WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2011 >>>

1. Big into French chamber music? Honestly, who's not? Lucky for all of us, tonight offers an evening of just that on the Tacoma Community College campus. Joyce Ramee (viola), Darrin Thayes (flute) and Sandra Bleiweiss (piano) will lay it all down during a performance featuring works by Durufle, Milhaud, Martinu and others. Best of all: it's free and open to the public.

2. Check out the Puget Sound Mixtape Party at El Perron tonight. Every artist featured on Vol. 2 is scheduled to perform, including Dru Breeze, Ar Mastermind, the Volcano's own Josh Rizeberg, Icon, Lyricist and plenty of others. The show starts at 10 p.m. and it'll be epic.

3. Today would be an amazing day to discover all the amazing art Spaceworks Tacoma is currently putting in front of people's eyes. There's a bunch. Or, if you're already hip to Spaceworks, find the Volcano's extensive South Sound arts and events calendar here for more great ideas.

4. Gina Belliveau performs today at the Mandolin Cafe in Tacoma. It's just one of many musical options for the day. Find the Volcano's live local music listings here.

5. Readers named The Brown Edition Olympia's "Best Band" in the 2011 Weekly Volcano Best of Olympia issue. Many never expected a funk and soul party band to take the award in a city known for K Records and Riot Grrl. But they did. See the band live and in action tonight at the Royal Lounge.

THURSDAY AT THE STATE CAPITAL MUSEUM >>>

Although its sophisticated summer movie series features the likes of Cary Grant and Alfred Hitchcock, the State Capital Museum in Olympia isn't exactly known as a center for cool cultural events.

It's more the sort of spot where you can pet a reindeer at holiday time, learn about Native Americans and take the kids to do craft projects.

But now the museum, located in the beautiful Lord Mansion, is giving history a new spin.

Thursday, April 14, K Records founder Calvin Johnson and artist/musician Lois Maffeo (better known simply as Lois) will discuss the history of Olympia's independent music scene. There'll be a musical performance to follow.

Meanwhile, here's a sample of Johnson's musical stylings (and his signature style).

A Conversation with Calvin Johnson and Lois Maffeo

Thursday, April 14, 7 p.m.; free

State Capital Museum Coach House, 211 21st Ave. S.W., Olympia

360-753-2580 or www.washingtonhistory.org

BAD BASEBALL >>>

Ugh. You hate to see losing streaks. One game, three games, twelve games. But in a long baseball season, losing streaks are unavoidable. They're just part of the game. Especially when you're playing on the road.

Still, you hate to see losing streaks. And the Rainiers have lost three in the row to bring their record to 2-and-4.  

Observations from the past couple games

-Dustin Ackley's batting average is only .167. It is very early on in the season. But since we herald Ackley as the savior of the Rainiers and the Mariners, this low batting average makes us a little nervous. On the plus side, these struggles at the plate will probably mean he sticks around in Tacoma a little longer. That's good, right? 

-In the last three games, the Rainiers have given up a decent amount of runs. Ten runs today, seven runs the day before and eleven runs the day before that. These are not good numbers if you're trying to win ballgames. And the Rainiers most definitely want to win ballgames. 

-The Rainiers are yet to have a real big game at the plate. Their highest scoring game this year was six runs in yesterday's loss to the Grizzlies. For their other games- even their wins- they've struggled at the plate. We hate to continue to compare the Rainiers to the Mariners, but yeah, it looks like the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. At least not this early on in the year.

-Luke French followed up a really bad opening day start with a sort of bad start Tuesday. He went five innings and gave up eleven hits. But he only gave up two earned runs. This is better than his last start when he gave up, like, a billion earned runs.

The Rainiers have two more games in Fresno before returning to Tacoma for the home opener against the Sacramento River Cats Friday. Let's hope they win the next couple games so they return home on a proud, white stallion instead of a depressing loser donkey. Nobody wants to see the Rainiers cruise into town on a loser donkey. 

