FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING >>>

The City of Gig Harbor sent the following press release to the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters:

Gig Harbor, Washington (June, 2010) - It's time to celebrate the ingredients of the Good Life in Gig Harbor.  The inaugural 2010 Gig Harbor Wine & Food Festival (Aug. 7, 2010) presented by the Harbor History Museum and the Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association, will feature the culinary talents of Fabio Viviani, Owner and Executive Chef at Osteria Italian Restaurant and Martini Bar in Los Angeles California.  Fabio was recently a contestant and Fan Favorite on Top Chef, season five.

In addition to Fabio's food preparations, the festival will feature a grand tasting tent, gourmet foods from the region, cooking classes and demonstrations, wine tastings and classes, food samples, and an auction.  Fabio will participate in a Celebrity Cook-off competition with another regional celebrity chef.  There will be book signings as well by Mr. Viviani and other celebrated local and regional authors.

The festival will take place on the grounds of the Harbor History Museum.  This inaugural destination event showcasing the talents of the nation's finest wine producers, chefs and culinary personalities promises to be a remarkable wine and food experience.  The festival will be a haven for foodies and wine connoisseurs, a celebration of  "the good life."

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Harbor History Museum and the Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association.  Both are committed to preserving Gig Harbor's rich history and charming waterfront district.

FUN WITH TACOMA HISTORIC PRESERVATION >>>

Tacoma artist Joshua Casey, he of Josh Casey Design - saddened by the destruction of the historic Heidelberg Student Price mural during renovation of a building at the University of Washington Tacoma - recreated a composite of what the mural might have looked when it was first painted in 1934.

With an interest in historic preservation, and a hand-painted sign nearly identical to the mural that he borrowed from a friend in Eatonville, Casey spent 10 to 11 hours recreating the mural with photo imaging software.

Does Casey have another project in mind now that he finished this reproduction?

"Always," he said.

THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2010 >>>

1. The Doseywallips, Fine Slew, and JC & the CBS will perform beginning at 9 p.m. inside Bob's Java Jive.

2. Kéké Cribbs - best known for her glass and mixed media sculpture - will be hanging out in the Museum of Glass' Hot Shop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. experimenting with "hot printing" techniques, pursuing the sculptural and painting qualities of glass as a material.

3. LeMay – America's Car Museum will host a groundbreaking ceremony 
from 3-5 p.m. at the parking lot adjacent to the Tacoma Dome followed by an open house and party at Museum's headquarters at 3701 20th St. E. 
Fife.

4. The quarterly Ancient Victorys Open Mike, brings back some of the 3,000 acoustic music performers from open mikes run by Chris Lunn in this state and California from the 1965 through 1990, will be held from 7-10 p.m. at the Antique Sandwich Company.

5. The Brotherhood Lounge in downtown Olympia hosts "Love To Love You Baby" featuring DJs Shannon Action Slacks and Christine spinning disco and soul beginning at 7 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

DINING NEWS, NIBBLES AND BITS >>>

Today's Lunch Special: The Tacoma Farmers Market on Broadway is on today from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drop by for lunch where Infinite Soups, Gateway to India, Crepe's by Paprika, Lumpia World, Terriyaki Steak Sandwiches, Bruno's European Food, Josefina's Mexican Food, Taste of Peru, Fresh Salads by Daily Provisions, Dining Delicacies and PF Roastings serve up tasty grub while the Peter Adams Trio performs jazz on the Weekly Volcano Music stage. Ah, lovely.

Today In New Food: Cutters Point Coffee on Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma has introduced a new line of paninis, grab and go sandwiches and salads from Mike's East Coast Sandwiches.

Wine Tasting: Pour at Four in Tacoma hosts a complimentary Charles Smith Wines tasting today from 5:30-8 p.m. More wine tastings today can be found here.

Happy Hour: Primo Grill discounts its pizzas to $8.95 during happy hour, which is 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 p.m. to close Monday-Thursday, and 9 p.m. to close Friday and Saturday. Check it out at 601 S. Pine St. in Tacoma. For more happy hour deals in the South Sound, click here.

Future Things Are Coming: Brix 25 in Gig Harbor hosts 7 Seas Brewery for two, five-course brewmaster's dinners Thursday, June 17 at 6 and 6:30 p.m. The cost is $60 a person. Reserve your spot at 253.858.6626.

Food Matters: The oil spill is forcing the oldest U.S. oyster company to close after 134 years.

LINK: South Sound happy hours

LINK: Restaurant coupons

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Hip-hop: The Lacey-based duo of LA Swagga is comprised of the thin and dark chocolate-toned lyricist and MC battle champion, LA White, and the thicker businessman-turned-MC, caramel-colored personality, Swagg.  Both in their early 20s, they attended high school in Lacey and grew up together.  The fact both LA White and Swagg come from motivated households gives clear insight about how they chose their title, and even more understanding about how confidently they walk, talk and -most notably - rap. They will celebrate the released of their new CD, LA Swagga is Mr. Gold Medals and Mr. Blue Ribbons, tonight with SP, DJ Luigi, DJ Travisty. Thursday, June 10, 9 p.m., $10, The Royal Lounge, 311 Capitol Way N., Olympia, 360.705.0760 - Jose Gutierrez Jr.

