INSIDE TODAY'S WEEKLY VOLCANO >>>

An Olympic classic: A taste of the creative dishes of art and entertainment that Olympia has to offer by Nikki Talotta

Nature's Spirit: It's good to see another new gallery in town by Alec Clayton

Slouching Toward Utopia: Defining vandalism by Joe Malik

Beautiful, sure, but ...: Tacoma Musical Playhouse's Flower Drum Song needs more skin by Joann Varnell

LINK: South Sound arts and entertainment calendar

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010 >>>

1. Olympia Spring Arts Walk - a celebration of Earth and art - is proof Oly knows how to have a good time. It's one huge block party. It's a great place to bring the kids during the day and then hit the bars at night. All of downtown Olympia is transformed into a giant smorgasbord of food, fun, art and music for an entire weekend, more specifically this weekend - April 23-24. As part of Art Walk artist Skie Bender will hold a 5 p.m. reception for her new paintings inspired by the Oly Roller Derby Girls at King of Olympia at 206 Fourth Ave. W. For more Art Walk best bets, click here.

2. The Grand Cinema will screen the Israeli film Ajami, one of the five Oscar nominees for best foreign-language film, at 3:15, 6 and 8:45 p.m.

3. Being earnest is important. Just ask Oscar Wilde. Of course, after debuting The Importance of Being Earnest in 1895, Wilde would never write again. Damn Marquess of Queensberry! According to Wikipedia, the dastardly Queensberry attempted to throw vegetables at Wilde on opening night. Though he failed, it was just the beginning of the real-life drama that would end Wilde's career. Anyway, Paradise Theatre stages the play at 8 p.m. The Gig Harbor theater company will be checking for vegetables at the door.

4. The BareFoot Collective presents MOBILIZE, an evening of concert dance at 8 p.m. inside the Jan Collum Ballroom at the Merlino Arts Center. Co-Directors Carrie Goodnight M.F.A. and Amanda Herman M.F.A. will be presenting four new works as well as showcasing the talents of choreographers Ellie Klopp and Nicole Sasala of The Asterisk Project.  

5. The über talented singer-songwriter Camille Bloom holds a sneaky peek for her latest EP, Sneak, at 8 p.m. inside the Mandolin Café.

(6.) OK, we need to sneak one more in: Shakespeare-a-thon at the Speakeasy Arts Cooperative. We have seen Shakespeare in the Parking Lot practice twice for the event. It looks like a good one.

LINK: More Arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: New movies open today

NOSH PIT >>>

Lunch Delivery: The Northern Pacific Coffee Co. delivers lunch in a five-mile radius from its location at 401 Garfield St. S. next to Pacific Lutheran University. Sandwiches, wraps, burritos and appetizers are a few minutes away when you dial 253.537.8338.

Last Day For Martini Lunch: Salty's at Redondo Beach $19.99 "3-Martini Lunch" offer ends today. No, this isn't some sort of Mad Men lunch. Seafood ceviche, warm seafood salad and chocolate tiramisu are served in martini glasses. The Weekly Volcano's visit, of course, will be a 4-Martini Lunch. Reserve your spot at 253.946.0636.

Future Things Are Coming: The Vault will hold its 10th Annual Mother's Day Brunch inside the Varsity Grill on Sunday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Expect all your brunch favorites like omelets, prime rib, honey ham, fresh seafood, pastas, a variety of desserts and more. Not sure if the game will be on or not. Reserve your space at 253.572.2933.

Dining Out For Life: Thursday, April 29, restaurants in Pierce and Thurston counties will donate 25 percent of their food revenue to local AIDS service organizations as part of Dining Out For Life. Now in its 16^th year, the list of participating restaurants is impressive. Check the list out here. Of note, Tournament of Tacos competitors El Toro Downtown, Funky Iguana, La Fondita Mexican Restaurant, Masa, and The Swiss will be participating.

Happy Hour Suggestion: 1022 South on Hilltop Tacoma

Food Matters: The next on-screen food queen?

LINK: Wine and beer tastings, dinners and events

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

LINK: Send us your restaurant and lounge news

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

SURF/GARAGE ROCK: A better title might have been When Kustom Kulture Kollides. A fundraiser for HOTROD-A-RAMA (held Aug. 6-7 in Tacoma), tonight's party features the blistering, balls-out garage rock of Red Hex, the loud two-minute bursts and absurd vulgarity of Johnny Cheeseburger & The Cum Bunnies, the slammin' surf rock of Stafford & The Bentz Bros., and the high-octane rockabilly and surf mix of '63 Burnout. Friday, April 23, 8 p.m., $8, The Swiss, 1904 Jefferson Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2821 - Michael Swan

INDIE ROCK SINGER-SONGWRITER: DavidBazan - probably best known for Pedro the Lion - once again returns to Tacoma for what should certainly be another memorable, all ages friendly performance in T-town - this time at Urban Grace Church. The young and old alike can find something to get behind in the reluctant singer/songwriter's gut wrenchingly painful yet still beautifully melancholy song crafting style. Uber talented and young Tacoma band Hail opens the show. Friday, April 23, 8 p.m. all ages, $10, Urban Grace Church, 912 Market St., Tacoma, 253.272.2184 - Matt Driscoll

