PUT YOUR LEFT FOOT IN, PUT YOUR LEFT FOOT OUT >>

If you flip through the Hollywood rags you'll hit story after story about how the suck-ass economy has been hard on the folks who make and distribute films. "Talk to the hand" is a common response from the Hollywood Man to those people with a flick in the can. The DVD business is increasingly finicky. Video on demand is making up some ground for some distributors, and some viewers, but it's uphill out there for everyone not named James Cameron. In some ways, it's easier than ever to see a movie, but it's the same marketable clone.

Which is why events like the 5th annual Tacoma Film Festival are more important than ever. This is where a future sleeper hit makes its inroad, and where many films get their best (and sometimes only) crack at the wider audience than the neighborhood barbecue. Plus the social incubator of filmmakers and film fans that come together in Tacoma Oct. 7-14 provides the kind of nerd-on-nerd contact you just can't get from streaming at home.

The Weekly Volcano designed the 2010 Tacoma Film Festival program guide, which will hit the South Sound streets Thursday, Sept. 16. We have spent some quality time with the TFF's schedule, and it's safe to say Tacoma will be entertained.

Rumor has it that The Grand's brain trust will post the full schedule on its website today. As a TFF tease, below are the opening and closing night films. You'll note that they're Northwest films, with the two main features official selections of the 2010 SXSW Film Festivals, among others.

You may purchase tickets to the opening and closing nights, as well as all access and weekend passes to the festival here.

Opening Night

Thursday, Oct. 7

Cold Weather

• Directed by Aaron Katz
• Drama (96 min) - NW Film

After abandoning a promising academic career in forensic science, aimless Doug returns to Portland to live with his more responsible big sister Gail. He quickly lands a dead-end job in an ice factory, but his latent passion for detective work is stoked when his ex-girlfriend goes missing. Armed with a handful of arcane clues, Doug enlists Gail and co-worker Carlos in a ramshackle investigation that draws the slacker sleuths into Portland's not-quite-seedy underground.

• Official Selection: 2010 SXSW, Los Angeles, San Francisco Film Festivals
• 6 p.m. opening reception with food and cash bar, film at 7:45 p.m., Annie Wright Kemper Theater, 827 N. Tacoma Ave., $17 Grand Cinema members, $20 non-members, $11 movie only

Closing Night

Thursday, Oct. 14

True Adolescents

• Directed by Craig Johnson
• Comedy (88 min) - NW Film

Craig Johnson's poised and poignant first feature follows Sam (Mark Duplass), an, unbeknownst to him, washed-up rocker in the early stages of haggard. Jobless and apartment-less, he crashes with his aunt (a compassionate Melissa Leo) as a last resort and becomes reluctant camping-trip chaperone to her teenage son and a pal. But in the stirring Pacific Northwest wilderness a surprising discovery turns dire - and the distance from boy to man must be covered overnight. Duplass's ballsy and at times balls-out performance is a winner, particularly when Sam at long last takes stock of himself: it ain't pretty.

• Official Selection: 2010 SXSW, Newport Beach and Seattle International Film Festivals. More information on the film at trueadolescents.com

Here and Gone

Plays with True Adolescents

• Directed by Zachary Gore
• Drama (6 min) - NW Film

A short silent pixilation about lost love, the worth of memory and our connection to place.

• 6:30 p.m., The Grand Cinema, $15 Grand Cinema members, $17 non-members

UPDATE: The Tacoma Film Festival schedule is now online

LINK: South Sound movie times

BRING ON THE WEEKEND >>>

Well, O. M. G.  The workweek is drawing to a close, and not only is the weekend upon us - but it's of the THREE-DAY variety! That's cooler than the other side of the pillow, as they say; the bee's knees (so to speak). It's groovy, bodacious, spectacular, and downright neat.

Without further ado, here's this week's installment of The Prefunk - a weekend event primer for you and your liver (with a complimentary picture of an alcoholic household pet thrown in for good measure).

Rock n' Glow

Fridays and Saturdays at Chalet Bowl

I don't exactly recall when bowling got tired, got lame, got boring - but it must have. The kids must have been choosing video games, Facebook and text messages over an 11-pound ball and a stale pair of shoes, and someone at the top of bowling's corporate ladder must have decided some re-branding was in order.

How else do you explain the Rock n' Glow bowling movement? At bowling alleys all over the country Friday and Saturday nights are now spicing it up to draw in the younger crowd.

True, it's not always called Rock n' Glow - that's just what Tacoma's Chalet Bowl calls it every Friday and Saturday night - but the features are usually the same. The lights are turned off. A black light is cued. Jams are pumped. And good times are had by all.

