2.5 ACRES OF AWESOME >>>

The current record for Largest Food Drive Ever netted half a million pounds of food.  Now Emergency Food Network, Northwest Harvest, Tacoma Public Schools and the Stadium Centennial Foundation hope to celebrate the Stadium Bowl's 100th anniversary by doubling that record from Friday to Saturday.  Fill the Bowl kicks off (that's a pun, sports fans!) with a parade, followed by the epic feline gridiron battle of the Tigers of Stadium High vs. the Lions of Bellarmine Prep.  All donations go to food banks right here in the Puget Sound area.  Cash donations are greatly appreciated; giving $10 is as simple as texting "Hunger" to 89544. To donate more, text "Hunger" followed by the dollar amount to 27138.

Fill The Bowl

Friday, Sept. 17 4 p.m. to Saturday, Sept. 18 4 p.m.
Stadium High School, 111 N. E St., Tacoma

LINK: Celebrating 100 years of Stadium's bowl

DINING NEWS, NIBBLES AND BITS >>>

Open For Dinner: Marcia's Silver Spoon Café in Tacoma now serves dinner until 8 p.m. daily.

Early Bird: Harbor Lights serves a three-course early bird dinner - 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday - for $14.95.

Future Things Are Coming: Pacific Grill in downtown Tacoma invites guests to take a seat in their kitchen and watch the chefs in action Nov. 27. Questions are encouraged. The cost is $75 per person. Reserve your spot at 253.722.1480.

Food Matters: The First Lady pushes for restaurant reform - less butter, less cream, more health.

LINK: South Sound happy hours

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

SOUTH SOUND HAPPY HOURS >>>

I just thought I'd stop by and let you know about the awesome foodie/boozy goodness that's in our South Sound happy hour database, to inform you that Alfred's Café has extended its happy hour to 7 p.m., and to show you this video of barkies:

That's all. Carry on.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15, 2010 >>>

1. Cirque du Soleil brings Alegria, Spanish for joy, to the Tacoma Dome at 7:30 p.m. Expect a sometimes-too-precious surrealistic storyline - a trademark of the Montreal-based troupe - dazzling feats of human derring-do; Rene Dupere's exotic, best-selling, Grammy-nominated score; and Dominique Lemieux's fanciful Louis XV costumes.

2. The Delbert McBride Ethnobotanical Garden, located on the grounds of the State Capital Museum, displays a selection of Northwest flowers, shrubs, and trees that have been used for food, tools, and medicine by the Native American tribes in Western Washington.

3. There's a kids tractor pull at 6 p.m. in the Green Gate Area at the Puyallup Fair. Seriously.

4. Renowned chef John Bishop leads viewers on an eye-opening and engaging journey into the billion-dollar battle to control global food production in the film Deconstruction Supper at 6 p.m. inside the Rausch Auditorium in McIntyre Hall on the University of Puget Sound campus in Tacoma. Starting with a gourmet meal in his five-star restaurant, Bishop travels the world - from farmer's fields to biotech laboratories to supermarket aisles - on a personal quest to find out what our food choices are. The Tacoma Food Co-op and University of Puget Sound Sustainability Advisory Committee present the free screening of this treat.

5. The Metro-Scat Jazzmen will perform original numbers at 7 p.m. inside A Rhapsody In Bloom Florist & Cafe' Latte on Sixth Avenue.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

JUMP ON THE WAGON >>>

The Deschutes Woody Wagon will roll into to The Red Hot's outdoor beer garden tonight, if the rain holds off. The huge wooden keg transforms into a bar pouring 2009 Abyss and other Deschutes treats.

Cross your fingers. Owner Chris "Trashcan" Miller says he has a tent for tonight!

The Red Hot

Wednesday, Sept. 15, 6 p.m.
2914 Sixth Ave., Tacoma
253.779.0229

LINK: Tacoma Craft Beer Festivla is coming

THURSDAY, SEPT. 16, 2010 >>>

1. The offspring of Northwest Garden Guru Ed Hume, James Hume, typically specializes in acrylic on canvas, but for his latest exhibit, Not Painting Flowers, opening today at the Sandpiper Gallery; he's abandoning typical crutches and going all out. Inspired by a trip to Paris, and the "fleeting masterpieces" Hume saw from street artists in the Metro, Hume says, "With my new work I'm breaking all my old habits and experimenting with stencils, spray paint, Photoshop and even my iPhone." Hang out with Hume and his art in a party atmosphere from 6-9 p.m. at the Sandpiper.

