RON SWARNER: TODAY'S THE DAY >>>

Today from noon to 8 p.m., Music and Art in Wright Park 2009, which began in 1993 as Music in the Park, returns to Tacoma showcasing some of the best bands in the area, including Guns & Rossetti, Girl Trouble, Post Stardom Depression, Broken Oars, The Plastards, James Hilborne and the Painkillers, Zeke, C.F.A., Zook, Stone Axe, Starstruck, Tarek Wegner, Tallest Tree, The Coloffs, NeutralBoy, and Mico De Noche. Today's outdoor concert at Wright Park will be free.

As a sponsor of Music and Art in Wright Park, the Weekly Volcano pumped the concert for the past week or so. Here's a recap:

Weekly Volcano cover story: Eight hours, 16 bands and one town â�" coming together

Brief History: It began in 1993 and included Girl Trouble

Meet this band: Broken Oars

Meet this band: Guns & Rossetti

Meet this band: Starstruck

Meet this band: C.F.A.

Meet this band: Post Stardom Depression

Meet this band: James Hilborne and the Painkillers

Meet this band: Zeke

JAKE DE PAUL: SATURDAY FOOD LINKS >>>

Surf And Turf Theme: Chef Charlie is firing up blackened Alaska king salmon and Memphis-style apple wood smoked spare ribs at The Crown Bar.

Wine Tastings: A full load today

Mixmaster: Goodbye to '80s bartending trends

Today's South Sound Special

CAPTAIN PHIL RETURNS
Saturday, Aug 15
Does this guy even go out on the boat anymore? Or is it just a constant string of publicity appearances at this point? It seems like just yesterday that Captain Phil Harris of The Deadliest Catch was in Tacoma â€" and now he’s back, making the rounds for Alaskan Amber Beer. Captain Phil will start off at the main PX on Fort Lewis at noon today, then make his way to the Albertson’s on Steilacoom Boulevard at 3 p.m., and end up at the Swiss by 7 p.m. â€" for a night packed with plenty of beer and plenty of fish stories. Even if all Captain Phil does anymore is help hock beer â€" which I’m sure he’d kick my ass for suggesting â€" he’s still more interesting than the frat pack that’s sure to show up at the Swiss for Kry Boys. 

Prediction: Crab jokes. Lots of crab jokes. â€" Matt Driscoll

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

MICHAEL SWAN: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

1. The Washington Renaissance Fantasy Faire with randy wenches and lascivious lords, meaded-up and looking to joust, consume Maris Farms from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

2. Tacoma Musical Playhourse's Musical Murder Mystery Dinner Series returns for an encore performance of "Murder Al Dente" at 2 p.m.

3. Songwriter’s Vespers featuring Leanne Trevalyan, Billy Stoops, and Mark Riley sets up inside the Immanuel Presbyterian Church at 5 p.m.

4. Station 56 hosts a Hempfest After Party with Kicking K8, The Hate Chamber, Forcefed Trauma, Avitia, Diamond Lane, Gods & Kings at 7 p.m.

5. Little Bill & The Bluenotes fills The Spar with blues at 7 p.m.

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: Local movie starting times

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

RON SWARNER: THE HOT DOG EATING CONTEST IS BACK >>>

The Red Hot marketing machine hit us again recently with news of its second anniversary party today from 1-10 p.m. Their backyard beer garden will be hopping with a pub-only keg from Elysian called Elysian Koolsch; a cask of Big Al's Hop Soup will pump through their new beer engine; a firkin cask of Schooner Exact 3-Grid IPA will flow at 5 p.m. after someone hammers the tap in (old school!); the Randall will be in operation; the beer floats will be lined up; and The Red Hot will also tip local Pont 21 wine.

Also returning from the Red Hot's first year anniversary will be the hot dog eating contest. Instead of stuffing 50 or so¬" or whatever ungodly amount it was¬" hot dogs down, this year's contest winner will be the fastest to pound three hot dogs including bun. The contest begins at 6 p.m.

According to Chris "Trashcan" Miller¬" the Red Hot's owner¬" his favorite part of the past two years of business has been turning Tacomans on to really good beers.

Every time I could bring a new beer to the area, or turned someone on to a new beer¬" especially someone who doesn't like that kind of beer when they come in, and leaves loving at least two craft beers,-says Miller when asked to recall his fondest memory so far.

Rest assured, there will be more.

[The Red Hot, Sunday, Aug. 16, 1-10 p.m., no cover, 2914 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.779.0229]

Photo: Beer floats will be a part of the celebration today, too.

