MATT DRISCOLL: AMES BROS EXHIBIT HEADED YOUR WAY >>>

Amidst all the hustle and bustle yesterday of putting the final touches on this week’s issue of the Weekly Volcano â€" which hit streets today â€" I got an email.

It was an email worth passing along to you, though yesterday it got lost in the madness of deadline day.

Today it will not be lost.

Starting on Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Tacoma Public Library’s Handforth Gallery, 13 years worth of Pearl Jam posters designed by the Ames Bros design firm â€" a legendary team made up of Barry Ament (Jeff Ament’s brother) and Coby Schultz â€"will be on display for all to see. In total 84 posters will be featured.

If you’re familiar with Pearl Jam, you’re familiar with the work of the Ames Bros â€" as they’ve designed damn near every tour poster the band has put out since 1995.

Pearl Jam tour posters are always killer. The Tacoma Public Library’s Handforth Gallery display should be just as cool.

Making things even more exciting, to kick off the exhibition on Thursday, Dec. 11 and in celebration of the AmesBros new book â€" Ames Bros vs. Pearl Jam: 13 Years of Tour Posters â€" both Barry Ament and Coby Schultz will be on hand at the Tacoma Public Library to sign their new book and no doubt a few posters, and to mingle with Grit City.

It doesn’t get much cooler than that.

I’ve posted the entire press release after the break. Expect to see a story about the exhibition in a coming issue of the Weekly Volcano.

Ames Bros vs. Pearl Jam:
13 Years of Tour Posters
December 11- January 31, 2009
Handforth Gallery @ the Tacoma Public Library
Opening reception, with poster & book signing
Thursday evening, December 11 beginning at 6 p.m.

Eighty-four posters spanning thirteen years of Pearl Jam concert tours designed by the legendary Seattle design firm AmesBros  (Barry Ament & Coby Schultz) are featured in a new exhibition opening Thursday, December 11 at the Tacoma Public Library's Handforth Gallery (1102 Tacoma Avenue South in downtown Tacoma).  The exhibition continues through January 31, 2009. An opening reception with a book and poster signing will be held with the artists at 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 11.

Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursdays, and from 9 a.m., until 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays. More information is available at the Library's web site - www.tacomapubliclibrary.org or by telephoning the library at 263.591.5666.

Ames Bros have been published in numerous books and design magazines, won numerous design competitions, and even landed themselves a Grammy nomination for the package design of Pearl Jam's 1998 release, Yield. They were recently awarded the coveted 2007 One Show "Gold Pencil" for their 2006 Pearl Jam World Wide Tour poster campaign.

From 1991-1994, Montana native Barry Ament served as the in-house designer for Pearl Jam -- creating the band's CDs, t-shirts, newsletters, tube socks and everything else in between. At the same time, fellow Montana native Coby Schultz was working at a small design firm creating snowboard graphics, clothing, and ad campaigns for K2 snowboards

In 1995, Ament and Schultz joined creative forces to form Ames Bros. For the past 13 years, this small shop has put up big numbers. Their client list boasts the likes of: MTV, Nike, Converse, Virgin Mobile, Absolut, Miller Beer, Nissan, Honda, Cooper Mini, K2 and Ride Snowboards, the NBA and the NFL. And Pearl Jam. The Ames Bros have designed virtually every Pearl Jam tour poster since 1995. The highly collectible posters - a visual chronicle of the band's music - sell out quickly at every Pearl Jam concert. Their work is featured in a new book - Ames Bros. vs. Pearl Jam: 13 years of Tour Posters, a collection of their concert posters for pretty much every single show during that time. Opening with a written forward by Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament and introduction by the Ames Bros, the book features 229 posters designed by Ames Bros and Pearl Jam artist Brad Klausen. Pearl Jam vs. Ames Bros features over 80 comments on individual posters from all five members of Pearl Jam and running commentary from the poster designers -- offering insight into the inspiration, concepts and process of poster creation.

KELLY DRISCOLL: TOP HEAVY CRUSH AND THE JET CITY FIX AT THE LIBERTY THEATER TONIGHT >>>

Not long ago I was underage. Bars wouldn’t let me past the door, and the security staff was my arch nemesis. I never understood the invisible barrier that stood between me and the shows I desperately wanted to see. Why is it that the guy with PBR running down his chin and stains on his action slacks was allowed to stumble past the door guy while I was left out in the rain just because of my age? It didn’t seem fair to me then, and it certainly doesn’t seem fair to me now.

