BENEFIT AT NORTHERN FOR NORTHERN >>>

Sunday night at Northern, Mount Eerie (Phil Elverum) will perform alongside the Hive Dwellers, the latest outlet for the restless creative energy of K Records founder (and Elverum's buddy) Calvin Johnson. The show, which will also include Vancouver pop-psych outfit My Friend Wallis, is intended to help raise money for Northern, which is now nearing its second year of operation. As booker Ben Hargett explains, the costs of maintaining an all-ages venue add up very quickly.

Read the full article here.

And check out this interview clip with Elverum that we scrounged up on YouTube.

THIRD THURSDAY ART BUS IS MY FAVORITE >>>

Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh. My. GOSH. Linda Danforth from the Tacoma Art Place is SO nice. She like does lots of stuff for people. Seriously. She makes people happy. And I swear her eyes twinkle like Santa's when she smiles. Take a look sometime.

So like the Tacoma Third Thursday Art Bus will stop at Tacoma Art Place and along with a bunch of other neato art places this Thursday. Jeez, I already said Thursday didn't I? Yikes. And Linda says that she's "having a Member and Volunteer Show and Sale all of December. Work in any medium from current members and volunteers is on display and for sale." She said other important stuff about it but I ... for ... got.

Tacoma Art Place always has a bunch of snacks and soda pop. Last third Thursday Linda had a cake. I swear it's true. She will also give discounts on Tacoma Art Place memberships to Art Bus riders.

I asked Linda what Tacoma Art Place wanted from Santa this year and she said, "We'd like more members and volunteers, as well as dollar and equipment donations."

OK. So the bus is $10 to ride and it's going to be super cool. Sign up here.

Let's see who can hold their breath the longest. Ready go!

LINK: I said some other stuff here and here and here

TACOMA HIP-HOP >>>

Got word from Tacoma's venerable EvergreenOne and Todd Sykes today that the duo are hard at work - which should come as a surprise to no one.

According to EvergreenOne, both he and Sykes are prepping for the release of solo albums. EvergreenOne's effort will be entirely produced by Truss One, while Sykes is currently grinding away at a new solo EP and a production LP - both of which EvergreenOne reports will include, "a bunch of dope emcees."  In addition to all of this, Sykes and EvergreenOne - collectively City Hall -plan to have new music to the masses soon.

Also, noteworthy, and included in his note to us, is a download link for EvergreenOne's new "Posse on Broadway" - which includes John Crown, Gazmo and Fice. Take a listen here.

Finally, EvergreenOne forwarded this video, described as a preview of his forthcoming solo record.

BANDITO BETTY LOU WHO LEAP OF THE DAY >>>

"Hey Doug Mackey! You better take your drum kit, funny voices, crazy songs and fake prawn and hit the road becuase I'm the mutha elfing Foursquare Holiday Mayor of your house now!" screamed Bandito Betty Lou Who – our very happy friend who leaps for us on Spew. "If you want to see real acting, take a look at ... THIS!"

Read more...

RECOMMENDED LIVE MUSIC SHOWS TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

4th Ave Ale House Olympia - Downtown. Arnie Aasen & Guests. 21+. 9 pm.

Charlie's Sports Bar and Grill Olympia - Downtown. Scott Taylor & The Fond Farewells, Jeffrey Williams. 21+. 7 pm.

Hell's Kitchen Tacoma - Downtown. The Liberterrorist, Rosie Cheex Burlesque, Dies Drear, Ten Miles Of Bad Road. 21+. 8 pm.

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Haggis For The Holidays Benefit, with The McKassons. All Ages. 7:30 pm. $15.

• The McKassons are way more talented than your family. Of course, your dad did beat a speeding ticket that one time, and your brother did show the perseverance to overcome his paint-huffing addiction, but - to be blunt -  brother and sister Ryan and Cali McKasson put those accomplishments to shame, and put their Celtic/Scottish magic on full display every time their feet touch the stage. Throw in Ryan's wife Brooke McKasson and Cali's husband Matt Jerrell (no doubt suffering from total last name envy) and you've got the makings of one of the tightest bands we've come across. The McKassons offer up their annual holiday show this Thursday at the Mandolin Café in Tacoma. Dig fiddle? Get there. – Michael Swan
  

O'Callahan's Pub & Grill Key Peninsula. Tim Hall Band. 21+. 7 pm. NC.

Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma - Downtown. Open Mic/Musicians' Night. Hosted by Big D of 9 Pound Hammer. 21+. 9 pm. NC.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Billy Stoops Acoustic Jam. 21+. 9 pm.

The Swiss Tacoma - Downtown. The Fabulous Wailers. 21+. 8 pm. $15.

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

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

THURSDAY, DEC. 16>>>

1. Rare Exports opens at the Grand today with a free screening starting at 7 p.m. The only catch: You need to pick up your free tickets at either Doyle's or Comic Book Ink.

2. Well hot shit! The Fabulous Wailers play the Swiss tonight - and they're promising a big bash. Expect extra horns and some boogie piano.

3. Still shopping for the holidays? Who's not? Try the 25 and Under Sale today at the 253 Collective Showroom (1901 S. Jefferson). "New art, new artists and new excitement," it promised.

4. Need a laugh? I'm sure we all do. Chances are, the comedy open mic night at Big Whisky Saloon in Tacoma will provide a few. Giggles start at 8:30 p.m.

