HOOKING UP HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER READ >>>

According to the staff, come Friday and Saturday nights, Buck Wild Saloon fills from wall to wall with anxiously horny cowboys, military men and, fortunately for them, girls who like cowboys in the military. As for my single sidekick, Bandito, she could give  a s***  about these types of men. During the entirety of our recent Wednesday night trip to Buck Wild, she all but wanted to strangle me with a plastic lasso. (Never again will she date a military man-a story I will save for another day.)

Regardless, it was Bandito's duty to tag along as I scoped out the Coyote Ugly-themed establishment, dubbed "The Best Bucking Bar In Town," in order to report back to all the hopeless romantics who gander at this lil' ol' Meat Market column.

With beer pong, pool tables, ladies never paying a cover and random drink and food discounts, the appropriately named Buck Wild Saloon (open every day from 3 p.m. - 2 a.m.) holds true to all its hype. On weekends we were told sweaty bodies fill the generously sized dance floor as drunken women try their best to ride a mechanical bull in the sexiest way possible. (If possible at all.) 

To read this week's full column click here.

[Buck Wild Saloon, 11401 Steele St. S., Tacoma, 253.537.0801]

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from C. Brandon Chapman in response to Matt Driscoll's interview piece with Tacoma Rainiers announcer Mike Curto.

Chapman writes,

Mike is a great broadcaster. He's humorous on the air and a nice guy off it. The Rainiers are lucky to have such a class-act representing the Club!

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Partly sunny, possible showers hi 61, lo 49

Saturday: Partly sunny, hi 66, lo 48

Sunday: Partly sunny, hi 70, lo 53

>>> FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JUNE 24-26: Taste of Tacoma

For more than 26 years, the infamous Taste of Tacoma - a three-day, food-focused festival in Point Defiance Park -- has offered live music, entertainment, craft booths, exhibits and more. The long stretch of food booths - Gluttony Row - is the source of both excitement and financial woe. And sometimes heartburn. And, almost always, at least one elepehant ear.

• Point Defiance Park, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday, admission is free, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma, tasteoftacoma.com

>>> SATURDAY, JUNE 25: Tacoma Urban Chicken Coop Tour

Honestly, you know your city is coming up in the world when you have an urban chicken coop tour. Yes, an urban chicken coop tour - here in Tacoma. It's happening Saturday, and no, we're not pulling your leg. People actually raise chickens at their house, mainly for the eggs - though sometimes there's a hair of companionship too. We first wrote about urban chicken farming last year, and it's only blown up since then. Saturday's coop tour, which is organized by GardenSphere in the North End, will include eight coops according to the website. Maps can be picked up at GardenSphere through Saturday, and the tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Tacoma Urban Chicken Coop Tour, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., maps available at GardenSphere - 3310 N. Proctor St., 253.7617936

>>> SATURDAY, JUNE 25: DYDD Championship Bout

You've waited all season. Screamed in excitement. Winced in empathy. Cheered with vigor. And it all comes down to this. The Dockyard Derby Dames hold their championship bout Saturday afternoon at the Foss Waterway Seaport building. The festivities will match the Femme Fianna and Marauding Molly's in what's described as  the "ultimate grudge match,´ before the Trampires and Hellbound Homewreckers do battle for the league crown. Hype says it's going to be "epic," and we can't see how that could not be accurate.

• Foss Waterway Seaport, 6 p.m., $12, 705 Dock Street, Tacoma

>>> SATURDAY - SUNDAY, JUNE 25-26: Urban Art Festival

The Urban Art Festival is a grassroots festival at its best - a little bit of every kind of art (including some varieties not always recognized as art) all dumped into one public park, then shaken, not stirred, with lots of music and other cool stuff. Now in its seventh year, the Urban Art Festival has expanded to two full days, and will take place June 25 and 26 along Thea Foss Waterway.

