MYTH AND CIRCUS TO MEET INSIDE THE TACOMA DOME >>>

Roughly translated from French to English, "Cirque du Soleil" means "party hard and live it up" (or something like that) - all the things most revelers are in search of after a summer with the kids. Alegria, which will be staged Sept. 15-19, 2010 inside the Tacoma Dome, is described thus on the Cirque press release:

Alegría is a Spanish word that means happiness, joy and jubilation and features an international cast of 55 performers and musicians from 15 countries and showcases breathtaking acrobatics. Acts include the Synchro Trapeze and the intense and high-energy Aerial High Bars in which daring aerialists fly to catchers swinging more than 40 feet above the stage. The vibrancy of youth is alive in Power Track, a brilliant display of synchronized choreography and tumbling on a trampoline system hidden under the stage floor. In Russian Bars, artists fly through the air and perform spectacular somersaults and mid-air turns, landing on bars perched on the sturdy shoulders of catchers.

Advanced discounted tickets for Alegría are available now online exclusively to Cirque Club members through June 20, 2010. Cirque Club membership is free and benefits include access to advance tickets, special offers and exclusive behind the scenes information. To join, go here.

Tickets - $28-$94 - will be available to the general public beginning June 21.

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2010 >>>

1. Two giants of Sasquatch research will be at the Washington State History Museum hosting an audience discussion of all things Sasquatch beginning at 10:30 a.m. Dr. Jeffrey Meldrum and Robert Gimlin will be discussing their collected evidence, taking audience questions, and meeting with attendees. Aftward, tour the Giants in the Mountains: The Search for Sasquatch exhibit, which will close June 27.

2. The Tacoma Art Place will host a fundrasier art garage sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and tomorrow. Get in on the deals.

3. The Maritime Gig Festival will take over Harborview Drive in downtown Tacoma from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. -4:30 p.m. tomorrow. The parade starts at 10 a.m. today. Beware of boaters with sweaters draped around their necks.

4. The Museum of Glass hosts another History of Glass lecture today from 1-2 p.m. Renowned artist, teacher and historian Walter Lieberman will lecture on glass during the Art Deco age, 1920s-1940s.

5. Tempest Lounge will host the House Blend CD Release Party featuring DJs dAb, Sticky J and Bilori. Admission is free. Also, free promo CDs will be handed out.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

RUB SHOULDERS WITH THE FAMOUS >>>

Parties, parties everywhere - but whatever do you wear?

Mark Lindquist Fundraiser

Tonight, Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist - who was appointed to the position after Gerry Horne retired last year - will kick off his first bid for official election with what we can only expect to be a star-studded "kick off party" - which in the business of politics, is code for warm and fuzzy fundraising event. Lindquist promises the event will feature "The Beatniks, an awesome band, musical guest stars to be announced, beer, wine, food, and great people."

In what may be the culmination of one of the worst kept secrets in the history of prosecutorial campaign kick off parties, the special musical guests will include R.E.M's Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey of the Young Fresh Fellows and Minus 5. Saturday, June 5, 7 p.m., Heidelberg Brewery Warehouse, 2210 S. C St., Tacoma, Marklindquist.org – Michael Swan

Neddy Artist Fellowship

The Neddy Artist Fellowship exhibition opens tonight at the Tacoma Art Museum.

So what is the Neddy? From the TAM Web site: "The Neddy Artist Fellowship was established in 1996 as memorial to Robert E. (Ned) Behnke (1948 - 1989) to recognize his contributions to the Northwest artistic community. The two $15,000 Fellowships are awarded annually to Northwest artists who demonstrate artistic excellence, innovation, unique vision, and a passionate commitment to their art and community."

This year's nominees in painting are Ken Kelly, Margie Livingston, Matthew Offenbacher and Joey Veltkamp. The nominees for glass are Sabrina Knowles and Jenny Pohlman, Dante Marioni, Richard Marquis and Marvin Oliver. Offenbacher and Veltkamp are probably the most well-known of the painters, while Marioni is the glass artist most Tacomans are likely to be familiar with.