Chalet Bowl's Rock n' Glow nights are particularly cool, seeing as Proctor's bowling gem is one of the quaintest bowling alleys you'll find anywhere, and you don't have to travel to the 'burbs to take part - just North Tacoma. In fact, Rock n' Glow is so popular reservations are highly recommended. Also, there's a laser. Just sayin'.

PREFUNK: How should one prime their mind and body for the magic that is Chalet Bowl's Rock n' Glow? That's a tough question to answer, and it no doubt depends on the person in question. That said, free cheese samples from Met Market are never a bad start to any evening. And maybe grab some sparkling water, too. Or a kombucha. You're in the North End, after all. Might as well fit in. 

See you next week.

THE MUSIC OF PATSY CLINE HEADED TO TACOMA >>>

Some say March 5, 1963 was the real day the music died. Patsy Cline was on her way to a benefit for a fellow performer with two other country stars, Cowboy Copus and Hawkshaw Hawkins, when her plane went down, killing everyone onboard. I'm not a huge Patsy Cline fan, but I respect the female country pioneer's musicianship, and I never turn the dial if "Crazy" pops on.

This Wednesday, Seattle Theatre Group presents Sweet Dreams, The Music of Patsy Cline inside Tacoma's Rialto Theater. This is STG's second year of gathering the Northwest's best female singer/songwriters for a run through of Cline's classics. Scheduled to take the stage Wednesday are Star Anna and The Laughing Dogs, Rachel Flotard (of Visqueen), Kristen Ward, Kim Virant (of Lazy Susan), and Victoria Wimer-Contreras.

Virant's name brings back awesome memories of seeing the Clover Park High School grad front the band Lazy Susan in the early '90s. I remember listening to her sensual and gravely vocals at the Victory Club (now Jazzbones), lost in her melodies and whole lot of hair. Lazy Susan's bluesy, roots rock attracted a wide audience, including members of Pearl Jam. Lazy Susan was invited to open PJ's famed Drop in the Park concert, and back in the day guitarist Mike McCready frequently donned a Lazy Susan T-shirt during performances and promotional stills.

The other Sweet Dream musicians are first rate, but it'll be cool to see Virant back in Tacoma and on stage.

[Rialto Theater, Wednesday, Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m., $23-$26, $3 off for military, 310 S. Ninth St., Tacoma, 253.591.5894]

SATURDAY, SEPT. 4, 2010 >>>

1. The First Saturday Flea Market runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. inside Sanford and Son Antiques in downtown Tacoma. Score some jewelry, deconstruction paper, baskets, patterns, fabric, that one Transformer that turns into a clipboard, exercise equipment, clothing, stained glass and lots more.

2. Edo to Tacoma: Japanese Woodblock Prints from the Collection opens today at the Tacoma Art Museum. Envelop yourself in the history and culture of Japan from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. The Rainy City Roller Dolls take on the Lilac City's Madams of Mayhem in an action packed roller derby bout at 7 p.m. inside Centralia's Rollerdome.

4. Guitarist Vince Brown and violinist Paul Anastasio fill Olympia's Swing Wine Bar with jazz from 9-11 p.m.

5. DJs Bilori, dAb, Mr. Clean and others spin house music inside the Tempest Lounge beginning at 9:30 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

THE WEEKLY VOLCANO RECOMMENDS TONIGHT >>>

Bob's Java Jive Tacoma - Central. Klondike Kate, Electrik Emily. 21+. 9 pm.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Destiny City Uprising. 21+. 9 pm. NC.

Happy Days Casino Lakewood. Saturday Night Soul Live, featuring LJ Porter Soul Revue. 21+. 8 pm. NC.

Hell's Kitchen Tacoma - Downtown. Unhailoed, M.T.F., Pure Hatred, Devils Of Loudon, Heir To The Throne. 21+. 8 pm. $8.

Gig Harbor Farmers Market Gig Harbor. Steve Stefanowicz. All Ages. 11:30 am. NC.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Vicci Martinez. 21+. 8 pm. $10.

Northern Olympia - Downtown. Derek Johnson, Dave Luxton, LA Lungs. All Ages. 8 pm.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Santee, Abraham and special guests. 21+. 9 pm.

• A quick shout-out to Heather Loepp and her band Santee, who will play The New Frontier Lounge with Abraham and special guests. As you'll recall, Loepp has contributed to the Volcano in the past, and her words are always mesmerizing. Plus, the entire Santee band is pretty freakin' amazing: it includes Heather's bro Josh, an outstanding standup drummer, and one of the most jaw-dropping bass players Bobble Tiki has seen in some time (if the band still has the same bass player it had at Squeak and Squawk, that is). – Bobble Tiki
  

O'Malley's Irish Pub Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Sofistokits. 21+. 9 pm. NC.

