Weekly Volcano Blogs: Walkie Talkie Blog

Posts made in: August, 2010 (140) Currently Viewing: 21 - 30 of 140

August 6, 2010 at 7:58am

NIGHT MOVES: Villains and bands tonight

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

D4 Venue Sumner. Rattlehead, Hexen, Sword Of Judgement, Phlegathon, Unhailoed. All Ages. 7 pm. $8-$10.

Firecreek Alehouse Lacey. Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin' Daddies. 21+. 8 pm.

Forza Wine Bar Gig Harbor. Steve Stefanowicz. 21+. 7 pm. NC.

Harmon Brewery and Restaurant Tacoma - Downtown. Ben Union. 21+. 5 pm.

Hell's Kitchen Tacoma - Downtown. Psycho 78, Atomic Outlaws, Villains Of Yesterday, Syztem Seven. 21+. 9 pm. NC.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Dum Spiro Spero, Simply EZ. 21+. 9 pm.

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Herky Cutler. All Ages. 8:30 pm. NC.

Northern Olympia - Downtown. Shannon Otto, Jason Harrod, Eleanor Murray. All Ages. 7 pm.

O'Callahan's Pub & Grill Key Peninsula. Kim Archer Band. 21+. 8 pm. NC.

O'Malley's Irish Pub Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. David Dondero, Luke Stevens. 21+. 9 pm.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. The DT's, The Dignitaries, The I Love Myselfs. 21+. 9 pm.

  • Twink The Wonder Kid - purveyors of pure rock magic like "Pretty Neat on Your Motorcycle," and not far removed from the previous incarnation, Guns and Rossetti - have chosen Tacoma and The New Frontier (kind of) as the place to re-unleash themselves, celebrating what Rossetti refers to as a "soft return" Friday night. Click this twink for more details.

Port Plaza Olympia - Downtown. Music At The Port, with M-Pact. All Ages. 7 pm. NC.

The Swiss Tacoma - Downtown. Hotrod-A-Rama, with Si Si Si, The Fucking Eagles, Girl Trouble. 21+. 9 pm.

  • Friday and Saturday marks the 8th Annual Hotrod-A-Rama, once again set to engulf The Swiss with enough sweet-ass pre-1965 traditional and custom hotrods to make Boyd Coddington blush, plus a stellar lineup of music including performance by The Fucking Eagles, Girl Trouble, Si Si Si, Basemint, Red Hex and the Scuzztones (among others). Ambiguously billed as "The Last One Ever Again," this year's Hotrod-A-Rama will really get going Friday night, when The Fucking Eagles, Si Si Si and Girl Trouble take the stage starting at 9 p.m. Read the full story here.

The Warehouse Tacoma - Downtown. Dovekins, Paper Bird, Spirits Of The Red City. All Ages. 7:30 pm. $6.

  • Spirits of the Red City make chamber-folk that leans toward the melancholy, though the wall of sound created by the wave of instruments has an uncanny ability to feel spirited even while the voices suggest otherwise. More details here.

O'Callahan's Pub & Grill Key Peninsula. Kim Archer Band. 21+. 8 pm. NC.

(True) Villains of Yesterday

LINK: Listen to more villains tonight

Filed under: Night Moves, Music, Lacey, Olympia, Tacoma,

August 6, 2010 at 1:34pm

Baby's first words

Harlequin Productions opens up the read through of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hide >>>

In movies and TV, they call it a table read.  In theater, we call it a read-through.  It's the first rehearsal, at which the cast meets for the first time to sit around a long table and "read through" the script from beginning to end.  As an actor, it's always one of my favorite work nights.  I see it as a chance to show off whatever talent I bring to the (literal) table, right out of the gate.  Others see it as an unnecessary chore.  Some read their lines in a flat monotone, awaiting further instruction from the director before injecting personality or even emphasis into the words.  As a director, it always feels like a harbinger of what's to come.  If the cast understands and enjoys the play, I relax.  If line readings are murky, if the actors look bored or irritated, if the script evokes nothing but boredom, well, that can strike terror into even the most enthusiastic director.

