WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011 >>>

1. Lakewood Pub and Grill has taken the bar term "meat market" literally with a meat raffle every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., when patrons drop $10 for 15 tickets to win premium cuts courtesy of Stewart's Meat Market ... or a $25 gas card. Choice wins include stacks of deli cut bacon and steaks, although the jerky packs are bonus. To see who likes this meat raffle, click here.

2. Looks like a good day to check out Parenthetically Speaking: It's Only a Figure of Speech - a new collection of work by San Francisco-based artist Mildred Howard comprising more than 40 glass punctuation marks, proofreading symbols and musical notes at the Museum of Glass from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Howard's inspiration for the work came from At the End, a poem by her friend and Peabody Award-winner Quincy Troupe.

3. Arch rival schoolmates discover they had great-great-great grandfathers at the same Civil War battle - on opposite sides - and that link leads them to finally resolve their own "uncivil war" in local author and storyteller Nick Adams's book, The Uncivil War. Adams will discus his book and his great-great-grandfather's life as a soldier and how it relates to his book at 3 p.m. inside the Puyallup Public Library.

4. Wildside Wine in Tacoma will pour South African wines from 4-7 p.m. for $5.

5. We here at the Weekly Volcano love to call Wednesdays hump day.  There's something so titillating, so promising in the name. And since Jazzbones has free live music every Wednesday night starting at 9 p.m., there's even more reason to feel the grand promise of hump day.  Tonight Zero Gravity Circus will entertain you. Along with free entry, Jazzbones also offers specials on Sessions beer and $1 pizzas. Because nothing goes better with some hump than beer and pizza.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Half-priced wine bottles night

GLUTEN FREE >>>

"You do not have chronic fatigue syndrome, the flu or mono. You have a gluten intolerance. That means no more pasta, among other things," the doctor said as he handed over a photocopied explanation. Jessica Rawley, who I met in an aisle at Marlene's Market, related this recent scenario to me. The University Place resident calls a lot of vegan, gluten and sugar-free baked goods, "seriously less than delicious."

Having food allergies presents unique challenges. One local business has answers for the question, "What can I eat when dining out?"

Spanaway-based Granny Lala's, Inc. is the brainchild of Lara Weihs. Made in a dedicated gluten free facility, Granny Lala's baked goods range from hamburger buns to carrot cake, and are sold in retail locations like Forza, Mud Bay Coffee Company and Harbor Greens.  Increased awareness of dietary restrictions has inspired more and more cafes, coffee shops and restaurants to use and offer gluten free and specialty products. Sold at spice and tea shop Ubiquitous Journey in Puyallup, ganache covered chocolate quinoa "Katie Cake" in particular is as close to a real chocolate cake as might be found without soy, nut, peanut, egg, dairy or gluten.

SALE OF ARTS, CRAFTS, FOOD & MORE AIMS TO MAKE OLYMPIA >>>

At first, I had a little trouble with Make Olympia, the market formerly known as Craft X NW, which starts up for the summer Saturday, July 16.

I kept wanting to think of it as Olympia Made, or Made in Olympia.

It makes more sense if you know that the crafty folk - including artists, performers and those who make food - these days are calling themselves "makers," a name that, to me, conjures up either religious imagery or thoughts of bourbon.

In fact, these makers are artists, crafters, performers and even makers of various foodstuffs, and all of them had enough talent to make it into this juried show. So if you're looking for new clothing upcycled from the old or sauerkraut or jewelry or glass art or soap, Make Olympia could be the place to meet your maker (and, presumably, live to tell the tale).

Make Olympia is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month from July to September. It's on Washington Street between Fourth and State.

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL COVERAGE AS DRUNK AS YOU ARE >>>

Here we are, people. The 2011 Triple-A All Star Game. A time to kick back, open a couple brewskis and reflect on the Rainiers' (44-47) first 91 games of the season.  Or, if you're like eighty percent (rough estimate) of Tacomans who don't follow the Rainiers and their exploits intensely, then this is a time to go on with normal life. Really, it's up to you. We don't try to force anything here.