2. Once again, it's Tacoma Third Thursday Artwalk from 5-8 p.m. in downtown Tacoma, and the galleries, museums, storefronts and restaurants will give a huge wet kiss to the arts-loving community with free admission and treats. Vashon Island landscape painter Victoria Adams will lead a tour of her exhibition, Where Sky Meets Earth: The Luminous Landscapes of Victoria Adams from 4-7 p.m. at the Tacoma Art Museum (free admission). Fulcrum Gallery opens Object Permanence: Installation and Temporary works by Joe Penrod from 6-9 p.m. And the ART BUS has a full tour planned leaving the Speakeasy Arts Cooperative at 5 p.m.

3. Carla Barragan - an Ecuadorian-American choreographer who's known for inventive, thoughtful site-specific work - will join her troupe, BQDanza, for a site-specific dance piece at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. at Tollefson Plaza. Title Thick, the piece "mourns the loss of and also celebrates the beauty and grace of birds, sea creatures, micro-organisms and other non-human victims" of the Gulf oil spill. Lucas "Vanilla Soul" Smiraldo will enhance the piece with spoken word.

4. Pecha Kucha Night V. 07 is all about "portraits" and how Stephanie Stebich, Steve Davis, Doug Mackey, Amy McBride, Marilyn Strickland and Connie Walle - some of Tacoma's finest folks - interpret the theme through 20 slides shown in 6 minutes and 40 seconds inside the Tacoma Art Museum beginning at 5:30 p.m. Each frame should be fabulous.

5. Tacoma School of the Arts celebrates its 10th anniversary with four alumni bands rocking the Pierce Transit Park (Ninth and Broadway) Urban Grace Church from 6-9 p.m. Hail, Tall Girl, Freeze and Fur Coat and The Makeup Monsters will provide the soundtrack for the group hug featuring current and past SOTA families, students, staff and fans.

UPDATE: The SOTA 10th Anniversary Party has been moved inside the Urban Grace Church due to rain. Expect the four SOTA bands, same celebration, same $5 ticket ($10 for non sota students).

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

TOURING CIRQUE SHOW IS AN ACROBATIC DREAMSCAPE >>>

If the International Olympic Committee is looking for any ideas to spice up their gymnastics competition, I have a list. It starts with team gymnastics. And none of that lame "one at a time" crap. I'm talking doubles parallel bars, two people running at the vault from opposite sides.

That would be followed by flaming rhythmic gymnastics. Just like normal rhythmic gymnastics, with hoops and ribbons and balls. Except on fire. It's not a difficult concept

I know these things are possible, and I know they would be crowd-pleasers of epic proportions. I know this because similar feats of awesomeness are the centerpiece of Cirque du Soleil's Alegría, running through Sunday, Sept. 19 at the Tacoma Dome.

I imagine these same - or close enough - acts play into most Cirque du Soleil shows, but last night's show was the first I had the pleasure to attend, so I cannot speak for the rest. There are twirling fire batons, synchronized trapeze artists, and an assortment of other running, jumping, bouncing, spinning and balancing.

If you read the website - or, I imagine, the $20 program - there is some pretense of a story threaded throughout the show, but it is lost without pre-reading, or the ability to understand the singing. Instead, the experience is largely one of music and visuals.

The performance is best described as an aerial ballet. The trapeze and other airborne artists move with an ease that more closely resembles dance than purely technical feats.

Despite the impressive nature of the acrobatics, however, by far the most popular facet of the show was the comedic work of a pair of clowns. The two play out in a series of vignettes the humorous sort of rivalry and friendship rarely seen outside of under-10 siblings.

Alegría's biggest weakness is unfortunately in its choice of venue. I say unfortunately because there is nowhere else in Tacoma suited to the size of the production. But the uncomfortable bleacher seats and undisguiseable sports-arena aesthetic of the interior detract significantly from the overall experience.

