HERE IS HOW THE WEEKLY VOLCANO SEES THE FILMMAKING CONTEST GOING DOWN NEXT MONTH >>>

It's 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 29, and sitting scattered in The Grand Cinema's theater seats are amateur filmmakers representing 30 teams - all listening to the rules of The Grand's 72 Hour Film Festival.

"We're going to win it," Tacoma artist Teddy Haggerty yells - thinking Alec Baldwin is going to burst into the theater any second. "We're going to kill it."

The competition Haggerty expects to "kill" - the Grand's annual 72 Hour Film Festival - has drawn the aforementioned filmmaking production teams to Tacoma to produce a short film from April 29-May 2. The rules are simple: each team has 72 hours to write, shoot and edit one 5-minute film. Each team is required to turn in their finished product by 7 p.m. May 2, and all films must include a few components, like a specific situation, prop, action and line of dialogue or location. The Grand mixes it up each year, so each team will not know the specific requirements until April 29.

Once the competition is completed, a panel of judges will select the best overall film, best use of prop, best line of dialogue and best use of required action - among many other categories — at the fetsival's screening May 7 at the Rialto Theater. The coveted Audience Award will also be bestowed upon a team of lucky 72-hour filmmakers.

Only a few minutes before hearing the criteria, Haggerty and his team are unfazed by the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

"Give me the makings for a silent horror taco truck vendor story," Haggerty jokes. "I don't care."

Thursday, April 29, 7 p.m.

"I can't stand the suspense," Haggerty says, running up the theater aisle slapping each seat like he's Wolverine. "I'm so freaking excited."

The 30 teams anxiously wait to hear this year's 72 Hour Film Festival criteria.

Then, out of nowhere, The Grand's Executive Director Philip Cowan is front and center holding a scroll. 

Cowan wastes no time. He lets the scroll unravel to the floor, looks left ... looks right ... then flatly says:

"Required prop: Noxzema shaving cream; required action: speaking even when told not to by Gwen Stefani; required situation: dynamite blows up rock, scissors cut fuse; required dialogue: ‘Flash me in such an oblique way that I can still post the pics on Facebook!'"

He pauses.

"Now go."

Such specifics from Cowan garner groans from most of the crowd.

Initially, the four requirements don't sound like a good fit for Haggerty and his crew, who don't know who Stefani is, and don't have much use for shaving cream. Plus, "They don't want unicorns, which really kills all my creative juices," Haggerty adds, seeming momentarily dejected before catching his second creative wind.

"Now we take this and turn it into the winning short film," he says, walking out of the theater.

Thursday, April 29, 7:30 p.m.

All 10 members of Haggertonians gather in the freezing Old City Hall tower. The space serves as the team's home for an intense brainstorming session.

Chairs are quickly arranged in a square, and ideas immediately shoot across the space.

Haggerty spits out the first idea. As is his style, it involves unicorns, which the Stefani chick can ride. But other team members have doubts.

To be continued... (Maybe)

Get your 72 Hour Film Festival tickets

The Grand Cinema with host the 2010 72 Hour Film Festival screening Friday, May 7 at the Rialto in downtown Tacoma. 

Everyone is invited to enjoy this collaboration of 30 films written, directed and produced by local filmmakers. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the films will begin at 7. Tickets are available for $13 general admission or $11 for Grand Cinema members. You can purchase tickets by stopping by the Grand Cinema, or by visiting The Grand's Web site. Tickets will be available at the Rialto Theater's ticket office May 7 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Day of event ticket prices will be $15 GA, $13 members.

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2010 >>>

1. While a college student at The New School, Melissa Febos spent four years working as a dominatrix in a midtown dungeon. In her book Whip Smart she charts how unchecked risk-taking eventually gave way to a course of self-destruction. She'll discuss her adventures at 6 p.m. inside Orca Books.

