SUZY STUMP: THREE CHEERS FOR JESSE TURCOTTE! >>>

When Jazzbones hosted the Big Friction Jam in 2007, you could find a damp me on the dance floor every Sunday night. Besides the excellent musicianship, I enjoyed the fact that the scene wasn't an excuse for white guys to wear their hair in dreadlocks and not bathe for weeks at a time. I could dance without feeling nauseous.

But I'm not here to judge. I am but a simple chick who was placed on this earth to tell you where to shake your moneymaker. Smell or no smell, the power of jam bands is in the live show, of course. Who wants to whirl like a dervish in an empty living room? You'd just trip over the futon and break your bong anyway.

I'm thrilled to report that one of the powers that created the Big Friction Jam, Jesse Turcotte, has organized a BFJ reunion Saturday night at Doyle's Public House, which just so happens to be where Turcotte bartends.

The evening will begin with the popular grungy Tacoma hip-hop band The Revengers from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. Afterward, the band will join a few teachers from Seattle's rock school, members of The Higher Vibes (including Turcotte), All Night Yardsale, The Say Hi Band, and assorted musical friends from Tacoma. Expect a funky, bluesy vibe.

If the night is a success, Turcotte might add it into a regular rotation at Doyle's. I plan on sweating up a storm for the cause.

[Doyle's Public House, Saturday, Sept. 5, 9:30 p.m., no cover, 208 Sr. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.PINT]

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

Discuss the above video during happy hour at:

Station 56
5602 S. Washington St., Tacoma, 253.474.1189
Happy Hour: 3-7 p.m. Monday-Friday
Drink Specials: $2 domestic drafts, $3 microbrews, $3 wine
Food Specials: half price appetizers

LINK: Other South Sound happy hours

MICHAEL SWAN: LOCAL FILMMAKERS DISCUSS LOCAL FOOD >>>

University of Puget Sound students Kendle Bjelland and Joseph La Sac are passionate about the local food movement, our environment and the biosphere on a whole. Their passions drove them to produce a documentary about local food in Tacoma, and where it could go in the future, titled Eating Locally in Pierce County.

Through national coverage and local interviews with University of Puget Sound Prof. David N. Balaam of the Department of International Political Economy; Sonya Servine of Good Karma Farm in Roy; and Samantha Gray of Terry’s Berries; the filmmakers explore local food economics, including the fact that farmers markets and community gardens are located where the rich live, far away where people need them most.

Check out this well-made documentary below:

MICHAEL SWAN: WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2, 2009 >>>

1. Taking Woodstock, a film Roger Ebert awarded three stars, continues its run at The Grand Cinema screening at 3:40, 6:15 and 8:45 p.m.

2. Kittredge Gallery hosts an opening reception for Wood and Space by Paul Vexler and Constellations by Maki Tamura from 4-6 p.m.

3. The LEGO Show opens at The Telephone Room with a reception from 5-9 p.m.

4. MacArthur “genius'”award winner, author, UW professor and geomorphologist David Montgomery will hang at the UPS Wheelock Student Center from 6-7:30 p.m. for discussion and audience questions.

5. Rappers M.A.R., Emac, Gangsta Nutt, Intylekt, T Nutty, Young Kapo, Mall, and Mike G will perform at the 54th St. Sports Bar at 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 >>>

New Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist: Promises to “deliver the most bang for the taxpayer’s buck.”

Whatever: Just pay for the Asarco clean up.

New Season: President Obama is considering giving a major speech.

Seven Point Oh No: Powerful earthquake kills 14 in Indonesia.

Suicide Bomb Blast: Deputy chief of intelligence is slain in Afghanistan.

How Amazon Sees It: Congress should be responsible for establishing rules on how to deal with digital copies of books.

How Many Times Have We Heard This: Pantless man accused of harassing neighbor's horse.

Shitty: Man admits crawling into outhouse pit â€" again.

Just. Put. Me. Away.: Man says he robbed bank to get away from wife.

JENNIFER JOHNSON: MY KIND OF PLACE >>>

Marcia’s Silver Spoon Cafe is a need-to-know kind of place. Meaning, if you aren’t a local with a fair understanding of the Nalley Valley, you’d never know about the area’s best greasy spoon. Tucked along the industrial warehouses, Marcia’s Silver Spoon Café serves large platters of hot off the grill specialties such as hand rolled omelets, pancakes, patty melts, fish baskets and more. 

