TUNE IN >>>

Just recieved this from Darrell Fortune of NWCZ Radio (NWCZRadio.com) ...

Today starting at 5pm we will be honoring the life and music of Kent Morrill of The Fabulous Wailers. Buck Ormsby, Little Bill and others are slated to stop by and talk about the life and loss of Kent. We are also hoping to play some unreleased songs from Kent as well. Join us on www.nwczradio.com !

LINK: The Fabulous Wailers free, all-ages Kent Morrill Tribute Concert announced

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2011 >>>

1. The regular art-meets-music-meets-socializing-meets-(usually) booze phenomenon that is Artifakt has finally made it to Hell's Kitchen - throwing some flames on the show flyer for good measure. Those who know art in this town know about Artifakt and the cats behind it, so it should come as no surprise that tonight's Artifakt get-together at 8 p.m. inside Hell's Kitchen will be a total who's who of the T-Town arts scene. Even better, expect performances from the Gritty City Sirens burlesque troop, music from Pioneers West, Elbow Coulee, Stoned Evergreen Traveler and DJ Slow, live body art and featured artists Laura Eklund, James Hume, James Tucker, Julie Luke and others. Tacoma is an arts town. Be a part of it.

2. Aaron Schmookler, director of Gold From Straw's Sloth, which opens at 8 p.m. inside the Theatre on the Square, says, "Scripts are notoriously difficult to read, laborious even ... Sloth was a page-turner on the first read. ... While (technical) challenges are things we've certainly wrested with, we trust the story to carry even where our technical solutions only hint at the play's events." Since the play is a comedy about a retired firefighter, it'd be easy to interpret this cynically as, "I hate reading plays, and we can't afford awesome fire scenes anyway." Luckily, we're fond of Schmookler, so we're confident his band of theatrical upstarts will bring it hardcore.

3. The Weekly Volcano kind of went freakin' nuts gushing over this weekend Olympia Arts Walk. You can't blame us. Anyone who has attended the spring version knows it's the party of the year. We preview the event here, talk about its righteous art here, here and here, and even go on about the music here. However, 5 Things To Do Today would love to give a big "Hell Yes!" to the 8:30 p.m. show at the Capitol Theater featuring Hell's Belles (all female AC/DC tribute band), The Dirty Birds, and Mosquito Hawk (featuring members of C-Average and Fitz of Depression). That, my friends, rocks!

4. As you also learned this week in the Weekly Volcano, the City of Lacey is a force to be reckoned with. What does Lacey pit against the Olympia Arts Walk? Adult Flashlight Egg Scramble. Brilliant. There will be thousands of prizes for you to "find" such as hotel accommodations, restaurant gift certificates, Mariner's tickets, a LCD-HD TV, digital cameras hidden across five ball fields beginning at 9 p.m. Bring $5, a flashlight, a bag for your goodies and, well, you know.

The Weekly Volcano received late word that Shyan Selah & The Republic of Sound will perform at 9 p.m. inside Bud's Saloon & Steakhouse in Milton. Opening acts include Violet Tofeldt and Tony Grace.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Movies open today

LINK: Concerts on sale

TALK ABOUT A LETDOWN >>>

Oftentimes, really good baseball games are followed by really bad ones.

The Rainiers chalked up their first home victory of the season Wednesday night when they rallied from behind to beat the Colorado Sky Sox 4-3. So that's something.

But last night's 13-1 loss to the Sox really put a damper on this aforementioned  victory. Really put a damper.

Thoughts

-       Last night, the Sky Sox hit a no-out grand slam in the top of the first inning. Rainiers' starting pitcher Fabio Castro gave up three consecutive singles to start the game before Sky Sox third baseman Ian Stewart came up to hit one out. Pitching coaches, baseball analysts and has-beens who lettered in high school always talk about the importance of avoiding early inning struggles. Giving up a no-out grand slam in the first inning is the definition of early inning struggles.

-       Rainiers pitchers gave up a season high 16 hits last night. Just when we go and talk about how the pitching staff is holding their own, they go and give up 16 hits. Thanks for making us look dumb, Rainiers pitchers. Awesome.