The exhibition will begin with a free opening celebration from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., followed by a party at Hotel Murano, where you can enjoy a cocktail, mingle with the artists and admire the hotel's art collection. Saturday, June 5, 6:30- p.m., no cover,
Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, 253.272.4258 – Alec Clayton

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Jazz: Throwing a "@" in the name of something automatically makes it a little cooler. Just ask the Den. Tacoma Musical Playhouse and Lance Buller know this all too well, which may be why they call their annual jazz-tastic concert series jazz@TMP - hitting TMP Saturday and bring together the amazing vocal talents of Greta Matassa, Gail Pettis and Stephanie Porter. Crazy as it sounds, this will be the first time Matassa, Pettis and Porter perform on stage together. It's history before your eyes. Saturday, June 5, 8 p.m., $25, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, 7116 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.565.6867 - Michael Swan

Hardcore/Speed Metal: "This is our fourth or fifth time playing with the Accused and it's always been a blast," Jason McKibbin, frontman of infamous T-town punk band I Defy tells the Weekly Volcano's old, crusty Tacoma music afficionado, Potter, on Spew. "It gets better every time. You won't see another show this intense." He's probably right. There's plenty of reasons why local music fans still talk about early '80s splatter rockers The Accused, and most of them simply have to do with how fucking kick-ass the band is. Usually, when old bands get back together it's just because they got lazy and found themselves in need of steady incomes to support the nutritional supplement addictions that followed coke addictions. But not The Accused. There's still fire in Tom Niemeyer's belly. You can hear it. With I Defy, Godspit, Sargent D, and South Kitsap Infidels, Saturday, June 5, 9 p.m., $7, Hell's Kitchen, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003 - Matt Driscoll

Alt Rock: Have you ever seen Beach Blanket Bingo? It's this crazy early '60s beach party movie that features, among other ridiculous things, three actors who should have logically never shared a screen together: Buster Keaton, Don Rickles and Paul Lynde. Keaton is the biggest surprise, given he actually speaks in the film; and Rickles gets away with his appearance by being allotted one scene wherein he gets to riff and mock the entire film. Paul Lynde, however, serves the thankless function of being a stick-in-the-mud. Considering this, it's tough to say what Mr. Lynde would have thought of tongue-in-cheek alt-rock band, Paul Lynde Fan Club. Despite his fuddy-duddy onscreen persona, I think he'd love finally being in on the joke - getting to be the band that actually plays the beach party. With Panic Pants and Imperial Standard, Saturday, June 5, 8 p.m., cover TBA, Bob's Java Jive, 2102 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843 - Rev. Adam McKinney

Indie Rock: Time flies when you're having fun and doing something that needs to be done. So is the story of the Northwest Convergence Zone weekly podcasts, which will celebrate its first birthday Saturday with a big-ass throw-down at Stonegate Pizza featuring musical guests The Legend of Bigfoot, Big Wheel Stunt Show, Midnight Salvage Company and Beatseed. It's going to be awesome. Take our word for it... and not just because Matt Driscoll will be a guest next week on the show (nwconvergencezone.com). Saturday, June 5, 8 p.m., no cover, Stonegate Pizza, 5419 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.473.2255 - MS

Punk: The South Sound has it made in the music department. This little watered-down peninsula not only generates amazing talent, but also attracts amazing talent; we get some of the best touring bands around. We are that sweet little spot between Portland and Seattle that other towns wish they could be. The fans, the rain, the obscure, bitchin' little venues - bands can't resist our Northwest flavor. This week's touring band is heavyweight punk icons DOA, stopping in Olympia to rage at The Fourth Ave Tav. DOA has been telling people to fuck off for more than 30 years. They also just released their latest album, This Machine Kills Fascists, on Sudden Death Records. With C Average, The Fixt, and M.O.D.S., Saturday, June 5, 8 p.m., $10, Fourth Avenue Tavern, 210 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.786.1444 - Nikki Talotta

PLUS: Goldwing vs. Trip the Light Fantastic at The New Frontier Lounge tonight

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2010 >>>

1. What do you get when you cross genes from various assorted plants, animals, bugs and fish? Weekly Volcano film critic Rev. Adam McKinney tells you in his reviews of Splice, which screens today here.

2. The Olympia Community Arts Roundtable will discuss digital portfolios among other subjects beginning at 6 p.m. inside the Olympia Timberland Library.

3. Scandinavian Book Club meets at 6:30 p.m. inside the Garfield Book Company to discuss Silent Patriot by Astrid Karlsen Scott and how lutefisk tastes like phlegm.

4. The Lakewood Community Jazz Band will record their swinging performance tonight from 7-9 p.m. inside The Royal Lounge in Olympia.

5. Billy Roy Danger & The Rectifiers rock The Swiss at 8 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

When Pixar becomes reality: There's a fish with hands.

Porn actor Bruce Borihanh killed a co-worker with a samurai sword then jumped off a cliff.

In a surprise to no one: The trailer for 50 cent's new movie Gun looks terrible.

Credit report: Yes, there are now Twilight credit cards.

A quarter-century ago today, The Goonies was released!

