Weekly Volcano Blogs: Walkie Talkie Blog

Posts made in: May, 2011 (216) Currently Viewing: 71 - 80 of 216

May 11, 2011 at 3:41pm

Road Trip: The Ventures in Portland next two days

The Ventures

TACOMA REPRESENT >>>

Though born and raised in Tacoma, Don Wilson was living in Seattle when The Ventures were formed in the late '50s.  He had just returned form an Army stint in Germany, where he played the trombone in the regimental band. Once in Seattle, Wilson landed a job as a used car salesman, but he was highly unsuited to the task and kept his eye out for an escape. One day Bob Bogle, a Portland native who was working on a construction site, happened by looking for a car.

The rest is history.

In 1958, Bogle and Wilson worked as a guitar duo.  Eventually they moved back to Tacoma and added another lead guitarist, Puyallup-native Nokie Edwards (who was later replaced by Gerry McGee) and began rehearsing at Wilson's sister's house. They didn't have a drummer or a bass player. So, the guitarists swapped bass duties and a 16-year-old neighbor, George Babbitt, sat in on drums. What emerged was one of the better-known and more enduring bands from the early '60s surf music trend - The Ventures. Although the lineup has changed over the years, The Ventures went on to become one of the best-selling instrumental bands ever, today frequently cited as a major influence on many rock bands that followed.

With more 100 million records sold, a God-like status in Japan, and an induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2008 under their belt, The Ventures are still going strong.

The Ventures will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 12 at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland. Tickets are $25 advance and $30 at the door. Tickets are still available.

The band will drop by Portland's Millennium Records tonight at 7:30 p.m. for a meet and greet, which will be covered by Portland NBC KGW.

LINK: Take the train to Portland

Filed under: Concert Alert, Music, Tacoma,

May 11, 2011 at 4:10pm

COMMENT OF THE DAY: Uke & Sing!

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Kate Power in response to the Volcano's online live local music calendar for next Monday, May 16.

Kate Power writes,

Uke&Sing! at Traditions is a wonderful experience for absolute beginners (and everybody else too). We bring 30 ukuleles to lend to anyone who wants to try and promise a positive introduction to music with the might little ukulele. Please join us! It's really fun (and good for you too!) Your friendly ukalaliens neighbors, Kate & Steve

Filed under: Comment of the Day, Olympia, Music,

May 12, 2011 at 8:53am

5 Things to Do Today: T-Town Sideshow Circus, Highlight Bomb, "Rad," Broadway Farmers Market ...

Highlight Bomb is at Hell's Kitchen tonight

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2011 >>>

1. Celebrate three years of the Mix tonight, with a celebratory fracas known as the T-Town Sideshow Circus. Good times will be had by all. Find details here.

2. Highlight Bomb will rock Hell's Kitchen tonight. Or, if that's not down your musical alley, find the Volcano's extensive live local music calendar here.

3. What's rad? The movie Rad, of course. What's also pretty cool? Pierce County's Bike Month, which we're currently smack-dab in the middle of. Because of this bit of scheduling luck (the fact that it's Bike Month), we're offered prime chances for fun like today's Bike Film Series screening of 1986's BMX cult classic Rad at the Red Hot in Tacoma. At the event you'll also have a chance to win a custom cruiser designed by Tacoma's 2nd Cycle. And there'll be beer.

4. Go theater crazy. Your choices are nearly limitless. Check the gazillion local theater reviews the Volcano busted out today and take your pick.

5. Get your farmers market on today at the Downtown Tacoma Broadway Farmers Market. Info can be found here. Or, if you're looking for something more, try the Volcano's comprehensive arts and events calendar here.

May 12, 2011 at 11:25am

Being Saul Tannenbaum

Bring a lady friend to Saul Tannenbaum's stupendous song spectacular "Girls Ahoy!

THE TRUTH BEHIND THE BEARD AND GLASSES >>>

Saul Tannenbaum, as many of you know, is a traveling vaudeville performer who stops in Olympia several times a year - including this weekend for Girls Ahoy!

Since his first show here a year and half ago, Tannenbaum has become well known for his way with a musical medley, his mixed-up sense of history and his big tinted glasses.

And although Tannenbaum has his own Facebook page, many of you know he's a fictional character, played by actor-pianist-director-composer Josh Anderson and created by Anderson and sidekick/scriptwriter Christina Collins.

