SINGLE AND SAD? >>>

So what, you might be asking yourself, is Josh Anderson up to this week? It's been a week or two since the Volcano has reported anything on this one-man entertainment dynasty.

As your reporter on the Anderson beat, I can tell you that it's something new. It's "Oly the Lonely," a karaoke show - sort of - and a singles night - sort of - with Anderson and frequent collaborators Christina Collins and Lauren O'Nell.

Friday, July 8, the trio will serve up an evening of songs about lonely hearts, with - contrary to karaoke convention - live accompaniment by Anderson. And while it's ostensibly a night for singles, the Facebook event page clarifies: "Coupled people are welcome; just don't rub it in (unless you get a sext indicating otherwise)."

"There's no script, and it's not at all funny, which some people might see as a departure," Collins says. "But we're talking about Joni Mitchell and Radiohead and Sam Cooke, and I don't really see how to make to make those things funny without being mean."

There'll be lots of blues and torch songs, plus such numbers as "Mad World" and "I Can't Make You Love Me." "All songs that twist the knife, you know?" Collins says.

The night of live and planned entertainment by singers with more experience than your typical karaoke crooner is from 9 to 11 p.m. at the Urban Onion, 116 Legion Way S.E., Olympia. There's no cover charge.

[Urban Onion, Oly the Lonely, Friday, July 8, 9 - 11 p.m., no cover, 116 Legion Way S.E., Olympia, 360.943.9242]