RON SWARNER: SEATTLE CLUB OWNER'S LIFE CELEBRATED SATURDAY IN TACOMA >>>

Memorial services for Lee Rea, owner of the famed Seattle music club during the ‘90s, The Off Ramp, will be held Saturday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m. at the New Heart Metropolitan Community Church and United Church of Christ at 759 S. 45th St. in Tacoma. Rea, who passed away on Sept. 13, helped to launch the careers of Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and other bands.

In addition to the great shows and cheap strong drinks at The Off Ramp, Rea also offered “hash after the bash” breakfast. My friends and I would chow down on the grub before heading home. It saved us many times.

The service is open to the public.

MICHAEL SWAN: SATURDAY, SEPT. 26, 2009 >>>

1. The Tacoma Musical Playhouse and Studio 6 Dance present Dancing with the Tacoma Stars featuring “prominent” Tacoma stars such as U.S. Congressman Adam Smith and State Senator Debbie Regala, both of whom will be dancing their asses off, from 5:30-11:30 p.m. at The Landmark Convention Center.

2. Those interested in the revitalization of South Tacoma might want to attend the home buyer’s fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the South Park Community Center located at 4851 South Tacoma Way. Just saying.

3. Enjoy complimentary admission to four of Tacoma's favorite museums on Museum Day today in honor of Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day. Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, Museum of Glass, Tacoma Art Museum, and Washington State History Museum all will extend free admission to visitors.

4. The Olympia Film Society is presenting What You Got! The 6th Annual Olympia Youth and Young Adult Expression Fest â€" a celebration of youth-teen culture â€" from 1 p.m. to midnight at the Capitol Theater.
 
Brotherhood Of The Black Squirrel and Ten Miles Of Bad Road play Krickett’s Lounge in Parkland at 8 p.m.

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: Local movie starting times

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

MICHAEL SWAN: PUYALLUP FAIR, SATURDAY, SEPT. 26, 2009 >>>

Check it: Deals and discounts. Snug.

Things to do today

10 a.m.: One Voice, Education Stage

12 p.m.: Deadliest Catch â€" Meet Scott Hillstrand and Jake Anderson, Grand Ave. and Midway Blvd.

1 p.m.: Western Music & Country Poetry, Oldfield Western Heritage Center

1:30 p.m.: Bird Carving, Hobby Hall

2 p.m.: Draft Horse & Driving Demonstrations, W.H. Paulhamus Arena

2 p.m.: Mutton Bustin', Green Gate Area

4 p.m.: Knitting, Pavilion, 2nd Floor

5:30 p.m.: Daily Parade, throughout grounds

6 p.m.: WSU Food Preservation, Pavilion Kitchen, 2nd Floor

7:30 p.m.: Lads & Ladies Lead, Large Show Arena

7:30 p.m.: Third Day, Toby Mac, Grandstand

More things to do today here

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.

MATT DRISCOLL: THE FABULOUS WAILERS CD RELEASE PARTY >>>

Much of the time, the phone calls I get here at Weekly Volcano World Headquarters are ones to avoid. It usually means I’ve written something that pissed someone off, or it’s just Robert “the Traveller” Hill calling to fill me in on his latest bizarre escapade.

However, sometimes the phone calls are exciting, like the one I got from Kent Morrill of The Fabulous Wailers this week.

According to Morrill, Stonegate Pizza â€" a new spot on South Tacoma way that we’ve been hearing rumblings about for some time â€" will officially open today.

And guess who’s going to be there? That’s right. Morrill and his band will be in the house to help kick things off right, debuting a new Fabulous Wailers album in the process, Rooster Rock â€" which will be officially released on the very same day.

Of the new record, Morrill explains that Rooster Rock is a tribute of sorts to all the people who’ve influenced the Fabulous Wailers over the years, from Little Richard to Fats Domino. Snug.

UPDATE: Though we reported earlier today that there would be no booze tonight at Stonegate, about a half hour before the show started the venue's liquor license came through - and the booze probably flowed. We apologize for the scare.

[Stonegate Pizza, Saturday, Sept. 26, 9 p.m., $15, 5421 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.473.2255]

OWEN TAYLOR: AND A LITTLE ABOUT WHITE BOSS, TOO >>>

Last week, I spent some time sipping on a fancy beer at Le Voyeur in glorious downtown Olympia, soaking in the scent and bullshitting with my Alaskan cohort and White Boss frontman, Jean Nagai. If there are two permanent things in this wonderful little seaport, one will be the lingering aroma of Le Voyeur sinking its claws into your very essence, announcing your previous whereabouts to the trained nose.