• Thea Foss Waterway, from the Museum of Glass at 1801 Dock St.,to beyond the 21st Street Bridge, Tacoma, tacomaurbanart.com

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
This weekend marks my official shift change at the bar, meaning this Saturday will be my last Saturday night! The bar is hosting an after bout party for roller derby ladies  - so it should be a blast. A good friend is visiting this weekend as well, so I look forward to catching up with her. And Netflix just sent me the next season of Weeds, so I'll get my boob tube fix as well. Good times all around.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
We're celebrating my father-in-law's 60th birthday with mounds of delicious dead cow, and I'll be up to my forebrain in Mamet memorization. I also need to finish unpacking so I can move my "office" off our kitchen table.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY: Music & Film Writer
On the forefront of my mind will be dodging my friend who recently came down with a typically disgusting case of scabies (ach!). As part of my plan to come nowhere near contact with her, I will be escaping to the New Frontier on Friday for the Dignitaries, and I will be on hand at Dorky's on Saturday for their first ever show--featuring Red Hex, Si Si Si, and the dorkiest band in town, the Cutwinkles.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
Friday night will be the last night in TX so I'll be soaking up the heat and packing for my Saturday flight. Saturday morning, my parents will drive my friend Casie, my little son and I to my brother's house for a family meal before we Tacomans head to the airport. Sunday will be a day of rest with my grad school husband.

ALEC CLAYTON Visual Arts Critic
Having dinner with two of the hottest musical theater stars in the South Sound, Matt Posner and Alison Monda.

.

JENNIFER JOHNSON Food and Lifestyles Writer 
Exploring the booming metropolis of Lacey Friday evening followed by dancing. Saturday I'm attending a church brunch followed by Urban Arts Fest and a stop in at Pacific Grill. After church services Sunday, I'll drop in at Metronome to see SONS play at 8 p.m.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Meat Market Photographer
I'm in North Dakota. For reals.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011 >>>

1. The annual Taste of Tacoma kicks off today. Get your loose pants, perhaps a bib, and dig in!

2. There's a 100^th Monkey event tonight - kicking off the Urban Arts Festival. Find info here.

3. Don Wilson and Nokie Edwards of The Ventures join the Northwest Rock Revisited show tonight at the Liberty Theater in Puyallup. Or, if that doesn't tickle your musical fancy, browse the Volcano's extensive live local music listings here.

4. Writer and Pacific Lutheran University prof Jason Skipper will celebrate the release of his debut novel, Hustle, tonight at King's Books.

5. Vote for Tacoma's best baristas, politicians, bloggers, bartenders and local businesses in the only 253 "Best Of" issue that matters. The Volcano's annual Best of Tacoma issue publishes July 28, and this year's readers' poll launched last week. Let your vote be heard now! Find all the details here.

LINK: South Sound Live Local Music Listings

LINK: Viva South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

GET YOUR TAMBORINE AT THE NEW FRONTIER >>>

The Dignitaries are a garage band. This aesthetic is one they've honed to a fine craft. On the band's debut LP, Rocket Science, 15 songs blaze by in a fuzzy haze of two-minute bursts. Like the album's name might suggest, these songs are all fire and momentum - spent after a brief window, with the sulfury smell of damage left in their wake.

Having only been around for about two years, the Dignitaries have nevertheless carved a groove for themselves in the local music scene, thanks, largely, to their energetic live shows.

"We put on a good show," says lead singer Reylan Fernandez. "With a lot of people, you can have great songs, you can have great hooks and you can have the right equipment, but if you don't put on a good show at the local level, no one's going to remember you. Our little tambourines have become the little keepsake that everybody remembers us by, which helps."

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

[The New Frontier Lounge, with Panama Gold, the Riffbrokers, Friday, June 24, 8 p.m., $5, Cover TBA, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

THREE QUESTIONS WITH AN ISLAND-THEMED SOUVENIR >>>

Warning: this week Bobble TIki is not writing about a musical "show," per se. In fact, he's not even really sure what "per se" means.

Rather, he's writing about an event - a musical event, yes - but not your standard three bands on a bill and a couple (too many) whiskey sours.

Sunday at Stonegate Pizza on South Tacoma Way, Union Jack Amps and Riggio Custom Guitars - both local endeavors - will be holding an event going by the billing "Demo Daze."