I've been doing theater a long time, but Harlequin's Scot Whitney is trying something I've never seen or heard of before:  He invited the public to watch the read-through of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde for free.  It's a measure of the talent Harlequin attracts that Whitney can even consider this.  Ordinarily, there's at least one actor in every cast who's so unskilled at cold (unrehearsed) reading it threatens to derail the whole production.  Whitney has no such problems.  Aaron Lamb makes a smart Jekyll, ably assisted by Mike Dooly, Caitlin Frances (Six Hotels), Helen Harvester (Lamb's costar in Mating Dance of the Werewolf), Russ Holm, and Theatre Puget Sound president Frank Lawler.  Four of these actors will oppose Jekyll as the vicious Mr. Hyde.  As first readings go, this was top of the line.

In addition to the fine cast, we were introduced to Harlequin's designers and their process.  Harlequin actors have the advantage of completed tech designs before the first rehearsal.  Lighting designer Kate Arvin, set designer Jill Carter, and costume designer Kathleen Anderson demonstrated clear conceptualizations and, in Carter's case, some snazzy new drafting software obtained by tech director Marko Bujeaud.

It's obviously too early to review the show; I'll do that when it opens on Aug. 26.  Suffice to say the script is as complex and erudite as we've come to expect from Jeffrey Hatcher, one of Oly directors' favorite playwrights.  What it's not, at least upon first read, is funny; it relies on more cerebral energies.  "Erudite" can be a synonym for "talky." There's plenty of action in Jekyll & Hyde, but it's hard to glean that from condensed stage directions, so I look forward to seeing the story fleshed out with action and atmosphere.  Whitney says he wants to do public read-throughs for every play produced at Harlequin; indeed, he's already set Sept. 6 as the date for Taming of the Shrew.  I can't imagine I'll attend every read-through.  Granted, I've read (or performed, or produced) many of the scripts for the plays I critique, but I've come to relish the element of surprise.  Public rehearsals, even read-throughs, are a bold move, though unconventional and inclusive, and this one allows me to add a single, mysterious spoiler, the first line of the play:

"This is what I know..."

Filed under: Arts, Olympia, Theater,

August 7, 2010 at 9:44am

5 Things to Do Today: Renaissance Faire, Hotrod-A-Rama, Colonies, Retro Skate Night in Puyallup and Woofstock

Woofstock will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today at the University of Puget Sound's Todd Field.

1. Does it come as a shock that the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire (notice the "e") is held in Buckley? It shouldn't. This weekend, and the following two weekends, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., hordes of renaissance faire enthusiasts (read: virgins) will gather for a bunch of make-believe jousting, jostling, wenching and facial-hair admiring at Maris Farms in Buckley.

2. Hotrod-A-Rama will launch into its second day Saturday, featuring a whole crapload of cherry pre-1965 classic cars, as well as music from the Scuzztones, Basemint, Red Hex and more. The action starts at the Swiss, shortly after noon, and runs all day.

3. Tacoma and Seattle band Colonies have pinned their game on smart but not snooty songwriting and a penchant for the atmospheric that's strikingly easy on the ears - and it works. They'll play The New Frontier in Tacoma tonight with guests, starting at 9 p.m.

4. Go old school in Puyallup tonight at another Retro Skate Night at Tiffany's Skate Inn. Retro is all the rage these days, from Atari to tube socks, and Retro Skate Nights at Tiffany's - featuring tunes from the '70s, '80s and '90s - are probably better than both of those things. Get funky from 7:30 - 10:30 p.m.

5. Every year the University of Puget Sound, along with lots of help from the Dugan Foundation, puts on Woofstock, an all day free festival dedicated to solid pet ownership, outdoor music, and most importantly getting fuzzy, wuzzy animals adopted and in the arms of new owners. Last year's event resulted in 115 adoptions. This year expect more. From 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Todd Field at the University of Puget Sound. 