Many of you know this. But there does seem to be a little bit of confusion on the matter.

"There's a huge part of Saul that's me," Anderson says. "When I have a full beard, people won't refer to me by my name. They'll say, ‘Hey, Saul, how's it going?' If I wear sunglasses and I have a beard, then it's all over."

To read Molly Gilmore's full article click here.

Saul Tannenbaum presents the Champagne Sisters in Girls Ahoy!

Friday, May 13, and Saturday, May 14, 8 p.m.
$12 in advance, $15 at the door
The Olympia Eagles Club Room, 805 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia
www.facebook.com/saulptannenbaum

Filed under: Arts, Theater, Comedy, Music, Olympia,

May 12, 2011 at 11:27am

CUP CHECK: NFL'ers with too much time to kill

A WEEKLY LOOK AT THE WILD WORLD OF SPORTS >>>

With the 2011-12 NFL season up in the air, and players not allowed inside their team facilities, they've got way more free time on their hands than usual. This is not a good thing. For those on Twitter (or should I say those silly enough to follow NFL players on Twitter) it means a dramatic increase in illiterate garbage clogging your feed. I'm beginning to think the NFL should ban Twitter just so fans aren't constantly reminded that people who can't read or write make more money playing one season of football than they'll make in a lifetime. It's a bit of a buzzkill.

To read this week's full Cup Check column click here.

Filed under: Sports, Comedy,

May 12, 2011 at 11:55am

This week’s Volcano music section - Satchel, Cobirds Unite and more ...

GOODNESS IN STORE IN PRINT & ONLINE >>>

As the saying goes, this week's Volcano music section is definitely better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. Of course, most things are better than being poked in the eye by a sharp stick, so that's not really saying much. Suffice to say, the music section is still pretty awesome ...

Here's a look at the musical goodness in store in print and online.

SATCHEL

Formed in the early '90s, Satchel practiced a crunchy, occasionally fractured indie rock that spent as much time delivering grungy riffs as it did tasty grooves. Frontman Shawn Smith's vocals were suited for a number of different styles - capable of growling ferocity and smooth R&B crooning. - Rev. Adam McKinney

GRAVE BABIES

Grave Babies is the brainchild of Danny Wahfeldt, an ironic-mullet-sporting Illinois emigrant who wrote, performed and produced Deathface entirely on his own. - Jason Baxter

COBIRDS UNITE

Headed by longtime Seattle rock fixture Rusty Willoughby, this new project is a far cry from Willoughby's earlier work, be it in the neo-psychedelic Pure Joy or the power-pop bliss of Flop. Cobirds Unite make alt-folk ruminations that call to mind lavender hour jam sessions on a country road - that moment just when the sun is about to fall from sight, and the temperature lowers to just below what's comfortable. - Rev. AM

SUBDIVISION STUDIOS

Subdivision Studios is quite possibly the best thing ever to hit Olympia for up-and-coming hip-hop artists - at least when it comes to finding a legitimate place to record music or finding top-of-the-line production. On April 1, Smoke of Oldominion (Matt Smokovich), Booz E Collinz (Rolando Guajardo) and Chonie Diego (Aaron Lopez) combined ideas, efforts and powers to open the brand-new studio just north of Olympia, with the intention of helping improve the overall quality of music coming out of the South Sound. - Nic Leonard

SECOND FAMIILY

Second Family consists of two MCs, Element and NoQuezt. When the duo dropped Caskets and Funeral Homes in 2009 the whole city was proud. The streets lifted Second Family and the album high on their shoulders. It was clear this group had what it takes. Back then most listeners believed Element carried the lyrical weight of the group. Well, after Second Family's new mixtape release, Sleep Deprivation, it's clear NoQuezt has stepped up his game! - Josh Rizeberg

PLUS: Better Living Through Music - Dusty 45's, If Bears Were Bees, All Eyes West

PLUS: Comprehensive South Sound Live Local Music Listings

PLUS: Concert Alert - Soundgarden, Ben Harper, Neko Case and more

PLUS: Crazy garbage like this

Filed under: Music, Olympia, Tacoma,

May 12, 2011 at 12:37pm

THE WEEKEND HUSTLE: Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Be The Spark, TNW Model Train Show and the boring lives of our writers

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Sun, hi 56, lo41

Saturday: Rain, hi 64, lo 48

Sunday: More rain, hi 51, lo 45

>>> FRIDAY, MAY 13: BRUBECK BROTHERS QUARTET

Daniel and Chris Brubeck,  obviously the lucky recipients of their father's musical genes, have pursued music and used their family's famous name to help along the way. Daniel, a renowned drummer, and Chris, no slouch with the bass and trombone, are part of the Brubeck Brothers Quarter, hitting the Rialto Theater in Tacoma Friday.  Joined by guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb, the Brubeck Brothers Quartet is known for a style "rooted in straight ahead jazz," according to the band's promotional hype, but also, "an inherent ability to explore and play odd time signatures while naturally integrating the influences of funk, blues and world music." Wonder where the love of odd time signatures comes from?

