BRING ON THE WEEKEND >>>

After a much needed, and moderately deserved week off (Hey, making jokes in poor taste takes a toll!), the Weekly Volcano Prefunk is back: a weekly guide to Saturday and Sunday excitement for you and your liver - with a picture of an alcoholic pet thrown in for good measure.

Here we go...

OLYMPIA EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC FESTIVAL @ NORTHERN

Saturday, June 12

For seemingly as long as I can remember, I've been a supporter of - and writing stories about - the annual Olympia Experimental Music Festival. In this - the festival's 16^th year - much has changed since the beginning, yet still more remains the same. Founded by L.  Jim McAdams, and later carried (perhaps to its highest point so far) by Arrington de Dionyso - who I made a yearly ritual out of interviewing during his time as festival headcheese - this year's festival starts Friday at Northern, and will fill the space every night through Sunday with some of the strangest, and all around inspiring, racket you're liable to come across. With this incarnation of the Olympia Experimental Music Festival - which over its history has established itself as the very definition of a DIY event - directed by Nathan Markiewicz, of Tacoma's LA Lungs fame, and wholly supported and sponsored by KAOS and the Olympia Strange Music Society, things are sure to be as off-the-hook as ever.

Saturday night's performance at Northern will feature KnotPineBox, The Sexbots, Aural Resuscitation Unit, Big Tom The Lithuainian, Soup Purse, Horde Of Two and Daniel Menche.

Awesome.

PREFUNK: Honestly, if you mix Prefunkatory drugs into the Olympia Experimental Music Festival mix, it might explode your brain - and not necessarily in a good way. It could be way too much. I'm not saying it's never been done before - because it surely has - I'm just saying be careful out there, strange music fans. Sometimes, when it comes to experimental music and drugs, it's better to be safe than sorry.

BOOZE AND BOOTY SCAVENGER HUNT @ Speakeasy Arts Co-op

Sunday, June 13

This is one you'll have to RSVP to attend, and plop down a $10 entry fee, but it may be totally worth your while. A mix of pirate costumes (does that EVER get old?), good times, scavenging, photography and drinking, the Booze and Booty Scavenger Hunt starting at 2 p.m. at Tacoma's Speakeasy Arts Cooperative has all the making for a Sunday spectacular - and a startlingly early bedtime, as being buzzed on Sunday by 4 p.m. rarely leads to late nights.

Here's a taste from the description (note the team aspect, and "competitive" nature):

A day of capers, treasure-hunting, photo-missions and bar-hopping for your pleasure, treasure and rewards. Teams will be formed and be sent off to collect as many points as possible. Points can be earned by finding booty, schmoozing local bartenders, and completing photo assignments (activities and locations.) Earn your team 20 extra points if you are dressed like a pirate. 10 if you at least make a nod toward it. No driving will be allowed, and your team must stick together. The hunt may lead you downtown, through Hilltop, and toward Stadium district. The team who finishes with the most points wins the cash prize (tbd. The more, the merrier!). Many other gift certificates and prizes will be awarded. At the 6pm finish line, join again at Speakeasy for drinks, mingling, and counting your loot as all the photos of the day are projected in a larger than life slide show, points are tallied and prizes awarded. Please email moonevent@live.com to RSVP. Sponsored by The Acme, PSP, 1022, The Corner Bar and Malarkey's. Other stops may include the Hob Nob, The Mix, Doyle's, The Silverstone, The Swiss, The Parkway, The Hub.

PREFUNK: Look, this is a competition, right? A competition for booze and booty. I know you're no loser, and if you're going to do something - YOU MIGHT AS WELL DO IT RIGHT. Or at least cheat.

If the purpose is booze and booty, and grabbing as much of both as possible, I see no reason why you can't start early. Sure, the official event doesn't kick off until 2pm, but why wait? Start procuring booze and booty as early as Saturday night, that way when game time rolls around - you'll be ready!

See you next week.