So. How have the Rainiers done in the first chunk (chunk, not half) of the season?

Judging strictly by the team's record, the first portion of the season has gone poorly. Not too bad, but poor nonetheless. Though the Rainiers are only three games back from playing .500 ball, they're also ten games behind the PCL North Division leader, the Reno Aces. With 53 games remaining in the season, the Rainiers would need to make up some serious ground on the Aces to capture the division. Not impossible ground to cover, but definitely hard. And still, out of the 91 games the Rainiers have played this season, they've lost more than they've won.  Certainly not a good route to a second consecutive PCL Championship.

But this is the Rainiers Minute. We can't place too much emphasis on the team's record. The true barometer of a baseball season, at least in our minds, is how fun the first chunk (not half) of the season has been. We're talking about how many beers were consumed on the Tasty Terrace. How many knuckleballs starting pitcher Charlie Haeger threw for strikes. How many fastballs outfielder Mike Carp blasted out of the park. Yeah, record has a lot to do with how the season is going, but there's so much more.

Without further ado, we present the real ups and downs of the first 91 games. Players, other teams, call-ups, hot dog eating, more urinals; what have you. Everything fun and not so fun about the 2011 Tacoma Rainiers season so far. Because as a fan, that's the real crux of a baseball season:

Are you having fun or aren't you.

The Bad (Things that detract from fun)

Starting Pitcher Luke French: Though left-hander Luke French has started to turn it around, it's still safe to say he's having a rough year on the bump. His season ERA stands at 5.90, a full three points higher than last years. Then, there have been a couple of outings like the one on June 4^t, where French pitched four innings, gave up seven runs and walked eight. Yikes. So much for having a reliable ace.

The Reno Aces: The Aces are the PCL Division North leaders. The Rainiers have gone 4-8 against them this season. They're tall, mean and beat up on the Rainiers' pitching staff. Damn those Aces. They're just so smug. 

The Frequent Call-ups: Yeah, we know. This is Minor League baseball and call-ups happen. But jeeze, Mariners, at least give us a second to fill out our lineup card. Greg Halman up, Mike Carp up, Michael Saunders down. Peguero up, Seager up, Wilson down. Bard up, Bard down. It's a revolving door of confusion. We don't even know who to crush on anymore.

*Honorable Mentions

-David Aardsma's four innings

-The month of April

-Cheney Stadium parking bottleneck

The Expected (Things that neither add nor subtract from fun)

Rainiers Minute coverage: We've brought you gems like the Mike Carp blog. We've brought you ho-hum, maybe this could be sorted out posts like the live-blog. We've made some mistakes, we've burned some bridges and we've made readers, on occasion, chuckle. All in all, about what you'd expect from this inaugural run.

The Bullpen: It's normal to hate your team's bullpen. "What, they're putting Cortes in! With no outs? Are they insane?" While the bullpen has blown a game here or there, they've also pitched some nice innings, reliever Josh Lueke in particular. 

Dollar Hotdogs: Don't get us wrong, Rainiers management. It's a great price. But they're a little small.

*Honorable Mentions 

-Matt Tuiasosopo

The Good (Things that add to fun)

Cheney Stadium Renovation: Man. Is everyone in agreement that this puppy was long overdue? Faster urinal access, more concession stands, handicap ramps. An interior that doesn't fill you with a sense of a coming, concrete apocalypse.  Not to mention a press box that's so cushy we could rest our fat butts in there for hours on end. Oh wait, we'll be doing exactly that in the second half. More live blogs!

Mike Carp/Kyle Seager (our crushes): Yeah, they've come and they've gone.  But don't the best lovers always leave at the top, only to come crawling back when you least expect it? Rainiers' outfielder Mike Carp has hit twenty home runs. He also had a 22-game hit streak earlier this season. Third baseman Kyle Seager, now with the Mariners, had a batting average of .455 with Tacoma. All around, these boys are dreamboats.  