You know it's serious because they used "Daze" instead of "Days." Plus, it's only one day, so "days" wouldn't have worked anyway. Plus, Z's just look crazy exciting you know ...

But Bobble TIki digresses. Demo Daze at Stonegate Pizza will be your chance - whether you're a serious player or just a bedroom six-string tinkerer - to see some of the more exciting, hyper-local gear currently offered.

When it comes to Union Jack Amps, you don't have to be paying very close attention to see they're making a mark. The list of bands and musicians now part of what the man behind Union Jack Amps, Derek Springer, calls the "Union Jack Family" is long and impressive. And folks aren't just using the amps to be nice; these throwbacks seriously deliver.

Bobble Tiki caught up with Springer this week to talk about just how he got into the amp business, and what people can expect out of Demo Daze ...

To read Bobble Tiki's full column click here.

[Stonegate Pizza, Demo Daze, Sunday, June 26, 3:30 p.m., free, 5421 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.473.2255]

IT WAS A WIN >>>

You've heard the murmuring, the dissension in the ranks, the Negative Nelly's with their crappy attitudes, the broken record of wrist-slitting rhetoric ...

"Gas Prices are high". Boo! "All the fun stuff is in Seattle". Hiss! "There's a cover charge? But it's Tacoma!" Whine! "Someone should do something ..."

One Tacoma resident has, at least in the "fun stuff" department. Taking matters into his own hands is Todd Buckley.

"I got tired of always going to Seattle for great alcohol tasting events," he tells me.

So Buckley put his thinking cap on (or more likely pulled out an iPad) and created the Tacoma Alcohol Consortium (TAC). Buckley shares that he's always had a strong desire to create things. "I really wanted to do something unique. When Washington State changed the laws to allow distilleries I knew that was my opportunity," he says.  

Buckley has plans for starting a distillery of his own. To that end, the creation of TAC serves several purposes. "I wanted to create camaraderie between all the local alcohol producers, such as The Harmon, Wingman Brewery, Ponte 21, and other future alcohol manufacturers," he says. Through TAC Buckley will host alcohol tastings around Tacoma, where leading and local producers of wine, beer and spirits will impart product knowledge, history and most importantly, let people try the stuff for themselves.

The TAC kick-off event was held Tuesday, June 21 in the swanky, cellar-like private dining room at Pacific Grill. Guests were greeted with individual packets of tasting cards, nosing definitions, drink recipes, and (my favorite, straight out of Whisky Magazine) "The Pentlands Wheel," which states women have some of the best noses in the whisky trade. Hear, hear!

The afternoon event began with a brief oratory on the history of whiskey and bourbon led by Cody Rossen from Maker's Mark. The first four of eight whiskies sampled came in at 100 proof or less. The first three were fairly standard: Maker's Mark, Basil Hayden, Knob Creek. The fourth, Maker's Mark White Dog, is not available in stores and was a real treat for the industry folks - not to mention the flat-out whisky fans at the event.

My close-at-hand tablemates were Tacoma resident Gregory Gulley, Asado manager Chris Lei, STINK owner Kris Blondin, blogger and tasty things aficionado Ann Meersman and husband a friend, Jaime Kay Jones (owner of Top of Tacoma and soon-to-open restaurant Marrow), and Swing bartender Bradford Knutson of Olympia. At other ends of the room were craft cocktail maker extraordinaire Chris Keil of 1022 South, not to mention Tacoma's own Sexiest Bartender of 2011, Emily Larberg Cook, who sat with staff of Jazzbones and Masa and other attendees.

Pacific Grill staff swooped in with plates of tasty victuals to keep tasters from being too tipsy for the second round of tiny cups of high proof liquor. Delicious barbequed wings, chilled pork, stuffed puff pastry, charcuterie, olives, cheeses, meat candy- all were selected to compliment the liquid libations.

Round two of tasting was power packed with higher caliber whiskies. Starting with 94 proof Maker's 46, 86 proof Jim Beam Devils Cut, 120 proof Knob Creek Single Barrel and climbing to Booker's at 127 proof - suddenly the room was warmer and the table chatter increased.