DOWNTOWN TACOMA'S FUJIYA RESTAURANT LAYS IT DOWN FOR JAPANESE RELIEF FUNDS>>>

Normally when there's a global disaster Americans come through with the red, white, and blue and donate, donate, donate. As a fellow American, I'm urging you to follow the crowd.

But, while you serve your fellow man, why not be served a succulent plate of sushi. Seriously. 

Starting next Tuesday, April 19, and going through May 17, Fujiya Japanese Restaurant is donating 20 percent of proceeds to the Red Cross to benefit Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims. 

So, come on down (1125 Court C, Tacoma) and rid yourself of guilt by giving to others and eating a healthy and amazing meal.

GUYS THAT WRITE FOR THE VOLCANO >>>

The common wisdom is that sequels inevitably disappoint. For every The Dark Knight, there are a half-dozen Iron Man IIs, and the maxim tends to carry over to other mediums, as well - Guy's "Teddy's Jam 2" couldn't match the New Jack punch and sizzle of the original eponymous Teddy Riley banger. With this in mind, you might expect the freshly dropped Kids in the Back II to weaken the brand established by Tacoma-by-way-of-Anchorage rapper Rockwell Powers and his producer, Ill Pill, on last year's Kids in the Back. Haters will be disappointed to hear that KITBII is another slick, solid outing from Rockwell (real name Zach) who - full disclosure - is a regular Volcano contributor, these days focusing mainly on Tacoma City Council action and local political dealings.

To read Jason Baxter's full article, click here.

VIRTUAL LISTENING PARTIES CAN BE FUN >>>

What's the best thing about a "virtual" listening party? Is it the fact you can attend in your underwear? Is it the fact that you don't need to take your social anxiety medication to have a good time for once? Is it simply the allure of fresh, new music?

Whatever it is, local band Brotherhood of the Black Squirrel understand the appeal of the virtual listening party, which is exactly why the band has one planned for tonight on NWCZRadio.com. From 7-8 p.m. Brotherhood of the Black Squirrel will be offering fans a first chance to hear their newest full-length offering, The Dust Bowl Ghosts.

You should totally take them up on it.

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Teresa Casella in regard to Jackie Fender's recent article on the Peace Out organization.

Casella writes,

Wow, great article and great work by these teens! I'm so impressed! My little female cat came from a little gal who would go to the shelter and rescue cats (much to her mother's surprise the first time) and then try to find homes for them. She would spend the weekend at PetSmart encouraging animals lovers to adopt a homeless critter. I so admire the teenagers who choose to go this route. What great work! Keep it up!

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2011 >>>

1. Christian Lander, creator of the website Stuff White People Like (awesome!) will be speaking at the University of Puget Sound tonight. Even better, tickets are only $7. Or, if that doesn't get you excite, try checking out the Volcano's extensive South Sound arts and events calendar.

2. What says Tacoma better than the Dos XX Girls? What? You don't even know who the Dos XX Girls are? Use your freakin' imagination! Now ... what says Tacoma better than the Dos XX Girls? Nothing. Find out yourself tonight at Masa during another "T-Town Thursday with the Dos XX Girls."

3. Although its sophisticated summer movie series features the likes of Cary Grant and Alfred Hitchcock, the State Capital Museum in Olympia isn't exactly known as a center for cool cultural events. But now the museum, located in the beautiful Lord Mansion, is giving history a new spin. Today, K Records founder Calvin Johnson and artist/musician Lois Maffeo (better known simply as Lois) will discuss the history of Olympia's independent music scene. There'll be a musical performance to follow.

4. What happens when "East Coast Tata's Meets West Coast Tush," as the Olympia Film Society website is billing Thursday's performance of Olympia's Tush Burlesque and New York's Dangerous Curves Ahead? Well, now, you'll just have to show up to find out, won't you? The show will be hosted by Hattie Hot Pants and feature musical guest Holly Graham.

