THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>
WEATHER REPORTFriday: Sunny, hi 78, lo 53
Saturday: Sunny, hi 83, lo 58
Sunday: Iphone says still sunny, hi 80, lo 60
Opening Thursday, Harlequin Productions' latest work features both stamp collecting and danger. No, really. Described aptly as a "comic-thriller,' Mauritius is the story of, "a valuable stamp collection discovered in the refuse of a family estate begins a desperate battle between ethics and desire." If that doesn't sound awesome to you you're dead inside.
This weekend marks the yearly Helsing Junction Sleepover, a three-day, K Records-powered, jaw-dropping musical happening that's as original as it is awesome. Utilizing the 30-acre Helsing Junction organic farm in Rochester, the Helsing Junction Sleepover makes smiles and memories by combining the type of boundary-busting tunes K Records is known for with wholesome fun like picnics and swimming. This year's lineup is too long to list, but includes The Hive Dwellers, Arrington de Dionyso's Malaikat dan Singa, Joey Casio and others.
One of the biggest positives Tacoma has going for it is the feeling of connectivity and community that's blossoming here. Tacoma isn't big, and with a positive (albeit uniquely T-Town) mindset it's easy to get channeled into all sorts of brilliant creativity and progressive momentum. Saturday, organized by Downtown Tacoma Neighbors and the non-profit Local Life, the Downtown Block Party will engulf Opera Alley from 5 - 10 p.m. Expect a boatload of arts activities, lots of goodness for the kids, music pouring out of every corner, awesome demonstrations and even a beer garden. It'll be the place to be - guaranteed.
"Stage-ready makeup for burlesque is called ‘full drag,' " explains Frida Fondle of Olympia's Tush Burlesque. "It's a great homage to the drag queens, who really do exemplify the ultimate of feminine glamour. When we are putting on our makeup for the stage, we aspire to look as glamorous as drag queens." Saturday, Olympia's Tush troupe will lead what's sure to be an enraptured audience through a burlesque tribute to sci-fi and fantasy. According to hype, "The TUSH troupe along with members of the aerialist group Tall House Consortium and special guest Mercury Troy from A Wink & a Smile will send you to another planet this night!" Awesome.
Red Elvises is a perpetually-touring party band that does a damn admirable job of embodying the essence of absurdity. Mixing elements of art deco, bossa nova, punk, rockabilly, surf, lounge, Middle Eastern and Eastern European music, Red Elvises is a particularly difficult band to summarize. Led by a fearless leader known as Igor Yuzov, Red Elvises is a trashy, kitchy, lurid ball of energy that tears through towns and venues with reckless abandon, and no small amount of winking ridiculousness. Seeing the band live, expect garish animal-prints and elements of similar oddball groups like Reverend Horton Heat, the Billy Nayer Show and Gogol Bordello. Above all, remember to dance your ass off.
NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
Aside from rocking out at the Electric Falcon's show Saturday at McCoys, I plan to take it super easy this weekend - enjoy what's left of "summer." Maybe a backyard picnic with the kiddies, and perhaps a Sunday evening at The Brotherhood, for free movie night, where Eddie Murphy: Raw is playing. I might even get a little reading in. Life is good.
REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music and Film Writer
The other night, at the bar, I was talking to someone about the strategy that goes into playing Rock-Paper-Scissors. He said that you can win every time if you know how to play the game, and that he'd mastered it. We played one round and he won. The next round, I won. This weekend, I will be standing naked in front of a mirror, playing countless games of Rock-Paper-Scissors with myself, so that I can figure out what my tells are. Is it advisable to ingest mescaline when doing this? Or, would I then be playing against a mysterious, naked Native American? Or Jim Morrison? Eh, I guess we'll see...
BRETT CHIHON Meat Market Correspondent/Features Writer
I'm going camping (read:drinking). And since the Rainiers are getting into the race, I'll be following baseball, too.
CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
My father-in-law is playing guitar at a church picnic, and I'm scheduled to review Mauritius from Harlequin. But other than that and a thermonuclear-grade tweak binge, my weekend is clear.
ALEC CLAYTON: Visual Arts Critic
Geez, is it that time again already? I haven't yet recovered from this past weekend. OK. I'm going to see the comic thriller Mauritius at Harlequin Productions, and I'll probably take in some art exhibit to review for this fine publication.
JENNIFER JOHNSON Food and Lifestyles Writer
Volunteering for Paint Tacoma Beautiful Saturday morning, followed by attending the Downtown Block Party in Opera Alley. Church Sunday.
JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
My in-laws are arriving on Friday to see my little one year old son. We will visit with them all weekend and then on Sunday will have the little son dedicated at church followed by lunch with the in-laws, godparents an a few friends.
STEVE DUNKELBERGER Photographer
Captain America with the Marvel Comic lover in the house and then the Downtown Block Party on Saturday to see what folks have to offer.