THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>
WEATHER REPORTFriday: Sun, hi 56, lo41
Saturday: Rain, hi 64, lo 48
Sunday: More rain, hi 51, lo 45
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
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
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.
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
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.
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ALEC CLAYTON Visual Arts Critic
More theater for me down Oly way. Fame at Capital Playhouse and Dog Sees God at SPSCC.