Weekly Volcano Blogs: Walkie Talkie Blog

Posts made in: October, 2010 (121) Currently Viewing: 11 - 20 of 121

October 3, 2010 at 9:57am

Scenes from the Olympia Arts Walk

Washington Street became a sea of chalk art Friday night.

OLYMPIA ARTS WALK, FALL EDITION >>>

People will react to a man in a pink dress carrying a boombox down Washington Street in three ways. Some will pretend it's something they're used to seeing. Others will laugh. But most will just smile nervously, as if they suspect they're being surveilled.

I laughed.

I also laughed at the robot costume and the dude pulling a wagon of banjos for sale.

Wandering poet Seamus Navarro walked into my personal space and asked me if he could read a poem to me. After choosing "light" from his menu of choices, he recited "Big Sur At Sunset" from memory - what seemed to be three inches from my face. Afterward, he mentioned something about heading to California and then disappeared.

Seamas Navarro

The above experiences happened Friday night during the twice-annual Olympia Arts Walk. The city closed off Washington and Legion streets allowing folks to walk, bike, skateboard and in some cases wobble their way around street art and performances, while darting into galleries and businesses. The entire downtown core participated in the night of music and arts that included bands in alleys, balconies and doorways. 

I hung out at the Olympia Folk Fest and Art Show inside The Loft on Cherry. As I sipped IPAs below blue Tivoli lights folk artists Mudcat, Abby Blue and the Outskirts and others performed before a diverse, rotating crowd. It's a cool space.

Abby Blue and the Outskirts

While the crowd seemed smaller this year, and less music on the streets, it's still one of the best times in the South Sound.

LINK: More photos in our Photo Hot Spot

Filed under: Arts, Photo Hot Spot, Olympia,

October 3, 2010 at 10:54am

Photos: Gnar at the Bar in Tacoma

GNARLY >>>

It was the mini Sturgis of skateboarding, a day of ripping, beer and bands Saturday. No giant contest money ($500), corporate sponsors or swooping ESPN camera cranes - just local hard-core skaters summoned by the scent of wood dust tossed above the vertical lip of the miniramp sponsored by Saves Clothing.

Intermediate and advanced skaters, a couple with bandages on their foreheads and a gleeful disregard for personal safety, a couple dozen skaters from across the Puget Sound pointed their wheels toward the newest South Sound skate Mecca:

O'Malley's Irish Pub, Tacoma. Population: many tipsy.

Saves Clothing, in partnership with O'Malley's Irish Pub and a handful of other local businesses, hosted "Oktobersesh" Gnar at the Bar Skate Competition yesterday in the lot behind the Sixth Avenue watering hole. Between the beer garden and a small bleacher full of families, skaters attached the ramp with rock and punk music blasting the neighborhood.

After the competition, local bands rock the joint.

Yesterday's event had an awesome DIY vibe. I'm hoping O'Malley's hosts more of these skate competitions.

LINK: More photos in our Photo Hot Spot

Filed under: Sports, Photo Hot Spot, Tacoma,

October 3, 2010 at 11:53am

Review: 253Heart three for three

A Leaf played the Peabody Waldorf last night.

PICKED THE PERFECT TIME >>>

Enough has been said about this packed weekend of events in the South Sound. I'm fortunate to have an immediate family who loves the same things I do. The three of us squeezed-in three talented acts last night at the Peabody Waldorf, as part of the 253Heart Music and Arts Festival in Tacoma.

Matt Eklund led off the night with an electric, surreal guitar jam that fit the venue perfectly. Low lighting, amazing art and an eclectic film screening off to the side, his skillfully played, feel-good, undifferentiated music seemed to described what was taking place around us. He ended with what I believe was the instrumental version of "Stranglehold" meets "Barstools and Dreamers."

One of Tacoma's most talented individuals jumped up on stage next. Painter, writer and performer Jeremy Silas shared his thoughts through prose with the room, reading from his cell phone and several notebooks, breaking into song here and there. His tonal range was impressive.

The last act we caught before heading off for family time was the local band A Leaf. Think of A Leaf as an audio chill room: a sonic escape from all the noisy garage and indie I've been enjoying lately. A Leaf's gorgeous mix of Summer of Love melodies and dreamy vocal harmonies transported us to a gently semi-psychedelic place. I'm in love with this band.

LINK: The 253Heart Music and Arts Festival continues today

Filed under: Concert Review, Music, Tacoma,

October 4, 2010 at 8:00am

5 Things To Do: World Championship of Sand Sculpting extended, Proctor Art Gallery, "Lovely, Still" ...

One of the sand sculptures at the World Championship of Sand Sculpting in Federal Way.

