STEPH DEROSA: PAPPI'S GONE, 08'S WINNERS WEREN'T AT RISK >>>

When asked to pass on the title of “Arts Patron” for this year’s AMOCAT Awards, last year’s winner, Weekly Volcano, was quoted as saying, “Hell no!  Over our dead body!” Such a prestigious award from the Tacoma Arts Commission is hard to come by, and not something one would easily give up.  At least not for Pappi Swarner.  It took a plane ticket to Hawaii to get Pappi away long enough for this year’s AMOCAT award recipients to be honored without any altercations. 

Upon arrival I quickly found the bar and tilted back a smooth vodka soda.  There was a plentifully stocked hors d’ouvres buffet with cocktail tables surrounding. I chatted it up with the likes of Tiffany from Broadway Center, friend Alison, Lynn Di Nino, sweet pea, the McDermott family of King’s Books, Mike Lonergan, and Ed Murrieta â€" to name a few.  Eventually we were herded into a room where the awards ceremony would take place.

People crammed into the back of the room, standing as if there were no seats available.  Why don’t people sit in the first two rows?  They were almost empty, so I scatted my rear up front and scored a great seat.  Most comfortable chairs I’ve ever sat in, thankyouverymuch.

Local poets read their poems while a screen behind them displayed images of letterpress posters donning their words.  It was an amazing collaboration of letterpress and the literary arts.  The poems and art were beautiful, to say the least.  My favorite poems came from two students of Tacoma Community College’s Allen Braden who had “just come out” from being in a poet closet.  Tim Sherry’s “Wiffle Ball Was” and Diane Toft-Knowles’ “Nine Lives” were both captivating and genuine.  I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of them in the future.

Linda Danforth snagged the Community Outreach by an Artist award for her work with multiple local artist cooperatives and the Tacoma Art Place, while King’s Books received the Community Outreach by an Organization award.  sweet pea was credited repeatedly for giving King’s Books the unique personality it has in the Tacoma community.  Finally Hotel Murano received the 2008 Arts Patron award from the Tacoma Arts Commission. 

Life was good.

Fortunately for Hotel Murano, brand new awards were given out for Arts Patron seeing as how Pappi Swarner had licked the plaque from last year.

Check out some more pictures of the action below.