Punk: In terms of ferocity alone, Seattle duo Last Slice of Butter is some kind of champion. Despite consisting of only bass and drums (the Death From Above 1979 formula, if you will), they're capable of stirring up more racket than just about anyone in the 206 area code. Their music is punk, technically, but you can tell there are some canny pop and grunge instincts under all the dirty, deafening distortion. If you're not already sold, know this: TSLOB drummer Travis Coster is insane. Lightning fast and furiously forceful, he needs to be seen to be believed. With Humble Cub, Emperor Moth, and Girls From the Moon, Thursday, June 10, 6 p.m., all ages, $5, The Squawk Box, 745 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, myspace.com/squeakandsquawkfestival - Jason Baxter

Pop: There are some bands that cut straight to the quick. The Pica Beats are smart enough to put lead singer R. Barrett's voice front and center. Listening to the Pica Beats, it's almost as if Barrett is sitting on the opposite end of a campfire with you, singing right at you with uncomfortable eye contact. It's intimate pop music that avoids being maudlin or sleepy and boring. The band's childlike interest in the insides of bodies and the threshold of human emotion lend quirkiness and peculiar sadness to the whole. With Basemint, Santee, Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside, Thursday, June 10, 9 p.m., $8, The New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, myspace.com/squeakandsquawkfestival - The Rev. Adam McKinney

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

SCREW OUR FALL ARTS GUIDE, LET'S DO THIS NOW >>>

Tacoma Little Theatre's recently finalized mainstage roster for 2010/11 brings a wide range of style, from mystery to drama to rock opera, leaving behind the current season's all-comedy mandate.

Sleuth
Aug. 27-Sept. 26, 2010

Described as "the ultimate game of cat and mouse," Anthony Shaffer's Tony-winning Sleuth brings the whodunnit genre back to TLT. Director John Munn is a well-documented mystery nut, recently directing Agatha Christie's Mousetrap at Lakewood Playhouse. Sleuth promises to be a highlight of the season, pending the strength of its small, two-man cast.

Eleemosynary
Oct. 22-Nov. 14, 2010

Immediately balancing the two-man cast of Sleuth is the three-woman cast of Eleemosynary. Lee Blessing explores the relationship of three generations of women, all exercising independence and will in their own ways

Annie
Nov. 26-Dec. 24, 2010

I'll be honest here: Annie annoys the hell out of me - not nearly as much as Sound of Music, but enough. Nonetheless, it is sure to appeal to the TLT's prime demographic of classic-lovers, and draw a decent crowd in the family-heavy Christmas slot. Preliminary schedule announcements had A Christmas Story in this slot, but word is that rights issues got in the way.

Frost/Nixon
Jan. 14-Feb. 6, 2011

Though it boasts a slightly larger host of characters, the burden of quality for Frost/Nixon, much like Sleuth, will rest mostly in the casting of the two leads. This dramatization of the televised post-Watergate Nixon interviews by talk show host David Frost has enormous potential to be fantastic, given the right men on the stage.

A Flea In Her Ear
March 4-27, 2011

Another show with which I am only marginally familiar, TLT's great success in executing Noises Off this season bodes well for their next attempt at a farce.

The Who's Tommy
April 29-May 29, 2011

Filling the slot vacated when they moved Annie back to Christmas, Tommy will be an interesting one to watch unfold. Can TLT replicate the massive success - and ticket sales - of 2008's Buddy Holly Story? Quality of the band will be absolutely paramount here as they attempt to recreate the legendary classic rock of The Who, as will some pretty absurd staging to capture the frenetic, acid-drenched imagery of the film.

These stage shows are on sale now at Tacoma Little Theatre's Web site.

LINK: Weekly Volcano review of TLT's Major Barbara

SIXTH AVENUE WILL BECOME EVEN COOLER >>>

It's a done deal: They have the keys, and they've begun the interior transformation.  Some time around the beginning of July, Beyond the Bridge Café will open their doors and become an official Tacoma citizen.  Currently located in Sumner, Beyond the Bridge Café (otherwise dubbed "The BBC") will move their crew to the space located on Sixth Avenue that was formerly occupied by Il Fiasco. 

BBC owners Ben and Trish Rubke made a recent decision to move their popular art space, café, and live music venue after realizing that upcoming Sumner roadwork would be cutting their shop off from the rest of the downtown

Sumner businesses. 

Even though the café will no longer be located "beyond Sumner's bridge," the name will not change.  Rubke tells me that it's not about the location, but more about the symbolism. "A bridge signifies where you are going, and the journey you take," he states. 

Sorry, Sumner - your loss is Tacoma's gain.

LINK: Toilet Tales tackles The BBC

LINK: The BBC runs into Trouble

FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 >>>

1. Thirty-five years of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.  It's tough to fathom, but it's true.  Today and Saturday, T-town's "oldest and only Rocky Horror Picture Show shadow cast," the Blue Mouseketeers, will help celebrate the momentous birthday - and the Mouseketeers own 10th birthday - with an extravaganza deemed "Northwest Rockypalooza," to be held (quite naturally) at Proctor's Blue Mouse Theatre.  Expect all-day festivities, dancing, partying, scavenger hunts and lots of drag from 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. today.