The High Scoring Games: Is it us, or have we seen some whoppers on the scoreboard this season? Eighteen run against the Reno Aces on June 3. A two-day stretch against the Tucson Padres on June 5 and 6 where the Rainiers scored forty runs! Whatever the Rainiers were eating in early June we suggest they buy more.

*Honorable Mentions

-Mike Curto call-up

-Matt Mangini

So there it is. All things equally as important as the Rainiers' wins-loss record. Things the Rainiers could improve on, or fix, in the second chunk of the season.

But for now, enjoy the last night of the break. The All Star Game will begin tonight at 6:05 p.m. According to Curto, you can catch the game on the radio dial at 850 AM or on television with the MLB Network.

Tomorrow the Salt Lake City Bees come to town, with first pitch at 7:05 p.m. That means it's back to the long, slow grind that is the Minor League baseball regular season. A grind that hopefully sees more winning than losing. And, like we said, more fun, fun, fun.     

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Brenda Groboski in response to Steve Dunkelberg's photographic ode to the Ruston tunnel.

Groboski writes,

The Ruston Tunnel is an icon which, probably has out-lived its time. Must be treacherous for two HUMMERS to pass in. We all know that progress and expansion dictate that the old must be done away with. I am sincerely sad to see the tunnel go. BOOOOOOO Point Ruston for not being able to incorporate a way to allow the tunnel to stay with limited use.

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2011 >>>

1. It's awesome to see an all-ages show hit The Den at urbanXchange again. From 7:30-10 p.m. Vancouver, B.C. bands Katie & The Lichens, Aunts & Uncles, and I Make Earthquake and Besh Caron will rock the back room as you nosh on baked goods and sip tea.

2. The Thursday Beer Runners will lace up at 6:30 p.m. in front of The Swiss in downtown Tacoma, head out for a 3-mile run, then return to The Swiss to pound drinks until doorman Scooter kicks them out. It's a thing of beauty, really. The Lund Brothers will perform their awesome pop songs at The Swiss around 9 p.m.

3. Pacific Lutheran University, home to the stellar jazz and NPR station KPLU, takes the rhythms to the outside hosting Jazz Under the Stars - a free outdoor concert series in the Mary Baker Russell Music Center Amphitheater. Catch big band The Jazz Senators at 7 p.m. Bring a chair.

4. For more than 10 years the Northern Pacific Coffee Company has hosted Wednesday night open mics at its corner spot in Parkland. Go show what you got at 7:30 p.m.

5. Think you were bummed when Dave Chappelle decided he didn't want to do his hilarious-ass TV show anymore? Think you cried for days? Think you wondered what to do with your "I'm Rick James, bitch!" coffee mug? Think how comedian, writer and Chappelle's Show co-creator Neal Brennan felt. You can reminisce together at 8 p.m. inside the Tacoma Comedy Club when Brennan brings his stand-up act to town. Or you could just laugh at Brennan's jokes. Either way.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Happy hours!

MUSICAL GOODNESS IN PRINT & ONLINE >>>

Wow. Big week for us here at the Weekly Volcano music section. It feels like it's been "No Sleep ‘Till Brooklyn" since Monday just making this thing happen. In print and online, the Volcano is literally bursting at the musical seems this week. Let's dig in.

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

Vicci Martinez

"(The Voice) contacted my manager, Beth Tallman, and asked her to convince me to do it, because they knew I didn't want to do anything like American Idol," says Martinez. "I liked the concept, especially the blind audition idea. I thought, ‘That's cool. It'd be totally based on my voice, if they like me.' ... Even my girlfriend said it, one morning. She said, ‘It's like a big commercial. You get to be on NBC and have a big commercial about you. What's wrong with that?'" - Rev Adam McKinney

Waves and Radiation

It's been two years and one month since instrumental rock band Waves and Radiation played its farewell show at Bob's Java Jive. On Saturday, the band will reunite for a special one-off return performance at the same coffee-pot-shaped venue where they called it a day back in 2009. Fans of Waves and Radiation will be pleased to hear that as far as guitarist Tristan McNabb is concerned, it's as if they'd never stopped playing together at all. - Jason Baxter

