TONY ENGLEHART: BLUES AND MEAT >>>

A barbecue in October? Why not? The South Sound Blues Association is holding a Summer Ending Party at Jambalaya featuring the Brown and Blues Band. One of the only true Chicago styled blues bands in the Northwest, the Brown and Blues band have a deep understanding of how blues was meant to be played. With driving shuffles and heartfelt slow blues, the Tacoma-based quartet doesn’t subscribe to Robert Cray’s contemporary styled “blues,” but rather have been influenced by greats such as Muddy, Wolf, Walter, and Cotton. Harp extraordinaire Anthony Estrada blows with as much passion as Sonny Boy ever did while Richard Molina’s guitar licks are as smooth as anything Hubert Sumlin ever laid down.

[Jambalaya Restaurant, 3 p.m., free, 500 Garfield St., Parkland, 253.539.3600]

Picture of the Brown and Blues Band courtesy of Myspace

MATT DRISCOLL: '80S ROCKERS TO PLAY STATION 56>>>

I’m lucky. I don’t really remember the ’80s, mainly because I was born in them. This fact saves me from many horrible musical memories, not to mention the lingering side effects of copious hair spray use. It also keeps me from knowing what to expect when White Lion â€" who left their mark on the ’80s with songs like “Wait” and “When the Children Cry” â€" hits Station 56 this Sunday. I do know what White Lion expects to find in their dressing room â€" because, for some strange reason, the band’s list of dressing room requests made its way to my desk this week. Here are a few things White Lion asked for: 36 bottles of non carbonated water (24 iced, 12 room temperature), six cans of Coke Classic, six cans of Coke Zero, 18 bottles of Gatorade (no fruit punch), two cases of cold beer (no light beer, no dark beers), a fresh fruit and veggie tray, two bags of potato chips, a deli tray, a small assortment of candy, two 9 volt batteries and four AA batteries (Duracell only).

[Station 56, 7 p.m., $12.50, 5602 S. Washington St, Tacoma, 253.474.1189]

Photo courtesy of Myspace

TONY ENGLEHART: TALKING HARMONICA >>>

Paul Green, Jeff Herzog, Grant Dermody and Dick Powell will blow you away, literally, as Rev. Dave presents the Third Annual Harmonica Showcase.  Hosts, Paul Green and his band Straight Shot are one of but a handful of authentic blues acts in the Northwest.  Green was just named “Best Harmonica Player” by the Washington Blues Society and for good reason â€" he’s frickin awesome.  I might be a bit biased, but I used to go see Dick Powell in the early 80’s and absolutely fell in love with his playing.  He’s now a member of my pop’s band, Little Bill and the Blue Notes. Grant Dermody has been called an understated harmonica virtuoso and has recorded with the likes of Eric Bibb and Cary Black. As a part of the Jet City Flyers, Jeff Herzog plays both diatonic and chromatic harmonicas with a style that is truly unique.

[Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 5 p.m., donations accepted, all ages, 901 North. J Street, Tacoma, 253.627.8370]

Picture of Paul Green courtesy of Paulgreenblues.com

PAUL SCHRAG: CALVING JOHNSON AT SQUEAK AND SQUAWK >>>

I remember calling KGRG 89.3 FM at Green River Community College 10 times a day to request “Red Head Walking.” I was in third grade, and I had no idea who Calvin Johnson was. I just knew that Beat Happening was awesome, and that song was perpetually stuck in my head. Johnson will bless the stage at The Helm’s Squeak and Squawk Music Festival Sunday, with his startling, resonant voice carried on tunes by Seattle’s electro-pop darlings Katherine Hepburn’s Voice. “I’ve only played a few shows in Tacoma,” says Johnson, progenitor of Olympia’s legendary K Records. “I’m excited to do this.” Johnson says he’s bringing an acoustic guitar, and has plenty of fresh material to wow those who have managed to digest his vast body of work. I’m imagining Johnson playing with KHV right now, and it’s making me want to eat a burnt grilled-cheese sandwich. I’ll probably wash it down with some Diet Squirt. Go to the show, and you’ll understand.

[The Helm Gallery, 6 p.m., all ages, 760 S. Broadway, Tacoma, 253.627.8845]

MICHAEL SWAN: BIDEN DOES TACOMA >>>

Just a friendly reminder that Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden will appear at a campaign rally with Gov. Chris Gregoire today at Cheney Stadium. Gates open at noon for the event that begins at 2 p.m. It’s free. The Tacoma stadium can hold 7,500 folks, which mostly likely will be reached.

Tacoma weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with zero chance of rain.