These minimal unpleasantries, however, do not overpower the epic music, floating between '90s new age pop and accordion-heavy tango, or the beauty of the oddly curving set, or any other facet of the production, and despite somewhat overblown prices, Alegría remains a worthwhile evening of entertainment.

Cirque du Soleil performs Alegría

7:30 p.m. Sept. 16, 17, 18; 3:30 p.m. Sept. 17, 18; 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sept. 19
$44-$104 adults/$41-$95 seniors, students, military/$37-$84 ages 2-12/free ages under-2
Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. D St., Tacoma
866.448.7849
www.cirquedusoleil.com
www.ticketmaster.com

DINING NEWS, NIBBLES AND BITS >>>

Feel the nausea: Pairing Puyallup Fair food with amusement rides and animal oders by Ken Swarner

Split personality: Surreal Ultra Lounge not focused on dinner guests. Surprised? By Jake and Jason de Paul

Bite us: Pomodoro's new happy hour and the Dog & Deli by Jennifer Johnson

Feedbag: Salmon bake, latte art competition, beer and ice cream pairing and more by Volcano staff

Sipping Out: Wine and beer dinners, tastings and events by Volcano staff

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

THE WEEKLY VOLCANO RECOMMENDS THESE LIVE SHOWS TONIGHT >>>

Vancouver's 3 Inches of Blood, a Tacoma staple and one of the best things to happen to metal in a long while, performs tonight at Hell's Kitchen with Helles, A Lesson in Chaos and Bloodhunger at 8 p.m. The cover is $10. After the carnage, they're off to wreak havoc on British Columbia, Japan and Australia.

The band also produced a new video for “Silent Killer”:

More live shows tonight in the South Sound:

Ben Moore's Cafe Olympia- Downtown. Saxophonist Steve Munger every Thursday. 21+. 7:30-10:30pm. NC.

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Audra Connolly. All Ages. 7 pm. NC.

Northern Olympia - Downtown. Grass Widow, STLS, Broken Water, Coasting. All Ages. 8 pm.

Pierce Transit Park Tacoma - Downtown. The SOTA 10th Anniversary Celebration. A concert featuring SOTA alumni bands Makeup Monsters, Hail, Free and Fur Coat and Tall Girl. All Ages. 6-9 pm. $5-$10.

Surreal Ultra Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. Avery Davis. Part of the new Whipped night featuring giveaways. All Ages. 9 pm.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. AEK (Abdul El Kader). 21+. 7 pm. NC.

Tacoma Farmers Market - Broadway Tacoma - Downtown. Billy Farmer. All Ages. 10:30 am. NC.

The Swiss Tacoma - Downtown. Neema, Josh Rizeberg, Mr. Von, 10th and Commerce. 21+. 9 pm. $5.

Tempest Lounge Tacoma - Upper Tacoma. Come Out And Play Open Mic. Hosted by Kim Archer and Nick Sandy. All Ages. 7-10 pm. NC.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Taco Thursday, with Jerry Miller. 21+. 7 pm. NC.

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Rain - like 60 percent chance of it, hi 72, lo 56

Saturday: More freakin' rain, hi 68, lo 54

Sunday: Have you heard about the rain? hi 65, lo 54

>>> FRIDAY, SEPT. 17: TOWER LANES MINIATURE GOLF

Miniature golf has been around since the 1930s when some psychotic's light bulb glowed and he knocked a golf ball around on a flat surface using only a putter. Gradually, the courses were full of mechanical windmills, plaster dinosaurs and other flashy eyesores.

As with other trends, like skateboarding and punk rock, the popularity of miniature golf has fluctuated over the years, but the sport has never gone away. It's even at your local bowling alley. Tower Lanes in Tacoma hosts an 18-hole miniature golf course complete with waterfalls, fountains and bridges. So get out of the rain, test your skills and fill in the blanks during the silent moments on your date. 

