NO STRANGERS TO MULTTASKING >>>

At first glance, Strange Vine is a typical rock 'n' roll two-piece. Consisting of Ian Blesse on drums and Toby Cordova on guitar, the really intriguing aspect of the band comes when Blesse - while still manning the percussion with his right hand - begins playing organ with his left hand. It's a really neat trick that ends up resembling something like a tightrope act. That Blesse is able to create strong and inventive beats with his right hand while providing mostly rumbling bass notes with his left on the Rhodes is both impressive and, ultimately, beneficial to the sound of the band.

Even without this gimmick, though, Strange Vine thrives on sinewy songwriting and classic guitar riffs.

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

Strange Vine

with System and Station
Thursday, Aug. 25, 9 p.m., cover TBA
The New Frontier Lounge
301 E. 25^th St., Tacoma
253.572.4020

ALSO: Nightlife It List

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comments come in regard to our article on this weekend's Grit City Fest, a musical happening engulfing two nights at Hell's Kitchen.

MC writes,

You say "It's no longer enough to assemble a big lineup of bands that we see year-round anyway." but that's exactly what the Grit City Fest is, a bunch of bands that play here year round. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of great bands in Tacoma but every event has the same bands. Sweet Kiss Momma, Legend Of Bigfoot, Big Wheel Stunt Show. Nothing against those bands but it seems to me that whoever lines up these events picks the same bands over and over again. It's beginning to seem a little cliquey, sort of like Seattle.

To which Lily Sue writes,

In regards to MC's comment above: You need to have a few bands that are known to draw the crowds and have a track record, and/or currently have a buzz around them. If you're going to claim to have "Tacoma's finest" on stage, you'd better damn well back it up!

To which MC writes,

If you constantly rotate the same bands through every event it gets played out and turnout will eventually suffer. People will start to think "Gee, didn't those bands just play the last event? Meh, I'll catch them next time." There are so many other great bands that have a draw as well, not just the three mentioned above. Let me make this clear, I am not hating on those bands and I do like them. I would just like to see other bands playing these events. Diversity is key otherwise things become stale and trust me, people will eventually stop coming.

FRIDAY, AUG. 25, 2011 >>>

1. Goofball Brian Regan's smart jokes are almost totally devoid of filthy language or vulgar subject matter. His doofus style fits his relatively clean stand-up material, much of which is as sharp and good-natured as anything Seinfeld, DeGeneres, or Cosby ever did. Check him out at 7:30 p.m. inside the Pantages Theater.

2. Sure as Mel Gibson has kicked sand in many faces, you are determined not to miss this year's Sand in the City, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Washington state's largest sand sculpting event with 240 tons of sand, nationally known sand sculptors, 40 different hands-on art and science activities and a live entertainment stage are all held alogn Olympia's waterfront. 

3. Tacoma will get a little food-friendlier beginning at noon. Since 2006, a group of dedicated locals has worked to establish a place where fresh, local, non-chemically raped food can be found. Better yet, they've been working to establish a place for the community to come together, connect and grow. It's called a food co-op, and the years of active recruitment and planning will pay off when the Tacoma Food Co-op opens its doors at 3002 Sixth Ave.

4. Harlequin Productions is chicking up its stage production of Mauritius tonight. It's Ladies Night Out featuring free champagne and chocolate from 7-7:30 p.m. before the 8 p.m. show. To read Christian Carvajal's review of the show, click here.

5. A nightmare for any comedian would be for an audience member to jump up on stage and destroy the flow. A nightmare for any stand-up comedian, we should say, except for a local improv troupe like the Tokens. The Tacoma-based improv troupe thrives on the adrenalized rush that comes from a surprise visitor. To have the plots twist and the scenarios change at a moment's notice keeps the people who embrace improv as an art form on their toes and their wit and references honed razor sharp. From 9-10:30 p.m. inside the Pythian Temple, the Tokens will allow audience members - that pay $5 at the door - to jump up on stage and interact with the troupe.

LINK: Arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight in the South Sound

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Washam 86'd: Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer Dale Washam has been barred from the county auditor's office. (News Tribune)

Now You're Good to Go: New Tacoma Narrows bridge toll gizmos installed. (News Tribune)

Tacoma Candy Bar Caper: He was just on a walk-about. Geez. (Seattle Times)

Hurricane Irene: Let's look at some waves (CNN)

Toasted Beatles: The Fab 5 created with toast (Food Diggity)

The Nirvana Show: Jon Stewart will chat with Krist and Dave. (USA TODAY)

N.W.O.: Ministry getting back together (Brooklyn Vegan - of course)

Selling Beef: Wahlberg bros. show their buns (Huffingtonpost)

LINK: Download the free South Sound Happy Hour Mobile App

CONCERT ALERT >>>

At this year's Downtown Block Party two people thanked me for our weekly Concert Alert post on the Weekly Volcano website. Have you checked it out? We list the on-sale dates for national-touring concerts, plus the entire concert schedule for Western Washington through February 2012.

