AFTER THE GAME TODAY >>>

Bobble Tiki is a huge control freak when it comes to music.  He will throw people out of his car if they even think about changing the radio station.  That's why parties can be a difficult proposition for Bobble Tiki. He never knows what he's going to hear blasting from a strange stereo.  For instance, Bobble Tiki was at a party Friday night, and everything seemed fine. One minute Audioslave was on the CD changer, the next it was Robbie Williams. Perfectly respectable. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, Oran "Juice" Jones began singing "The Rain"!  Bobble Tiki was tempted to ask for a box of Triscuits to accompany the musical Velveeta.  Bobble Tiki thinks it's time to stop the madness.  He's swearing off parties for a few weeks and planning his own amusements. Tonight, for example, he's rather tempted by the offerings at Jazzbones. The South Sound Blues Association will team up with the Washington Blues Society for a joint fundraiser celebrating the South Sound's selection to the Back to Beale Street International Blues Challenge in Memphis next month – the Randy Oxford Band.

The Kick-off party begins with The Wired! Band at 5:05 p.m., followed by the Chester Dennis Jones Band, Back Porch Stomp, Jim King & The Southsiders and finally, around 9:55 p.m., the Randy Oxford Band.

Yea, Bobble Tiki said he's swearing off parties, and this clearly is a party. Bobble Tiki's only other option is to sit home and review the low points of his life.

Back to Beal Street Kick-off Party

Sunday, Jan. 16, 5-11 p.m., $10
Jazzbones, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma
253.396.9169

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

SUNDAY, JAN. 16, 2011 >>>

1. Check into the Beale Street Kick-Off Party today at Jazzbones, with the Randy Oxford Band, the Wired Band, James King & The Southsiders, Back Porch Stomp and Chester Dennis Jones. The blues start at 5 p.m.

2. If you're in the service industry, head on down to Rock the Dock Pub & Grill tonight for Service Industry Night. Cheap drinks, fun, karaoke - it almost makes working in the service industry totally worth it.

3. Go Hawks! There are plenty of great places to watch the game today.

4. Today at the M11 Social Space (1212 S. 11^th St. #24, Tacoma) get an anarchist report on the struggle in Greece after economic meltdown. Here's how it's being described, "Presentation from a Seattle anarchist recently returned from Athens on the current anarchist struggle in Greece, two years after the insurrection and in the context of social and economic crisis. Topics will include state strategies of repression and resistance to it, the threat of fascism, the role of armed struggle, the significance of space and representation, and more. Discussion will follow. www.tan.anarchyplanet.org"

5. Today at Urban Grace Church in Tacoma, stop in for the 5th Annual Redeeming the Prophetic Vision event - perfect for the coming MLK Day. Read about the super-worthy cause here.

SWEET - BUT NOT >>>

The Seattle Seahawks already trail the Chicago Bears 21 to zip in the second quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game today. It's not looking good for the Hawks - on both sides of the ball. All the more appropriate that the above $10.99 white petite cake from Safeway in the Proctor District is still in their bakery display case.

MONDAY, JAN. 17, 2011 >>>

1. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that "Life's most persistent and nagging question is: What are you doing for others?" He lifted up the value of service as the hallmark of a full life. At the 2011 Unity Breakfast ($5-$15) University of Washington-Tacoma from 8- 10:30 a.m. in the William W. Philip Hall, UWT History Professor Michael Honey will reflect upon the "full life" of Dr. King and how we can be of service to others.

2. As part of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Bates Technical College students will march to the Tacoma Dome at 9:30 p.m. after an hour of refreshments in their cafeteria. Students and staff members encourage community friends to join them as they march from Bates' Downtown Campus on 11^th Street and Yakima Avenue to the Dome to attend the City of Tacoma's annual Martin Luther King, Jr. event, which begins at 11 a.m.

3. Man's best friend comes in many shapes and sizes. There are small dogs, big dogs, hairy dogs and dogs that shit and piss all over the place. There are cute dogs, ugly dogs, stinky dogs, and, well, dogs that shit and piss all over the place. From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Puyallup Fairgrounds (specifically, the Americraft ShowPlex, Pavilion and Centennial Building) the Western Washington All Breed Dog Show Cluster will end its weekend run in epic fashion - pitting the most privileged and pampered yappers you'll ever seen in a battle royal for canine supremacy.

4. Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland and the Hon. Norman Rice (Seattle's first African-American mayor) will be a big part of the University of Puget Sound's annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration beginning at 7 p.m. Part of a bevy of planned events - from conversation to music to video and song - Strickland and Rice will take part in an onstage dialogue and keynote discussion, dishing on the importance of MLK's work and legacy. Find a way to attend this event.

5. At 9 p.m. Every Monday Jazzbones is packed to the brim with college kids. Party types. The type that wear tight shirts and trucker hats. Throngs of Chad Fratguys and Sarah Sororitysisters swarm the bar, line up for the bathroom and dance to the Rockaraoke - live band karaoke. The Rockaraoke band is skilled, too. Bonus tonight: It's mustache night featuring the Miller Girls.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

CH-CH-CH-CHANGES >>>

Alfredo Russo is one of Tacoma's most admired and respected chefs and restaurateurs. His Europa Bistro, nestled in the Proctor District, is a five-senses restaurant offering excellent northern Italian cuisine with a European fusion. The kitchen aromas, the hearty meals, and the distinct colors all meld to create an out-of-this-country experience. Originally from Carinola near Naples, he and his wife, Justine, were responsible for the delicious meals at the former Luciano's on Ruston Way before opening their own Italian restaurant in Tacoma.

