Weekly Volcano Blogs: Walkie Talkie Blog

Posts made in: September, 2010 (126) Currently Viewing: 61 - 70 of 126

September 16, 2010 at 4:41pm

Behind This Week's Cover: House Shows

IT CAME FROM THE BASEMENT: Tacoma gathered under the 808 House's Christmas lights for a five-band bill last week. Photography by Patrick Snapp

THIS IS HOW WE DO IT >>>

For this week's cover story the Rev. Adam McKinney grabbed photographer Patrick Snapp and the two toured several notable South Sound neighborhood houses known to host awesome live music shows. Read about their adventures here.

Above is the photograph that was chosen for this week's cover. The following is a behind the scenes tour of how this photo was selected by our production staff.

LINK: The rest of Patrick Snapp's awesome photos from the tour

September 17, 2010 at 7:52am

5 Things To Do: Stadium Bowl party, chalking for beer, Lord Franzannian, St. Practice Day ...

Bueller!

FRIDAY, SEPT. 17, 2010 >>>

1. 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 3 p.m. parade, followed by the epic feline gridiron battle of the Tigers of Stadium High vs. the Lions of Bellarmine Prep and screenings of "10 Things I Hate About You" and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" beginning at 10 p.m.  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.

2. Chalking up the concrete spaces around Frost Park from noon to 1 p.m. might not top most people's list of things to do today. However, let us throw this enticement at you: If the Feed Tacoma peeps vote your chalk art as the Frost Park Chalk Challenge winner, you'll win two two-day passes to the Tacoma Craft Beer Festival Oct. 1-2 at the Foss Waterway Seaport. We're talking 50 breweries and more than 100 different craft beers. We're talking a $74 value. We're done talking.

3. Black Sheep Creamery co-owner and cheese maker Brad Gregory will introduce Metropolitan Market customers to artisan and specialty cheeses from 3-7 p.m.

4. Elizabeth Lord is many things:  bartender, storyteller, gifted actor - and, once a year, Lord Franzannian, the gruff but lovable drag host of Oly's premier vaudeville revue, Lord Franzannian's Royal Olympia Spectacular, which hits the Midnight Sun Performance Space stage at 8 p.m. We don't know what the good Lord's lineup will be this year, but odds are there'll be music, juggling and lovely ladies of all shapes and sizes removing frilly garments for your edification and pleasure.

5. Doyle's Public House throws a "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day Party" featuring Ockham's Razor at 9 p.m.

LINK: New movies open today

LINK: Concerts go on sale today

September 17, 2010 at 8:14am

Night Moves: More live than you'll ever be

Monsters Scare You rocks Hell's Kitchen tonight.

LIVE SHOWS TONIGHT THAT WE DIG >>>

Art House Designs Olympia - Eastside. Wayne Shorter Tribute Concert featuring Steve Munger-sax, Syd Potter-trumpet, David Deacon Joyner-piano, Osama Afifi-bass, Steven Bentley-drums and Miguel Lopez-congas. All Ages. 8-10 pm. $15.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Halfway to St. Paddy's Day featuring Ockham's Razor. 21+. 9 pm. NC.

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

Hell's Kitchen Tacoma - Downtown. Monsters Scare You, Selling Sirens, Lacero. 21+. 8 pm. $5.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Lydia Pense & Cold Blood. 21+. 8 pm. $15.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. John Craig. 21+. 9 pm.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Mash Up, featuring members of Big Wheel Stunt Show, Legend Of Bigfoot, SweetKiss Momma. 21+. 9 pm.

  • Alright, look: I have no idea what this "mash up" is supposed to be. Apparently, members of Big Wheel Stunt Show, the Legend of Bigfoot and SweetKiss Momma (in addition to "more," evidently) will converge on the New Frontier stage and do ... something. Personally, I'm intrigued already. These are three (four? five?) bands that are mighty skilled at the rocking-the-pants-off game. It's no waste of a Friday to gather in a bar and hear three (four? five?) experienced bar bands rock some weekend into your head. The freewheeling nature of this show is an even bigger perk: members of some awesome bands getting together to create a brand new rock monster. You don't want to be there for something unrepeatable? You're crazy. – Rev. Adam McKinney

Northern Olympia - Downtown. Johnny X & The Groadies, Zargent, HPP. All Ages. 8 pm.

