CAITLIN BOERSMA: KUSIKIA KICKS THINGS OFF >>>

The Squeak and Squawk Music Festival is loaded with Tacoma favorites, but try not to miss the hidden gems sprinkled throughout the festival’s lineup. Kusikia, playing at The Helm tonight, is not to be missed. The band’s simple composition of Nsayi Matingou on guitar and vocals and Peter Ryan on drums lends to its organic sound. Songs change from sweet and sad to loud and aggressive without a moment’s notice. Leaning in to catch Matingou’s mumbled lyrics, you’ll suddenly find yourself rocking out and indie twitch-dancing as Ryan speeds up the beat and Matingou begins to shred. Kusikia isn’t playing music for fame or glory. Casual and punchy on stage, they don’t take performances too seriously, but instead address the crowd like it’s a big group of friends. As Matingou and Ryan gaze into each other’s eyes, you’re not sure if it’s to keep time or if they’re sharing a moment of musical ecstasy. While they’re performing for their own enjoyment, listeners come away from a Kusikia show thoroughly pleased.
[The Helm Gallery, 6 p.m., $6, 760 S Broadway, Tacoma, 253.627.8845]

SUZY STUMP: HOT FOR SARAH PALIN >>>

Tacoma Diaries has done it again.

For past episodes, check out their Web site.

SUZY STUMP: CALENDAR GIRL >>>

From the Fields
FRIDAY, OCT. 17: To die-hard Baroque fans, seeing the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields at Friday night’s Tacoma Philharmonic concert is way better than getting seated at the table next to Brad and Angelina. The Academy was at the forefront of the Baroque revival in the 1960s. Its 1969 recording of “Four Seasons” with the violinist Alan Loveday remains the bomb of Baroque. Things change. I know you have. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Academy is now the premier chamber orchestra, renowned for its energetic playing and supreme standard of musicianship. Touring principal players from the orchestra will perform Mendelssohn’s splendid String Octet, Dvorák’s exuberant String Sextet, and Kenneth Leighton’s doesn't suck Fantasy Octet.
[Pantages Theater, 7:30 p.m., 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.272.0809]

Even cowgirls!
FRIDAY, OCT. 17: In 1976, author Tom Robbins let the world in on a little secret: Even Cowgirls Get the Blues. Even cowgirls? OK, so it seems we humans have a stronghold on the blues. His sexy, metaphorical romp was a late-’70s counterculture favorite. And a favorite of Seattle’s Book-It Repertory Theatre who will stage Robbin’s story about hitchhiking legend Sissy Hankshaw seven times inside the Theatre on the Square. Kudos for casting musician Jo Miller (Ranch Romance) as Dr. Robbins. Double kudos for keeping the nudity, sex and adult language in the production.
[Theatre on the Square, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17, 18, 23-25, 3 p.m. Oct. 19 and 26, $22-$34, 915 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5894]

Peeples
FRIDAY, OCT. 17-SUNDAY, OCT. 19: A dance presentation about people and their lives is sure to be interesting. OK â€" and a little complicated. No dance about a Wall Street CEO. Whew! BareFoot Collective presents Peeples â€" premiere pieces and a new dance film from four South Sound dance artists. There’s a dance examining a personality from three sides. And a dance about inner self. Complicated, yes, but it’s gonna be good.
[Barefoot Studios, 9 p.m., $12-$15 at brownpapertickets.com, 1604 Center St., Tacoma]

LINK: ViVA South Sound arts and entertainment calendar

LAUREN NAPIER: TONIGHT AT HELL'S KITCHEN >>>

Are you feeling a little angelic or maybe a bit devilish? Let your true personality show at the 4th annual Heaven and Hell Ball at Hell’s Kitchen. The festivities will not be for the weak of spirit or the faint of heart. TJ, the vocalist of the metal band De-krep-it, taunts, “If you aren’t there, especially if you’re single, you’re a loser!” According to a rep down at Hell’s Kitchen “It’s going to be another great turnout.” Other bands included in the lineup are the Dreaming Dead (featuring an ex-member of the Iron Maidens) and The Outfit. It’s a lineup of bands capable of providing the soundtrack for your heavenly fantasies or night of hellfire. You choose â€" just come appropriately dressed for the occasion.
[Hell’s Kitchen, 9 p.m., $3-$5, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

BOBBLE TIKI: TITANIC-SIZED NIGHT >>>

Bobble Tiki is not a Celine Dion fan. He doesn’t care that she, master of make-out music for 40-somethings, can speak and sing in French! She is not French. She's merely French Canadian. Which unfortunately has no bearing on her ability to make baby chipmunks inject cyanide directly into their cute little eyeballs and die quick screeching little deaths at the sound of "My Heart Will Go On."

If you are not a baby chipmunk, and love Dion so much that you’ll feel empty inside after her show Saturday night at the Tacoma Dome, you’ll be happy to know that The Mix has your back. Click the link for the next page below and rejoice. …

RON SWARNER: LOVING THE TEMPEST >>>

My next installment of 3 Drink Minimum in the print version of the Weekly Volcano will be my recent visit to the Tempest Lounge. Bartender Catherine hooked me up well. Pick it up Thursday and drink along.

Also, in regards to the Tempest (yank out that calendar), they will screen Young Frankenstein next Saturday, Oct. 25, with a pre-Halloween costume contest and scary drink specials. And, their three-year anniversary party is Nov. 15 featuring the musical stylings of Deborah Page, Dave Roberts and Kim Archer.

LINK: South Sound live music and DJs tonight

NATASHA GORBACHEV: TOP OF TACOMA PARTY >>>

It's actually quite astounding that I have the ability to type right now.

Last night was the kickoff of the Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe's one year anniversary party, and what a party it was.

When I woke up this morning, I was surprised to find that I had all of my belongings, including my debit card. Those damn grape bomb shots always have a way of getting the best of me.

But I could really care less about how I feel right now because last night was so very worth it.

I arrived at the Top at 8:30 p.m. and immediately hopped in a booth to take in the array of bands that delighted the ears, and my back as the drums, bass and guitars sent vibrations up and down the wooden booths.

First up was Pioneers West. These guys have been practicing feverishly, and each time I hear them play, their sound is tighter and tighter. And it's always fun to see lead singer Luke Larsen not behind the bar at the Top, and in his true element behind the mic.

Next up was the Cody Foster's Army. Last night was the first time that they had performed together in front of the hundreds of people who were bobbing and banging heads to this slammin' music. Several peeps were donning CFA shirts, and I'm now the proud owner of one of my own. Dear CFA, please create a MySpace profile so I can follow your band because I'm now a dedicated fan.

The finale came from The Plastards and included more loud rock and roll that brought laugh-line defining smiles to my face.

The party at the Top of Tacoma will continue all weekend, including the Swampy Drawers performing tonight at midnight, a DJ spinning everything under the sun on Saturday and 28 pounds of pulled pork for sandwiches on Sunday Funday for the evening Seahawks game.

Endless congrats are extended from everyone at the Weekly Volcano (many of us were there last night and had a blast!) to Jaime Kay Newton, Jason Jones and the entire Top of Tacoma crew.

Happy birthday to you!

[Top of Tacoma Bar and Café, 3529 McKinley Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.1502]

Chandeliers - Pantages, originally uploaded by jimoliverphotography.

Check them out tonight during the production of Even Cowgirls Get the Blues.

MATT DRISCOLL: CHECK IT OUT, YO! >>>

David Long, the hip-hop music director at KUPS, just delivered a new CD review â€" available now for your reading pleasure on our Web site. He delved into Fun DMC, a new record from People Under the Stairs.

Check it out.