The Rialto Theater, The Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Friday, May 13, 7:30 p.m., $28-$49, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5890

>>> FRIDAY, MAY 13: BE THE SPARK

Desmond Tutu is coming to Tacoma. Let that sink in, then consider that the Nobel Peace Prize winner and historic peace activist chose to come to Tacoma as the first of his final two official international appearances before he retires later this year. Winner of the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism, the Gandhi Peace Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he is not coming to Tacoma because we have cool museums, or because we have sweet micro-breweries, or because we're gritty and brimming with hipsters. He's coming to Tacoma because he likes an idea that is emerging here. It's more of an invitation than a title: Be the Spark

  • Tacoma Dome, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., $10-$55, 2727 E D St., Tacoma, 253.572.3663

>>> SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MAY 14-15: TNW MODEL TRAIN SHOW

The folks over at Freighthouse Square tell us, and we quote, "a bazillion" model train aficionados will converge on Tacoma's Dome District this weekend for the TNW Model Train Show - packing the beloved long building with kids of all ages. Expect train layouts and vendors on three floors of Freighthouse Square, not to mention a LEGO play area. Expect everything a model train lover could ever dream of. Also, expect approximately a bazillion people.

  • Freighthouse Square, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Sunday, 2501 E. D St., Tacoma

>>> SUNDAY, MAY 22: NORTHERN'S B-DAY

We've gushed all over Olympia's Northern all-ages arts and music space more than is probably becoming. In all likelihood, it's starting to come off to those unacquainted with the venue's awesomeness as something of an unhealthy infatuation. But fuck it. We don't care. Screw the haters. Northern celebrates its two-year birthday Sunday with a piñata, cake, art by Jean Nagai and "singsongs and handclaps." It'll be a chance to celebrate the past two years and the future.

Northern, 2-5 p.m., 321 Fourth Ave., Olympia, northernolympia.org

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
Thursday, I'm gonna roll with my bar homies, hooking up the kids with all the dank drinks, bustin some moves to the DJ. Friday and Saturday, some more diggity dank drink servin. And Sunday I just be chillin at the crib with my boo.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
I'm seeing Dog Sees God at South Puget State Community College and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie from Olympia Family Theater. We're also celebrating our friends' engagement and another friend's thirtieth birthday. I have two books to finish for research and oh, by the way, I might be moving. So yeah. Pretty busy.

JOE IZENMAN Theater and Music Writer
Goldfinch. Bryan John Appleby. Cobirds Unite. The Warehouse. Saturday night. That's all you really need to know about my weekend. The rest is all just bike rides and songwriting and furniture shopping and wedding plans. Go to the show. Do it.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
While I would like to say I've got something cool to do, this weekend is all about being a mom while trying to prepare for "An Evening of Student Plays" at Jason Lee Middle School on June 2. Maybe, somewhere in there, I'll sleep more than four hours at a time.

MATT DRISCOLL Editor
I've got all sorts of goodness lined up this weekend which I'm sure readers are just dying to know about. Like, they're on the edge of their seats ... how can they not be? We're talking about my weekend plans here. Sadly, the only morsel I plan on reveling is the fact I'll be stopping by the Northwest Convergence Zone podcast Sunday for my monthly appearance on the show. It's going to be awesome. Trust me.

JENNIFER JOHNSON Food and Lifestyles Writer 

Brigade Ball at JBLM Friday evening. Saturday morning hit University Place Farmers Market if it's open. If not, stop in Trader Joe's to drool over cheese selection. Hang art in new penthouse apartment that afternoon then dinner out with friends at the Tap Room. Sunday is church at 1 p.m. followed by Spring Cantata in Kent.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Meat Market Photographer
I'm going to Desmond Tutu Be the Spark gig on Friday and hanging with the kids doing all things fun at the house the rest of the weekend.