2. Rainier League of Arts and Lakewold Gardens are presenting the art show A Walk in The Gardens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The show features artists George Zantua, Michael Corcoran, Aletha Deuel, Tanya Lemma, Paul Langston and many more along with glassblower artist, Dalin Wiffler.

3. King's Books hosts the Distinguished Writer Series and Open Mic with featured poet Carolyne Wright, whose latest collection of poetry, A Change of Maps, won the 2007 Independent Book Publishers Bronze Award for Poetry, the Blue Lynx Prize, the American Book Award. The words flow beginning at 7 p.m.

4. The Barefoot Collective stages the contemporary dance concert Extension at 8 p.m. inside the Jan Collum Studio at the Merlino Arts Building, 508 Sixth Ave. in Tacoma. Arrive by 7:15 p.m. tonight for a pre-show presentation called "Reading Dance." an engaging lecture/demonstration format with dancers from The Stone Dance Collective and Artistic Director Eva Stone.  

5. If you're down with the bizarre, you're probably down with the annual Olympia Experimental Music Festival, which will impregnate Northern and the Capitol Theater with three days of sonic meanderings and audio oddities this weekend.  Year in and year out - the Oly Experimental Music Festival draws the finest and biggest collection of sound-art pioneers you'll see anywhere. The Festival kicks off at 7 p.m. inside Northern.

LINK: New movies open today

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Alt Rock: You're probably familiar with the Marcy Playground story - or at least the band's hit "Sex and Candy."  The song came from Marcy Playground's platinum-selling, self-titled, major label debut, released by Capitol Records in '97 and highlighted by a grunge-stained take on folk rock and the occasional children's rhyme.  As you may recall, "Sex and Candy" spent 15 weeks atop Billboard's "Modern Rock" chart.  Friday, Marcy Playground will play the Royal Lounge in Olympia, where most of the preceding will matter very little. Read the full story here. Friday, June 11, 7 p.m., $20, The Royal Lounge, 311 Capitol Way N., Olympia, 360.705.0760 - Michael Swan

Art Rock: I think it's safe to say Myths want to fuck your minds and leave them feeling dirty. Myths make confrontational music that leans toward art rock but never displaces its ambition of alienating its audience. The band is made up of two women who perform to a backing track and scream in syncopated bursts of crazed fury. Though it may not be for everyone, Myths do make arresting music that borders on performance art, and it's worth witnessing in the flesh. To be attacked by music every once in awhile is equal time in my book. With Lake, Paris Spleen, and People Under the Sun, Friday, June 11, 9 p.m., $7, The New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020 - The Rev. Adam McKinney

Indie Pop: James Jenkins played a big part in initiating me into the world of Tacoma music and Team Unicorn. His now-defunct band, Mama Loves Daddy, was and still is one of my favorite bands to come out of this city, and long nights spent at the "Gloom House" served to throw me head first into the deep end of cigarettes, Carlo Rossi and vintage vinyl. Mama Loves Daddy eventually dissolved, and Jenkins moved down to Portland. His triumphant return to Tacoma with his freshly assembled People Under the Sun outfit will be paved with flicked cherries, hazy binges and smoking guitar amps. With Myths, Paris Spleen, and LAKE, Friday, June 11, 9 p.m., $7, The New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020 - The Rev. AM

Singer-Songwriter: "When I started out," says Kazutaka Nomura, AKA Pwrfl Power, "(I was playing) mostly silly songs, shorter songs just about daily topics. ... After about three years of playing, they've become not so funny." Funny or not, Pwrfl Power's music is still marked by quirky awkwardness and unique guitar work.  There's an undertone of quiet romanticism in Nomura's writing that makes it endlessly endearing. With Strange Holiday, Oberhofer and Cap Lori, Friday, June 11, 6 p.m., all ages, $6, The Squawk Box, 745 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, myspace.com/squeakandsquawkfestival – The Rev. AM

Indie Pop: LAKE is five K Records cuties from the mystical Isle of Whidbey and the natural springs of Olympia.  The primary songwriters are Eli Moore and Ashley Eriksson - a golden-haired couple who look like Muppets and sing like sunshine. Their music is so special and impossible to force into any genre. It's like trying to grip a big, slippery beach ball. OK. I'll try. It's like R&B/jazz/calypso/indie-folk. No, that's not it. Imagine forest elves who listen to nothing but Motown. Actually, don't try to crack this coconut. Just let it sing for you and be happy. With Myths, Paris Spleen, and People Under the Sun, Friday, June 11, 8 p.m., $7, The New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020 - Heather Thomas Loepp

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Pres. Obama's old New York City apartment is for rent.

Pope Benedict XVI promised to "do everything possible" to keep priests from molesting/raping children ever again.

Were pre-historic sea monsters warm-blooded?

Seems like it would be a bad idea to do a backflip in a Celtics cheerleader uniform.

An oldie but a goodie: