TODAY IN ONLINE TALK >>>

Today's comment comes from Amanda in regard to Joe Izenman's recent review of Frost/Nixon, currently playing at Tacoma Little Theatre.

Amanda writes,

Interesting review. I will admit to being a little biased for knowing someone in the show, however I thought a majority of the performances quite strong. I learned quite a bit about that episode in history(and also enjoyed the informative display in the lobby), and came away with a very different view of Nixon.

Yes, the light on the screen is distracting, but it doesn't make it impossible to enjoy the production. I commend TLT for their creativity and highly recommend this show. Great job, guys!

FRIDAY, JAN. 21, 2011 >>>

1. Third Friday of the month means it's Beat Boxxx night featuring the best '80s New Wave, funk, hip-hop, freestyle and early house tunes - and righteous videos, too. This Friday, DJs Chris Savenetti and dAb will man the decks beginning at 9:30 p.m. inside the Tempest Lounge.

2. Katy Evans and Athena Hitson present Peanut Butter Space Jam - a group art exhibition featuring portraits rendered in oils, ink, acrylic and enamel on glass, and linocut print by Robert Evans, Chuck Knigge, and Audra Laymon - held at the new arts venue the Space (729 Court C, Tacoma ) from 5-11 p.m.

3. The Varsity Grill in downtown Tacoma will host their biggest beer event of the year - their annual outdoor Ice Block Party - from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Meet the brewers and/or beer experts of winter brews, taste at least nine winter beers, eat, listen to music and wine prizes.

4. Fiddle us this: What's the difference between a fiddle and a violin? A violin has strings and a fiddle has strangs.  So there ya go - can't remember who first said it, but it's an entire musical genre, an entire manner of thinking, an entire way of life all neatly summed up in one little word.  Don't believe it? Check out the 6:30 p.m. Olympia Community Bluegrass Music show at Olympia's First Christian Church and find out just how much of a difference one little letter (re: musical attitude) makes. It's a community fundraiser for The Thurston County Food Bank.

5. Tacoma Little Theatre's production of Frost/Nixon is suitably sparse. As with the interviews themselves, the centerpiece throughout the bulk of the show is simply a pair of chairs set up for a television interview. In lieu of a backdrop there is a series of screens that project, in turns, actual news clips and a live feed of the interview conducted on stage. The production hits the stage at 7:30 p.m. Read our review of the show here.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: New movies open today

LINK: Concert go on sale today

MORE LIVE TONIGHT THAN YOU'LL EVER BE >>>

4th Ave Ale House Olympia - Downtown. Humble Smile. 9 pm.

First Christian Church Olympia - Eastside. Olympia Community Bluegrass Show, with Runaway Train, Oly Mountain Boys, Blackberry Bushes. All Ages. 6:30 pm. $5 or $3 with 2 cans of food.

Firwood Rock Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. DSD1, Lawrence and House Six, DJ Chill. 9 pm. $5.

Harmon Tap Room Tacoma - Stadium District. China Davis. 8 pm. NC.

Hell's Kitchen Tacoma - Downtown. The Flight Of Phanuel, Zoo Animal, A Leaf, The Merry Way, Magic Mirrors. 8 pm. $5.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Big Wheel Stunt Show, Voxxy Vallejo. 8 pm. $5.

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Judd Wasserman. All Ages. 6 pm. NC. Luke Sayers. All Ages. 8:30 pm. $5.

Maxwell's Speakeasy Tacoma. Lance Buller Trio. All Ages. 7-10 pm. NC.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. The Horde & The Harem, Fox & The Law. 9 pm.

Northern Olympia - Downtown. The Solvents, Letters. All Ages. 8 pm.

• Minus the violin, the Solvents would still be a band worth watching and listening to - earthy, melancholy, lively in the face of heartache. They draw from indie rock godfathers who innovated by veering closer to the heart of pop music, not running away from it (Big Star, the Replacements, etc.). But the ever-present, beautifully expressive violin work provided by Emily Madden offers the perfect counterpoint to Jarrod Bramson's gruff, mournful lead vocals and steadily strumming acoustic guitar. Bramson's vocal ticks, if not his tones, owe a bit to John Lennon in the way he can express regret, shame, remorse and vulnerability without sacrificing masculinity and a cynical bite. And all the while, Madden's violin sweetens and gently badgers Bramson in a game of musical one-upmanship that elevates Solvents into something special. - Rev. Adam McKinney

Personal Power Company Tacoma - Downtown. Slashed Tires, Allan Boothe, Seed, Morgy Pepper and Battle Stations in this Spaceworks Tacoma space. All ages. 7:30 pm. Donations.

• Personal Power Company is the latest entity granted corporealness by the Spaceworks Tacoma project. Kris Crews and his fiancée, Bridgett Nicol (who identify under the titles of artistic director and executive director, respectively), were given a space from which to operate what is essentially a video production company/multimedia gallery/community gathering place/occasional venue. Their first official live show will be happening tonight, featuring the music of Allan Boothe, Margy Pepper, Seed, Battle Stations and Slashed Tires (who will be performing in that shower room I mentioned earlier). Read the rest of the story here. – Rev. AM
  

Schneebeck Concert Hall Tacoma - Northend. Saxophones & Friends. All Ages. 7:30 pm.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Fade to Black. 9 pm.

Washington Center Olympia - Downtown. Loudon wainwright III, Shawn Colvin. 7:30 p.m. $19.25-$46.50.

• Loudon Wainwright III is many things. To some in my generation, he's known as a minor comedic actor, having appeared in M*A*S*H and Judd Apatow productions like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up and the short-lived college comedy Undeclared (as well as more dubious cinematic fare like 2009's G-Force - the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced family romp about CGI gerbil secret agents). Decades earlier, Wainwright was a singular and widely admired folk talent that critics eagerly labeled "The New Dylan," back when that honorific was still fresh and hadn't been devalued through overuse by unimaginative journalists. Others might know him best as the patriarch of a preternaturally talented brood (his son Rufus and daughters Martha and Lucy are acclaimed singer-songwriters in their own right). Read the rest of the story here. – Jason Baxter
  

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

BREAKING NEWS: SOME BULLSHIT HAPPENED SOMEWHERE>>>

This video needs no introduction, so to fill up space I will write you a poem.

Ode To Friday

I wait for you like a pizza in the oven

that I end up pulling out before the timer rings

because i'm hungry

and I consume a pound of raw dough

without shame

although, yes, I should have much shame.

Now that that nonsense is done, here's some more nonsense.

WARM SHOP WITH CHARISMA >>>

Neighborhood:  The heart of Olympia

Address/phone:  203A Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.943.1434

Hours:  8 a.m. to 6: 00 p.m. Monday through Friday

Standard Cup o' Joe:  $2

Bean Source:  Batdorf & Bronson

Crowd:  Middle class professionals and some Evergreen State College students with a sprinkling of seniors.

Soundtrack:  Jazz, easy listening

Wifi:  Absolutely

Noshing/Sipping:  Traditional espresso drinks with made-on-the-premises donuts and cookies.  Also, soft drinks and sandwiches are available.

Bonus:  Very comfortable seating to enjoy one's brew and newspaper.  Owners Charles Lampard and Travis Shetler provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

C & D Gourmet Coffee:  Lampard and Shelter have been in business for the past 18 months, and they say business has been good.  They've clearly taken the time and effort to learn market demographics and stay on top of how to serve the best mochas.  What's more, they take the time to get to know their customers.

Outside on Fourth Avenue, the life of Olympia moves by.

LINK: More local coffee houses

REAL STORIES FROM REAL BARTENDERS >>>

I've been a bartender for a long time. I have met countless freaks, jerks, pervs, sweethearts, rockstars and crazies. Even though it's a physically and mentally exhausting job, these are the colorful people that make it all worthwhile. Well, that and the tips.

I'd like to share with you some of my personal experiences behind the bar, along with the stories from some of my fellow bartenders. Each week - under the clever heading of "Behind Bars" - I will dig into my memory bank - and the incident log books that all bars keep - to bring you some of my favorite stories.

Names of bars, bartenders and patrons have been changed or withheld to protect the innocent.

And the not so innocent.

Cheers!

This week looks into the vessel that provides rent checks, supports addictions, pays for diapers and determines which customers get the strongest drinks - The Tip Jar. Did you realize it's commonly used for more than just standard tips? It's true ...

Items actually found in the tip jar:

$100 bill

Condoms (unused, thankfully)

Target receipts

A banana

Weed

Bottle caps

Suspicious looking candy

Phone numbers/stalker love notes

Foreign money

Rare coins

Unidentified pills

Coupons for free coffee

Also, one coaster with a note stating, "My name is J*** R***, my phone number is 360.***.****. I have PCP, hallucinogens, heroin, crack, pot, and speed. But, I won't have it for two months, so call me then."

As you can see, when it comes to the tip jar, there is a lot to appreciate....and a lot to be creeped out by.

Either way, it keeps us entertained and prevents us from having to get a real job.

So keep ‘em comin'.

LINK HUB - PREVIOUS "BEHIND BARS"

LINK: Aural Adventures

LINK: Smooth Transitions

LINK: The Pooper

TODAY IN ONLINE TALK >>>

Today's comment comes from roy w ... "showtime" in regard to Rev. Adam McKinney's recent music blurb on the new band Electric Falcons, playing a free all-ages show at Rocket Records tomorrow afternoon.

"showtime" writes,

i was sad and pissed that whoever wrote this article left out my favorite member of the electric falcons.....camron clearwater formerly from another lacal fav KASCADIA ...who would leave out the the guitarist,vocals,and songwriter when writing about a band??.....maybe thats why they are with the volcano and not rolling stone eh??.......see ya saturday......:)

COMING SOON >>>

I can't remember the last time a new restaurant actually opened in Tacoma on the exact date proclaimed by the owner. There are too many variables, many out of the hands of the owner.

Kevin McGlocklin continues to ready his new venture, Bluebeard Coffee, at the corner of Sixth and State, the former spot held by Rector's Antiques and Wardrobe, and back in the '90s, - Café WA. McGlocklin's estimate opening date of December 2010 for Bluebeard Coffee has passed. And pressing our noses against the window, it looks as if he's within a month of opening.

McGlocklin's creation will carry coffees from around the world, including Fair Trade products, offering them to the public as one would if they were wines. He'll serve coffee drinks and baked goods with a enough wifi power for people to (like, totally) Facebook their Bluebeard experiences.

The sign on the door says Bluebeard will be open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekedays, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends.

Stay tuned. 

THE ROAD HEADS BACK TO SEATTLE >>>

The Road to South By 2011 battle of the bands contest - a joint effort between Seattle-based Brave New World Media Group and Joe Gingerella's Black Ice Booking & Entertainment - took a break from its home at El Corazon in Seattle to stop by Tacoma's Hell's Kitchen last night. Rock duo All Eyes Closed, Spanaway rapper Perry Porter and hip-hop group Black Stax battled it out before a sparse crowd - at least in the music room. A large, lively crowd of Tacoma Thursday Runners held a post-run celebration in the adjoining restaurant section, briefly appearing in the other half of the venue before, well, running out the door.

The event is a series of battles between Northwest bands and solo artists vying for a slot to perform in Austin, Texas during the SXSW Music Conference, March 16-20. Gingerella books two stages during SXSW, an outdoor stage and one inside Pure Lounge, and although neither are part of the "official" SXSW festival, both are in the heart of Austin and can't help but be engulfed in the craziness of SXSW. Any stage in Austin at or during SXSW means the possibility of thousands of eyes and ears, and it's an opportunity many bands are hungry for. That's exactly what the Road to South By 2011 offers bands and artists willing to battle it out.

The charismatic vocalist Porter rapped over a pre-recorded soundtrack, spending more time in the crowd than up on the stage. With a smile on his face, and more than a hop in his step, his performance grabbed the most votes. Porter will take his talent up north to El Corazon as the battles continue through Feb. 15.

The Gritty City Sirens burlesque troupe made two appearances between bands, taking MOST of it off to the delight of the crowd.

The highlight of the night was a special performance by Brave New World Founder Shyan Selah and his band The Republic of Sound.  Selah, born in Kentucky, raised in Federal Way, sports a big personality, and it followed him on stage, where he belted out rap, soul and rock tones, often in the same song. Selah's rap smashed into all four walls followed by faint soul stirrings from his heart. Behind him, the talented Republic brought it - infusing funk, jam rock, and R&B into a musical porridge that mesmerized. I had no idea Tacoma's Justin Mayfield could rock the guitar that hard. And the drummer was simply amazing.

LINK: More photos in the Photo Hot Spot

LINK: The Road to South By website

SATURDAY, JAN. 22, 2011 >>>

1. Led Zeppelin is arguably the greatest rock band of all time, a powerhouse quartet who exploded in an ecstasy symbolized by fog-machine smoke, epic guitar distortion, and the tightest pants in rock and roll. The Tacoma-based Kasmir comes damn close to reenacting the swagger and strut of forebears Page-Plant-Jones-Bonham. The band hammers is down at 9 p.m. inside The Kamel Toe between Parkland and Spanaway. We hear they're opening with "The Rover," "Rock ‘N Rock," Immigrant Song," and "The Ocean."

2. You, with your ignorance of classical music and vast knowledge of every note and lyric in the White Zombie catalog, are not cutting it at high society dinner parties. People are talking. Do you want your kids to grow up with the same issue? Say no. The Tacoma Philharmonic will host another Koncerts 4 Kids at 10 and 11:30 a.m. at the Theatre on the Square. The series exposes classical music to children to help them develop academic, intellectual and life skills - traits that don't fully develop in folks who have "Electric Head, Pt. 1 (The Agony)" as a ringtone.

3. The Silk Strings will jam on koto and other Japanese instruments at 3 p.m. inside the Tacoma Art Museum. The $5-$15 ticket also includes a docent-led tour of the cool Edo to Tacoma print exhibition prior to concert.

4. It was 20 years before Frank Wedekind's 1890 play Spring Awakening: A Children's Tragedy could be performed in its native Germany. At first only legendary director Max Reinhardt had enough juice to produce it. The play was considered so pornographic that only a single performance was allowed for a limited audience in New York City, and it was still being censored in England well into the 1960s. It's the story of a teenage boy and girl who have sex, and the bittersweet repercussions of their passionate tryst in a hayloft. It's playing at 3 and 8 p.m. inside the Pantages Theater. Bone up on it here.

5. Jazz band Aqua Velva - Kevin England on trumpet, Bill Barnett on piano, Mike Slivka on drums and Tom Brooks on bass - will be the band of choice during Pastiche Wine Bar's grand opening party, which runs 5:30-11:30 p.m. They have a dance floor people - and no cover.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Wine tastings!