5. Squirrel Butter will be jamming at the Olympia Farmers Market. Mmmmm. Squirrel Butter ... Here's a look at the Volcano's complete live local music listings.

SOUTH SOUND PERFORMERS HEAD NORTH >>>

In the Spring of last year, a group of Bellingham youth hatched a plan to convert their homes into concert spaces for a gutsy, weekend-long endeavor: the area's first-ever youth-led underground music festival, catering to the community's bevy of hip Western Washington University undergrads and any out-of-towners willing to drive up to Whatcom County to scope it out. This reporter was among the willing, and I was inspired to go not only for the novelty factor (to say nothing of the natural beauty of northern Washington), but for the breadth of great Cascadian performers the first-time fest-throwers had corralled together-bands like Total Bros, Orca Team, Magic Johnson, Meth Teeth, and White Fang from Portland, LAKE, the Hive Dwellers, RVIVR, and Black Mold from Olympia, and loads of others from Vancouver, Issaquah, Seattle, and, of course, Bellingham.  The complete roster for the "Yellingham" music festival 2010 totaled thirty-three bands. A couple of complementary pancake breakfasts sealed the deal.

This year, the fest has apparently booked forty bands, a modest but not insignificant increase.

To read Jason Baxter's full article on the Yellingham music festival click here.

AS THE MENU TURNS >>>

It's been a rough couple of years for the food business. The economy's still in the tank, and yet more and more restaurants are opening, creating more and more seats for diners willing to spend less and less. At heart we're optimists, and we still believe there's room for good guys to make good money cooking great food. We think that running a restaurant is tough, but it's doable if you follow this simple rule: Cook it (right) and they will come.

Let's take a look at recent changes in the South Sound restaurant scene.

Northern Pacific Coffee Company

Northern Pacific Coffee Company next to Pacific Lutheran University reopened Monday. Ed Cederas bought the former coffeehouse. He will concentrate more on beer, wine and sandwiches rather than push the coffeehouse concept. However, he's serving Valhalla Coffee AND Dillanos Coffee Roasters, as well as Mad Hat Tea - and the library is still in the corner.

"Our goal is not to leave Pierce County in terms of the goods we sell. We're all about going local," says Cedars.

Northern Pacific Coffee Company received its liquor license Wednesday afternoon. In celebration, a phone tree was instigated and 35 folks showed up for an impromptu open mic. The Wednesday open mic that used to grace the spot is back on. The Sunday morning Geriatric Jazz will also return soon. A Monday night record listening party, Tuesday brewer's night and Thursday-Saturday live music are right around the corner. They also sell records from neighboring Disc Connection on the front counter.

In the food department, NPCC serves nine paninis ($6.50) and five "Grab & Go" sandwiches ($4.50).

Big Wheel Steakhouse

Big Wheel Steakhouse next to the McChord Air Field has changed owners and will re-open May 14 as the Buck Wild Saloon.  They will have Coyote Ugly-style dancing girls on the bar one or two nights a week, a mechanical bull, pool tables, pull tabs and food eating contests like garbage can lid nachos.  They will have ladies night, industry night, and other themed evenings, too.

The Grill at Meadow Park

The Grill at Meadow Park Golf Course was scheduled to reopen April 1. It didn't. The guys in the pro shop were more concerned about handicaps and didn't have any information on why the restaurant and lounge isn't open. No comment from the grounds crew, as they were out chasing gofers (that's a joke). Lancer Catering, the folks who handle concessions for Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Northwest Trek, will be running the show.

Bluebeard Coffee Roasters

The coffeehouse at 2201 Sixth Ave. finally opened this week. We ran a story on the joint a while back. Not only do they serve espresso drinks, but also roast their own beans.

Black Angus

The Black Angus restaurant in Lakewood is revamping its bar, giving it a fancy title - BullsEye Bar – and reopening it next month with "Hi-Def food, Drinks and Sports."

LINK: South sound Restaurant Guide