Revengers   

                              ... the crew that resurfaces Friday night at The New Frontier Lounge - Revengers' first show in six months - will look and sound noticeably different from what fans have grown accustomed to. That's thanks to the "come to Jesus moment" that followed Quinn's departure to Michigan in January after getting accepted to law school.  "Eric is my musical soul mate," says Coleman, who had also been Quinn's band mate in defunct local hip-hop group Biznautics. "Not having him around was really tough for me," he says during last week's Art on the Ave festival, recalling his band's near breakup. "For a while, I really had to have a moment and think about whether I wanted to do it without him."  -- Ernest A. Jasmin

Gillian Welch

Listening to Gillian Welch - in particular her new album, The Harrow & The Harvest - there's a palpable yearning that lurks in and around her music. Welch's adherence to classicism in the areas of folk, bluegrass and country has about it the mournful pang of nostalgia for a time she never experienced. - Rev. AM

TODD SYKES

Lots of local albums have dropped this year - perhaps more than any other year I can remember. It's obvious some people are really getting on their craft. One of the artists having a particularly productive year is Todd Sykes, one half of CityHall. Sykes is the full-time producer of all CityHall tracks and he also shares 50 percent of the rhymes. He also has a tendency to sing a lot of the hooks on the project, so if ya like CityHall, ya like Todd Sykes, whether ya know it or not. Def' take some time to download Sykes's newest solo album, Background Music, available on CityHall's Bandcamp page. - Josh Rizeberg

The Damage Report with Jason McKibbin (NEW PUNK & METAL COLUMN!!)

Hello from the City of Destiny! Some of you may know me as your loveable bearded doorman at Hell's Kitchen, or as the manic frontman for Tacoma's infamous punksters I Defy. But did you know that before I was a singer or a bouncer I was a music journalist!?! True Story! Now, I've once again answered the call, and just like way back when, I'm all about the scene. "What scene?" you ask. Well, the local punk, metal and extreme indie scene, to be exact. - Jason McKibbin

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: HOSTALION

Once upon a time in the early 2000's there was a backpacking/skateboard/delinquent hip-hop crew in Olympia called Hostalion that reigned supreme in the South Sound.  For many years they were untouchable, whether it was battling poor fools that had no idea what they were getting themselves into or consistently releasing some of the freshest up-to-date hip-hop Olympia had ever seen.  Your average fan that only saw Hostalion play a show or two may wonder, "What ever happened to those guys?"  Loyal fans and those who followed close know that although the name Hostalion isn't repped like it use to be, about half the members are still active and putting music out right under our nose here in Olympia.  - Nic Leonard

PLUS: Better Living Through Music - Earth, The Hague, Liturgy, Sam Vicari

PLUS: Concert Alert

PLUS: Live Local Music Listings for the South Sound

PLUS: Unbelievable Crap Like This

THE BEST ARTS COVERAGE IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

With the publication of the Volcano's annual Best of Tacoma issue a mere two weeks away, much of my time lately has been spent wading through the best of the best in art of the last year. It never ceases to amaze me just how much amazing stuff happens right here in our neck of the woods.

This week is no different, out on the street, and in the pages of the Weekly Volcano.

Here's a look at the arts coverage waiting for you in print and online.

VISUAL EDGE: TACOMA PHOTOGRAPHY LEGEND VIRNA HAFFER 

("Franz Brasz, the Artist." A Virna Haffer photo from 1937. Collection of the Washington State Historical Society/Gift of the Virna Haffer Estate)

The exhibition of photos by Virna Haffer at Tacoma Art Museum is a marvel. I had no idea what to expect heading into the gallery to see these works by an artist I had never heard of, and it was like wandering into a studio shared by the greatest photographers of the early modern period, including Alfred Stieglitz, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Diane Arbus and Man Ray. Haffer, a self-taught artist from Tacoma whose career began in the 1920s, gained international prominence and then was lost to history. The TAM curatorial team of Margaret Bullock, Christina Henderson and David Martin searched through more than 30,000 of Haffer's negatives, prints and woodblocks to put together this astonishing exhibition. - Alec Clayton

