ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from David De Silva in response to Christian Carvajal's recent review of Fame at Capital Playhouse.

De Silva writes,

Capital Kids should get an A+ for their talent and hardwork in FAME-The Musical and this lousy critic should get an F for sitting on his ass and writing with such negativity about the characters in the show. Shame on him for not joining the standing ovation. FAME will forever be an inspiration to young people around the world. These ovations happen in hundreds of productions every year and in almost every language.and the best critics everywhere suport it.. ..

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2011 >>>

1. Does a "night of intelligent soul, funk, jazz and rare grooves," sound intriguing to you? It should. Check out the appropriately titled "Rare Grooves" at the Tempest Lounge tonight.

2. The Dusty 45's and Brent Amaker and the Rodeo at Olympia's Royal Lounge tonight promises to be one of the best shows of the weekend. Find all the info you need here.

3. Be the Spark!

4. Saul Tannenbaum will be back with pizzazz tonight in Olympia at the Eagles Club Room. It kicks off a Friday - Saturday engagement for Tannenbaum's Girls Ahoy! that will no doubt be magical.

5. Get your Brubeck on tonight at Tacoma's Rialto Theater as the Brubeck Brothers Quartet busts out the jazz.

THE SOUTH SOUND'S ONLY LOCAL FILM CRITIC >>>

The Judd Apatow universe - featuring movies like Superbad, Knocked Up and Forgetting Sarah Marshall - has been criticized for being too much of a boys' club, and not featuring interesting roles for women. Bridesmaids, co-written by and starring SNL's Kristen Wiig, attempts to correct this.

Like the stars of other Apatow-affiliated movies, Annie (Wiig) is an aimless thirtysomething who finds herself unlucky in love and just about everything else in life. Unlike other Apatow heroes, however, she isn't in this position because she is desperately clinging to youth. She wants to improve her life, but is utterly clueless about how to do it. She seeks a relationship with a man (Jon Hamm) who makes it clear every second he is with her that he'd rather be with someone else.

To read Rev. Adam McKinney's full review click here.

BELOVED COFFEESHOP SAYS GOODBYE >>>

"When you build things, sometimes they break," Beyond the Bridge Cafe (BBC) co-owner Ben Rubke tells me with a solemn, sad look in his eyes.  I look back at him, accepting his grief, ultimately tearing my heart into pieces.

Beyond the Bridge Café will close its doors for good tonight - the reason for my conversation with Rubke, who anticipates locking up for good around midnight, or whenever the last straggler finally heads out the door. The decision to close was made recently, and Rubke says the factors behind it are varied.

People love Beyond the Bridge Cafe.  I love Beyond the Bridge Cafe.   The love is about the people behind the business: where they came from, their story, their staff, their love for the community and the fact that they are the community.

And, of course, people love BBC for the coffee.

From the beginning (November 2006), BBC didn't try to re-invent the wheel when co-owners Ben and Trish Rubke opened the doors of their little coffee shop in Sumner's Old Cannery parking lot.  Instead, they simply created their own wheel, which rolled in a unique and artistic way.  Full of soul and passion, the Rubkes, along with all past employees, made every space BBC inhabited one of entertainment and warmth.

Notable past employees are local talents Travis Barker (Black Sails), Kate Monthy (MLK Ballet) and Michael Hochstatter (The Cloves).  It was actually Hochstatter who brought BBC to the attention of the Weekly Volcano, writing a letter requesting paper distribution at their Sumner location back in 2007.

Monthly live music events known as Live at the BBC were sell-out hits, held mainly for the purpose of promoting unknown talent and gathering community.  Once the business moved to its Sixth Avenue location in 2010, "The Phoenix," a variety-type dance and music show, took over, providing grand entertainment and a hopeful display of what was to come for the new Tacoma BBC.

In the end, love was not enough for the BBC.  Love doesn't pay the bills, nor does it always heal the hurt.

The Tacoma rumor mill is a vicious beast, one in which Ben Rubke is all too familiar with.  When asked, he replies, "Yes, the rumors are true." Then, taking a deep breath, he adds, "I'm heading to the Yukon to take up with the fur trade." 

I smile at his courage to attempt humor during a time of personal sadness.

"I'm not going anywhere, and I will definitely be back.  I'm not done here, I just need to step away, get grounded and come back at a different angle.  I need to fix what's broken," says Rubke.

Hurry back, Ben. We'll be waiting.

WHY DESMOND TUTU CHOSE TO COME TO TACOMA >>>

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.

To read Paul Schrag's full article on Be The Spark, including an interview with Desmond Tutu, click here.

[Tacoma Dome, Be The Spark with Desmond Tutu, Pete Carroll, William Gates Sr., Friday, May 13, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., $10-$55, 2727 E. D St., Tacoma, 253.572.3663]

SATURDAY AT BACKSTAGE BAR & GRILL >>>

Name aside, the Tacoma Rock Festival offers a full day's worth of action that's sure to be right down the alley of many of T-Town's finest. Kicking off at 2 p.m., and running all ages from 2-9 p.m. before going 21+ until last call, the Tacoma Rock Festival boasts a bill of at least 12 bands and over ten hours of entertainment.

On that list of bands is Shyan Selah, of Shyan Selah and the Republic of Sound. Having earned fans in the area off the back of his most recent release, Brave New World (which just happens to be the name of the record label and "music conglomerate" he founded), Selah is back on stage this weekend looking to make new fans and new connections.

Bobble Tiki caught up with Selah to get his take on Brave New World and Saturday's Tacoma Rock Festival.