O'Callahan's Pub & Grill Key Peninsula. In The House Band. 21+. 8 pm. NC.

O'Malley's Irish Pub Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. South 11th, C.F.A., Walk The Plank. 21+. 9 pm. NC.

LINK: More live music in the South Sound

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

September 17, 2010 at 9:21am

Tacoma artist headed for Bravo's "Work of Art"

James Hume hanging out at his home in Lakewood. Photography by Patrick Snapp

TACOMA REPRESENT >>>

The Weekly Volcano received word that Tacoma artist James Hume has advanced to the next round of auditions for Bravo's latest reality show, Work of Art: The Next Great Artist. Hume, who last night celebrated the opening of his new show, Not Painting Flowers, at the Sandpiper Gallery, will hop on a plane tomorrow and head back to Los Angeles - with a few tricks up his sleeve - for his second audition early next week.

"The application form is this thick," Hume described bring his thumb and index finger within an inch of each other. "And if I don't fill out every answer I'm disqualified. But, I think I have a great chance - and I have been working on a surprise for the judges that should knock them over."

The competition-based show - created by Sarah Jessica Parker - features 13 contemporary visual artists (painters, sculptors, photographers and the like) that's shaped much more like Top Chef and Project Runway than, say, Who Wants To Marry My Dad?

Here's a description of the show off its website:

In each episode, contestants are faced with the challenge of creating unique pieces in a variety of mediums such as painting, sculpture, photography, collage and industrial design. The weekly assignments are exciting, original and will challenge the artists' to push the limits of their technical skills and creative boundaries. Completed works of art will be appraised by our panel of top art world figures alongside a new celebrated guest judge every week. Through a gallery showing at the end of each challenge, these industry select dictate which artists have successfully mastered the subject matter and creation of their piece, as well as whose concept leaves the greatest impact.

Why would any self-respecting artist sell his soul to Bravo in exchange for his or her 15 minutes?

"Exposure," says Hume, "even if I'm out in the first round I'll have a better chance of showing my art to larger crowds."

The prizes aren't bad either: a gallery show, cash prize, national tour and, with Parker behind it, star power.

Hume has a great chance of landing a spot on the show, as he's a cross-genre artist who has been a professional in the visual art, film and music fields.

"I'm dead serious about this opportunity," says Hume. "I can come up with ideas quick, which the past show winners tend to do. I'm going to give it my very best."

Break a brush James.

Filed under: Arts, Screens, Tacoma,

September 17, 2010 at 12:02pm

Tacoma Comedy Club to open next month

Aaron Flett-Riggs wants to make you laugh.

BRING ON THE LAUGHS >>>

Looks like pretty soon we'll be able to add a new comedy venue to our short list - Tacoma Comedy Club. Nope, we're not even joking. Comedian and filmmaker Aaron Flett-Riggs and crew will swing open the doors at Sixth and Tacoma Avenue South next month. I caught up with Flett-Riggs in between hammering nails and shooting the film, Jesus 4 Less, which he wrote.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: How's your space shaping up?

AARON FLETT-RIGGS: We are getting ready to paint the building and put up our signs, as well as replacing the signs of our neighbors - Malarkey's and Infinite Soups. I think with the Hub and other great bars at one end of the block and us at the other, it will make that portion of Tacoma more of a destination. It should also help with McMenamins opening up in the near future.

VOLCANO: Is everything on schedule for your opening weekend?

FLETT-RIGGS: Yes, our first weekend will be Oct. 15 and 16. It's our soft opening featuring two of the stars from our movie, Jesus 4 Less - Kane Holloway and Sean Anderson. Then we have our grand opening the next weekend with Collin Moultin who has a Showtime special coming out in October.

VOLCANO: Are you making fun of Jesus in your film?

FLETT-RIGGS: It's a feature length comedy about two atheists that work for their uncle at a Christian bookstore. It's a comedy first and foremost, but I hope to sprinkle some messages in here and there. I'd like to say things that don't get said in Hollywood movies. I don't think you could get a movie like this made in L.A. People always ask if I'm making fun of Jesus. I am not. In fact, there are very few references at all about Jesus in the movie, except the name of course. I think the idea of a Christian bookstore in general is the funniest thing. What could be more upsetting to Jesus than a Christian bookstore? Jesus wouldn't sell Bibles or false idols.