• What do we know about South Sound band the Sofistokits? No more than is necessary. The Sofistokits trudge in marshy, blues-laden hard rock bogs and rarely take their rock shoes off upon coming inside. Comprised of Dennis Byers, Justin McIntyre, Andrew Hilton and Dick Midnyte, the Sofistokits are a and well suited for the cheap beer fueled stage of O'Malley's in Tacoma - which is a good thing, considering that's exactly where the band will be plugging in Saturday night. They're not royalty. They're not the punch line to a raunchy as hell Gilbert Gottfried or Bob Saget joke. And they're not much for spelling. They're the Sofistokits! If you like an unpretentious good time, this band's for you. - BT

Swing Wine Bar & Cafe Olympia - Westside. Jazz In The Cellar, with Vince Brown, Paul Anastasio. 21+. 9 pm. NC.

LINK: More live music in the South Sound tonight

PRINT OUT AND SHOVE IN YOUR POCKET >>>

So as your official Weekly Volcano tour guide to this year's installment of Seattle's biggest and best weather-scoffing arts festival, let me say this: I will have very little to say about most of these bands.

There are a fare share of bands I know and like coming out this year. Some of them I'll see, some I won't. But for me, Bumbershoot is all about the bands I don't know. Descriptions that strike my fancy, band names I like, or whatever I happen to be walking past. Something I've heard of but never heard.

The point being, I want to tell you who I plan to see, but I won't be able to tell you much about the bands. So with that in mind, here's how I think I might be spending today at Bumbershoot, subject to change if I feel like it.

11:45 p.m. Starbucks Stage: Becki Sue & her Big Rockin' Daddies

Let's start things off right, with a band I've never heard. Apparently they are the "most celebrated blues band to ever come out of Washington." I don't know about that, but they are the first music act of this year's festival. So onto the list they go!

12:30 p.m., Broad Street Stage: The Submarines

I'm not sure that "pretty and pleasant" is the most thoroughly positive review of a band I've read, but The Submarines apparently fit the bill. Cheerful-sounding pop songs about depressing subjects? Maybe it'll be good. Not that it matters too much...

1 p.m., NW Court Stage: Caspar Babypants

... I'll be jetting shortly for the opposite side of the festival, to catch Caspar Babypants. Otherwise known as Chris Ballew, lead singer of Seattle's Presidents of the United States of America. Singing songs for 3 year olds.

2:45 p.m., NW Court Stage ; Zoe Muth & The Lost High Rollers

I'm not much for country music, but at Bumbershoot I'll try a little bit of anything at Bumbershoot. So it's back Northwest after lunch for Zoe Muth.

3 p.m., Starbucks Stage: The Maldives

Once I get sick of country, it'll be time to move onto ... well, more country. But rockinger. Presumably. Mostly it just sounds like they'll have more guitar solos than Zoe Muth.

4:30 p.m., NW Court Stage: The Round

Apparently I'll be spending a lot of time at this stage, at least on day one. The Round is an experience of songwriters, dancers, and other visual and performance artists that has infiltrated Seattle and Tacoma over the last few years. Plenty of groups will be playing, but the highlight for me is Tacoma group Goldfinch, writers of some of the best songs in town. Well worth being the first band of the festival that I've seen previously.

5:30 p.m., Mainstage: The Decemberists

Of course, I'll follow that with a band I've seen a good half-dozen times. I first caught the Portland-based Decemberists at Bumbershoot on their Picaresque tour, and while they've yet to release an album I liked as much as that one, they have not ceased to put on great shows every time they come around. And now they are opening for Bob Dylan. Cool.

7:30 p.m., Broad Street Stage: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

What's this, a Tacoma music writer skipping out on a Neko Case set? Yes, it's true, her being from Tacoma interests me about as much as her music does. Which is approximately none. Instead, a break from the Mainstage is in order, to catch ... these guys. I'm not sure what "a sound reminiscent of mythical '70s California" is, but I guess I'll find out.

8:45 p.m., Starbucks Stage: Solomon Burke

I can't in good conscience miss an opportunity to catch at least one song from soul legend Solomon Burke. I left his last Bumbershoot set for Modest Mouse, and let me tell you what: epic mistake. For Solomon Burke was being awesome, and Modest Mouse were very much not.

9 p.m., Mainstage: Bob Dylan

But this, of course, is the show of the night. I am not a huge fan of where Dylan's singing voice has gone over the last few decades, but that's not going to stop me from seeing a living songwriting legend. Nor is his reputation for rearranging all his popular songs every tour, sometimes to an unrecognizable degree. The man gets bored. That's allowed.