5. Get your fiddle on with The McKassons and the Haggis For the Holidays Benefit at the Mandolin Café.

DONATE TO A LOCAL CHARITY >>>

There's no better way to support your community than supporting your neighbors in need, especially during the holiday season. We'll feature local charities on Spew throughout this holiday season with links to donate your money, supplies and time.

Give the karmic wheel a spin for today's charity focus:

Rebuilding Together South Sound

2025 Mildred St. W., Fircrest
253.238.0977

Rebuilding Together became a national nonprofit organization in 1988 headquartered in Washington, D.C. There are now 260 affiliates of this volunteer organization in 49 states - including a South Sound chapter based in Fircrest - preserving and revitalizing low-income houses and communities.

The group performs home repair and maintenance services at no charge for low-income homeowners and nonprofit facilities. The organization reaches out to the elderly, the disabled and families with children in an attempt to help them remain warm, safe and independent in their homes.

"We have just begun an emergency repair program, and we could really use volunteers, donors and applicants," says Drew Carrigan, community outreach coordinator for Rebuilding Together South Sound. Emergency repairs are now part of RTSS's year round program that also includes home modifications for increased accessibility. The local affiliate has its sights set on completing 70 projects yearly.

Rebuilding Together South Sound seeks skilled volunteers who are willing to help fix actively leaking roofs, major plumbing leaks, and loss of heat. While some community volunteers have extraordinary skills, the construction industry's skilled trade professionals - plumbers, electricians, iron workers, glaziers and roofers - not only save time with their expertise but they also get excited about being part of the program. Much of the work for seniors involves building a ramp to eliminate steps to an entry. Recent statistics have revealed that the number of seniors seriously injured in falls continue to climb.

In 2009, more than 250,000 volunteers worked on more than 8,000 homes and nonprofit facilities nation wide. Since the program began, 87,450 homes have been rehabilitated with the help of more than 2.3 million volunteers.

Rebuilding Together relies on donations of cash, labor and materials from businesses and community groups before molding its schedule of projects.

LINK: Donate to Rebuilding Together South Sound

LINK: Volunteer at Rebuilding Together South Sound

LINK: Become a fan

Previous Mistledole charities

• Tacoma Community House
• Lindquist Dental Clinic for Children
• Olive Crest
• Emergency Food Network
• Catherine Place
• Mary Bridge Children's Foundation
• United Way/Project:U
• Santa Silvia/Mary Bridge
• Thurston County Food Bank
• Fisher House
• Lakewood Area Shelter Association
• CenterForce
• Tacoma Goodwill

THIS WEEK IN ATHLETICS-RELATED STUPIDITY >>>

Every week the Volcano's Cup Check column comes to you on Thursdays, like a present from a long-lost, chemically-dependent friend you didn't realize you wanted. After a full week of intense research and scrutiny, carefully concocting my thoughts and diligently gathering information, I sit down and pound out a bunch of fairly-sophomoric jokes about professional jocks and the world they live in. It's a pretty sweet gig. Again, we call it Cup Check ...

This week, in what should come as a shock to no one, now indefinitely-suspended Jets strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi draws the Cup Check spotlight, along with Mike Vick, Cliff Lee and Carmelo Anthony.

Check it out here.

And, if you've got a minute, take a gander at the video below. Through the magic of YouTube, it seems I'm not the only person providing commentary on the Sal Alosi saga.

CALLING ALL DOODLERS ...OR NOT >>>

Olympia will soon be accepting proposals on how to move forward on a revamp of the former Olympia Brewery property. But don't bust out that yellow notepad and drawing pencil just yet.

The Thurston Regional Planning Council has released a Request for Qualifications document on their website. What's a Request for Qualifications document, you ask? An RFQ alerts experienced architecture, city planning and engineering firms to the presence of a potential project. Firms interested in the project submit their qualifications (e.g. similar projects completed, past experience, proposed teams).

In the case of the Olympia Brewery property, the firm chosen would complete a community vision project: a plausible, comprehensive, desired idea for what should be done with the property.  Should Olympia turn the old brewery into a sports center? An ice rink? A functioning brewery? Who knows, but the firm chosen from this RFQ might play an instrumental part in the decision process.        

Qualifications must be submitted by Dec. 30 consideration. Or, if you're a just some dude with a pencil and paper, you may want to wait for subsequent council meetings.

A TASTE OF WHAT'S IN STORE IN PRINT & ONLINE >>>

Bobble Tiki may have gone away again this holiday season - for his annual, involuntary, intervention-induced twelve days of Christmas at Schick Shadel (he's stayed so many times, they give him two days free) - but that doesn't mean the Volcano's music section is empty this week. Quite the contrary. Here's a look at all the goodness in store in print and online ...

The Shivas and My Friend Wallis

"When we first started, we played a lot of old blues songs," says Jared Wait-Molyneux of the Shivas. "We were just a bunch of high school kids who liked Cream and, you know, old '60s blues bands."

Mount Eerie

On "Where?," Track One of Mount Eerie's latest release, Song Islands Vol. 2, renowned Washington musician Phil Elverum sings, "Mt. Eerie is playing tonight / where is the concert, and will it be all-ages?" Despite the somber mood set by his sparse guitar and plaintive overdubbed vocals, the song seems to wink at the listener, nudging them in the ribs as if to say, "Of course the show is all-ages." - Jason Baxter

KEG
Oh, folks. Are you ready for something absolutely ridiculous? Look no further than KEG. - Rev. Adam McKinney

PLUS: Deborah Page, The Hard Way CD release and Apricot & the Beginners