Ultimately, the movie is supposed to make you laugh and maybe think a little bit. I've never written a screenplay before. I'm just a comic who had an idea that most people will be offended by even though they don't know why they are offended. They'll just know they are supposed to be.

VOLCANO: How will your comedy club differ from the others in town?

FLETT-RIGGS: That's a great question. The Comedy Underground was the first place I ever performed comedy at and has been one of my favorite places to do comedy, but it hasn't been that good for the past couple of years. With the change to the Big Whisky concept, the crowd has changed - not for the worse or anything; it's just changed.

We plan on bringing in bigger names than what you would normally get at the Underground. We want the audience to see fresh comics every week - comics that they wouldn't normally be able to see in Tacoma. If you want to see a funny up and coming comedian, you shouldn't have to drive to Bellevue or a mega casino.

In regards to the venue, the Tacoma Comedy Club has about fifty more seats than the Underground and no obstructions. Also our tickets are $8 less.

The Underground is not going anywhere and I hope they do well. I think there is enough room in Tacoma for two comedy clubs.  

VOLCANO: What's on the food menu?

FLETT-RIGGS: The Tacoma Comedy Club will have a great menu with food cooked on site not microwaved or deep fried, We'll have more than one waitress to make sure the crowd is getting the food and beverage service they want with out having to get it themselves.

VOLCANO: Have any thing else in your bag of laughs?

FLETT-RIGGS: We plan on hosting a one-a-month Sunday Clean/ Christian/Family show.

Tacoma Comedy Club

Comedians Kane Holloway and Sean Anderson
Friday, Oct. 15 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 16 7:30 and 9:45 p.m., $12
445 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma
253.282.7203
website

Filed under: Comedy, Tacoma,

September 18, 2010 at 9:25am

5 Things To Do: Cigar event, Bollywood Prom, South Downtown Block Party ...

SATURDAY, SEPT. 18, 2010 >>>

1. The Thunderbird Aficionado Cigar at 72nd and Waller hosts a meet and greet with Terry Coleman of Gran Habanos, special discounts and drawings from 2-6 p.m.

2. 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 at 7 p.m. 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.

3. Due to the rain, the South Downtown Block Party will be held indoors ay the SideBar Bistro from 5-8 p.m. Expect silkscreen at with urbanXchange, DJs, live music, board games, and more. It's an all-ages event with a full bar.

4. The opening reception for Traver Gallery's She Said, She Said show featuring glass artist Nancy Callan and painter Julia Ricketts runs from 5-8 p.m.

5. Eat, drink beer and enjoy guerilla pop and psychedelic folk with The Neoplastics and I Believe in Sunshine from 8-10 p.m. at the Northern Pacific Coffee Co. in Parkland.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

September 19, 2010 at 9:27am

5 Things To Do: Talk Like a Pirate Day events, Artist Craft Fair, Preston Singletary's show closes ...

SUNDAY, SEPT. 19, 2010 >>>

1. Avast, me hearties! If one day a year - Sept. 19's Talk Like a Pirate Day - is not enough time for channeling your inner pirate, then perhaps you belong at the Tacoma Little Theatre. These rascally representatives present Bryan Willis 30 minutes of piratical madness, I Love You, Flavilla, at 7:30 and 9 p.m. So track down your ruffled shirt, peg leg, eye patch and parrot, because anyone dresses as a pirate receives a half-price discount. Yarrr!

2. The Artist Craft Fair is an exhibition and sale of handmade alternative arts and crafts from independent artists presented by Tacoma Is For Lovers, Indie Tacoma and King's Books. The fair, which runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. inside King's Books, will feature rows and row of arts, crafts, jewelry, letterpress prints, T-shirts and a photo booth.

3. Preston Singletary's Echoes, Fire, and Shadows show at the Museum of Glass closes today. It was a huge show. Perhaps it was the lighting and the size and variety of the show that was so impressive. The walls were dark and each artwork was individually and dramatically spotlighted. The overall impact was powerful and magical, and most if not all of the individual pieces were beautiful. Run over to MOG today and catch the last day of the show from noon to 5 p.m.

4. Country band Broken Trail will be hosting the jam at The Lady Luck Cowgirl Up from 4-8 p.m. Bring your instrument, your pirate voice, or just watch with a bottle of rum.