-       As hard as last night's game was to stomach (like a plate of expired fish eggs), let us not forget Wednesday night's game. It was a true pleasure. Not only was it a win; it was a comeback victory. Down 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning, catcher Josh Bard and first baseman Johan Limonta got back-to-back hits to drive in runners. Timely hitting deep in games? Can we see more of this please?

The Rainiers (4-11) will close out their first home stand of the year tonight at 7:05 p.m.. Left-hander Luke French will face off against Sky Sox righty John Maine. Maine comes into the game with a 9.69 ERA, or in other words ripe for a pummeling.

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Partly sunny, hi 57, lo 36

Saturday: Sunny, hi 67, lo 43

Sunday: Chance of rain, hi 54, lo 45

>>> FRIDAY, APRIL 22: Artifakt

Well hot shit. The regular art-meets-music-meets-socializing-meets-(usually) booze phenomenon that is Artifakt has finally made it to Hell's Kitchen - throwing some flames on the show flyer for good measure. Those who know art in this town know about Artifakt and the cats behind it, so it should come as no surprise that Friday's Artifakt get-together at Hell's Kitchen will be a total who's who of the T-Town arts scene. Even better, expect performances from the Gritty City Sirens burlesque troop, music from Pioneers West, Elbow Coulee, Stoned Evergreen Traveler and DJ Slow, live body art and featured artists Laura Eklund, James Hume, James Tucker and Julie Luke. Tacoma is an arts town. Be a part of it. 

• Hell's Kitchen, with Pioneers West, Elbow Coulee, Stoned Evergreen Traveler, DJ Slow, 8 p.m., $5, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003

>>> APRIL 22- MAY 14: Sloth

Aaron Schmookler, director of Gold From Straw's Sloth, which opens Friday, says, "Scripts are notoriously difficult to read, laborious even ... Sloth was a page-turner on the first read. ... While (technical) challenges are things we've certainly wrested with, we trust the story to carry even where our technical solutions only hint at the play's events." Since the play is a comedy about a retired firefighter, it'd be easy to interpret this cynically as, "I hate reading plays, and we can't afford awesome fire scenes anyway." Luckily, we're fond of Schmookler, so we're confident his band of theatrical upstarts will bring it hardcore.

• Theatre on the Square, through May 15, $23-$26, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 800.291.7593

>>> SATURDAY, APRIL 23: Jane Monheit

For those with an affection for current jazz, it doesn't get much better than singer Jane Monheit, scheduled to perform at the Rialto in Tacoma Saturday. There's also a free pre-show lecture starting at 6:30 p.m. covering "Fostering the Next Generation of Jazz Masters," with local jazz artist Patrice O'Neill. Basically, it's a whole evening dedicated to jazz -- which sounds like a solid way to spend a Saturday. Monheit has been described as, "an extraordinarily gifted jazz vocalist whose sincere and romantic interpretations of songs has made her a favorite in both the jazz and cabaret worlds.

• Rialto Theater, 7:30 p.m., free pre-show lecture 6:30 p.m., $39-$49 $25, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.2013

>>> SATURDAY, APRIL 23: Rainbows Over Tacoma

Tacoma PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) hosts Rainbows Over Tacoma 2011 this Saturday at the Washington State History Museum. With entertainment from Kim Archer, Sylvia O'Stayformore, the Seattle Women Chorus' Sensible Shoes and Oasis Youth, expect an evening full of music and smiles - all for a good cause. Entertainment runs from 7 - 9 p.m., but stop by the museum early, starting at 6 p.m., to tour the exhibits before the show.

• Washington State History Museum, 6-9 p.m., $25, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, brownpapertickets.com

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
This weekend is going to be a crazy mix of bartending, moving, Artswalking, more moving, Easter egg hunting, and even more moving.  Hope I get to sleep in on Monday.

Joe Izenman Theater and Music Writer
It may startle you to learn that this weekend I am actually doing some work for the Weekly Volcano. You know, instead of just writing a Hustle entry not quite every week. Lakewood Playhouse's Lion In Winter and Gold From Straw's Sloth both open this weekend, so you'll find me at one theatre or another for most of the weekend, when I'm not taking advantage of the sexy awesome weather by cycling, grilling, and collecting driftwood.

BRETT CHIHON Meat Market Correspondent/Features Writer/Rainiers Dude
Editor Matt Driscoll and I will be playing a drinking game that involves chugging a beer every time the Rainiers pitching staff gives up a hit. Yesterday they gave up 16. This should be fun.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
I'm seeing Riot to Follow's production of Eurydice on Monday. On Saturday, my fiancee and I are compiling the guest list for our reception in September...so this would be an excellent week to be awesome to us.

MATT DRISCOLL: Editor
Everything Brett Cihon says is a lie. He's actually in France. Trust me. Plus, I don't need the Rainiers pitching staff to give up hits to get me to drink ... I've got the drinking covered. Don't you worry about me ...

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
Cloth diapering, 9 a.m. at Best Loved Babies on 12th and Proctor-ish. I, my cutie little son and his cutie little bum will be participating in an attempt to get into the Guinness Book of World Records for the most cloth diapers changed at once. Sunday I'll be singing at Urban Grace's Easter Service at 10:30 a.m.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
This weekend, after turning in an application on National Hiring Day, I'll be waiting by the phone for a response from McDonald's.

JENNIFER JOHNSON Food and Fitness Writer
Dinner and dancing Friday night. Farmers Market in Gig Harbor Saturday morning before stopping off at a yard sale or two then Sonja's clothing shop on North 21st followed by dinner with friends. Easter Sunday I'll attend church and a special evening program marking the resurrection of Christ.

ALEC CLAYTON Visual Arts Critic
Saturday we're going to some place near Bothell to be filmed for a PFLAG public service announcement. Sunday I'm going to see "Lion in Winter" at Lakewood Playhouse.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Meat Market Photographer
Artifakt,roller derby and ukulele at the Jive with Baby Gramps.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

OLYMPIA HOLIDAYS >>>

If Olympia had an official holiday, it would be the day of the annual Procession of the Species.

With no words and no motorized vehicles (except wheelchairs), the procession is a celebration of Earth Day, green power, the web of life ...  you name it.

It's also the year's best people-watching opportunity, particularly those people who just wake up the morning of the event and throw something together so they can walk in the procession. For the hip and sardonic, it doesn't get much better.

But the 17th Procession, happening Saturday, April 23, is just the polar ice cap crowning two days of festivities downtown.

To read Molly Gilmore's full article click here.

Luminary Procession

Friday, April 22, 9:30 p.m., free, From Fifth and Washington to Capital Lake, 360.705.1087, procession.org

Arts Walk XLII

Friday, April 22, from 5–10 p.m. and Saturday, April 23, from noon to 8 p.m., free, throughout downtown Olympia, 360.753.8380

Procession of the Species

Saturday, April 23, 4:30 p.m., free but donations for the Thurston County Food Bank are requested of both participants and spectators, from Cherry and Legion to Heritage Park, Olympia, 360.705.1087, procession.org

MUSICAL GOODNESS IN STORE IN PRINT & ONLINE >>>

Just because this blog post is late, coming on Friday instead of Thursday, doesn't mean we also screwed up and forgot to put together a Weekly Volcano music section this week. We'd never do that. Sure, we'll procrastinate with blog posts, but the Volcano music section is serious business.

Here's a look at the music goodness in store for you in print & online ...

LOUIE G'S ALL-AGES MUSIC VENUE

Seeing as Louie G's Pizzeria opened a mere four years ago, in 2007, it could be said that it's still finding itself as a restaurant. What seems abundantly clear, however, is that the space is certainly still finding itself as our newest all-ages music venue. - Rev. Adam McKinney

GAZMO THE GR8

So, without further delay I present to ya'll Gazmo's iBeast. This is a pretty high-caliber mixtape. Notable guest verses come from Andy Milonakis (yeah, that one), HighFii Kiddo (Cali) and Joe Moses (LA), with notable production coming from 18th Letter and T-Huztle (both out of Memphis), Kid Gaff and J-Listed (Out of L.A.). What all of this shows me is Gazmo has a national grind right now. ... - Josh Rizeberg

BABY GRAMPS

Baby Gramps looks just like he sounds. His appearance is a more or less spot-on indication of the noises that soon follow when he picks up an old gee-tar and starts a-singing. A long, scraggly white beard, some spectacles, a low-brimmed hat, and when he opens his mouth, the strangest sounds fall out. - Rev AM

OLY ARTS WALK MUSIC

"Music is a big part of the vitality of Arts Walk," says Stephanie Johnson, City of Olympia Arts and Events Program Manager. "Music has a great ability to pair with visual arts and complete the overall experience." Olympia loves to musically participate in Arts Walk.  Every downtown venue has a lineup this weekend, like The Hard Way with Glass Elevator and Fight for Change at Le Voyeur Friday, and The Blackberry Bushes, The Tilted Stilts and The Oly Mountain Boys at The Eastside Club Saturday. Also on Saturday, Northern (all ages) welcomes Eleanor Murray, Camp Wisdom, Bob Schwenkler and Sunshine & Irony. ... - Nikki Talotta

PLUS: Better Living Through Music - LA Guns, Artifakt ...

PLUS: Comprehensive Live Local Music Listings

PLUS: Concert Alert - B-52's, STYX, Disturbed, Moody Blues

PLUS: Ridiculousness like this

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...

JUST LIKE FAMIILY

Many people refer to the bar as a  "home away from home," including myself.

I am there every weekend, pouring good drinks and chatting with the regulars. And often, on my time off, the roles reverse and I'm the regular.

Most regulars are like the family you wish you had.

You know, the kind of family that brings in dishes of their favorite tater tot casserole to share with everyone. The kind who asks about the kids and shows you pictures of theirs. The kind who might even let you borrow their truck to move that big-ass bed out of your basement.

Then there are the patrons who are like family you do have. 

You know, patrons whose booth table not only acts as a convenient place to put their Bud Light, but also as a place for slopping their dinner on, a place to set their girlfriend's butt while they make-out, a place to collect their finger nail trimmings as they groom, or a place to bunch a hoodie to use as a pillow and catch up on sleep.

Despite these occasional faults, being at the bar is just what home should be - a place full of love, food, laughs and shelves and shelves of booze at your fingertips.

So, until next week, brothers and sisters, cheers!

"BEHIND BARS" LINK HUB

LINK: Say Cheese!

LINK: The importance of details

LINK: Exotic tastes

LINK: Lactose intoxicated

LINK: Thanks for playing!

LINK: After hours trivia

LINK: Bartending abroad

LINK: Oh puck!

LINK: 86'd

LINK: More Aural Adventures

LINK: Big & Rich

LINK: Tales From the Incident Log Book

LINK: The Tip Jar

LINK: Aural Adventures

LINK: Smooth Transitions

LINK: The Pooper

We all know presidential campaigns are marathons, spanning multiple years. But so to, apparently, are Pierce County Executive races. County Executive Pat McCarthy recently launched a new website and is holding a campaign kickoff event April 27 at the Varsity Grill. On her website McCarthy touts having "re-prioritized the delivery of core government services, trimmed the size of government, consolidated programs, and challenged managers to find operational efficiencies while improving the quality of public service."

Currently no other candidates have filed to oppose McCarthy, but they still have roughly a year and two months to do so.

To read the full column by Zach Powers click here.

SITTING DOWN TO TALK WITH AN ISLAND THEMED SOUVENIR >>>

Last week, Tacoma-by-way-of-Olympia band Brotherhood of the Black Squirrel unveiled The Dust Bowl Ghosts live on NWCZ Radio, the band's second full length. A longtime favorite of Bobble Tiki and the Volcano, due in large part to the band's mix of rock, folk, blues, and Tom Waits/Nick Cave-isms, Brotherhood of the Black began offering The Dust Bowl Ghosts for free on their website shortly after the NWCZ Radio virtual listening party.

Bobble Tiki caught up with Brotherhood of the Black Squirrel's Patrick Baldwin to ask him three questions ...

To read Bobble Tik's complete column and interview with Patrick Baldwin of Brotherhood of the Black Squirrel click here.

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Chris in response to Christian Carvajal's review of Capital Playhouse's The Secret Garden.

Chris writes,

With all due respect, it seems to me that you tend to write about the play itself and not how it was performed. I would find it more helpful if you wrote more about the interpretation of the show rather than what the playwrite lacks. Just some reader feedback!