Today, Alfredo and Justine are the owners of the Mandolin Café, a dozen blocks or so from their beloved Europa Bistro. This isn't news to those who have visited the Mandolin in the last week as Alfredo has been weaving through the high-top tables, past the couches in front of the fireplace, and in and out of the kitchen.

The Russo ownership brings a sense of stability to the Mandolin Café. Veronique and John Morrison created the Mandolin in May of 2004. Their French upbringing and extensive European travels contributed to the Mediterranean flair of this beloved neighborhood hangout just off Proctor Street on South 12th Street. With Valhalla Coffee Company embedded inside the café, and a live music schedule, the Mandolin built a loyal following. Valhalla eventually moved into its own building on Sixth Avenue. In the summer of 2008, Creig Kostoff, former owner of Sofia Bistro in University Place, grabbed ownership of the Mandolin, updated the kitchen, changed the menu and packed the café. However, the economy messed with Kostoff's livelihood, forcing the Morrisons back to the Mandolin. There's a hundred other mini stories that occurred between the 2004 and today, but that's for another day.

The Europa camp says they'll maintain status quo at the Mandolin for now. There's rumor the weekday Mandolin breakfasts will return. And I pray some of the wine selections at Europa migrate down Proctor Street, as well as several of their pasta dishes.

Keep your eye on the Mandolin Café. Alfredo and Justine could give the European-style café an Italian bump.

Mandolin Café

7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday
7 a.m. to midnight Friday
8 a.m. to midnight Saturday
8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
3923 S. 12th St., Tacoma
253.761.3482

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

ONCE YOU GO BLACK SWAN, YOU NEVER GO BACK...SWAN.>>>

Last night Natalie Portman took home a Golden Globe for her leading roll in Black Swan, the dark drama about a ballerina who gets lost in her character and loses her mind. I loved the movie and would like to honor it this Monday by posting  the Jim Carrey parody from his performance last week on SNL. It's one of the funniest things I've seen in a while. P.S. sorry for the commercial. Hulu's a bitch.

TODAY IN POORLY KEPT NON-SECRETS >>>

Tacoma is a small place, so it should come as no surprise to followers of the Volcano to learn Zach Powers (hopefully you read his interview with former Tacoma mayor Harold Moss) is Rockwell Powers, local hip-hopper.

In April, Powers and Ill Pill will release Kids in the Back 2, the duo's second full-length album.

Today, Powers sent us a link to the new album's first single, "These Songs." You'll find the video below.

After the break you'll find the official press release that accompanies the news.

Read more...

FUCKIN' A! >>>

This Sunday, Hutch Harris and Kathy Foster's the Thermals will be at Northern in Olympia -- just another amazing show brought to you by Oly's amazing all-ages arts and music space.

Naturally, we'll be previewing the show in this week's Volcano. The good Rev. Adam McKinney interviewed the Thermals last month and has been sitting on a gold mine of quotes waiting for this moment.

Until Thursday's Volcano hits the street and you're able to delve into McKinney's interview, you'll simply have to make due with a bit of music video goodness from the band.

TODAY IN ONLINE TALK >>>

Today's comment comes from Leslie Sirag in regard to Zach Powers' interview with Tacoma's first African-American mayor, Harold Moss.

Sirag writes,
"I'm proud to say that my dad, Ed Apstein, was also involved in Tacoma's civil rights struggles, including "persuading" the management of the Medical Arts Building to rent office space to a black specialist whose expertise was much needed here."

AWARD SHOW EXCITEMENT >>>

The Golden Globes! GOLDEN GLOOOOOOOBES!!! WOO-HOO!

Wow. I didn't know I got so pumped from an awards show where, without fail, I take in maybe four-percent of the works nominated. But hey, with today's movie ticket prices, I find it way more economical just to see my fave A-Listers cram into the Beverly Hilton on TV.   

ON THE RED CARPET

Hi, Carson Daly! Still exchanging drab convo with celebs, huh? Good for you. Whoa, do I spy Christian Bale? Love the Jesus locks, bro! If Hollywood reboots Passion of the Christ, they'll know who to ring-a-ding.  

THE SHOW

Ricky Gervais, baby, I loved you a decade ago on that show where you played a funny prick, but do you have to play an unfunny prick as tonight's host? In between boos for his stale cracks/venomous barbs (Robert Downey went to rehab! yuck yuck) he kept nervously glancing at his watch. Can't imagine why. And STILL jiving Carell for The Office?

The night did have its more triumphant moments. Bale, abusing his body to suit each role, finally received deserved recognition for his chops in The Fighter. Other veterans like Steve Buscemi and Katey Sagal (best known as Al Bundy's better half in Married With Children) took home statues for HBO's Boardwalk Empire and FX's Sons of Anarchy, respectively. Inception and The Social Network rank among last year's best, but the latter trumped the former in the score, director, screenplay and Best Drama categories. And Downey gets my Best Presenter award for humorously propositioning all five Best Actress nominees. Take notes, Gervais - we Yanks love us a cheeky laugh.

POST-SHOW

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