Shiver me timbers! Beware of the Word Nerds! Prepare ye for a rowdy Talk Like a Pirate Day edition of Scrabble Rousers, a competition suitable for all levels, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at King's Books. Mateys establish their own skill level: beginner, intermediate, or expert. Scalliwags are then paired off to battle it out in two successive games. Entrance fee is $10 per person with proceeds directly benefiting the Tacoma Community House Student Scholarship Fund, which assists students as they transfer from TCH to community college.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

September 19, 2010 at 10:38am

Best Bar Burger: Walker Burger

The Walker Burger at Maxwell's Speakeasy in Tacoma.

MY CHOICE >>>

The TNT Diner has taken our Tournament of Tacos concept and applied it South Sound bar burgers. Read up on it here.

Weekly Volcano staffer Michael Swan named Asado's bar burger the best in our Best of Tacoma 2010 issue. Worthy, indeed.

My choice? Maxwell's Walker Burger.

Any restaurant that combines a half-pound of chuck, apple wood smoked bacon and a Macrina Bakery brioche bun deserves to have its burgers taken very seriously indeed. At Maxwell's Speakeasy, this dream burger exists. The Walker Burger ($12), named after the building the restaurant anchors, is grilled then topped with white cheddar, grilled onion aioli, as well as excellent quality greenery and vegetation. The result is mouthwateringly juicy and about as full-flavored as it gets. The smoky salt and earthy cheese flavors give a mildly spicy and tangy overlay to the sweet bread and firm beef patty. Wonderful!

[Maxwell's Speakeasy + Lounge, 454 St Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.683.4115]

Filed under: Food & Drink, Tacoma,

September 20, 2010 at 6:55am

5 Things To Do: "Oedipus, the King," strange Olympia, Tacoma Cult Movie Club ...

Actor Trieu Tran leads a cast in an inventive production of "Oedipus, the King" incorporating Japanese Kabuki, Noh and Butoh elements at UPS tonight.

MONDAY, SEPT. 20, 2010 >>>

1. The Classic Greek Theater of Oregon stages Oedipus, the King with elements of classic Japanese kabuki at 7:30 p.m. inside Schneebeck Concert Hall on the University of Puget Sound campus - for free.

2. Puyallup Fair gate admission is free to active, reserve, and retired military and their dependents, and disabled veterans from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

3. Historian and author Drew Crooks will tell three strange tales of old Olympia at noon inside the State Capital Museum. Copies of Olympia, Washington: A People's History, edited by Crooks, will be available for signing.

4. The Tacoma Cult Movie Club will screen films around the theme "In space no one can hear you sue" at 7 p.m. inside the Acme Grub Cage. Watch films, trailers, shorts, serials, and participate in a raffle with a bunch of like-minded wackos.

5. The Mix hosts Monday Night Barstool Bingo at 9 p.m. featuring prizes and host Charles aka Jerrica.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

September 20, 2010 at 7:05am

Night Moves: Rainy Monday remedies

Oak Rot performs tonight at Northern in Olympia.

THE WEEKLY VOLCANO RECOMMENDS THESE LIVE MUSIC SHOWS TONIGHT >>>

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Ozzie Fuhrmann Band. All Ages. 7 pm. NC.

Northern Olympia - Downtown. Daniel Higgs, Nautical Almanac, Oak Rot. All Ages. 8 pm.

  • Daniel Higgs occupies a space similar to other people who may be categorized as "mad prophets": vocalists like Isaac Brock or Nick Cave - artists who seem to speak only in proclamations and incantations, with fearsome intonation and a seemingly-possessed fervor in their eyes. These are men who seem to see straight down to the bone and the earth and all that we can't quite focus on with our measly brains. The lead singer of the unpredictable post-hardcore band Lungfish, Daniel Higgs will be performing by himself for his appearance at Northern. Accompanied by the ominous noise-rock band Nautical Almanac, this will be a show built for the shredding of the self and rebuilding in the mold of the wide-eyed and terrified. – Rev. Adam McKinney

The Royal Lounge Olympia - Downtown. The Greta Jane Quartet. 21+. 9:30 pm. NC.

The Swiss Tacoma - Downtown. Laurie Johnson & The Careless Hunters. 21+. 8 pm.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. Karan Casey, John Doyle. All Ages. 8 pm. $15-$20.

LINK: More music tonight in the South Sound

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

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