GLAM METAL: Way back in the day I pissed off (I think) Tacoma's spandex-clad, glam metal rockers Splendid Vengance by calling them gimmicky, or hair-spray-y, or something. I can't really remember. It was a long time ago. Plus, it's tough to tell what's serious with these guys and what's tongue in cheek. Would guys in full '80s regalia, rocking out with their figurative cocks out, really get upset that some punk like me might poke fun at them? That seems unlikely - but I've always encouraged drama for the sake of moving papers, and I'm not going to change now. What seems certain is Splendid Vengance will put on one of the most entertaining shows this week has to offer. With Mahnhammer, Careless Eaters, Big Wheel Stunt Show, and Vile Red Falcons, Friday, April 23, 9 p.m., $5, Hell's Kitchen, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003 - MD

OLYMPIA ART WALK: Bands will be performing in every nook and cranny of downtown Olympia tonight. We recommend a few must-see Art Walk gigs here.

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

COUNTDOWN TO THE GRAND'S 72-HOUR COMPETITION >>>

Big Jim had close to two decades, a budget as rare as unobtainium, and a crew of hundreds to bring his space cat opera to the screen.

You, on the other hand, have three days.

Welcome to The Grand Cinema's 72-hour Film Festival. As one of the 30 teams signed up, you begin your mission Thursday, April 29 and have until the night of Sunday, May 2 to complete your magnum opus.

In short, prepare yourself for one exhilarating - and maddening - weekend.

Read more...

The Weekly Volcano follows the people you're too embarrassed to >>>

Just like most good, new-age, social media applications, Twitter allows people to share and be privy to once personal, almost wholly pointless information about peoples' lives. It's seemingly endless. While Twitter is mostly full of everyday, ho-hum people - just like you and me, sharing info about what type of oatmeal we ate for breakfast and where we get our hair cut - Twitter is also a magnet for the moderately-famous.

Stars of yesterday, illiterate millionaire athletes, former cast members of Saved By the Bell - you can follow them all, intimately, on Twitter.

But, you've got standards. We get that. Following @TimTebow on Twitter isn't going to look cool (#Denverisclosetoheaven).

That's why we'll do it for you, in a feature we like to call Weekly Volcano Twitter Stalker.

This week, checking in with...

Justin Bieber

April 13: Bieber strolls down teenage Canadian memory lane

"It's wild..this was the morning I got signed just 2 years ago. very grateful." via Web, 8:14 p.m.

April 11: Bieber has a laugh

"Justin Bieber Sucks is a trending topic...that is awesome." via Web, 7:38 p.m.

April 9: Bieber chums around at SNL

"At SNL rehearsals with this guy..."  via Echofon, 6:00 p.m.

Tune in next week for more Twitter stalking from the Weekly Volcano

ADD ANOTHER ONE TO THE LIST >>>

Finally, after what was probably about five seconds but what seemed to me like a year later, I spoke the all-important words: "I'll start off with a Michael Collins, please." Of course, it was probably obvious to everyone around me, including the lovely Paddy Coyne's server Brianne, that I've "started off" a long time ago - like around 1993 - but that's beside the point, isn't it? She seemed quite pleased with my order as it officially made me a potential member of her club - and by that I mean the Paddy Coyne's Irish Club.

I told Pappi Swarner that he left Paddy Coyne's Irish Club off his South Sound eating and drinking challenge story. He directed me to grab information on the club and report back. So as am ... as a potential member. I have accepted the challenge of drinking the 25 signature Paddy Coyne's beverages - aiming for my name to be placed with the others behind Paddy Coyne's bar. Before my name can be added, I'll have to polish off the 25 drinks four times. Performing the task once earns me a T-shirt and a membership card, which is nice since I'll receive 10 percent discount every time I plop my fat ass in one if Paddy Coyne's dark, but cozy booths. If I drink the list twice, I'll be able to hang the Paddy Coyne's Membership Jacket in my closet next to my Member's Only jacket.

I'll keep you updated on my progress. If you want to play at home, I've polished off a shot of Michael Collins and a pint of Harp. The remaining drinks are Irish beers, Irish whiskies and Irish-themed drinks such as an Irish Car Bomb and Irish Hot Toddy. Wish me luck.

On a side note, you must try Paddy Coyne's Irish BLTC sandwich ($10.95) – if you enjoy sharp, salty buttery goodness. Imagine house made sweet soda bread, marinated in butter for a year (can't confirm that fact), sliced open, grilled then make room for salty Irish rashers (think ham), mayo, sharp white cheddar, tomato and very crisp lettuce. It was a fork and knife task that required half a tree in napkins. All that said it was devilishly delicious. The colossal dish arrived with a thousand shoestring fries, too.