Plan your musical adventures here.

Q&A WITH BENNETT THURMON >>>

Woot! Tacoma's festival of craft beers celebrates the best in regional brews by serving 80 craft beers from more than 40 breweries, including Widmer Brothers, Stone Brewing, Red Hook, Pike Brewing, Mac & Jacks Brewing, Deschutes Brewing and many more. There is nothing like the Tacoma Craft Beer Festival anywhere on earth. OK, maybe that's an exaggeration, but it's pretty freakin' cool nonetheless.

This year TCBF crams it all into one day, Saturday, Sept. 3, and takes it outdoors to the Foss Waterway park next to the Museum of Glass. Tickets are currently available online for $25 here, which is $5 less than the door price. Military with ID will receive a discount at the door. Admission includes a souvenir taster glass, plus 10 tasting tokens. Additional 5.5-ounce pours are $1.50.

I sat down with TCBF co-producer Bennett Thurmon for a one-minute interview:

WEEKLY VOLCANO: OK, come clean with the festival's music line-up.

BENNETT THURMON: We have John Lenord, Rich Bundy, Tiger Fighting Free Masons and a notorious bearded karaoke host who isn't confirmed.

VOLCANO: A Toss Across-like game was a huge hit last year. What games are on tap this year?

THURMON: This year we have a lot more room so Joel is dreaming up some new stuff. Not sure what all will be there. I wanted to bring back Hasbro's Lawn Darts from the '70s, but was voted down.

VOLCANO: The South Sound will be in the house.

THURMON: Yup, we have E-9, The Harmon, 7 Seas Brewing, Fish Brewing and the new upstart Wingman Brewing.

VOLCANO: What are you most proud of this year?

THURMON: The festival benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound. Some of the beer has been donated, which really helps out our non profit.

[21st Street Park on the Foss Waterway, Saturday, Sept. 3, noon to 9 p.m., $25 pre-sale at brownpapertickets.com, $30 door, military discount at the door, 2101 Dock St., Tacoma, website]

MINOR  LEAGUE BASEBALL COVERAGE AS DRUNK AS YOU >>>

That about does it, folks.

The Tacoma Rainiers (64-69) are nine games behind the PCL Pacific North Division leading Reno Aces with 11 games left to play in the season. I'm going make the call now. The 2011 Rainiers will not be headed to the PCL playoffs this year.

Sure, I run the risk of prematurely preaching the end. This prediction could come back to haunt me. But rather than play it safe and wait for the Aces to lock up the season, I'm going to say it now:

The Rainiers' season will finish on the last day of regular season play Sept, 5.  No playoffs for our boys of summer.

It didn't have to turn out like this, either. By Aug. 15, the Rainiers had won three straight and were positioning themselves to take a run at the struggling Aces. But instead of rising to the occasion, the Rainiers flopped and lost eight games in a row, including four in Reno. 

Just like an Alex Liddi fly out, the promising Rainiers fell from high in the sky right into the glove of an opposing fielder. Yes, the team played well for a stretch and made a run to the warning track, but it was really nothing more than a long fly-ball out. Now, the once excited Rainier faithful are silent. Matt Tuiasosopo sheds a tear from the dugout.  This reporter waxes poetic and the season is coming to an end.

I'm certain the Rainiers Minute will have some end of season coverage in the coming weeks, or at least a celebratory potluck. But for now, let us understand that after 11 more games, the Tacoma Rainiers will be done with baseball - another season in the books.

And it's a damn shame.

Notes ...

-To be fair, the Rainiers weren't blown away in the series against the Aces. The four games in Reno were hard fought, close affairs. The Rainiers lost three of the games by just one run and the other game by two runs. Two of the games ended in walk-off fashion.  Do these close games somehow soften the blow? Not really. They only add to the sting.

-The Rainiers' brass seems to have conceded defeat. The Tacoma Rainiers' website features a bunch of "Thank You for the Great Season" type banners.  Normally, if a team is going to the playoffs, the team's site features  different kinds of banners.