Luckily there are bands out there that remember what it was like to be 17.

All-ages shows are pure, a true sign of musical appreciation for everyone to enjoy. While the bar may not make as much money and the staff may complain about serving countless Shirley Temples, the impact these shows have on the next generation of musical enthusiasts is an equation sales cannot calculate.

The Jet City Fix, Top Heavy Crush, Atomic Outlaws and Basic Radio are bands that cater to fans
of all ages. While the Jet City Fix has rocked the Liberty Theater in Puyallup before, tonight will mark the first appearance at the Liberty for the other three bands. Justin MacDonald, who plays bass for both The Jet City Fix and Top Heavy Crush, expressed his enthusiasm through e-mail, “When Jet City fix used to play there it was off the hook!! I mean kids flying through the air and singing every word to every song! It was AWESOME! Some of our best shows were at the Liberty, and we can’t wait to do it again!”

Not only are people of all ages welcome, but the show â€" known as the Winter Music Festival â€" is an opportunity for everyone in the South Sound to enjoy some good ol’ fashion rock and roll. From Gig Harbor to Seattle and Tacoma nestled in between, the crowd will be a collage of musical aficionados. When I asked MacDonald what we could expect to see he replied, “I think at this show the crowd will be from all over the South Sound. I mean we have Acid Angels from Seattle, Basic Radio from the Harbor, and then you’ve got some of Tacoma’s favorites!”

Find a way to make it to the Winter Music Festival at the Liberty Theater tonight. You won’t regret it.

[Liberty Theater, Friday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m., all ages, $10 at Ticketmaster, 116 W. Main St., Puyallup, 253.864.8116]

MATT DRISCOLL: INSOMNIAC FOLKLORE HITS OLYMPIA >>>

It’s been awhile since I’ve focused on a show at Le Voyeur in Olympia â€" I mean really focused â€" and that’s just wrong. For a long time those in charge of booking music at the tiny DIY club in our capital city have consistently brought the most eclectic mix of indie goodness you’re likely to find anywhere â€" and maybe, just for a moment, I started to take it for granted.

That’s a mistake on my part for sure â€" and on yours if you’ve fallen similarly victim.

Let’s make amends this week.

Tonight, Portland’s Insomniac Folklore â€" which, in essence, is a constantly fluctuating musical entity created and shepherded by present day acoustic troubadour Tyler Hentschel â€" will headline an evening of off-the-beaten-path goodness that also includes Nutmeg and Christopher Stewart.

It’s a diverse bill, and a good one â€" both qualities emblematic of what Le Voyeur has come to stand for.

For the complete story in the current issue of the Weekly Volcano click here.

[Le Voyeur, Insomniac Folklore, Nutmeg, Christopher Stewart, Friday, Nov. 21, 10 p.m., no cover, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710]

MATT DRISCOLL: CIVITA LOOKS TO REIGNITE SOUTH SOUND FLAMES >>>

I’ve got good news, Tacoma.

PBR is back on tap at Bob’s Java Jive.

I found out first hand last Saturday, as bartender Dave happily reported the news to me as I saddled up to the bar for my first drink. If you’re anything like me, you were getting a little tired of Miller High Life, so having a slightly better crappy beer to drink at the Jive is a seriously positive development. I’m told the Jive also has at least one “good” beer on tap, though I’m not much for good beer. What I do know is PBR is back.

Also, if you’re anything like me you were so happy to see PBR back at the Jive that you drank it mightily. Then, for some reason, you decided at 1 a.m. that Jack In the Box curly fries would be a really good idea, and eventually you fell asleep in front of the TV watching the History Channel. Then you woke up at 10 a.m. to watch football, but felt like you were going to hurl
until midway through the third quarter.

That is, if you’re anything like me.

If that’s the case, not only is it a little disturbing, but there’s a good chance we probably have more in common than just our love of cheap beer and tendency for acid reflux. We probably like the same music, too, which is why you should pay extra attention to the show tonight at the Jive, featuring Civita, Blackbird Orchestra, Dishwasher Safe and Cutmaster Sammy Swell.

To read the full story in the latest issue of the Weekly Volcano click here.