RON SWARNER: CONCERT RECAP >>>

While this will be my last post on Music and Art in Wright Park 2009, those of us who attended yesterday's Tacoma music festival are already looking forward to next year’s installment, so consider this, uh, a preview of Music and Art in Wright Park 2010. Yeah.

First, thanks to Cody Foster, Kenny Johnson, Bennett Thurmon and the volunteers who put on one hell of a great show. Impressive music, large crowds, happy vendors, lovely weather, professional production and no incidents made for an enjoyable day. The word is the festival broke even or better.

Between juggling cameras, sheer music overload and the occasional trip to Doyle's, Parkway and Hob Nob, I lost my black notepad. Stone Axe, Post Stardom Depression, C.F.A., Zook … they may have played some great music, and I might have photographic evidence of them, but the documented prose is gone. And thanks to the after parties, the cerebral prose is gone, too.

So instead of attempting to do a verbal recap, I’ll just let the photos do the talking. The majority are on our Photo Hot Spot.

LINK: Background

MICHAEL SWAN: MONDAY, AUG. 17, 2009 >>>

1. Doyle's Public House believes practice makes perfect. Therefore, they host St. Practice Day with The Stout Pounders at 8 p.m.

2. The gallery at Pierce College in Steilacoom is filled with a dozen or so very nice paintings by CJ Swanson from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

3. Shakabrah Java offers Monday open mic night at 5 p.m.

4. DJ Jason Diamond spins roots reggae during The New Frontier Lounge's Rebel Monday at 9 p.m.

5. DJ Doll Hands spins vintage lady country music at The Brotherhood Lounge around 9 p.m.

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: Local movie starting times

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Here's The Case: Pierce County Superior Court congestion has fallen.

Kent And Bernard Alert: Two convicted sex offenders register in Pierce County.

Sounds Like Blade Runner To US: IBM eyes DNA for chip development.

OK, But You Must Get The Hell Out: Maverick pro-Taliban militant offers to help U.S. forces.

Health-Care Reform: Obama finesses the public plan.

Girls Rule, Boys Drool: G.I. Jane breaks the combat barrier.

Google Effect: Can anyone tap the $100 billion potential of hyperlocal news?

Feed Me Stewart And Alastair: Brit scientists discover plant that eat rats.

JAKE DE PAUL: NATIONAL BEEF COOK-OFF >>>

The 28th Annual National Beef Cook-Off â€" a national contest that collects recipes from amateur home cooks â€" includes Morgan Hanrahan of Olympia competing in the Teens Cooking with Beef category with her Southeast Asian Steak Salad recipe. On Sept. 23 she'll head to Sonoma, Calif., to compete with 14 other competitors.

“I had an epiphany moment when I came up with this recipe, says Hanrahan in a press release.  “I love pasta, salad and Asian flavors â€" combing them together in a unique and delicious way was truly an aha moment for me.” 

Hanrahan will prepare her recipe for a panel of discerning beef enthusiasts. Judging will be based on taste, appearance, convenient preparation and cooking, healthfulness and nutritional balance. 

This year’s contest, funded in part by the Beef Checkoff Program, features a $25,000 “Best of Beef” grand prize and other cash prizes totaling more than $70,000. 

RON SWARNER: SLATE REMINDS US WHY KIND OF BLUE IS COOL >>>

No single artist in the field of American music has been such a pivotal force for change and growth - no other such a willful arbiter of musical evolution - as Miles Davis. And though he is among the most famous of jazz musicians, perhaps the closest thing the idiom has ever had to a “rock star” figure, Miles’ art has not always been understood, his relevance to the development of this century’s music not fully appreciated.

Why?

Miles eventually “went electric,” and his refusal to apologize for doing so alienated him from those who vigilantly sought to protect the legacy of pre-fusion jazz. To them, he is a traitor, a sell-out, a disappointment.

Whatever.

I appreciate Slate reminding me that Miles' great album Kind of Bluewas released 50 years ago today. Miles rebelled against the oppressiveness of be-bop’s aggressive tempos and dense use of chord structures with the Kind of Blues sessions.

Slate explains why it’s the best selling jazz album of all time here.

MICHAEL SWAN: TODAY’S HAPPY HOUR DISCUSSION TOPIC >>>

Today’s Happy Hour Suggestion:

Malarkey’sPool & Brew
445 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.383.3301
Happy Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Drink Specials: $3 wells, $2.50 domestic drafts.
Manday Monday: 25 percent off drinks, 50 percent off hamburgers every Monday for guys.

LINK: South Sound happy hours