[Paddy Coyne's Irish Pub, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday-Sunday (includes breakfast options), 815 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.6963]

BUST OUT OF YOUR CAVE TOMORROW >>>

What to wear? What to wear?

Tomorrow night marks Kristofer Nystrom's next Bicycle Booze Cruz. The popular, sporadic gathering of 30 to 35 booze-loving bicycle riders in Tacoma's North End will raise their kickstands around 7 p.m. in front of Magoo's Annex and Eatery on North 21^st and head off into the night. Some will ride cruisers. Some will ride racing bikes. Some will dress as Eskimos. Some will dress as if they're in the Tour de France. They all will be looking for their next drink.

The riders typically visit four bars/taverns in the North End and/or downtown Tacoma area during the Booze Cruz. They peddle a mile and a half between drinks. And they don't decide the ride's route until after the first drink at the starting line.

"It's a fun event - not a race - that sees all sorts of bikes, abilities and costumes," says Nystrom. "That's what's cool about the event. We're just one big, friendly pack of riders."

Every ride is tagged with a theme. Tomorrow's ride is called the Cabin Fever Grind Out, which Nystrom doesn't fully have a handle on how it will play out - costume wise.

"It all about getting out of our winter caves and enjoying the fresh air," he adds. "I have no idea what people will wear."

What the hell would you wear to a Cabin Fever Grind Out?

To me the ridiculous, too-tight, brazenly colored, and obnoxiously patterned bike racing outfit doesn't fit Nystrom's event. It's superhero tight, and you're not Peter Parker. And the cycling shorts with the padding sewed into the crotch? Seriously. It looks as if you're delivering the Weekly Volcano in the least convenient of places.

If I remember correctly, the wonderful costumes from the film The Clan of the Cave Bear seem more appropriate for the ride - loose and less likely to get caught in the spokes. I could be wrong.

[Magoo's Annex and Eatery, Saturday, April 24, 7 p.m., no entry fee, 2710 N. 21st St., Tacoma]

SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2010 >>>

1. Shakespeare in the Parking Lot continues its 48 hours of Bard with free performances of Henry VI parts 1, 2 and 3 at 3 p.m. and Richard III at 10 p.m. inside and outside the Speakeasy Arts Cooperative.

2. The Olympia Spring Arts Walk continues from noon to 7 p.m. with all sorts of awesomeness, plus the famed Procession of the Species at 4:30 p.m. - all in downtown Olympia.

3. Tacoma's own Dockyard Derby Dames are back in action with another knockdown, drag-out bout from 5-9 p.m. at Pierce College in Lakewood.

4. Tacoma poets Emilie Rommel Shimkus, Josh Rizeberg, Ariel Zimmer and others enhance their words using visual imagery, theater, dance, lighting and music as part of Mouths & Mics: Poetry in the 253 at 7 p.m. inside the Washington State History Museum.  Also, the poetic torch is passed to the 2010 Urban Grace Soul of the City Tacoma Poet Laureate.

5. Soo Bae - born in Korea, but billed as "Canada's prize-topping young cellist" - will join the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra in Berlioz's classic, Symphonie Fantastique - which has been called "a musical journey through unrequited love, opium nightmares and witches' spells." Awesome. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. inside the Pantages Theater.

LINK: More arts and entertainment happenings in the South Sound

NOSH PIT >>>

Spring Time Sippers: Water to Wine shop in Gig Harbor presents a complimentary tasting of crisp whites and fresh reds from 2-5 p.m.

Wine Dinner: Pour at Four hosts a Spring Seafood Fest with wine pairings tonight from 5:30-9 p.m. The dinner costs $40.

You Can't Smoke Them If You Got Them: Yesterday, Pierce County issued an injunction to temporarily cease cigar smoking at the VIP Lounge located in Tacoma's El Gaucho steakhouse until the formal hearing, which is scheduled in July. "We are confident that cigar smoking in the owner operated VIP Lounge will prevail, however, until then, cigar lovers will have to smoke at home or at the casino," stated VIP partner and El Gaucho founder Paul Mackay in a press release.

Future Things Are Coming: Brix 25° will host a Mother's Day buffet brunch with your classic brunchy favorites including a carving station, seafood station and a dessert bar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Make it happen at 253.858.6626.

Use Your Noodle: It starts and ends with three simple ingredients: high durum flour, fresh eggs and water. But what separates fresh-made pastas and the dried stuff you get at the supermarket, as any master will tell you, are flavor and feel. Thursday, April 29, restaurants in Pierce and Thurston counties will donate 25 percent of their food revenue to local AIDS service organizations as part of Dining Out For Life, including Pierce and Thurston county restaurants that excel at pasta such as Casa Mia Italian Restaurant, Europa Bistro, Il Lucano Ristorante Italiano, I.talia Ristorante, Joeseppi's, Marzano Restaurant, Massimo Italian Bar & Grill, Mercato Ristorante, Pomodoro Italian Restaurant & Bar, Ravenous, and Toscanos Café & Wine Bar.

LINK: Wine and beer tastings, dinners and events

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

LINK: Send us your restaurant and lounge news