FEATURE: OLY LOVES PLANNED PARENTHOOD

(Photo by Ruby Re-Usable)

When I think of political protest, I don't usually think cute or sweet or quirky. I also don't usually think of art. But Oly Loves Planned Parenthood, a loosely organized network with a high percentage of working artists and art lovers, has made its protests all of those things. Since February, they've carried letter-pressed and hand-painted signs, often decorated with hearts. They've held bake sales. Organizer Sarah Adams, a filmmaker and performance artist, did a comedy piece about the protests as part of Michelle Tea's "Sister Spit" show in Olympia in March. And Friday, July 15, the group is holding an art show and party with music by the Olympia Free Choir, a DJ, pizza and cupcakes (probably the cutest and possibly sweetest of baked goods).  - Molly Gilmore

THEATER REVIEW: CATS

Tacoma Musical Playhouse saved its most visually stunning production to close out the season. Cats opened to a packed house and earned a standing ovation from the majority of the patrons, despite some sound difficulties. - Joann Varnell

THEATER REVIEW: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

(Photo by Seraphim Fire Photography)

This production is adorable. Not every joke's a corker, mind you, but remember that the definition of "comedy" in the early 1600s was that someone gets married at the end. A Shakespearean romp doesn't have to be joke-setup-joke like an episode of How I Met Your Mother. The plot, about mortals and Amazons besotted by magical flowers, is both dorky and disarming, and you can't beat the scenery. Having established due care and dedication, Animal Fire attracts professional-grade actors to its ranks. Jeff Painter, a memorable Lucentio in Harlequin's Taming of the Shrew, is likable here as Demetrius. Brian Hatcher, a fellow Harlequin alumnus, is charming, literally, as Puck (though his delivery of iambic pentameter is often singsong). Jay Minton, a veteran of Animal Fire's Idaho origin, won me over as a stage-struck Nick Bottom. Steven Wells stretches neatly into the role of Lysander, and local comic Morgan Picton is terrific in two roles. ... -- Christian Carvajal

FILM: TACOMA FILM FESTIVAL SNEAK PEEK

In a way the Tacoma Film Festival party never stops at The Grand Cinema. As TFF's founder and continuing planner, the theater's staff and volunteers work throughout the year on each new festival. And in 2011 they've figured out a way to share even more of the festival with us. TFF doesn't officially commence until Oct. 6, but who says we can't have fun now? Not the Grand; its first-ever Tacoma Film Festival Sneak Peek happens at the theater this Friday, July 15. Let's pre-party! - Christopher Wood

PLUS: The South Sound Arts, Entertainment & Events Calendar to end all South Sound Arts, Entertainment & Events Calendars

PLUS: Tap Dancing Hamsters

ARE YOU COMING? >>>

Words just came through the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters that the Renegade Calendar Girls will be attending the Super Best of Tacoma issue party - dressed in superhero costumes - Thursday, July 28 at the Varsity Grill in downtown Tacoma.

Are you coming? 

RSVP on Facebook here.

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Partly sunny, hi 72, lo 57

Saturday: Rain, hi 66, lo 54

Sunday: Overcast, hi 71, lo 54

>>> FRIDAY, JULY 15: Revengers

It's been six months since the Revengers stepped to the stage. Far too long. We may see guitarist Mason Hargrove driving around in that cute, old yellow car of his all the time, but we haven't gotten enough of the Revengers' haunting, hybrid sound and well-chosen lyricism. That all changes Friday, when the Revengers return in a revamped incarnation - one  we hope will pack as much punch as the original.