[Bob’s Java Jive, Civita, Dishwasher Safe, Blackbird Orchestra, Cutmaster Sammy Swell, Friday, Nov. 21, 8 p.m., $5, 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843]

SUZY STUMP: ART SLAM >>>

First it was Denny’s Slams, then poetry slams, and now, once again, Tacoma’s Art at Work-sponsored Art Slam hits the Rialto Theater in downtown Tacoma Friday night. What the heck is a “slam” anyway?

The truth is that the term “slam” is a derivative of “poetry slam,” a competitive evening of poet against poet (think 8-Mile only without the hip-hop) whose name was derived from baseball and bridge terminology. This event is not that at all. This is Art Slam â€" two hours of local art slammed into your consciousness like a shot of adrenaline. This is not your Grandma’s slide show. It’s an entertainment View-Master, with fast action and cheering.

Local artists will have 10 works projected on the big screen at the Rialto Theater as slides and digital images. Each picture will appear for just a few seconds along with information about the art and the artist. No one is going to “slam” anyone’s work â€" at least not out loud â€" although five spoken-word artists will add to the excitement.

If you thought art operated on its own isolated, lonely schedule: get depressed, self-mutilate, see self in mirror, paint feverishly in loft, check this night out.

[Rialto Theater, 7-9 p.m., free, 301 S. Ninth St., downtown Tacoma, 253.591.5191]

UPDATE: Here is a video of the event.

LINK: ViVA South Sound arts and entertainment guide

LINK: Art at Work Month events

RON SWARNER: SEA GRILL LOVE >>>

Evoking visions of hot summer nights in pre-revolution Havana, the mango mojito â€" sipped regularly by Ernest Hemingway, or so legend has it â€" is the perfect drink to transport me out of this cold weather. And the rum-soaked concoction is front and center this afternoon during the Orchid Party at Sea Grill.

While I don’t expect loud, exuberant Cuban music and dancing in the fancy downtown Tacoma seafood restaurant, I do expect exuberance when the crowd tastes Sea Grill’s cocktail concoctions made with Orchid Liquors from Canada. Created by a chef in Vancouver, B.C., these five purees in a bottle â€" mango, lychee, guava, passion fruit and pomegranate â€" taste like the real deal. Carrying 17 to 19 percent alcohol, I swear the Sea Grill bartenders hid a blender and a pile of fruit behind their circular bar.

Yup, I sampled the Orchid Mango Liqueur in the form of a mojito last night at the Grill. Fantastic. There’s nothing as lovely as this apricot-colored drink. Made with white rum, Orchid mango purée, freshly squeezed lime juice, a sprig of soda water and fresh mint, just one mojito can seriously kick your ass, and two could knock you off your bar stool.

The party kicks off at 4 p.m. today and ends when they close the doors. I was told the Grill will be dropping orchid flowers on top of the drinks, too.

And don’t forget the Grill is celebrating Lobsterpalooza through the end of the month. They have a ton of fresh lobster from New England. I sampled the lobster cous cous salad, bitter poached lobster risotto, lobster spaghetti and a lobster tail on a stick with bacon-wrapped green beans riding shotgun. Chef Matt Brandsey, besides being a really cool guy, is a true talent. You have to dine on his lobster creations. He has taken his favorite dishes and added lobster twists. Delicious. And Brandsey has paired Washington white wines for each dish, too.

[Sea Grill, 1498 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.5656]

SUZY STUMP: SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK ... FINALLY >>>

Life sucks and then you die.

There you have it: Charlie Kaufman’s 124-minute Synecdoche, New York in a nutshell.

Kaufman’s directorial debut, about a man’s obsession with his unhappiness and demise, will finally hit Tacoma when it opens at The Grand Cinema Wednesday, Nov. 26. If you loved his previous scripts for Being John Malkovich or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, then check it out.

Roger Ebert gave it four out of four stars. Read his review of Synecdoche, New York here.

LINK: The Grand Cinema

LINK: Catch a film today

BRAD ALLEN:PAPPI SWARNER’S JUKEBOX >>>

Every Friday, after 4 p.m., when workday decorum is thrown out, Weekly Volcano publisher Pappi Swarner cranks his computer speakers up to 11 and plays ‘70s pop off YouTube throughout the office. When it stops, we know he has left the building. A couple months ago I snuck into his office and copied his ‘70s Pop Jukebox files. Today, we’re listening to “Jackie Blue” by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. I think Matt Driscoll is just about to lose it.