchell who worked on the Green sound. His second release, Green is Blue, was quite a bit smoother than his debut. After the release of third album, Gets Next to You, the twosome perfected their unique timbre on Let’s Stay Together. The titled track held the number one spot for an impressive nine-week run. The success of the song catapulted the next album, I’m Still in Love With You, even higher on the charts and spawned two hit singles.

Disco took the wind out of Green’s hit-making sails during the mid ’70s, but like all of us, he recovered. He just released a new disc titled Lay It Down on Blue Note Records.

[Emerald Queen Casino, 8:30 p.m., $40-$85, 2024 E. 29th St., Tacoma, 888.831.7655]

BRAD ALLEN: BLACKBERRY SIDECAR >>>

Although Tacoma is nowhere near a full-on inferno these days, it is warm out. If you need to cool off, Crown Bar bartender Dino has a new drink â€" Blackberry Sidecar â€" and it’s refreshing.

Made with fresh blackberries from the Sixth Avenue Farmers Market (every Tuesday, 3:30-7:30 p.m., at Sixth and Pine), brandy, Quattro, Limoncello, and fresh lime and lemon, it tastes cool.

And the Crown Bar is pretty cool itself. A lively neighborhood haven, it opens daily at 4 p.m. and offers discount happy-hour prices Tuesday-Thursday 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to close; Friday 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to close, making it the perfect place to take a break from sweaty outdoor activities, such as baseball and bike riding.

Pull up a bar stool in front of Dino. You'll feel better in no time.

[Crown Bar, 2705 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4177]

SUZY STUMP: FROST PARK CHALK OFF >>>

Weekly Volcano's Frost Park Chalk Off correspondent Tacoma Mama was on the scene today snapping shots of local artists chalking up the downtown Tacoma sidewalks under the sun.  Check out Tacoma Mama's snapshots on the Weekly Volcano's Photo Hot Spot.  Thanks Tacoma Mama!

LINK: Tacoma Mama's Web site

LINK: Vote now for today's winner!

SUZY STUMP: VAUDEVILLE IN OLYMPIA >>>

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, vaudeville was by far the most popular form of entertainment in America. Sadly, the advent of radio and talking pictures killed it off by about 1925 or so, as people became (and still are) more fascinated by compact, one- or two-dimensional forms of visual stimuli.

For now at least, small, cabaret-style shows are a welcome, and burgeoning, addition to fringe culture like the upcoming Lord Franzannian Royal Olympian Spectacular Vaudeville Show hosted by storyteller Elizabeth Lord. Working in the tradition of vaudeville shows from the early part of the 20th century, this fast-paced variety show promises a little something for everyone Friday, Sept. 26-Sunday, Sept. 28 at The Midnight Sun Performance Space in downtown Olympia. Dance, music, comedy, storytelling, juggling, even feats of amazement will fill the performance space.

Tickets are $7 to $15 on a sliding scale.

For more information or tickets, call 360.250.2721

Picture are Raychel Wagner and Lauren O'Neil performing Andora Creterson's Ball Movement from last year's vaudeville show.