2. Paddy Coyne's Irish Pub's Trivia Tuesday pits teams against each other at 7 p.m..

3. The national tour of Cats hits the Washington Center's stage at 7:30 p.m.

4. Le Voyeur Cafe and Lounge hosts Titans Of Industry and Thralls at 9 p.m.

5. Host Kareem Kandi hosts an open jazz jam at 9 p.m. inside Sax Restaurant and Lounge.

LINK: Movie showtimes in the South Sound

HOW TACO VOTING WENT DOWN ON MONDAY, MARCH 29 >>>

The final day of Round Two voting saw several close taco battles.

Here were yesterday's match-ups:

Hidalgo Mexican Restaurant vs. El Tenampa

MI Tres Amigos vs. Tacos Guaymas

Taqueria Burrito Loco vs. Los Amigos Mexican Food

Powerhouse Restaurant and Brewery vs. Engine House No. 9

Hidalgo squeaked by El Tenampa with 51.5 percent of the votes. Looks as if voters agree with Tacoma Mama.

In the battle for Lakewood, Taco Guaymas grabbed 62.2 percent of the votes yesterday over MI Tres Amigos. Will MI Tres Amigos voters back Guaymas when it takes on Moctezuma's tomorrow? According to past games they'll need to.

In the third game, Taqueria Burrito Loco edged out Los Amigos Mexican Food by one vote.

In the last battle of Round Two, and honestly a bit of surprise, the Powerhouse Restaurant and Brewery in Puyallup put out the fire of Engine House No. 9 with 61.9 percent of the votes. E9's 30-year-old taco recipe couldn't handle the Power.

Confused? Read our Tournament of Tacos introduction here.

Today's games are on. Vote here.

TUESDAY, MARCH 30: SPICY 16 >>>

More people than we anticipated voted in the Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Tacos Readers' Poll so far and - although we might have disagreed with a couple of your picks - most of you have shown remarkable taste. Most of the competitions were no surprise - like Vuelve a la Vida, Tacos Guaymas, Los Tres Hermanos, Taqueria La Fondita and Masa moving on thanks to their hordes of loyal fans - but a few dark horse taco joints managed to buck the pundits and turn out the vote.

Really? Matador is out? Have you people tasted their tacos?

Anyway, the Spicy 16 begins today. Here are four tough battles:

GAME 1: Los Reyes Del Taco (6308 McKinley Ave., Tacoma) vs. Vuelve A La Vida (5312 Pacific Ave., Tacoma)

Vuelve A La Vida started up in 1995. Six months after its inception, the owner sold it to the mysteriously named Senor Douglas, who's owned it ever since. Most people know the joint for its authentic Mexican food, featuring prizes such as tongue and goat and featuring banners boasting "no chips & salsa." You get a real feeling that you're being taken care of by real artisans who know just what they're doing. Vuelve takes on another sit-down restaurant Los Reyes Del Taco that serves authentic, tasty tacos. This one should be close.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

GAME 2: Masa (2811 6th Ave., Tacoma vs. El Toro (various locations)

Both of these entities crushed the shells of all their competitors. El Toro has the numbers. Masa has the creativity. Let's get ready to rumble.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

GAME 3: Taqueria La Fondita (South 38th and South G streets, Tacoma) vs. Los Tres Hermanos (2728 S 12th St., Tacoma)

You're looking at two of the most popular taco trucks in Tacoma. Do you drive past one and cross Interstate 5 to grab the goods from the other? Is one that good? Vote for your favorite.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

GAME 4: Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe (3529 McKinley Ave., Tacoma) vs. Hell's Kitchen (928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma)

The first three taco battles will be fierce. Top of Tacoma Bar and Café vs. Hell's Kitchen could end relationships, cause car title exchanges, fill the tattoo shops with sad faces.    

