SEE FOR YOURSELF TONIGHT >>>

What the hell are kids up to these days? Have computers and video games completely muddled their brains yet? It's easy to worry, bitch and moan about them, but the truth is, the kids seem OK.

The latest step in the empowering-youth-through-rock movement is Queer Rock Camp, happening this week in Olympia. It's the first ever do-it-yourself music camp for queer youth. Monday, 31 campers ages 12-21, some from as far away as the East Coast, were divided into eight bands. They took music lessons, wrote songs, practiced and picked names. Tonight at 7:30 p.m. inside the Capitol Theater, they'll make their stage debut, sharing the bill with singer-songwriter/indie inspiration Kimya Dawson. To read Molly Gilmore's full story, click here.

Koncrete Studios is meant to embody hip-hop, expressing and supporting all of the foundational elements of the culture. Koncrete offers many types of classes in various skill levels, ranging from hip-hop choreography to krumping, pop-locking, isolating and breakdancing. Besides teaching classes, Koncrete hosts events for urban artists to showcase their work to the community. For instance, tonight from 7-11 p.m., Koncrete will host a B-Boy Jam/Cypher including DJ-ing and rapping. To read Kimberly Lahn's full story, click here.

From DIY rock camp to hip-hop choreography, tonight will probably leave you thinking that at least these kids are more than just OK.

SUNDAY, AUG. 14, 2011 >>>

1. Marked by Gothic manors, copious blood, busty wenches and color-drenched Gothics, Hammer Films set the vibe for British horror throughout the '60s. We're not sure what Hammer films the Tacoma Cult Movie Club will screen at 7 p.m. inside The Acme Grub Cage, but we pray its the mind-janglingly strange The Lost Continent, the only movie to locate the hidden linkage between the Spanish Inquisition, busty Christian women, man-eating weeds and Freud's "vagina dentata."

2. Journey back to the year 1855 when the Fur Brigades from east of the Cascades camped at Fort Nisqually. More 100 volunteers will recreate the arrival of the 1855 fur brigades to this Hudson's Bay Company post from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum at Point Defiance Park.

3. Paradise Theatre in Gig Harbor stages Cinderella at 3 p.m. As Weekly Volcano theater critic Christian Carvajal drove up to Paradise's rustic lot, a dozen junior "princesses" in ball gowns greeted him with squeals and enthusiastic waves. It was the perfect introduction to Fantasyland. He was charmed to see several young audience members in gowns as well. It's a story that encourages cosplay. To read Christiab Carvajal's review of Cinderella, click here.

4. Irish purist Noel Hill performs at 7 p.m. inside the Capitol Theater in Olympia.

5. After numerous format, manager and cuisine changes, the Gruv Lounge on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue has gone gay, which is the best idea for this spot this rag has heard yet. It's now MetroGruv with the same large dance floor, two VIP rooms with karaoke, stage and lounge area, but it's now gay-friendly. Burlesque takes over on Wednesdays. Thursdays offer karaoke with lasers and smoke. Friday and Saturday are clubs nights, with Omar spinning Friday. Today marks the grand re-opening week featuring the jazz funk sound of the Farko Collective at 8 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Many all-day happy hours

YOU GOTTA EAT >>>           

Forget all the pious exhortations to eat local, organic and seasonal. Forget the wonderment of watching the offerings change from tender lettuce and spinach to the corn, eggplants and tomatoes of full summer, and then the September apples, pears and hard-shelled squashes that push us into an orgy of freezing, canning and storage. Forget the coming together of the community, where farmers offer growing tips and exchange recipes. Nope, the main reason why we visit the South Sound farmers markets:

Lunch.