LINK: Where to eat before and after

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: REVIEW OF EVEN COWGIRLS GET THE BLUES >>>

Tacoma is a weird town, theatrically speaking. I often wonder how is it that they can be cultured enough to spend their hard-earned money on theater and then walk out because they are offended by what they see.

There weren't a lot of intermission walk-outs at the production of Even Cowgirls Get the Blues at Theater on the Square, but there were enough for my watchful eyes to notice. The theater was far from full to begin with, so it was hard to do an actual head count of early leavers. But the spirit was certainly there. Folk apparently didn't know that the traveling version of Book-It Repertory Theatre's take on the counter-culture novel would actually follow the tenor of the book. 

It follows the story of Sissy Hankshaw, who goes through live with enormous thumbs that lead her to the only conclusion â€" hitch hike across the United States. This is where she enters the no-rules world that was the 1970s outlined in Tom Robbins’ 1979 novel. It is a good book, and it is a good show. That is, if you actually stay and absorb culture that might make some folks squirm.

There's still plenty of time to see the show.

[Theatre on the Square, Even Cowgirls get the Blues, 3  p.m. today; 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25, and again 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, $22-$34, corner of Ninth and Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5894]

MICHAEL SWAN: JOE BIDEN DAY >>>

Twelve thousand people flooded into Cheney Stadium this afternoon to hear Joe Biden, Gov. Chris Gregoire, Sen. Maria Cantwell and Sen. Patty Murray. Here are a few shots taken by Tacoma Mama.

Thanks Mama!

LINK: More photos on the Daily Kos

STEPH DEROSA: THE HUB, TATTOOS, DIVES, SHOES AND CREEPY GUY >>>

I’m taking this week’s Dinner with DeRosa guests to The Hub for a damn fantastic hummus plate.  I love hummus plates.  It’s not a heavy meal, yet chocked full o’ flava.  What makes a hummus plate rock my belly is when the ingredients include all or some of the following:  olives, warm soft pita, miscellaneous pickled items, feta, and whipped homemade hummus.  I’m trying to convince Cork! to invent a hummus plate with these ingredients specifically, and name it the “Steph DeRosa Hummus Plate.” 

They’ll eventually make the plate, but they are not buying into the name. Damnit.

So instead we’re grubbin’ at The Hub, an excellent choice nonetheless.

My first two guests are Atom Lewis and David Steele.  I’m inviting Atom from House of Tattoo because eventually he might pierce my nose.  I’m deciding whether I could pull off a tiny stud in my nostril, and whether or not I should proceed seeing as how we are venturing into cold and flu season.  Get what I’m thinking?  Last thing I want is to rub and blow a freshly cut hole with mucus and germs on my already sore nose.  And what’s to say some of that nasty mucus gets caught up on the stud and clings on for longer than it should? Enough said.

David Steele, also in the picture, was chillin’ in House of Tattoo as I talked to Atom.  When I asked to take his picture his response was, “Can I take off my shirt?”  Approached with that question, I can only assume we’re long lost cousins.  David is visiting from Philly and bouncing around the idea of making a move to Tacoma. In Philly he inks up his art at Philadelphia Eddie’s China Tattoo.  Needless to say, shirtless David is my new favorite DWD guest.

Davis Steele might be my new fave DWD guest, but Noella Messinger and Mandy Lindell are new members of my Bar Exam Dive Bar Team (BEDBT).  It’s very rare that I find someone with the level of dive bar intelligence as my present team members: The KAke, Ginger Knoxx, and Bandito Betty.  It felt good to sit and chat with these two girls and I look forward to seeing them at my imaginary dinner table this week.

Oh, and quote of the week came from Mandy Lindell when I complimented her bow, “Yes, I’m wearing a bow.  I’m a girl.  I have to wear a bow so people know I’m a girl.  Bows are the international symbol for ‘girl’.”  She makes me laugh, and laughing is one of my favorite pastimes. 

Kevin from Tapco Credit Union, you’re not invited.  Sorry dude, but you’re creepy.  I don’t care if you wield an abundantly overflowing plate of Dum Dums and already rented your tux, you’re just plain ol’ creepy.

Lastly, I’d love to have Ondia Shapiro from The Shoe Show to Dinner with DeRosa this week.  Ondia will fill us in on all the exciting stuff coming this spring to The Shoe Show, one being that she will begin to design and carry pencil skirts for NORMAL sized women.  Yes, ladies size 14-ish, I’m talking to you.  I know, I know â€" you’re as sick as I am of walking into boutiques that only run up to size 8 jeans.  It’s just not right.

Mangiamo!