I'll be back tomorrow to tell you which bands I actually saw. I reserve the right for it to be a very different list.

DINING NEWS, NIBBLES AND BITS >>>

Wine tasting Today: The Wine Bank in University Place is pouring Olsen Hills White Table, Niner Sauvignon Blanc, Domaine de la Seigneurie de Julienas and Marquis Phillips Cabernet Sauvignon from 2-4:30 p.m.

Everyone Needs Time Off: The Villa Café and Imibery will be closed through Sept. 7. On Sept. 8 their new fall hours begin: Mondays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesdays-Thursdays 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 2 a.m and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Special notes: They have a new baker named Katie, they were voted best new restaurant of 2010 by the Weekly Volcano readers and they make a killer whiskey and ginger drink.

Future Things Are Coming: Recognizing the burgeoning craft beer market in the Tacoma area, six local watering holes - The Red Hot, The Parkway Tavern, Doyle's Public House, The Swiss, Engine House No. 9 and Meconi's Pub & Eatery - will join forces for their monthly beer event Sept. 13.  Every second Monday of the month, the six locally owned and operated joints will simultaneously tap a fresh cask of ale at 6 p.m. then yell "Tap Night Tacoma is on!" The Red Hot will tap Everybodys Brewing Dry Hop Country Boy IPA, The Parkway will unleash Georgetown Brewing Lucille IPA, Doyle's will pour Fullers ESB, The Swiss will serve Dicks Brewing Co. Imperial IPA, Engine House No. 9 will tap E-9 Dry Hop Imperial Red and Meconi's will serve a brew to be named later.

Food Matters: Longest pizza record attempt in Poland - complete with video.

LINK: Wine tastings today in the South Sound

SUNDAY, SEPT. 5, 2010 >>>

1. Guitarist Billy Farmer's Breakfast Jam begins at 9 a.m. inside the Tides Tavern in Gig Harbor.

2. Sleuth is a mystery. Kind of. Maybe. Which is to say, it might come down to a death that could have happened, depending upon whose account you believe. Including your own. Read my full review here before catching it at 2 p.m. inside Tacoma Little Theatre.

3. A spin-off of a fake trailer from Grindhouse, Machete is about as meta as meta can get. It's art inspired by art inspired by art.

4. The Grand Cinema's screening of the gruesome Italian-made schlockfest The Beyond ends today with a 4 p.m. showing.

5. DJ Destiny spins country music beginning at 9 p.m. inside Lady Luck's Cowgirl Up Steakhouse and Saloon in Parkland.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

BECAUSE THEY'RE OPEN ON A SUNDAY DURING LABOR DAY WEEKEND IN DOWNTOWN TACOMA >>>

Neighborhood: Downtown, Tacoma

Address/phone: 1911 Pacific Ave., 253.572.4263

Hours: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, open till 9 p.m. Third Thursday

Noshing/Sipping: Bagged Tim's Cascade potato chips, pre-made cold pasta and green salads, saran wrapped breakfast and lunch sandwiches, various sweets and pastries, fruit cups, milkshakes, smoothies, and bagels and breakfast breads from Puyallup's Bagel Boyz. Bottled Snapple, Perrier, Minute Maid juices, canned tall-boy Arizona Teas and energy drinks, and the like are housed in a grab-it-yourself cooler. Get your morning bean grind on with mocha, latte, cappuccino, and their friends. Soaring Spirit Teas of Enumclaw provide the non-bean hot pick-me up.

Standard Cup o' Joe: $1.25 for 12-ounce drip

Bean Source: Caffe D'arte Coffee

Crowd: Students with laptops and shoulder bags, museum patrons, suits from the courthouse, guys in ties from local architectural firm.

Soundtrack: Barista John Laurenzo's iPod has cool sounds from David Bazan (Pedro the Lion). I'm betting there's some Franz Ferdinand, Killers, Last Shadow Puppets, Kaiser Chiefs and Kings of Leon.

Bonus Points: Great big windows provide tons of natural light while being just slightly too high to look out (or in from the street) and so Clancy's doesn't have the fishbowl feel.

WiFi: Yes! And plenty of power plug-in options.

The House:

Sister coffee shop to an Enumclaw location, Tacoma's Clancy's Coffee opened the end of July between the Washington State History Museum and Union Station on Pacific Avenue. Soaring ceilings and just as high windows are impressive. So is how very, very clean it is. Dare I say, Clancy's still has that new business smell of energetic, staff just waiting to wait on you. Square high top tables and a long buddy bar with power underneath for electronics plug-in, two black leather-looking couches and a padded two-person bench comprise the seating options. Blown glass works from Hilltop Artists in Residence are tastefully displayed.