A smiling Gregory Gulley shares that he's been thinking of opening his own place, be it restaurant or bar, and attended the event at the recommendation of friend Chris Lei of Asado. Of the first TAC event, Gulley says, "I gained a lot of knowledge and enjoyment. I don't go to too many tasting events. This one was good".

The next Tacoma Alcohol Consortium event is Sunday, July 17 7 p.m. at 1022 South. It will serve as the send off party for Tales of the Cocktail festival in New Orleans and has a very special guest- author of Left Coast Libations Ted Munat.  

Details on the Tacoma Alcohol Consortium can be found here.

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...

TEN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO TEND BAR

In a conversation about this blog, and what it takes to do our job, my co-workers and I compiled this important list.

Ten Things You Need to Know if You Want to Tend Bar

(And none of them have anything to do with how to muddle lemons)

1.    Know how to tell a funny joke.

2.    Know how to properly rack/ break when starting a game of pool.

3.    Know how to open a bottle of beer with a lighter, and know how to properly "shotgun" a beer.

4.    Know how to laugh naturally, even if you can't hear a word the person is saying.

5.    Know how to sell/make coffee on a hot day.

6.    If you know nothing about sports, know how to fake your way through a sports conversation.

7.    Know how to insult people without them realizing it.

8.    Know how to remember a person's drink over their name - it goes a lot farther.

9.    Know how to read your audience - know when to say, "Of course, whatever you'd like," and when to say, "Screw you buddy."

10.   Know how to simultaneously perform at least four of these items, all while keeping your cool.

Hope you enjoyed this list, and hope you're enjoying the sun!

Bonus*

Recommended drink to try for summer refreshment: Tom Collins - made the old way, with gin, fresh squeezed lemon or lime, a touch of sweetener (not sweet and sour mix) and finished with soda water. Garnish and sip.

LINK HUB: The "Behind Bars" collection

FUN AND EATS CAN COME AT A HIGH PRICE >>>

The Taste of Tacoma is considered both a bane and a boon. The influx of people to the small town of Ruston has been a cause of stress and less-than-friendly feelings between festival-goers and homeowners. Parking spaces become more valuable than gold; lines and the crush of humanity a test of patience. Merely getting to and from the area, be it by side streets or main routes, becomes an extreme navigational challenge.

For over 26 years this three-day, food-focused festival has offered live music, entertainment, craft booths, exhibits and more. The long stretch of food booths-which I've always thought of as Gluttony Row-is the source of both excitement and financial woe.

To read Jennifer Johnson's full article click here.

[Taste of Tacoma, June 24 - 26, Point Defiance Park, Free, All Ages, Beer and Wine Gardens 21+ only]

ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS AND ROCK 'N' ROLL >>>

"I can't see the Yard Bird fall apart," says Jason Mattson, the instigator of a string of fundraisers designed to aid Chehalis's iconic Yard Bird statue, still standing at the former shopping mecca and Lewis County roadside attraction. "It's been here most our lives-it's unique, it's our Paul Bunyan, and it's a symbol. If it went away it would be a big loss."

Saturday's Birdfest 2011 is Mattson's largest Yard Bird fundraiser yet, where he hopes to raise the $10,000 needed to complete repairs.

A full day of all-ages activities in the Yard Birds parking lot, centered around Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artists Don Wilson and Nokie Edwards of the Ventures, along with Barry Curtis and Steven Peterson of the Kingsmen, with Lt. Governor Brad Owen on sax, Birdfest 2011 will also have face-painting and bounce houses for the kiddies, and a beer garden for adults. Giveaways and raffles will play a prominent roll, including a chance at an autographed guitar from the Ventures.

To read Nikki Talotta's full story click here.

[Yard Birds parking lot, Don Wilson and Nokie Edwards of the Ventures, Barry Curtis and Steven Peterson of the Kingsmen with Lt. Governor Brad Owen on sax, Saturday, June 25, 12 p.m. - 10 p.m., $12 at the gate, $10 pre-sale at Shanks in Olympia, or Shop'n Kart in Chehalis, kids under 12 are free, 2100 N. National Ave., Chehalis]