• The New Frontier, with Prayers for Atheists, Panama Gold, NighTrain, 9 p.m., $5, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020 

>>> SATURDAY, JULY 16: The Missionary Position

Jeff Angell of the Missionary Position is like some sort of rock n' roll prophet. Or yoda. Or yoda with hip bones. Or something. Dude's just really wise when it comes to the rock, music and what it's all about. "The truth is, I love stories and in three verses a song can say as much as a novel with what it leaves to the imagination. I didn't choose music it chose me and as miserable as I have made life on myself at times, I wouldn't have it any other way," he told the Volcano in May. Saturday, catch Angell's Missionary Position in what's rumored to possibly be the last Saturday music booking at Doyle's Public House in a while. Whie that's a rumor we've been unable to succesfully confirm or deny, Angell's rock n roll swager can't be denied. 

• Doyle's Public House, 9:30 p.m., NC, 208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7468

>>> SATURDAY, JULY 16: WAKE UP 253 Anniversary

WAKE UP 253, a local music, art and business zine that's just one of the many quirky and vibrant things that makes T-Town so fucking rad celebrates one year Saturday at the New Frontier. Musically, Osama Bin Rockin', South 11th, Not From Brooklyn, Dead Peasants and Milky White will provide the action, while constant kick-ass raffles (yeah, they've got pipes and cupcakes according to Facebook)and pinata swings will make sure things stay lively.

• The New Frontier, 8 p.m., $5, 301 E 25th St., Tacoma

>>> SATURDAY, JULY 16: The Jungle Book (as performed by kids)

The Broadway Center Conservatory's Summer Musical Theatre Camp is all about teaching kids about life, about the boards, and about life on the boards. Saturday, as part of a celebration of the skills the kids have learned all season long, the Summer Musical Theatre Camp will perform The Jungle Book at Broadway Center's Theatre on the Square. Session II of the Broadway Center Conservatory's Summer Musical Theatre Camp will do the same on July 30.

• Broadway Center Theatre on the Square, 4 p.m., $18, 901 Broadway, Tacoma 

>>> SATURDAY, JULY 16: SUNDAY, JULY 17: British Colonial Picnic, Tea and Potluck Curry in Wright Park

The hype on FeedTacoma surrouding the annual British Colonial Summer Picnic (which, in case you didn't realize, is co-hosted by von Mausheim's Society of Dastardly Exiles and Tacoma's Steam Town) provides proper instruction: "dust off your pith helmets, press your khakis, don your safari jackets, and fuel up the Land-Rover for a day of friendly assosciation in the park." Hunkering down next to Seymour Botanical Conservatory in Wright Park, this yearly festivity of creative recreation is pretty damn awesome. The action promises, a "'special rules' Croquet match (Kashmiri War Croquet), a competitive strolling event, and a tea cup relay, as well as other games and amusements for attendees." Here's a link.

• Wright Park - next to the Seymour Botanical Observatory, 1-6 p.m., Sixth Ave. and G St., Tacoma

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY: Music and Film Writer
The same thing I do every weekend: try to take over the world! (Can this be accomplished exclusively via the consumption of Potter's whiskey? Because otherwise I've been doing it wrong.)

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
This weekend will mostly be a whole lot of nothin' other than watching the baby grow. On Sunday, we are going to the Terra Organics farm for some family fun and then to a friend's going away party. 

ALEC CLAYTON Visual Arts Critic

The wife and I are heading out to Puyallup for a dinner theater presentation of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at All Saints Theatrical Repertoire Association.

BRETT CIHON Meat Market Correspondent
The Zipper, a Demo Burger and amazing people watching. In other words: Lakefair. All weekend. I'm hyped.

Jennifer Johnson Food and Lifestyles Writer
Getting my first-ever henna (big chest and back piece) by the talented Dagmar Peterson for my gig as DD to Zoobilee Friday. Saturday plant starts (please don't die little guys, mama didn't forget you). Attend birthday party at the Balcony Gallery Saturday night. Teach church scripture lesson Sunday afternoon and then chill.

Steve Dunkelberger Photographer
I actually have a whole lot of nothing going on this weekend other than the Tacoma Youth Chorus concert.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound