TONY ENGELHART: THIS WON'T BE A DISASTER >>>

An open mic can be an awesome way to discover new talent or a complete disaster. If you’ve ever been to a comedy open mic, you are nodding your head right now. However, Chris Lunn’s open mics only attract the crème of the crop in acoustic music and never leave the audiences embarrassed and cringing. Chris Lunn, a folkie from the ’60s, started his open mic series during the Dylan era when folk music was politically conscious and highly controversial. The first of these were held in Palo Alto, Calif. After his return to Washington, Lunn started the Court C Folk & Blues Workshop, which later became Victory Music. This attracted many performers, including the great Jim Page, to relocate to the Northwest. The third creation of Lunn is a quarterly series â€" the Ancient Victory Open Mike â€" known for bringing together performers from Lunn’s open mics from the 1960s to the 1990s. The first two were rousing successes, and featured more than 50 musicians including Tim Noah and Mike Dumovich from the 1969 open mic.

The Ancient Victory Open Mike returns to the Antique Sandwich Shop in Tacoma (Ruston) tonight. Be there, be square.

[Antique Sandwich Company, 7 p.m., $3-$5, all ages, 5102 N. Pearl, Tacoma, 253.863.6617]

TONY ENGELHART: HOPEFULLY ASHANTI WEARS THIS OUTFIT TONIGHT >>>

I’m not a huge pop fan so I’m not going to lie and tell you “I LOVE ASHANTI,” but I’m not going to slam her either. For one thing, she’s hot! For another, she has a voice, and a very good one at that â€" like Whitney before crack. Since 2002, Ashanti has been at the top of the charts, dominating magazine covers and selling out shows. The singer built her rep by way of duets with established rappers Ja Rule and Fat Joe, but soon stepped into her own spotlight. Ashanti’s debut solo single, “Foolish,” catapulted her career into high gear. It would be easy to call her an overnight sensation, but what came before was years of training and hard work. The singer/dancer/actress has been featured in countless big name music videos and has taken part in two Spike Lee movies. Did her beauty get her some breaks? Well, duh! Of course it did. But at least she has some real talent, too.

Tonight, Ashanti will play the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma.

[Emerald Queen Casino, 8:30 p.m., $40-$85, 2024 E. 29th St., Tacoma, 253.594. 7777]

CHUCK DULA: LOVES HIM SOME UMBER SLEEPING >>>

For the past couple of years, Umber Sleeping’s constantly rotating cast has created some of the most beautiful and psychedelic hybrids of late ’70s new wave to be heard anywhere. The current lineup consists of the band's brainchild, Peter Tjetjan, as well as Doug Morse on guitar and James Jenkins on synths.

“This is the best lineup we’ve had to date,” states Tjetjan.

Tonight, Umber Sleeping, Mono in VCF, the Painkillers and Sons of Ivan will play Hell's Kitchen in Tacoma. To check out the full article in this week's Volcano, click here.

[Hell’s Kitchen, Mono in VCF, Umber Sleeping, The Painkillers. Sons of Ivan, 9 p.m., $5, 3829 Sixth Ave, Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

MATT DRISCOLL: AND NOTHING LIKE GLIMPSE >>>

Change is not always a bad thing. For the members of the Joshua Cain Band â€" who you may remember from the band Glimpse â€" change can be a very, very good thing.

You see, in a way, the Joshua Cain Band and Glimpse are the same thing. Both bands feature(d) the same three dudes, so it’s tough to argue otherwise. But, on a more important level, the Joshua Cain Band â€" who will play the New Frontier Lounge tonight, is nothing like Glimpse.

To find out why, check out the latest issue of the Weekly Volcano here.

TONY ENGELHART: FLOWMOTION TONIGHT AT JAZZBONES >>>

A bit Grateful Dead-ish, Flowmotion appeals to jam band aficionados and those who don't just listen to music but experience it. However, don't lump these guys in with Dave Matthews or Widespread Panic as Flowmotion knows how to rock and aren't afraid to turn up the heat. Formed in 2001 after guitarist/vocalist Josh Clauson caught a local jazz fusion band by the name of BeeCraft play live, the members of the band signed up with Clauson, and the rest, as they say, is history.

[Jazzbones, with On The One and Stephanie Johnson, 8 p.m., $10, no cover before 8 p.m., 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

Here's a crappy video of Flowmotion:

SUZY STUMP: BANDITO BETTY LOU WHO LEAP 12 >>>

MATT DRISCOLL: MARK YOUR CALENDAR, TACOMA >>>

The holidays are here, motherfucker! Time to pound some eggnog and chomp a few candy canes, bitches!

That's right. Now that I've got your attention -presumably, at least (I know profanity has lost much of its power these days) - I'd like to draw your attention to an event you simply MUST attend.

On Saturday, Dec. 20, the Weekly Volcano and Bob's Java Jive are proud to present Rock 'n' Carol - a Holiday party for all of Tacoma. An impressive and ever growing list of bands and musicians will be on hand to pump out your favorite Christmas tunes (and maybe even some Festivus ditties), and nearly every member of the Weekly Volcano staff that's worth their weight in cheap beer will be on hand to get drunk in the name of teeny, tiny baby Jesus - or something like that.

Think about it. Ever wanted to knock one back with Steph DeRosa? You'll have that chance. Ever wanted to sip Bob's Java Jive wine coolers with Suzy Stump? Dec. 20th is your night.

So, come one, come all to the Weekly Volcano's Rock 'n' Carol Christmas Party at Bob's Java Jive. Cheesy holiday attire is encouraged, and kind souls who bring a food donation won't be charged the $5 cover. All proceeds earned at the door will go to help the Jive upgrade its sound system - which would be a gift everyone can share.

SUZY STUMP: PAPPI SWARNER'S JUKEBOX >>>

It's Friday afternoon at the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters, and our fearless leader Pappi Swarner is in a romantic mood. He's fired up his jukebox, playing Climax Blues band's "I Love You." Look like he's headed into the steno pool room for a slow dance. This could be trouble.

Enjoy this week's Pappi Swarner's Jukebox. Kiss.

TAMMY ROBACKER: STREET SMART >>>

Tacoma’s spoken word group, Speak Your Soul, continues its regular second Friday happenings with a performance poetry reading with an open mic for all poets and poetry styles tonight at Urban Grace.

“There’s something very powerful in the audio and live energy of spoken word. Everyone should experience it,” says Zach Street, founder of Speak Your Soul.

Street has since bolstered his group with a bevy of performance-passionate volunteers and artists including Lucas ‘Vanilla Soul” Smiraldo, Elijah Muied, Emily Noelle Ignacio, Katie Kirkwood, and Street’s wife, Trystin Oeljen. Amongst the team, each member offers skills and talents that consist of theatrical work, writing, event planning, recording, photography, Web site and Facebook maintenance, and performance support. Each member is supportive of the Speak Your Soul mission and helps to create the warm and welcoming environment.

Taken from the poem Tacomaellenium â€" a Tacoma tribute poem on speakyoursoul.org â€" Street flows poetic: “Tacoma is a carnivorous and juicy teriyaki Art Mecca in bloom Home to dog walking, the 100th monkey, and great ethnic food.”
Now say that 10 times fast, then get to the reading!

[Urban Grace, Friday, Dec. 12, 8 p.m., 902 Market St., Tacoma, speakyoursoul.org]

Photo: Vanilla Soul snapped by Emily Noelle Ignacio

LINK: Download Tacomaellenium_1.mp3 (4351.5K