MONDAY, OCT. 4, 2010 >>>

1. The World Championship of Sand Sculpting had been held in Harrison Hot Springs British Columbia for nearly 20 years, but this year it moved to Federal Way. It has drawn top-notch sand sculptors from around the globe to compete in the yearly sand showdown, which is held in a parking lot near the Gene Juarez Academy and 24 Hour Fitness from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. And it's been extended for another week, ending Sunday, Oct. 10.

2. The artwork of Carolyn Burt and the jewelry of Joni Joachims is on display at the Proctor Art Gallery from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

3. With the approach of Christmas causing him to feel lonely in life and love, Robert Malone (Academy Award Winner Martin Landau) braves the wintery snow to arrive home from his job at the grocery store only to find a stranger (Academy Award Winner Ellen Burstyn) standing in his home in the film Lovely, Sill, which screens at 2:15 and 7 p.m. inside The Grand Cinema. What begins as an odd and awkward encounter quickly blossoms into what appears to be a romantic late life love affair that takes us on a heartfelt and wonderful journey, which takes an unexpected turn.

4. DJ Darren Selector spins Tacoma indie rock and underground hits at 6 p.m. every Monday at The New Frontier Lounge.

5. Karaoke with a live band continues Monday nights at Jazzbones beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

October 4, 2010 at 10:13am

Best Cheese Plate

An Enoteca cheese plate with salami option

BEST THINGS IN LIFE NO. 25 >>>

Given the opportunity, I could eat Enoteca wine bar's cheese plate for breakfast, lunch, a snack before dinner, dinner, a midnight nosh and 3 a.m. nourishment. And then I could do it all again. Why? Because Bill Bonnie, the owner, offers the largest selection of artisan cheeses from around the world. Formaggio di Fossa from Italy, Le Moelleux du Ravard from France, Aged Gouda from the Netherlands, Valdeon from Spain, Vermont Cheddar Reserve - around 25 cheeses in all. And if that wasn't enough, Bill will hook you up with a Gallino Barbera or Finca Resalso while you kick back in the cozy, quasi-rustic room with acid or gypsy jazz swirling about.

You can choose a single cheese from $10-$32, three for $15, or a half-plate for $9. The cheese plate arrives with bread, mixed herbed olives and pickles. Add $3 for salami or chutney.

And don't shy away from asking Bill to choose the perfect wine for your cheese and mood. He knows.

Enoteca

11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Friday
noon to 9 p.m. Saturday
21 N. Tacoma Ave., Tacoma
253.779.8258

LINK: More best things

Filed under: Food & Drink, Tacoma,

October 4, 2010 at 11:37am

Tacoma Film Festival 2010 Top 11 Picks

Philip Cowan Pick: "The documentary 'Wheedle's Groove' is a great film for the Grand not only because of its focus on Seattle musicians but also because some of the musicians will be on hand to talk about the film!"

TOP 10s ARE SO YESTERDAY >>>

Every year Tacoma Film Festival Executive Director Philip Cowan picks his top 10 movies that festival goers should see. This year he picked 11. Read them here.

The Tacoma Film festival begins this Thursday. Read our cover story on the local treasure here.

LINK: Full TFF 2010 schedule

Filed under: Screens, Tacoma,

October 4, 2010 at 1:10pm

Choctoberfest in Tacoma begins Wednesday

PROCTOR CHOCOLATE FEST >>>

Whether you're a chocoholic who really could benefit from a 12-step program or just enjoy a sweet treat on occasion, the Proctor Chocolate Fest is the place to be. Chocolate treats, activities, cooking, and events all add up to one chocotastic day (or days). More than 40 of the fabulous Proctor businesses will offer free treats and/or discounts on chocolate items.

If you'd like a more interactive experience, pick up a Proctor Chocolate Fest Passport at Met Market, Giardini Gift and Garden, Safeway, Megs & Mo, Pacific Northwest Shop, American National Insurance, or Jubilee Cupcakes. With your passport in hand, venture forth to participating businesses to collect stickers. Once your passport is dully full, you can return them to the businesses listed above to compete for prizes.

Other events are also on tap. Oct. 9 at 3 p.m., Cooper's Collision is sponsoring a bake off (featuring chocolate items, of course!) with a $50 first prize and $25 second prize.

Check out Met Market for a number of events and demonstrations on Oct. 7, 8, and 9.

Megs & Mo will have brownie bites and chocolate martinis, and Pomodoro will have a $4 chocolate martini.

Jubilee (my choice for best cupcakes anywhere) will have a four-pack of specialty chocolate cupcakes.

Proctor Art Gallery will even have chocolate paintings on display!

Just about anywhere you go in the Proctor District Oct. 6-9 will have some tasty chocolate either for free or for sale.