WINNERS AND MEHS >>

Bumbershoot, day one: down. I even saw-or at least listened to - most of the bands on my preview list.

Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin' Daddies? They sure can play. Wail, even, on their respective instruments, from guitar to harmonica to a stand-up bass with flames painted on. But instrumental skill and inspiring music are two different things, and run-of-the-mill blues was a rather bland start to the day.

The Submarines fared better. Still not terribly exciting, but by the design of their cheery, mellow bounce-pop. Neither fancy nor crappy.

Winner of the day is Caspar Babypants. Somehow not surprisingly, Chris Ballew's songs seem to be coming from the same part of his soul as all his work with the Presidents of the United States of America. Simple, occasionally non-sensical sing-along choruses, quirky stories following the adventures of small bugs, madcap joyful energy. And the kids go nuts for it.

The Constellations were relegated to lunchtime background music, highlighted by a cover of David Bowie's "Let's Dance" that sounded vaguely as though it were being sung by folk legend Richie Havens.

Plants and Animals? A resounding "meh." 'Nuff said.

Highlight #2 was the Bumbershoot episode of The Round. Piano songstress Shenandoah Davis cut loose with some Regina Spektor-esque wailing, Tomo Nakayama sang two excellent originals and a Magnetic Fields cover, and Tacoma's Goldfinch played a lovely rendition of my favorite of theirs, "Go Easy On Me". All players were improved by a pedal steel and a cellist.

The Decemberists were as Decemberists as ever. It wasn't the best show I've seen, or the worst, but Colin Meloy wielded hitherto unseen harmonica skills on a number of new tunes that have me looking anxiously forward to their next record.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros? Meh, take two.

Solomon Burke/photography by Christopher Nelson

Solomon Burke, the King of Rock & Soul, rocked as much soul as ever in the song and a half we got a chance to see.

Bob Dylan, unfortunately, was largely meh number three. He has managed to get only less intelligible with time. I've said before that I respect his tendency to change how he does songs, but respect doesn't necessarily translate directly to enjoyment.

Overall impression of my first day as an Official Journalist? Press passes at Bumbershoot are good for three things: free admission, direct line to the front of the mainstage crowd, and the press lounge with private access to the McCaw Hall restrooms.

Bumbershoot 2010 Day Two Schedule

So what's on the slate for day two? Assuming I do the things I say?

11:45 a.m., Starbucks Stage: The Tripwires
Riding the same wave as Becki Sue from yesterday. Being first band of the day gets a guaranteed slot on the list. Unfortunately it also makes you the first cut when I don't get my pass until post-noon.

12:30 p.m., Fisher Green Stage: Eldridge Grave & The Court Supreme
That the phrase "funk juggernaut" is used in their description is more than enough for me. I got myself thoroughly funked by Roy Ayers last year, and can always do with some more Bumbershoot funkification.

1:15 p.m., Center Square Stage: Sweet Water
Mostly because I know the last time I saw them, they played Superstar right at the beginning of their set, so I won't have to stay too long.

2 p.m., Center House Theatre: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
I am a theater writer too, after all. Audience participation and theoretical hilarity are the order of the day for this musical.

4 p.m., Fisher Green Stage: Georgia Anne Muldrow & Declaime
I want to get at least a little hip hop in, and I've no intention of visiting Monday's mainstage lineup, so here it be.

4:45 p.m., Center Square: The Bouncing Souls
So many punk "purists" still try to insist that punk shouldn't be pop, and pop can't be punk. I respectfully submit that they are dumb. Well, not TOO respectfully.

5:45 p.m., Broad Street Stage: Ra Ra Riot
I like it when bands have cellos. That's enough reason right there.

6:30 p.m., NW Court Stage: Coryell, Auger, Sample Trio
Likewise to the above hip-hop entry. I want to see something jazz, and thus something jazz I shall endeavor to see.

8:30 p.m., Starbucks Stage: Billy Bragg
Billy Bragg is 100% legend in the folk and protest scene of the last few decades, and is simply not someone you miss if you hold any interest in the genre at all.

9:15 p.m., Broad Street Stage/Mainstage: The Dandy Warhols/Weezer
Occupying two different stages, how much of one I catch will depend on which one we hit first, and how much we like it. Unlike just about everyone else of my age group, I have no strong emotional attachment to Weezer, so we shall see.

Back tomorrow with another recap of the totally different list of bands I actually saw.