It’s a no-frills kind of place. Nothing matches, and the décor is tacky. But I wouldn’t want it any other way. 

The country fried steak swims in gravy with two eggs, hash browns and toast â€" but mostly, it takes nearly two plates to hold up the goods.

The omelets are equally large, and the ingredients inside are surprisingly fresh and crisp. The Denver omelet is one of the best I’ve tried. 

Breakfast is served all day, except the pancakes as large as my head and the scrambles end at 11 a.m. on weekdays.

The staff is friendly, and the gravy is thick.

[Marcia’s Silver Spoon Café, 2601 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.472.0157]

LINK: Previously in the Weekly Volcano

JENNIFER JOHNSON: INDIAN FOOD COMING TO GIG HARBOR >>>

Tacoma’s popular East Indian restaurant will soon have a sister site. Baring any unforeseen hindrances, the target opening weekend for Gateway to India in Gig Harbor is Sept. 19 and 20.

“Prices will stay the same,” promises co-owner C.J. Singh, who runs the front of house while co-owner and brother Surinder handles the kitchen.

“Everything Tacoma lacks, Gig Harbor will offer,” he adds.

C.J. refers to parking issues in the Sixth Avenue Business District, poor air conditioning, and no outside seating. Extra broilers in a bigger kitchen mean more entrees, more meat dishes and the ability to offer larger varieties of foods from around India.

A full bar will be available for cocktail service.

“Expect lots of small plate appetizers that are more fresh, not fried, and healthy,” he continues. “However, authentic Northern Indian fare will remain the menu staple ... as in Tacoma.”

[Gateway to India, 6565 Kimball Dr., Gig Harbor, 253.552.5022]

LINK: Gateway to India in Tacoma

SUZY STUMP: GET READY FOR ANOTHER SLIDE SLAM >>>

If you can't say it in 6 minutes and 40 seconds, don't say it at all. That's the theory behind Pecha Kucha, a sort of mini lecture series that started in 2003 when Tokyo architects invented it to make their PowerPoint presentations less dreadful. Pech Kucha (pronounced "peh chak cha") is the Japanese word for chit-chat. It’s now the new rage in more than 200 cities â€" drawing creative types from all walks of life to show off their knowledge and mad presentation skills.

A Tacoma version packed The New Frontier Lounge back in June. The big turnout, plus the great speakers, reflects the strength of Tacoma's growing cultural community.

Each presenter is allowed to present 20 slides, at 20 seconds each. It's a fast-paced, exciting way to learn about our local artistic community.

Pecha Kucha Tacoma #2 moves into the Robert Daniel Gallery Wednesday featuring an “Identity” theme with presentations by Jason Ramay (Architectural Identity), Erik Hanberg (Online Identity), sweet pea (Gender Identity/Genderfuck); Derek Lunde (Branding Identity), Brandon Sherry (Identity Theft), Nori Kimura (Cultural Identity), Michael Soddard (Place, Name, & Identity), Nancy Worden (Jewelry & Identity) and Joeski (Graffiti Identity).

Expect the presenters to expound upon their private worlds, credos, outlooks or whatever in this visual quickie with strict restraints.

MICHAEL SWAN: THE BAND GIVES US A TASTE >>>

Seattle rock band Visqueen has released its first single, “Hands Me Down,” off its new album, Message To Garcia!, which drops Tuesday, Sept. 8.

MICHAEL SWAN: LIVE KARAOKE AT RAINIERS GAME TOMORROW >>>

The Tacoma Rainiers just sent us this press release:

The Tacoma Rainiers party decks will be rocking prior to tomorrow night's Rainiers games vs. the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
 
With the help of the Live Karaoke band Star Machine (they perform at The Swiss and Muckleshoot Casino) 10 local karaoke finalists will test out their pipes to be Tacoma's Best Karaoke singer.  The panel of judges will include Rainiers pitcher Andy Baldwin.

 
The finalists were picked from four previous contests that took place the past few weeks at E-9, The Swiss, West End and Jazzbones.

 
All the action will kick-off at 5:30 on the terrace level of the Rainiers left field party decks at Cheney Stadium.
 
The grand prize winner will walk away with a trip for two to San Diego which includes airfare, hotel and tickets to a San Diego Padres game all provided by Muckleshoot Casino.

Sound like a fun night.

What I'd like to see is Sports Karaoke where I can announce the play-by-play action.