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Tomorrow's Spicy 16 Taco Battles

Game 1: El Rinconsito vs. Hidalgo Mexican Restaurant

Game 2: Moctezuma's vs. Tacos Guaymas

Game 3: Los Tres Hermanos vs. Taqueria Burrito Loco

Game 4: Tijuana Taco vs. Powerhouse Restaurant and Brewery

Confused? Read our Tournament of Tacos introduction here.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Teri Hatcher has teamed up with Disney Family to launch her own women's lifestyle Web site. I bet women are so pumped.

Crosscut wrote about unsolved Northwest mysteries.

This is only half of CNN.

As technology screws with their livelihoods, 18,000 rickshaw drivers in India remain loyal to their jobs despite warnings.

A hotel custodian calls in a bomb threat so he could have a day off.

Happy birthday Slow Hand!

THE SPICY 16 IS ON >>>

Day one of the Tournament of Tacos Spicy 16 competition has kicked off. As of right now, Vuelve a la Vida has a 70.6 percent lead over Los Reyes Del Taco, Masa leads El Toro with 79.3 percent of the vote, Taqueria La Fondita and Los Tres Hermanos are dead even, and Top of Tacoma Bar and Café is ahead of Hell's Kitchen with 58.3 percent of the vote.

Today's voting ends at 11:45 p.m. Vote here.

Also, our call for taco-related tattoos has been answered. Dylan sent us a photo of his tattoo.

Nice.

If you have a taco tat send us a photo of it here.

THIS JUST IN >>>

Johanna Gardner and crew sent out a notice looking for support for the Urban Art Festival held this summer in downtown Tacoma.

The staff of the Urban Art Festival has announced that this year's event will take place Sunday, June 27 at People's Park in Tacoma. The all-day festival, now in its 6th year, strives to make art more accessible to the community through multiple live music stages, DJs, spoken word, graffiti, burlesque, belly dance, stilt walkers, fashion shows, performance art, craft vendors, and kid-friendly activities.

The Urban Art Festival is currently seeking performers in all mediums, vendors, artists, and volunteers.

Sponsors like YOU & local business owners are a crucial part to keeping this local community event going!

Several sponsorship levels are available and in-kind donations are gladly accepted.

Event details and vendor information is available at www.TacomaUrbanArt.com.

An Urban Art Festival benefit show will be held Wednesday, March 31 at Hell's Kitchen. The 9 p.m. show features Shotgun Kitchen, Sugar Beats and Voxxy Vallejo. Admission is $5.

LINK: Photos of the 2008 Urban Art Festival

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010 >>>

1. At 9 a.m., the City of Tacoma in partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation, will host a ribbon cutting celebration on the Murray Morgan Bridge to commemorate the completion of the re-cabling work and the turnback agreement for said bridge. Most likely there's will be cupcakes, too.

2. Peterson Toscano, playwright, actor, comedian, and gay activist, will be performing his play, Transfigurations: Transgressing Gender in the Bible, at 7 p.m. inside the Schneebeck Concert Hall at the University of Puget Sound. The one-person play explores the lives of transgender individuals using stories from the Hebrew and Christian scriptures in a controversial performance that has been described as funny, moving, and insightful by audiences on three continents.

3. Kim Archer performs an all-ages show at 7 p.m. inside the Tempest Lounge.

4. The Slow Poisoner, Right On John and Mosquito Bandito play an 8 p.m. show at Bob's Java Jive.

5. The Urban Art Festival hosts a fundraising show featuring Shotgun Kitchen, Sugar Beats and Voxxy Vallejo at 9 p.m. inside Hell's Kitchen.

LINK: Movie showtimes in the South Sound

HOW TACO VOTING WENT DOWN ON TUESDAY, MARCH 30 >>>

Yesterday's vote tally was double the previous highest total in the Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Tacos. According to the stats, it's obvious one local Mexican restaurant chain had something to do with that fact.