.

ALEC CLAYTON Visual Arts Critic
More theater for me down Oly way. Fame at Capital Playhouse and Dog Sees God at SPSCC.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

May 12, 2011 at 2:42pm

Holy crap that’s a lot of Weekly Volcano local theater coverage!

Jazz hands, everyone! In celebration of this bevy of Volcano local theater coverage! Jazz hands!

THE ONLY REAL SOURCE FOR AREA THEATER COVERAGE >>>

You may have noticed we went a little theater crazy this week. We've got, like, a gazillion reviews. We saw everything from Israel Horovitz's Unexpected Tenderness at Harlequin to Hello, Dolly at Tacoma Musical Playhouse to the Prodigal Sun's Amy's View.

Basically, we've got all your theater bases covered.

See for yourself...

The Weekly Volcano review of Fame at Capital Playhouse

The Weekly Volcano Review of Harlequin's Unexpected Tenderness

The Weekly Volcano Review of Olympia Little Theatre's A Few Good Men

The Weekly Volcano Review of Prodigal Sun's Amy's View

The Weekly Volcano Review of Tacoma Musical Playhouse's Hello, Dolly!

CURVEBALL: The Weekly Volcano short PREVIEW of A Dog Meets God

SLIDER: The Weekly Volcano's full-on preview of this weekend's Saul Tannenbaum spectacle in Olympia

Filed under: Arts, All ages, Theater, Tacoma, Olympia,

May 12, 2011 at 3:20pm

Satellite Coffee on Market Street to close at the end of May

Satellite Coffee: The original Division Street location and the Sixth Avenue (Masa) location will stay, but Market Street will go...

PAT BROWN SAYS HE'S TOO DAMN BUSY >>>

As most Tacomans are aware, Satellite Coffee Company has become a neighborhood staple, providing caffeinated happiness to all who enter.  However, Satellite co-owner Pat Brown informs me his cup of happiness has recently runneth over.

Currently with three Satellite locations to get your Stumptown Coffee Roaster's buzz on - Sixth Avenue (Masa), Division Street and Market Street (Smooth & Juicy/Embellish Multispace) -- Brown stays way busier than he ever anticipated, and busier than any one person has time for.  With this inundating schedule comes the inevitable need to lessen his workload.

The solution?  Close one of the three Satellite locations.

As of 6 p.m. May 27, Satellite Coffee Company's Market Street location is closing its doors for good. 

No, this isn't the end of Satellite Coffee. As a matter of fact, the truth couldn't be more opposite.  "The Masa location practically runs itself, and the main Satellite location is crazy busy with a line going out the door almost all day," Brown tells me with certainty. "I just need to slow down and concentrate on certain things."

I then take a moment to remind him we are no longer considered young, spring chickens.

What will happen to the space where the Market Street Satellite occupies common walls with Smooth & Juicy (inside Embellish Multispace) has been determined... sort of.  Brown is looking to sell the coffee and espresso business at the location, but not the Satellite Coffee Company name.  He says anyone interested in knowing more about the spot should email him at pat@satellitecoffeeco.com.

Filed under: Food & Drink, Tacoma,

May 12, 2011 at 3:50pm

LollaPLUza goes old-school

Rockwell Powers (AKA the Volcano's Zach Powers) will be all up in LollaPLUza.

FREE OUTDOOR MUSIC FESTIVAL IS ON LIKE DONKEY KONG >>>

If you're like me, you thought the days of Lollapalooza references when naming things were over.  For better or worse, you figured you'd never run into another cheeseburger-palooza, or harp-apalooza, or body-hair-palooza or hackey-sack-palooza. You just figured that boat had sailed.

Like, in 1998 ...

Well, not so fast. Pacific Lutheran University has other ideas, and they take shape Saturday during an outdoor, afternoon, free music festival set to overrun the college's well-known Garfield Street.

Ladies and gentleman, prepare for LollaPLUza.

Get it?

Of course you do.

According to the press release, music will run from 1-5 p.m. Saturday and include musical acts with PLU ties like Under the Covers, PLUtonic (get it?), Jenny Snipstead and the Volcano's own Zach Powers, AKA Rockwell Powers.

LollaPLUza is sponsored by the Associated Students of PLU, and will reportedly also feature food, games and a muthatruckin' dunk tank, yo.

Filed under: All ages, Events, Music, Tacoma,

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