MOG'S VISITING ARTIST SUMMER SERIES >>>

The complete lineup for Visiting Artist Summer Series has been finalized, and all that's left to do now is countdown the days until the Museum of Glass rocks your world beginning June 16.

Thirteen artists in 12 weeks have been tapped to perform in the Hot Shop: Davide Salvadore (Murano, Italy), Lynda Benglis (New York City), Roisin de Buitlear (Dublin, Ireland), Marvin Oliver (Seattle) and Richard Royal (Seattle), Richard Craig Meitner (Amsterdam, Netherlands), Michael Sherrill (Hendersonville, N.C.), Pavel Mrkus (Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic), Michele Kong (Long island City, N.Y.), Kari Russell-Pool (Essex, Conn.), Brynhildur Thorgeirsdottir (Reykjavik, Iceland), Ed Archie NoiseCat (Sante Fe, N.M.), and Ron Desmett (Oakdale, Penn.). The residency dates are listed here.

Take a good look at the list. We think you'll agree that this year's local lineup is every bit as compelling as the line up at the White River Amphitheatre. Look for a healthy mix of exploring and demonstrating various glassmaking techniques and styles with public lectures and slide presentations. Highlights certainly include Benglis' translation of Jackson Pollock's drip technique, Meitner melding pre-made, flame-worked Pyrex forms with furnace glass (totally rocks!), and Mrkus live recording of his work.

Awesome, yes? Wait, it gets better. If 12 weeks of internationally-renowned artists featuring hundreds or works isn't enough, nearly half of the artists - including metal artist Thorgeirdottir - will also work at Pilchuck Glass School an instructors or artists-in-residence. All this for $5-$12 a day! Can you believe it? This summer will rock inside the cone!

Museum of Glass

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. third Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, $5-$12
1801 Dock St., Tacoma, 253.284.4750

HANG OUT WITH THE KINKY KOOKS >>

What is absolutely the scariest ritual you can participate in Tacoma's Proctor District? How's a virgin sacrifice sound? Have a friend who's a wuss? Well, pack your knapsack full of rice, toast, water pistols, toilet paper and playing cards, and prepare to send your friend running and screaming into the black of night. Northwest Rockypalooza - two nights of Rock Horror Picture Show screenings with daytime and after party events - will consume the Blue Mouse Theatre June 11 and 12. Even if you've seen the show before, you've never seen it like this. Events include a vendor fair, scavenger hunt, dancing on stage, drag show, raffle, "Breakfast with Movie," and many parties. 

Remember to dress as your favorite Rocky Horror Picture Show character for the costume contest, or something equally disturbing.

Northwest Rockypalooza

Friday, June 11, 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., Saturday, June 12, 10 to 1:30 a.m., $45
Blue Mouse Theatre, 2611 N. Proctor St., Tacoma
253.752.9500

LINK: Today's movie showtimes in the South Sound

WHERE TO WATCH THE MATCHES >>>

Yes, the World Cup's still several days away, but we're getting more and more stoked.

We ran a feature story on World Cup parties happening at Doyle's Public House, Paddy Coyne's Irish Pub and The Ram in this week's Weekly Volcano. Jump in on the action here.

Over the weekend we discovered that The Varsity Grill in downtown Tacoma will have a special World Cup menu and drink specials during the televised matches.

We also discovered that Farrelli's Wood Fire Pizza on Sixth Avenue will serve $3 pints, $5 mugs, $9 pitchers and $18 towers full of Widmer beer during the televised matches.

Who else is throwing World Cup parties in the South Sound?

CONCERT ALERT >>>

KISW 99.9 FM will bring Seattle's concert festival "Pain in the Grass" back to White River Amphitheatre for the third consecutive year Aug. 28, 2010. Scheduled to perform are Godsmack, who also headlined the festival in 2007, Shinedown, Puddle of Mudd, Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society, Sevendust, Drowning Pool, and more to be announced.

Essentials: Black stocking hat and/or baseball cap worn backward; stringy, shoulder-length brown hair; "Fred Durst Rules!" T-shirt. Take a shot of Jack, smoke two Pall Malls and imagine getting kicked in the nuts to achieve the nasal wail perfected by Puddle of Mudd's lead singer Wes Scantlin.

Tickets are $69, $49, and $29 with discounted lawn seats available for $20 with a valid Military I.D. and four-packs of lawn seats available for only $99. Tickets will go on sale this Saturday, June 12 at 10 a.m. through LiveNation.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, and charge by phone at 800.745.3000.

Grab more information about Pain in the Grass at www.KISW.com 

LINK: List of upcoming concerts