Weekly Volcano food critic Jennifer Johnson wrote about her lunch experiences at the following farmers markets:

Sundays: South Tacoma Farmers Market

Tuesdays: Sixth Avenue Farmers Market

Thursdays: Downtown Tacoma Farmers Market

Saturdays: Federal Way Farmers Market

Saturdays: Gig Harbor Farmers Market

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

WHEN GALEN MCCARTY TURNER JUMPS ON HIS BIKE, THINGS HAPPEN >>>

As promised, Tacoma artist Tacoman Galen McCarty Turner jumped his bicycle through glowing neon tubing last night in a dark alley at Sixth and I Street. And like last year, the alley was packed in an atmosphere that felt like a high school kegger. During pre-jump theatrics, Turner transformed into "Gaytron the Imploder" - complete with costume. Then to the roar of the crowd, he pedaled hard through a 90,000-volt wall of rare stimulated gases.

It was spectacular.

A SNAP HERE AND THERE >>>

The wedding couple, Dawn and the "Honey Badger" Markley did their wedding their way. The ceremony was at downtown Tacoma's Fireman's Park with the reception at Dorky's Arcade. Nothing says love like a bride's veil and air hockey. She won.

And Girl Trouble rocked The New Frontier Lounge. K.P. took his shirt off again.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Tacoma Industry: Don't tread on me. (News Tribune)

Awful: A double bombing kills 75 people and leaves 250 wounded today in Iraq.(CNN)

Small-Town Populairty Contest: Michele Bachmann wins (Washington Post)

Daredevil Stunt: Gaytron the Imploder survives! (Spew)

Final Frontier: Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson call the United States a black hole. (Disinformation)

Oh No Silver Screen: Disney has shut down production on Gore Verbinski's reboot of The Lone Ranger, which was set to star Johnny Depp as Tonto. (Deadline)

Probably A Bad Idea, Baby: Hyper-horny snaggletoothed secret agent Austin Powers is coming back. (Hit Fix)

Hoping For "Paranoid Android": Radiohead to open Saturday Night Live season (Inside TV)

MONDAY, AUG. 15, 2011 >>>

1. Few things are more blue than a Monday. Luckily, Hipbone will be doling out the blues tonight at the Swiss. It's very appropriate.

2. Get your devil horns and exclamation points ready!!! It's Metal Monday at the New Frontier!! As McKibbin would say, "Support the scene!!"

3. Let's tally up the score for Jazzbones Rockaraoke, shall we? A chance to sing on stage with a live band? Yes. Cheap Miller High Life? Yes. A valid excuse to drink on a Monday (repeat, Monday) night? Yes, yes and, oh God, yes.

4. Not only is it a good night for rockaraoke at Jazzbones - it's a good night for karaoake throughout the South Sound. Lady Luck's Cowgirl Up Steakhouse hosts "Toxic Karaoke," Jake's on Fourth Avenue in Olympia hosts gay-friendly karaoke, the Play Pen in Lacey busts out a karaoke contest and the Bull Market Bar and Grill offers karaoke in a bowling alley. The possibilities are endless.

5. Saddle up to some "Bar Bingo," at Willoughby's Restaurant and Lounge in Yelm.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight!

Q&A WITH KELSANG TSOGLAM >>>

Breathe in, breathe out, close your eyes and put your hand over your heart. Sure the music is rockin' next to you, but you can achieve a state of Zen. It's possible and the Weekly Volcano will prove it during the Downtown Block Party Saturday night. In the thick of things, we're going to erect a meditation tent for you to escape the madness and find your center - for free. Olympia Mahayana Buddhist Center resident teacher Kelsang Tsoglam will channel your inner calm and peace in the Weekly Volcano Time-Out Tent in Opera Alley.

The Weekly Volcano peacefully threw several questions at Tsoglam for your enlightenment.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: Why should one meditate?

KELSANG TSOGLAM: In general, the purpose of meditation is to reduce stress and make our mind more peaceful.  According to the Buddhist path however, meditation is the tool we use to actualize our highest potential - that of "Full Enlightenment" - which allows us to not only solve all of our own problems, but also even better, allows us to bring immense benefit to those around us. So, the effect we derive from our practice of meditation is a spectrum of only beneficial results, and one that everyone from all walks of life and systems of belief can enjoy

VOLCANO: How does someone who has never done meditation begin?