The other is the eventual destination of all conversations on Fourth Ave. steering into the age-old question â€" “Any good shows coming up?” My conversation with Nagai had traveled past nostalgic revelry of Nazi roommates and Yupik walrus hunts and into this fertile ground. Nagai replied that White Boss would be playing tonight at Old School Pizzeria for what is allegedly the last Sex Vid show in Oly for quite a while, as Judd Taylor & Co have opted for the greener pizzerias of Austin, Texas.

With Ironlung and the always-formidable Thrones rounding out the lineup, I don’t know why you’d be anywhere else tonight, unless you were getting paid for it.

[Old School Pizzeria, with White Boss, Ironlung, Thrones, Saturday, Sept. 26, 9 p.m., $6, 108 Franklin St., Olympia, 360.786.9640]

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY: BAND BRING GOOD TIDINGS TONIGHT >>>

As a fan of music, what attracts you to a band? Don’t be afraid; it’s just you and me here. Well, if you ask me (which you didn’t) it boils down to two criteria: exuberance and innovation. We’ll get to exuberance in a second, but first I want to talk about innovation. What Christmas brings to the table is a slapdash twist on punk. Their music mashes together rockabilly and surf and squeezes it through a punk mold, sounding at once sloppy and technically impressive.

I don’t want to sound like one of those morons who wanted to have a beer with our ex-President, but I kind of just want to hang out and drink with Christmas. They exude good will, and that’s mighty rare.

Read the full story here.

[The 808 House, Christmas with Moon Runners, Head Bangs, Little Teeth, Medicine Breath, Saturday, Sept. 26, 8 p.m., $2, 808 N. Union Ave., Tacoma]

MARK THOMAS DEMING: PUT ON SOME TAFFETA >>>

The party, which will benefit the Boots ‘n Breeches therapeutic horsemanship charity, will begin at Doyle’s tonight at 6 p.m.

After a round or two, everyone will jump on their bikes and ride to the Robert Daniel Gallery.

Big Al Brewing will provide the beer.

Cycles Gladiator, a bike-themed cabernet sauvignon, will be the vino.

The Fucking Eagles, James Hillborne and the Painkillers, and Naked Bacon will provide the tunes.

Volunteer chefs will deliver the food.

Organizer TW will deliver the calendar girls.

Read the full story here.

[Doyle’s Public House, Saturday, Sept. 26, 6 p.m., 208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7468]

[Robert Daniel Gallery, The Fucking Eagles, James Hillborne and the Painkillers, Naked Bacon, Saturday, Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m., $15 (includes show and food), 2501 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, 253.227.1407]

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

The Luzon is actually coming down: like, right now.

Oh, the disgrace: Glenn Beck is from around here, and he's back today.

One night in the Waldorf-Astoria: Talking Iran nukes.

Where's the cash?: That's what the Snoqaulmie Tribe is asking.

Dawgs in Palo Alto: Another big test this evening for UW

By the way, it's Saturday!

MICHAEL SWAN: SNAPPED A FEW SHOTS >>>

Despite last ditch efforts to save the Luzon building at South 13th and Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma from demolition, folks in hard hats began destroying the 119-year-old building around 7:30 a.m. this morning. Here are a few pictures:

LINK: More photos on the Photo Hot Spot

RON SWARNER: CAUGHT THEIR SETS AT O’MALLEY’S LAST NIGHT >>>

With bands like Wilco, Califone, and so many others pushing alt-country/Americana into vital new (usually ambient or experimental) territory, it's nice to see a local act weigh in with its own interpretation. Ryan Purcell and the Last Round centers on the compellingly gritty songwriting of Purcell.

Singer/guitarist Purcell has a knack for making themes of disappointment and loss irresistible not only with his dry humor but also with the effortless beauty in his hooks. Nonetheless, it's his versatile accompanying cast â€" singer/guitarist/brother Evan Purcell, singer/drummer/comedian Doug Mackey, keyboardist Charley Rowan and bassist Peter Devidson that gives the music â€" a mix of country, blues, soul, folk and "drinking rock" â€" additional depth, personality, and edge.

Bravo.