August 8, 2010 at 8:57am

5 Things To Do: vampire films, Native Arts Festival, "Arcadia," Radio8Ball ...

SUNDAY, AUG. 8, 2010 >>>

1. The Tacoma Cult Movie Club presents a night of vampires films, as well as the usual shorts, raffles and popcorn, at 7 p.m. inside the Acme Grub Cage.

2. Washington State History Museum and the Longhouse Education and Cultural Center at The Evergreen State College present In the Spirit: Native Arts Market and Festival - a fabulous opportunity to buy and see cool stuff from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the History Museum.  During the event, festivalgoers can experience a juried art exhibit, arts market, and performances - all in the Native American tradition.  There are artisans, storytellers and musicians, plus a vendor area with goods for sale such as carvings, weavings, engravings, clothing and more.  Allow time to see the museum's regular exhibits as well.

3. Tacoma's Shakespeare In the Parking Lot Theatre Company will perform the award-winning tragicomic drama Arcadia by Tom Stoppard - author of the play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and the screenplay for Shakespeare in Love - at 2 p.m. at the Tacoma Art Museum. Kids 11 and younger will giggle or bang their heads on the wall, depending how they were raised.

4. Le Voyeur Café and Lounge in Olympia presents a rare all-ages matinee-ish show featuring Hell Woman, Pitted Youth, High Five and No High Five at 5 p.m.

5. The Radio8Ball Show is a musical talk/game show based on the concept of synchronicity. The format is simple and unique: Guests and audience members ask questions to The Pop Oracle, and the answers are divined by spinning a wheel or picking a card that determines which song the musical guest will perform as the answer to the question. Speakeasy Arts Cooperative hosts Radio8Ball with singer-songwriter Jerin Falkner from 7-10 p.m. Ask away, just make sure you're ready for the answer.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

August 8, 2010 at 9:21am

NIGHT MOVIES: Sunday's bitchin' live music

Hell Woman rock an all-ages show today at Le Voyeur.

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. All Ages Matinee Show, with Hell Woman, Pitted Youth, High Five, No High Five. All Ages. 5 pm. The Speed Of Sound In Seawater. 21+. 10 pm.

  • A while back, I wrote about a band called Mr. Frederick that combined disparate genres like rap-metal, folk and chamber pop. The Speed of Sound in Seawater is similarly confusing, but in a more insidious way. Listening to their second album, Red Version, their weirdness sneaks up on you. For the first song, they sound like a twee-pop band with a singer who sounds a little like Ben Gibbard. Then the compositions start getting a little more complex, and by the end of the second song, the singer's screaming. The rest of the album continues in this vein of math-twee-pop interspersed with bits of hardcore vocalization. It's legitimately surprising stuff. And a little creepy, if you ask me, but I couldn't tell you why. Go figure. - Rev. Adam McKinney

The Loft on Cherry Olympia - Downtown. June Madrona, Jenny Jenkins, Paper Bird, Dovekins, Spirits Of The Red City. All Ages. 8 pm. $5-$10 sliding scale.

  • Spirits of the Red City make chamber-folk that leans toward the melancholy, though the wall of sound created by the wave of instruments has an uncanny ability to feel spirited even while the voices suggest otherwise. – Rev. AM

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Open Mic Night. All Ages. 6 pm. NC.

O'Callahan's Pub & Grill Key Peninsula. Tammy Faye & The Thrill Billies. 21+. 4 pm. NC.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Hightower, Lozen, Natur. 21+. 8 pm.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. Dikki Du & The Zydeco Crue. 21+. 7 pm. NC.

Speakeasy Arts Cooperative Tacoma - Downtown. Radio8Ball Show featuring Jerin Falkner. A musical talk/game show based upon the concept of synchronicity. All Ages. 7 pm. $5. See today's 5 Things To Do for details.

The Swiss Tacoma - Downtown. Union Jack Amps Jam Night. 21+. 8 pm.