TSOGLAM: First we simply need to know that meditation is medicine for our mind that will improve how we feel mentally and physically.  We also need to know that everyone can meditate - nobody is an exception

To begin meditation we sit comfortably with our back straight, but relaxed, either in a chair or on the floor, and gently close or half close our eyes.  We can briefly scan thorough our body checking for any tension or clenching, and letting go of it.

There are then several methods to calm and prepare the mind for meditation.

VOLCANO: Why do people sometime fall asleep during mediation?

TSOGLAM: There are several reasons for this; the most common is that we are just so busy that when we finally allow the turbulence of thoughts to subside, we fall asleep.  Other reasons are subtler, but all of them can be overcome relatively easily with a correct understanding of what meditation is and the benefits. 

VOLCANO:  How do you know your improving your practice?

TSOGLAM: There are several indicators that you are improving your practice.  The easiest one to spot is that you find yourself more peaceful in situations that normally caused you to be agitated.  You feel fresher during your day and your relationships improve. Also, you are able to enjoy longer meditation sessions, which in turn further improve our day-to-day experience of life.

Drop by the Weekly Volcano Time-Out Tent Saturday night during the Downtown Block Party.

Downtown Block Party

Saturday, Aug. 20, 5-10 p.m., free admission
Opera Alley, between South Seventh and Saint Helens
Tacoma

Olympia Mahayana Buddhist Center

211 Legion Way SW, Olympia
360.754.7787
website

LINK: Downtown Block Party Facebook

Q&A WITH DOUG MACKEY >>>

This show is down the road a bit, but worthy of planting in your noggin' now. Tacoma musician and actor Doug Mackey will pick up a guitar again and perform with Joe Wood and Justin McDonald until the show title, Mackeywood. It's rumored singer/songwriter Evan Purcell will join in on what's being called an eclectic acoustic set of songs about cows, kites, a monster, a snake, a robot, bongos and Orange.

The Weekly Volcano caught up with Mackey at The Acme Grub Cage after his performance on the stripper pole.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: The title Mackeywood is brilliant.

DOUG MACKEY: It's more evocative of than DOUGJOE. Also, gives some indication of the degree of BS the show will entail.

VOLCANO: Speaking of Joe Wood ... how did you two hook up?

MACKEY: I met Joe through Nick Huff. Nick and I were putting together what would become the band Mister Blackwatch, lo, many years ago, and he knew Joe. Joe was in hiding. We brought him out. Something that needs to be done every few years.

VOLCANO: What do you have planned at the Spar Aug. 27?

MACKEY: What we have planned and what will happen are very different things. Right now I'm looking for a hottie with a bolt of brown paper bags, diamonds held in the air with Slim Jims and an uncooked beef filet.

VOLCANO: How the hell did you get bassist Justin McDonald to play with you?

MACKEY: Just asked him to do it. Years ago we saw him. Spastic prodigy. Always stuck in my mind. Also, he brings a bit of Pat Marshall to the table.

VOLCANO: Do you think dogs have lips?

MACKEY: My dog has lips. I don't know about your dog.

VOLCANO: Final words?

MACKEY: I just wanted to play out again. As it happens, Joe did too. So here we are. It should be worth the price of admission.

Mackeywood

Saturday, Aug. 27, 8 p.m., no cover
Scott McDougal performs 9-11 p.m.
The Spar, 2123 N. 30^th St., Old Town Tacoma
253.272.2122

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Eric The Honey Badger Markley, in response to the photos from his wedding reception last night at Dorky's Arcade, posted to SPEW today.

Makley writes,

AHEM! I do believe I won! I would like a printed retraction that I indeed won and that dawn elizabeth markley lost .