For more information about the festival, contact Meghan Toso of American National Insurance 253.495.2534.

Get your choc on! 

LINK: This is where it's at

Filed under: Events, Food & Drink, Tacoma,

October 5, 2010 at 7:50am

5 Things To Do: Tuesday, Oct. 5

Saxophonist Kareem Kandi leads the open jazz jam tonight at Sax.

LAUGHS AND CHINESE ROCKERS >>>

1. Bebop reigns, and the talented musicians play hard and fast during SAX Restaurant's Tuesday open jazz jam beginning at 9 p.m. The music is stellar, and a listener can be thrown back to the late-1940s, with musicians playing their hearts out and the crowd joining in and egging them on.

2. Drawn from world-renowned graphic designer Kit Hinrich's collection of over 5,000 American flags and flag-related objects, the Harbor History Museum's Stars and Stripes exhibit presents America's icon from a unique perspective as a national brand, a logo and a symbol that is filled with emotion and levels of meaning that change with the political and cultural climate of the times. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. check out Civil War-era flags, jewelry, toys, political memorabilia, and more.

3. Rebecca Chernow, gaffer with the Museum of Glass's Mobile Hot Shop, investigates the impact of modern manufactured products that are created, used up, and discarded daily as waste and the impact of this practice on the environment, in the Museum's Hot Shop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

4. Mark L. Moskowitz will lecture on "Cries of Joy, Songs of Sorrow: Chinese Popular Music and its Cultural Connotations" at 4 p.m. inside Wyatt Hall on the University of Puget Sound campus.

5. Local comedian Nate Jackson joins host Ralph Poter and other comics at Jazzbones' Ha Ha Tuesdays Comedy Night beginning at 8:30 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

Filed under: 5 Things To Do, Arts, Music, Tacoma, Comedy,

October 5, 2010 at 9:58am

Sustainable Tacoma Grant available

THIS IS SOMETHING TO KNOW >>>

The City of Tacoma sent us this ditty:

The Sustainable Tacoma Grant offers up to $5,000 through the City of Tacoma's Office of Sustainability to any non-profit or educational institution planning a project related to sustainable development and climate change mitigation.

Tie-ins with Tacoma's Climate Action Plan, found here, are encouraged. Key strategies in that plan include transportation/fuel reduction, energy conservation, waste reduction/recycling, and smart land use/ livable neighborhoods.

Applications must be emailed or post-marked by Oct. 29, 2010.

Some possible projects might include developing a walking schoolbus program, school and urban agriculture projects, installing a passive thermal solar water heater, planting example street trees with informational signage, creating a YouTube video to educate citizens on recycling in Tacoma, conducting a tap water vs. bottled water taste-off, and installing recycling stations at a local middle school.

To find out more about the Sustainable Tacoma Grant Program, for tips, or information on how to apply, click here. 

Filed under: Green Crush, Tacoma,

October 5, 2010 at 10:36am

Bombay Bistro Grand Opening?

(CLOSED)

Driving past Bombay Bistro this morning the huge white "Grand Opening" banner caught my eye. it's well-known that Anita and Kamal Walia opened the Mumbai-centered Indian restaurant in 2007.

So what gives?

Apparently, new management has taken over the Sixth Avenue restaurant while the Walias spend time in India. The new management might be around for a while as Anita also plans to finish her medical degree.

Filed under: Food & Drink, Tacoma,

About this blog

News and entertainment from Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s most awesome weekly newspapers - The Ranger, Northwest Airlifter and Weekly Volcano.

Recent Comments

Walkie Talkies said:

Thanks for posting! But I want say that Walkie Talkies are really required while organizing fun...

about COMMENT OF THE DAY: "low brow’s" identity revealed?

Humayun Kabir said:

Really nice album. I have already purchased Vedder's Album. Listening to the song of this album,...

about Eddie Vedder’s "Ukulele Songs" available today - and I don’t hold a candle to that shit

AndrewPehrson said:

Your post contains very beneficial content. Kindly keep sharing such post.

about Vote for Tacoman Larry Huffines on HGTV!

Shimul Kabir said:

Vedder's album is really nice. I have heard attentively

about Eddie Vedder’s "Ukulele Songs" available today - and I don’t hold a candle to that shit

marble exporters in India said:

amazing information for getting the new ideas thanks for sharing a post

about 5 Things To Do Today: Art Chantry, DIY home improvement, "A Shot In The Dark" ...

Archives

2024
January, February, March
2023
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2022
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2021
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2020
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2019
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2018
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2017
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2016
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2015
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2014
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2013
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2012
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2011
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2010
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2009
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2008
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2007
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2006
March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December