To read Bobble Tiki's column click here.

[Backstage Bar & Grill, Tacoma Rock Festival with All Eyes Closed, Dylan Jakobsen, Echo Reason, From Sword to Sunrise, In All Honesty, Jasmine Parker, Point of Defiance, Project Euphoria, Seize the Sun, Shyan Selah & the Republic of Sound, Zamara Bennet, Zhana Juniea, Saturday, May 14, 2 p.m. - 1 a.m., $10, 6409 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.223.2373]

In search of some local political scensterism I stopped by Tacoma City Councilman David Boe's campaign kick-off party at the Maritime Museum Wednesday evening. Listening to the night's speeches made two things clear: apparently urban-focused architects make fantastic city council members (makes sense), and David Boe is an alternative brand of local politician. Since being appointed in 2010 it had been unclear until recently if Boe would run for Position 7 once the time came. A visual artist, thespian and musician, Boe is a pleasant, albeit quirky, break from the political norm.

Fellow council members Woodards, Fey, Campbell, Walker and Mello all addressed the crowd, in addition to Boe. Walker also read a praise-laden statement from Mayor Strickland, calling Boe's appointment "one of the smartest decisions we've (the council) ever made."

To read the full Tacoma Week in Review column, click here.

EVEN RHUBARB SMACKED THE COVER OFF THE BALL >>>

Remember how I was scared of losing Mike Wilson and Carlos Peguero to the Rainiers' big, bad brother to the north? How I said the loss of two of the Rainiers' FEW offensive producers could leave some holes in the lineup ... decrease run production, decrease the number of homeruns hit, decrease the team's combined OPS ... all while increasing the need to drink at the ballpark.

Nuts to that. As the Rainiers proved in last night's 13-3 shellacking of the Oklahoma City RedHawks, the team can drive in runs without Peguero or Wilson.  I mean, it won't be easy. But they can do it. They've shown they can.

-Franklin Gutierrez provided a healthy dose of offense in last night's smack down over the RedHawks. Guti went 2-for-4 with a three run double. Good stuff from a guy who has had Mariners and Rainiers fans anxiously fearing word of another mysterious illnesses.

-It wasn't just Gutierrez last night, either. Most of the team got in on the sweet action. The team's fifteen hits tied a Rainiers season high. The team scored in seven of the nine innings.  Matt Tuiasosopo and Alex Liddi went yard.  Five players hit doubles. At one point late in the eighth inning, the third baseman from the RedHawks threw his glove down in disgust.

Well, technically I'm not sure if that last part happened because it wasn't reported on the radio or shown on MiLB.tv. But it probably happened. Because the Rainiers kicked ass.

-Of course, this week hasn't been all ass kicking. The team has lost four of its last five, including a 3-1 loss to ex-Rainier Ryan Roland-Smith. Luckily, no one really minds when the Hyphen beats you. He's such a lovable Ausi. Just look at his twitter.

Our boys of summer try to continue their hitting ways today against the RedHawks before traveling to Metairie, Louisiana to face the Zephyrs. No word yet on which players will stay behind in Oklahoma to catch the Mark Harmon Celebrity Weekend. Johan Limonata seems like a huge NCIS fan.

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from local filmmaker Kris Crews, in response to a string of commentary which he kicked off responding to a 2010 review by Volcano film writer Christopher Wood.

Crews writes,

Chris, I didn't realize that you are a regular film critic for the volcano. I'm sure you've had plenty of experience developing your skill. Otherwise, you wouldn't be doing it.
I apologize for suggesting that you no longer do your job. I simply request that you take it seriously. I will critique any critic on the basis of objective rationale.

I'm not concerned with your personal opinion. Let's just say the film was too slow for you. I do think that the film was misrepresented by the statement, "really, the whole 18 minutes of the film is just a montage of the 2 of them playing at different parks in Tacoma".

Steph, It is not about a negative opinion. Anyone can have an opinion, like that the plot was too slow for their taste, but the summing up of the film, "really, the whole 18 minutes of the film is just a montage of the 2 of them playing at different parks in Tacoma" is a gross oversimplification of the story.

I do not believe that is an opinion. The film either is or isn't a montage of allan and madeline playing in parks for 18 minutes. That says nothing of the scenes of regular daily activity backed by engaging improvasational dialogue delivered by a 3 year old.

I get that the film is not stellar (it was made in 72 hours), but it holds up in terms of communicating a solid message; one that speaks of the bitter/sweet reality of the human condition. There is dialogue & and it was captured and delivered cleanly. There is movement. It may seem mundane that the action that occurs follows the father and daughter as the wake, help a neighbor deliver drums to church, ride a bus, bathe, & play in a park. The story is about the dad's reconciliation of the misunderstanding that what he thought was his destiny was lost and he has to continue on in the absence of his partner and child's mother. That is enough.

SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2011 >>>

1. So, you survived Friday the 13^th. Time to celebrate with a great local rock show ... oh, like, I don't know ... maybe SATCHEL PLAYING HELL'S KITCHEN TONIGHT!!

2. OK, so you don't have a goatee? Satchel's not your bag? We catch your drift. Luckily, there's also this other great show at The Space with Cobirds Unite and Goldfinch. People will definitely be talking about this show tomorrow. Be one of the ones who saw it.

3. The Olympia Awesome Film Festival finally comes to fruition today. Get in on the action

4. In T-Town, the Evergreen Tacoma Spring Fair delves into "Food and Culture" today.

5. Take yourself back in time today with the TNW Model Train Show at Freighthouse Square. Be a kid again.