LINK: More live music and DJs in the South Sound today

Filed under: Night Moves, Music, Olympia, Tacoma,

August 9, 2010 at 7:05am

5 Things To Do: "Tekkon Kinkreet," Ma Yuanyuan, Prairie Line Trail, Dickery Doo Band ...

"Tekkon Kinkreet: Black & White"

MONDAY, AUG. 9, 2010 >>>

1. The Graphic Novel Book Club geek out on August's book, Tekkon Kinkreet: Black & White, by Taiyo Matsumoto over cocktails at 7 p.m. inside the 1022 South lounge.

2. Ma Yuanyuan of China displays modern Chinese artwork from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Green Spot Tea House and Gallery in University Place.

3. The City of Tacoma invites the public to check out the preliminary design concepts for Phase 1 of the Prairie Line Trail - which will connect the Thea Foss Waterfront through the UW Tacoma Campus - from noon to 1:30 p.m. inside the Carwein Auditorium on the University of Washington Tacoma campus.

4. Little Wings and Sandy play an all-ages show at 7 p.m. inside Northern in Olympia.

5. The Dickery Doo Band will fill The Swiss with blues beginning at 8 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

August 9, 2010 at 10:02am

THE GOOD WORD: noshing and sipping in the South Sound

Delicious sandwich wraps from Burial Grounds coffee shop in downtown Olympia. Photo by Nikki Talotta

FOOD AND DRINK IN THE WEEKLY VOLCANO >>>

The Perfect Greasy Spoon: Marcia's Silver Spoon Café has become a South Tacoma Way legend by Jake and Jason de Paul

3 Drink Minimum: Masa and beautiful bartender Ryan by Steph DeRosa

Sipping Out: Wine and beer dinners, tastings and events

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

August 9, 2010 at 10:46am

Weekly Volcano Twitter Stalker

The Weekly Volcano follows B & C-list celebrities so you don't have 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.

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

Today, checking in with...

Fred Durst (Again! Because it's funny!)

Aug. 5: Fred Durst solicites for personal trainers via Twitter.

"Any decent trainer out there wanting to go on 10 wk tour with me, expense paid, and train with me? Boat leaves Aug 15 - hit me up" via Twittelator

Aug. 4: Fred Durst is part of a biker gang that includes that one guy from that one movie

"About to take off on our ride for aids research with William H Macy"

July 31: Just one more reason why it's cool to be backstage with da Bizkit - codpieces

"Backstage with @wesborland about to play in 30 min Syracuse rockfest."

July 28: Fred Durst is watching you...

"I just saw a very pretty girl eat a booger while watching Inception. Couldn't believe it. From nose to finger to mouth in 5 secs. Gross."

Tune in tomorrow for more hot Twitter Stalking action from the Weekly Volcano

BONUS PICTURE OF FRED DURST HANGING OUT WITH SOME EXTREMELY DRUNK DUDE AT A HOOTERS!

Filed under: Bad Habits, Comedy, Media, Twitter,

August 9, 2010 at 10:56am

MORNING SPEW: Smoking Cataillar and half-naked Lady Gaga

WHAT I HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

I found an interesting piece on musician Kevin Cady in the Trib this morning. I remember his zany Smoking Catapillar shows at Bob's Java Jive in the '90s. According to Kathleen Merryman Cady is putting the band back together - sort of. Check it here.

I found that the naked rollercoaster record has been broken.

I found that if I do, some day, hear voices in my head, I should ignore them - unlike this guy.

I found that Lollapalooza still exists and people still attend it. But more importantly, I found a half-naked Lady Gaga crowdsurfed it (NSFW). Here's hoping Lady Gaga takes time off preparing for her Tacoma Dome show to crowdsurf at the Music and Art in Wright Park festival.

Filed under: Morning Spew, Music, News To Us,

August 9, 2010 at 11:24am

Winesicles

WINE ON A STICK >>>

There are certain things I have to lick in the summer, or it just doesn't feel like I've experienced the season fully. This week I will try Sauvignon Blancsicles.

Filed under: Food & Drink,

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