• Tower Lanes Entertainment Center, open 24 hours a day, every day, 6323 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.564.8853
  

>>> SATURDAY, SEPT. 18: BOLLYWOOD ADULT PROM

Bollywood, that colorful and exuberant fusion of classical Indian dance and the Hollywood musical, has gained a following outside of India. And its arrival in Tacoma comes in the form of Sanford & Son Antiques' annual adult prom Saturday loaded with, no doubt, spectacular song-and-dance sequences, joke-shop wigs, ill-fitting body shirts and at least two clownsrunning around talking like Apu from The Simpsons. Twirl in front of Girl Trouble, Si Si Si and DJ Infinity to benefit the Companion Animal Rescue Society.

• Sanford & Son Library, 7 p.m., $20-$25, 744 Commerce, Tacoma, 253.272.0334

>>> SATURDAY, SEPT. 18-SUNDAY, SEPT. 19: ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE WEEKEND

It's getting harder to tell the pets from the people in the modern American household, but it's not so hard to understand why. Animals, who operate on instinct and often supply the unconditional loyalty we all crave, impress us and provide us with solace from the ugly, stressful world. It's no wonder they've become such big business; they've even got their own cable network. This weekend at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium the cute and cuddly critters – as well as the not so cute and not so cuddly critters – will perform outrageous stunts as part of "Animal Intelligence Weekend." There will also be interactive exhibits and games for the cute and cuddly kids.

• Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., $7.50-$13.50, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma, 253.591.5337
  

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

STEPH DEROSA Columnist
After spending a majority of last Saturday throwing expletives into the ears of Direct TV's customer service staff, I hope to reap the rewards this Saturday as DeRosa Manor finally becomes equipped with 400 hours of DVR space and all the mind-numbing reality shows I can handle. This will most likely effect my life in one of the following two ways:  A rift will divide my faithful sidekick (Bandito Betty) and I apart due to her maddening jealousy over the fact that I can watch all my shows on East Coast time, OR I will never be able to get rid of her ass on my couch. Other than that I will be doin' The Puyallup, entertaining 3 drinks somewhere in Pierce County, and planning the demise of all Justin Bieber haircuts.

NIKKI TALOTTA  Feature Writer
No more partying for this girl for at least a month. This weekend it's back to bustin ass at the bar, writing for this fine publication, hitting the gym and getting the 4-year-old ready for pre-school. That's right. Living the working moms' dream. Wait! I'm also going to see Lord Franzannian's Royal Olympian Spectacular Vaudeville Show.

KRIS BLONDIN Food/Wine Writer
I think dinner out with my lovely husband Dustin is in order Friday
night. Where? Not sure. Saturday, after major house cleaning,
Bollywood Prom at Sanford and Sons bitches! Dustin even plans to go
(can't believe it). Sunday, I will be in full-on recovery mode. Shhhh,
don't talk too loud. ...

JENNIFER JOHNSON: Lifestyle/Leisure Writer
Tonight, I'll pop in on James Hume's solo art show at Sandpiper Gallery then go to my college class (that's right, I'm a college student). Friday, I'll spend gearing up for the annual CARS fundraising and not-to-be missed event 'The Prom' at Sanford & Son Library held Saturday evening. The Bollywood theme is a scream. Noon on Saturday I've loaned myself out to help set-up for the South Downtown Block Party at the SideBar Bistro that evening from 5-8pm. I'll enjoy dinner with my boyfriend and other friends at said bistro and then hit the Prom Saturday to dance the night away. Weeeeeeeeeeeee!

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Features Writer
Today, I'm attending the SOTA 10th Anniversary show. Haven't had a chance to see Makeup Monsters since they started playing again around here, so that'll be a nice treat. The rest of the weekend, I don't know. I might see a metal show. The other day, I saw a band that made my right ear ring for the rest of the night. I thought I might have been going deaf. Love that.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
Thanks to Lord Franzannian's Royal Olympian Spectacular and Hairspray, here are six things I'll see this weekend: A one-man band. At least one man in drag. A woman in drag. My steering wheel. My writing desk. Pasties. Oh, wait, that's seven things.

ALEC CLAYTON: Visual Arts Critic
 Going to see Hairspray at Paradise Theatre in Gig Harbor.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound