THE GRAND NABS A U.S. PREMIERE >>>

As fall approaches, our thoughts turn to whale watching. And puking. This is the time of year the northern resident orcas feed in Johnson Strait off Vancouver Island.

And we puke every time we cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca by boat. Every. Time.

Therefore, we're going to grab our orca face time inside an air-conditioned Grand Cinema to watch a film about a baby orca, Luna, that becomes separated from his family and befriends the humans of Nootka Sound along the rugged Vancouver Island coast.

Ah, sweet.

Of course, everyone falls in love with Luna, but the film asks the tough question: Does human contact harm the whale?

Hmmm.

The Whale opens Friday, Sept. 9 at The Grand Cinema, which happens to be the film's U.S. premiere.

"I have seen it and it is well done," says Philip Cowan, executive director at The Grand. "It fits pretty much any age."

You may read up on the film here.

As an extra bonus, the film's co-director Suzanna Chisholm will attend the 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. screenings Saturday, Sept. 10 then stick around for questions.

Cowan guesses the film will run two weeks at The Grand.

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Marguerite in response to today's "Short Order," which includes news of SideBar Bistro's and Hot Rod Dog's closing.

Marguerite writes,

I feel like so sad about many of these small restaurants that close- but at the same time you've got to be out there marketing to remind people to go, you know? Zara doesn't have a website after being open for weeks and I don't believe its a budget issue because their facebook is also a ghost town. I know not every small business has the budget for an online marketing person but OH MY GOODNESS owners, google that stuff! It's important! This is really said with love. I don't want to see anymore good places close because everyone forgot they were there. Or never found them to begin with.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 7 >>>

1. It's back to school time for the students at University of Puget Sound. The UPS Art Department professors have set the tone for the year with their own art show, Show and Tell: Art Department Faculty 2011, running through Nov. 5 at the Kittredge Gallery.The exhibition includes recent work by Becky Frehse, Michael Johnson, Janet Marcavage, John McCuistion and Elise Richman. The opening reception is 5 to 7 p.m. tonight.

2. The 16,000 square foot Tacoma City Grocer opens at 7 a.m. at the corner of South 13^th Street and Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma.

3. James Coates performs at 11 a.m. at the Tumwater Farmers Market.

4. Make your own glass bead using glass rods and a torch with flame-worker Keiko from noon to 4 p.m. at the Museum of Glass.

5. The Sammy Steele Band adds soul to a country-roots-indie-rock sound at 8 p.m. inside Lady Luck's Cowgirl Up Military Appreciation night.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Happy hours!

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Tacomatorium!: Ha ha ha ha that's a funny name. (News Tribune)

Milton Endorses Heinza: No, not the city. (News Tribune)

"Take These Sons Of Bitches Out": Oh, my. Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa, Jr. threatens the GOP. (Real Clear Politics)

Time To Book Those Flights, Kids: Spaceport America in Las Cruces is 90 percent completed. (Daily Mail)

Pop-Up Springsteen: Bruce Springsteen surprised some Bostonians by busking in a park. (The FW)

Top 10 Rock Movies: Really? No. 1 is pretty good. (33 Days)

"New Girl": Zooey Deschanel's new show is available early on demand and on iTunes. (aol tv)

AMERICANA MUSIC SERIES HOST TAKES THE STAGE SATURDAY >>>

Great songwriters are storytellers. Through song they voice their ideas, their characters, their feelings and their thoughts. Songwriters have a need to not only explore these universalities of the human experience, but serve them up in an out-loud voice in front of strangers.

Some things, quite simply, are better said through song.

Michael ONeill has mastered the ability to weave a tale into a comprehensive tune, evoking deep conviction and stunningly tender compassion.

He's been at it for some time, too. ONeill spent more than 20 years as a touring rock and blues troubadour, including stints with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bob Weir and Steve Crooper. Today, he prefers to tell stories with a country fiddle and steel guitar.

This past year ONeill has expanded his voice into radio and concert promotions. He hosts the area's only Americana, roots, alt-country radio show, "Who's Bad Now Radio," Tuesday at 7 p.m. on KGHP-FM. And he brings stories to the stage with his Americana Music Series, Saturday nights at Morso Wine Bar in Gig Harbor. Kevin Montgomery, Steve Poltz, Vicci Martinez, Tommy Tutone, Peter Case, Grant Peeples and Robbie Walden have all performed before the wine-swilling crowd.

Saturday, the music series celebrates its first anniversary. ONeill will take the performance reins on this one. The Weekly Volcano tossed a few questions at ONeill before the party.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: Congratulations, Michael. Where are you taking Saturday night's performance?

MICHAEL ONEILL: Thanks. I will be doing songs from all six of my recordings - songs and guitars - from Dream On, From the Beginning, Who's Bad Now and the others.

VOLCANO: The promotional materials state you'll be bring in special guests for the show.

ONEILL: Yup. I have confirmations from Jon Parry Fiddle, Orville Johnson, Gary Ballard and my old pal Tommy (Tutone) Heath. I am looking forward to a wonderful crowd of friends and family to gather Saturday night and lift up songs and glasses then bring on the new season.

VOLCANO: So the Americana Music Series lives on. Who's performing this coming year?

ONEILL: Hell yes. The rest of the year will feature Colin Gilmore - son of Jimmie Dale Gilmore - Oct. 6, Take Three Girls Oct. 22, Elizabeth Cook and Tim Carrol Nov. 19 and Ted Wulfers Dec. 10.

Michael ONeill and friends

The Americiana Music Series
Saturday, Sept. 10, 8 p.m., $25
Morso Wine Bar, 9014 Peacock Hill Ave., Gig Harbor
253.530.3463

SOMETHING AWESOME IN FIFE >>>

Place: Tahoma Market

Located: Highway 99 in Fife

Disregard: The faux casino next door

Unless: You have a surplus of nickels

Because: It's primarily nickel slots

Unlike: A real casino

Which: Allows you to blow more cash

With: One roll of a dice

Such as: Craps

So, like I said: Disregard the faux casino next door

Weekly Volcano columnist Steph DeRosa has fallen in love with a grocery store inside a Fife gas station. Read her column here.

IT'S A BENEFIT >>>

Something seems so right about the marriage between punk rock and the washboard. Skidding your hand along the grooves of a washboard elicits nothing more than a visceral rattle - a crude affront to the idea of percussion and what it means to be a member of a band. Punk rock similarly shatters the idea of a rock 'n' roll band. It seems only natural to combine the worlds of bluegrass and punk, and the Rusty Cleavers do so magnificently, with all manner of mandolin, banjo and backyard clatter coming together in a cacophony of spirited group-singing and hoops and hollers.

It's awfully lively stuff, and the Rusty Cleavers will be delivering it in invigorating fashion Wednesday for the benefit of Food Not Bombs - a very worthy cause. 

[Hell's Kitchen, with Fang Chia, Miasthma, doors at 6 p.m., $5, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

LINK: Food Not Bombs Movement

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

LET'S CELEBRATE THE HALFWAY MARK >>>

In our youth, the Weekly Volcano was under the false impression that "hump day" was the day that, you know, you humped. Having outgrown much of our catholic school misleadings, we now know that hump day is really the day you start to drink your way through the rest of the work week. Here are five Tacoma joints offering drink specials tonight:

El Gaucho

The new 18-item happy hour menu sports items in the $3-$14 range, including the El Gaucho burger, tomato-basil-mozzarella salad, seasonal chef's ceviche, baby back ribs and mac and cheese. Happy hour beers and wine range from $3 to $5 with an $8 bartender special. Happy hour 4-6 p.m., 9 p.m. to close Sunday-Friday; 10 p.m. to close Saturday; 2119 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.1510

Indochine Asian Dining Lounge

Swanky bars and restaurants can be intimidating. You know, the hostess in a pantsuit, the expensive looking votives, the dim lighting. Oh God, the price tag. But sometimes you get all the swank without all the intimidation. Indochine in downtown Tacoma is certainly known for its swank. Luckily, they offer a happy hour Monday through Thursday that has "big beers" priced at $4.75. Big beers. Down a couple of those bad boys and the pyramid bar with the excruciatingly expensive top shelf loses some of its scare. Not all, but some. Happy hour 4-10 p.m., 1924 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.8200

Asado

John F. Kennedy, Frank Sinatra and Paul Newman. Cool, cool cats. And these cool cats wouldn't suckle off the Wednesday night $1 PBR special. They went for top shelf. Single malt. They went classy. The best of the best. Fortunately for us cool cats in training, Asado of Tacoma has a weeknight happy hour that keeps the classy cocktails at a reasonable price. Every weeknight from 2:30-6 p.m. Asado offers $2 off any of the specialty cocktails. Not to mention $1.50 off draft beer. Because even the classiest of us crave some hops from time to time. 2810 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7770

Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe

For the last two years, Weekly Volcano readers voted the Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe the best bar in Tacoma. This was due in no small part to their well drink Wednesdays. $1.50 well drinks after 7 p.m. Are you kidding? That's, like, riding the train to funkytown for only eight bucks. Yes, please. Cheap well drinks starts after 7 p.m., no cover, 3529 McKinley Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.1502

The Hub

Usually, the Weekly Volcano feels pretty cool when we order drinks. James Bond clicking opening his cigarette case as he orders his martini kind of cool. We imagine we just kicked ass in our tuxedo and call for our libations with pride. Unless, it's early Wednesday evening after we put the newspaper to bed. Then we dragged our tired asses to The Hub. The bicycle-themed neighborhood joint serves $3 Sex On The Beach, Sex On the Bar and wells every Wednesday. Yes, those naughtily named cocktails, so beloved by bachelorettes, frat boys and others who are but a few years beyond drinking age, are tasty cheap - and match our demeanors perfectly. $3 specials 6 p.m. to close, 203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.683.4606

What are your favorite Wednesday night hangouts?

LINK: South Sound happy hours tonight

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from the Volcano's own Jennifer Johnson in response to today's Person, Place or Thing column by Steph DeRosa, in which she highlights Fife's Tahoma Market.

Johnson writes,

I think you hit the Jack Pot, Steph. Get it? Jack Pot. heh

THURSDAY, SEPT. 8, 2011 >>>

1. Upstairs Downstairs play the kind of breezy folk-pop that seems to have gotten lost in the self-important shuffle in the years after Belle and Sebastian began evaporating from public view. They perform with Check Please at 8 p.m. inside The New Frontier Lounge. Discover what Weekly Volcano scribe Rev. Adam McKinney digs about Upstairs Downstairs here.

2. So, you want to tell your story. OK, write. Go on. Don't worry about it being smooth.  Just write. Right? Right. Buy yourself a black beret and head right on down to your local friendly coffee shop for some existential inspiration. That should help you write. Can't go to a coffee shop? Don't drink coffee? You're LDS? Well, you, my friend, have a problem. But there is a way you can get your story out there. StoryCorps - a national nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of Americans from all backgrounds and beliefs - invites you to enter its Airstream RV parked at the Museum of Glass to tell your story. Reserve your recording session at 1.800.850.4406.

3. Singer-songerwriter Kelly McRae sold all her crap in Brooklyn, jumped in a VW Bus and is touring the country playing house shows, coffee houses and the Mandolin Cafe at 6 p.m.

4. There's a scent of old-timey nostalgia to kooky named bands Yodelady, Squirrel Butter and The Blackberry Bushes conglomeration of styles, but the meat of the matter is a charming eccentricity and eclecticism that turns sweet harmonies, strummed strings and bright swing into something fresh and distinctively awesome. Catch them at 8 p.m. at the Urban Onion Lounge in downtown Olympia.

5. Gay-friendly club MetroGruv on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue is a slightly different haven of vocal embarrassment than your usual karaoke scene. Instead of burying your head into the songlist book or your vodka cran, MetroGruv wants your eyes on the talent(?). The club's Thursday night 8 p.m. karaoke sessions come backed with smoke machines, lasers and stage lights. Singers live out their rock-star dreams as they pretend the 30-or-so chatting attendees are really 30,000 screaming fans.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight in the South Sound