-Speaking of the Rainiers' website, I just came across webisodes called How Cheney Stadium Got its Groove Back.  The title of these web shorts is a play on the popular novel and film, How Stella Got her Groove Back. Here's hoping the Rainiers manufacture a How Starting Pitcher Luke French Got his Groove Back web series in 2012.

-I got my groove back on Cheney Stadium's Tasty Terrace.  Of course, by "got my groove back," I mean failed miserably at picking up women.

Though the Rainiers may have fallen out of the playoff race, there are still 11 games left in the season.  The Rainiers play the Colorado Sky Sox through Sunday before returning to Cheney for the final home stand of the year. 

Final home stand. I feel the tears welling up already.

LINK: The "Rainiers Minute" collection

IT HAPPENED IN AND AROUND TACOMA THIS WEEK >>>

Last night hundreds of educators, parents and community members packed into the Tacoma School Board meeting to urge district leaders to reach a contract agreement and avoid a strike. Dozens more demonstrated outside the building before and throughout the meeting.

While the board expressed a strong commitment to starting school on time, there seems to still be a great deal of separation between the district and the Tacoma Education Association.

For Zack Powers full column on the Tacoma School board battle, plus his thought on the Tacoma Chamber scoring cheap history lessons, click here.

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Effie Huston in response to our restaurant listing for Lakewood's Barbecue Inn.

Huston writes,

The food is great and the staff (family) is very friendly.They really treat the military families with much repect.

Cocktails and dinner can be had outside on the nice deck. Bob sure knows how to keep his little back lawn very green and plush. And Ann loves to decorate with the flowers. Also, a horseshoe pit in the back. You can hear the music, be it the jukebox or karaoke, on the outdoor speakers! Great on a hot summer evening.

Make it YOUR place for birthdays, anniversary or any kind of party. They have a great menu, and with some planning ahead, Ann may be able to put her 'magic touch' to work in helping decorate for your own party needs. She is the queen of party decorating!

I LOVE the BBQ Inn and their employees. Judy, the bartender is really fun and she knows how to make any drink you desire!

They make you feel like part of the family and you leave with a good dining experience.

SATURDAY, AUG. 27, 2011 >>>

1. There's a Sesquicentennial Celebration (that's 150 years people!) at Nelson Ranch near Olympia from 1-4 p.m. If you're looking to experience a real piece of American farm life, this one's for you and here's why. Heritage farms like Nelson are an integral piece of our agricultural framework. By heritage, we mean farms that have been in the family and farming for multiple generations; a rare breed these days. What's on tap? Free hayrides, barn and vineyard tours, heritage displays and live music. Yeehaw!

2. Tacoma Rail will open its doors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to give a behind-the-scenes look at how a short-line railroad operates. Attendees also will get a first glimpse of the railroad's new eco-friendly locomotive that reduces fuel consumption up to 40 percent and cuts carbon and particulate emissions by as much as 80 percent, which is nice.

3. Grit City Fest is set to go off at the intersection of 10^th and Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma. A full on music throwdown, in the vein of SXSW according to founder Quincy "Q-Dot" Henry, Grit City Fest kicks off at 4 p.m. at Vinum Coffee & Wine Lounge and Hell's Kitchen featuring Grieves & Budo, Mos Generator, SweetKiss Momma, Big Wheel Stunt Show, The Legend of Bigfoot, Ben Union and others. To read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature, click here.

4. In front of a fireplace sits John Bussoletti with a guitar across his knee, his fingers delicately flying across the frets.  Enter dancers Marisela Fleites, Angie Brandenburg and Julie Rector, heels exploding violently on the floor as their upper bodies remain delicately sinuous.  In the corner singers Marena Lear rounds out the sexiness. If your prior experience with the art of flamenco has been largely limited to segments on So You Think You Can Dance? and listening to the Santa Esmeralda cover of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" off the Kill Bill soundtrack, then head to the Mandolin Café from 8-10 p.m.. nibble on Spanish tapas, sip sangria and take in the sexy Spanish dance with gypsy roots.

5. One of the main goals here at the Weekly Volcano is to turn folks on to the wildest rock guitarists around, some of whom can be found right here in Grit City. If you haven't checked out guitarist David Jaedyn Conley, be sure to catch him at 9 p.m. inside Stonegate Pizza. This phenomenal picker fronts Rush tribute band 2112, which will celebrate Alex Lifeson's birthday with drink and food discounts and special appearances, plus The Kari Ehli Band opens.

PLUS: Maritime Festival, Rock At The Dock III and the LeMay Car Show details are in our Weekend Hustle.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Wine tastings!