MICHAEL SWAN: THURSDAY, SEPT. 17, 2009 >>>

1. Marking Time: Voyage To Vietnam with views of the original sleeping station and canvas beds salvaged from the USNS General Nelson M. Walker, graffitied with the thoughts of young Americans traveling to the Vietnam War, opens at the Washington State History Museum at 10 a.m.

2. Artist Christopher Mathie will demonstrate his fast-paced, dramatic approach to painting live from 6-8 p.m. at Two Vaults Gallery. His show at the gallery, On The Rocks, hangs until Oct. 10.

3. The Puget Sound Revels will lead a community sing-a-long called Tacoma Sings! from 6:30-8 p.m. starting in front of the Museum of Glass, then on to the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, ending at the History Museum. Rain or shine, you can sing your ass off â€" for free.

4. Shunpike presents its next installment of the Accountability & the Arts series called “Starting a New Arts Organization” at 6 p.m. inside Suite133 in downtown Tacoma.
 
5. Sordid Sentinels, Shotgun Kitchen, and Mr. Fusion play The New Frontier Lounge at 8 p.m.

INK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: Local movie starting times

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

MICHAEL SWAN: PUYALLUP FAIR, THURSDAY, SEPT. 17, 2009 >>>

Check it: Goodwill at the Puyallup. Snug.

Stuff to do today
All Day: Open Class Pigeons, Poultry & Rabbit Barn

11 a.m.: Al's Brain Exhibit, SillyVille

12 p.m.: Corona Cantina opens

1 p.m.: Tacoma Water, Contest Arena

1:30 p.m.: Hand Spinning, Pavilion, 2nd Floor

1:30 p.m.: Woodcarving, Hobby Hall

2:30 p.m.: Celtic Maidens, Education Stage

5 p.m.: Explosion Extravaganza, Education Stage

6 p.m.: The YMCA Dancers, Education Stage

7:30 p.m.: Newsboys, Grandstand   

Hours
10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday.

Admission
$11 adults, $8 seniors (62 and older) and students (age 6-18); free age 5 and younger. Advance discount tickets at Safeway, Fred Meyer and Columbia Bank.

Parking
$10 Monday-Friday, $12 Saturday-Sunday

Transportation
Pierce Transit “Fair Express” for $3 round trip. Details are here.

More Information
Do their Web site.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY: COMBO DEAL >>>

An unfortunate mainstay in music criticism is the temptation to describe a band by saying it’s what would happen if two better-known bands met. For instance: It’s Oingo Boingo meets Jefferson Starship! Or, It’s Miles Davis meets Black Flag! Titus Andronicus has encountered a lot of this lazy critical shorthand. Usually they get some bizarre combination of Arcade Fire, Bright Eyes and Bruce Springsteen. The screamy Conor Oberst-esque vocals, the cathartic energy of Arcade Fire, and the anthemic guitars of Springsteen â€" I guess, to a certain extent, I hear it all in Titus Andronicus. But what I mostly hear is a band that’s actually exciting to listen to, in all its jittery, messy glory.

Titus Andronicus’ music is all its own.

ANNOUNCER: PACO'S TACOS HAS A LAID-BACK HOMEY FEEL >>>

Years ago a young man painted a mural on a taqueria wall in Lacey. That same painter, Martin, now owns the taqueria, Paco’s Tacos. With his wife, Ana, the two offer hearty plates of steaming, aromatic Mexican food. Straightforward and from the heart, Martin extends a welcome to all to come be part of his community family. Homey and casual, this medium size eatery has a laid-back feel. Don’t hold it against them that it’s in a strip mall.

Read Jake and Jason de Paul's review of Paco's Tacos here.

MICHAEL SWAN: THEY PLAY KEYARENA SEPT. 21-22 >>>

Check out the snug new video from Pearl Jam for "The Fixer":

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Abandon Shield: Obama Administration signals it won’t pursue missile-defense shield system in Europe.

Russell Wrestle: Tacoma will still receive state funds earmarked for improvements to help keep Russell Investments in downtown Tacoma.

How They Do It In Kapowsin: Cue ball, corner of temple.

Really?: Duke Energy CEO questions viability of "clean’ coal technology, future of coal."

Really II?: Yet another case of the World Bank screwing things up.

Islamist Suicide Bombers Suck: Explosions rock peacekeeper base in Somalia.

Science!: Scientists discover cure for color blindness.

Tax Soda Pop?: Who call is soda pop anymore anyway. …

Antitrust Scrutiny: Microsoft-Yahoo search deal draws attention.

PAUL SCHRAG: FALL ON HARD TIMES >>>

Oh Tacoma. We know you’re probably broke. If you’re not, go buy some art. If you are â€" like most of us  â€" without funds to fuel a tour of local fine arts offerings, there is still hope.

If there’s one thing we know how to do around here, it’s get by on less. And nobody knows how to feed the hunger for art on the cheap like a Tacoma art enthusiast. Or a Weekly Volcano scribe. Sigh.

Being the benevolent and frugal beings that we are, we have released a sleeper cell of well-trained and terrifically glib monkeys into the Tacoma art scene. We use monkeys because we can pay them with a handful of Skittles. They have spent the last month tracking down soon-to-be opportunities to enjoy some art, with an emphasis on cheap and an emphasis on fall. Thing about monkeys is, they never quite behave the way you’d expect. Honestly, they’re a bunch of crafty little evil motherfuckersrs. So you may see some opportunities that simply appealed to our monkeys and their questionable tastes. If you got left out, it’s their fault. If you’re really upset, send an email to our calendar monkey at calendar@weekly volcano.com with your event info, and we’ll throw firecrackers at several of the other monkeys, and send you an email with pictures. Trust us, they’re demonic, ruthless little beings, and probably deserve it.

Speaking of demonic little beings, this fall will offer a whole pile of opportunities to check out work made by Tacoma artists, for free. The Fall Arts Guide is your guidebook to getting your art fix during what is certain to be a depressing holiday shopping season.

Pick up a copy of our Fall Arts Guide 2009 on the streets today.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: THURSDAY MORNING MUSIC LINK DUMP >>>

Sunny Day Real Estate: The set list from last night's show at Hell's Kitchen.

Video Premiere: Vivian Girls' "When I'm Gone" â€" an evocative performance clip from their new record.

And Another Video: Flaming Lips play new song on Colbert Report.

Neat: Pavement confirm world tour.

LINK: Concert Alert

ALEC CLAYTON: EXCITING MODERN PAINTINGS STEEPED IN HISTORY AND MYTH >>>

Painter Jethaniel Peterka shows a deft touch and a fertile mind in his paintings and assemblages at Fulcrum Gallery. The show is called Losses and Longings, and it presents a record of how Peterka’s work is evolving and how individual works come into being. Paintings over a period of time showing an evolution of style are paired with preliminary studies to give a snapshot of works in progress.

Read my review of the show on the Weekly Volcano Web site here. Then go see it tonight during Third Thursday ArtWalk.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: SOUTH SOUND THEATER SCENE IS SET TO GO OFF >>>

The regular season for most theaters in the South Sound starts this week, so prepare yourself for a steady stream of theater now that the summer slump is over. Cue the sound of rejoicing.

I preview three production on the Weekly Volcano Web site. Check it here.