Here were yesterday's match-ups:

Los Reyes Del Taco vs. Vuelve a la Vida

Masa vs. El Toro

Taqueria La Fondita vs. Los Tres Hermanos

Top of Tacoma Bar & Cafe vs. Hell's Kitchen

No contest here, either in flavor or popularity: Vuelve A La Vida takes the voting handily with 60 percent of the votes over Los Reyes Del Taco and moves on to the Elote Eight.

Holy crap! Turnout for this contest was like the turnout at a dunk-the-banker booth at the Taste of Tacoma! Both Masa and El Toro did their darndest to mobilize their base, and though Masa ran out to an early lead, El Toro fans had an amazing, jaw-dropping late afternoon push that had the stamina to carry through the evening and snatch victory from the fancy Sixth Avenue joint with nearly 200 more votes. Unbelievable.

Huddled in the parking lots around paper plates in the rain, voters agreed that Taqueria La Fondita's fresh tortillas are exceptional. And the meat is pretty damn fine, too. Yes, while battle for "King of the Taco Trucks" seesawed all day, in final couple hours last night Taqueria La Fondita on 38^th Street pulled ahead of Los Tres Hermanos winning by eight votes.

From the very beginning, Top of Tacoma Bar & Cafe has been the powerhouse of the gritty bar competitors. Although they don't make their tortillas in-house, their meat is tasty and the price is right, especially on 253 Taco Thursday when they're 75 cents a pop. They blitzed through the first couple rounds as if unopposed, then soundly defeated tough competitor Hell's Kitchen last night with 54.3 percent of the vote.

There you go. Half of the Elote Eight seeds have been set. Vuelve a la Vida, El Toro, Taqueria La Fondita and Top of Tacoma Bar & Café will sit back with a smile and watch the remaining eight tacos battle it out today for the final four slots.

Confused? Read our Tournament of Tacos introduction here.

Today's games are on. Vote here.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31: SPICY 16 >>>

You must admit: in a town full of dining options, you lust after your taco as a teenage girl pines for Orlando Bloom. Tortillas, meat, onions, cilantro and sometimes cheese - the things of dreams. Burger King might try to tempt you with A.1.® Steakhouse XT^TM Burger and Funnel Cake Sticks but its delicious titling fails: Taco, it is your heart that it has taken.

Here are the last eight taco joints in the Spicy 16. Vote now.

Game 1: El Rinconsito (72^nd Street and Pacific Avenue, Tacoma) vs. Hidalgo Mexican Restaurant (806 72^nd St. E., Tacoma)

El Rinconsito's spicy meats are a real contender for the crown.  Bolstered by their new location and loyal following, they could prove a tough match-up for their 72^nd Street competition.  Hidalgo, however, has shown a lot of fight defeating the likes of Bonita Restaurant and El Tenampa. 

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Game 2: Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant (4102 S. 56^th St., Tacoma) vs. Tacos Guaymas (10105 S. Tacoma Way, Lakewood)

Tacos Guaymas has had an easy time dispatching the competition up to this point.  But this battle for a birth to the Elote Eight may prove more of a challenge. Moctezuma's has the history and easy defeats (Puerto Vallarta and Azteca) in the first two rounds.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Game 3: La Huerta International Market #2 (5605 Pacific Avenue South) vs. Taqueria Burrito Loco (5502 Orchard Street West, University Place)

La Huerta #2 is making a strong run at the Elote Eight as most predicted.  However, they must first get by University Place's hidden taco gem Burrito Loco.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Game 4: Tijuana Taco (10005 Bristol Ave. SW, Lakewood) vs. Powerhouse Restaurant and Brewery (454 E. Main, Puyallup)

Rumor has it Tijuana Taco owner Rocky has the crew up early, drinking glasses of raw eggs and working hard (we're not letting this story line die) on their tacos for this match-up against the surprising contender Powerhouse Restaurant.  The Puyallup Brewery is riding high coming off a big win over Engine House No. 9.   

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Confused? Read our Tournament of Tacos introduction here.