ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Nora Whishman in response to this week's review of Tacoma Little Theatre's Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.

Whishman writes,

http://www.thesubtimes.com/?s=jekyll

It's like two different shows were viewed..? Again, it's all an opinion, whether offered from a "reviewer" or a mere patron.

It should be noted that Jeffrey Hatcher provided that there be four different Hydes, and also wrote the script. Directors and casts can only slightly alter these provisions. To say the show "ultimately dissapoints," may have been more aptly put as, the "script did not give adequate room for a more in-depth look into Hyde."

BIDDING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW >>>

The conversation at Saturday's Cross District Association Auction will undoubtedly center on which Tacoma neighborhood business district might emerge as the next cool place. Or, as real estate agents like to say, an "up-and-coming location." People whom self-identify as urbanites spend a lot of time talking about this sort of thing. Which spots are getting a new coffee shop? What chain of old buildings would be perfect for a restaurant/bar? When the hell will the downtown McMenamins open?

Tacoma may be a city of neighborhoods, but it's even more a collection of commercial districts filled with eateries, coffee shops and entertainment venues like the Dome District, Fern Hill, Proctor, Sixth Avenue, McKinley Hill, Pacific Avenue and South Tacoma, to name a few of the 15 Districts.

The Cross District Association's mission is to make sure all the districts play nice, as well as promote, organize, advocate for, and develop the economy and community found in those districts.

And every year the districts gather for a group hug, raise some money and toss back many drinks, which happens to be this Saturday at C.I. Shenanigans.

I caught up with Cary Nilson, one of the players in this year's CDA Auction, and who has been on the board of several Tacoma business districts.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: After the last drink has been served Saturday, where will all the money raised be stored?

CARY NILSON: Money goes to promote the districts, as well as small business training and advocacy. Of the 15 Tacoma districts, only 11 are active.

VOLCANO: What goals does the CDA have for this coming year?

NILSON: The goals are determined generally at a meeting in January or February with representatives from the districts.

VOLCANO: What can attendees expect at the auction?

NILSON: I We have 74 donors and more than 80 items up for auction. There's a list of auction items at cdatacoma.com, which includes a seven-night stay in Maui, theme dinner for six people, paintball experience for 18 people, dessert auction and more. Shenanigans will serve appetizers, and four wine shops will be pouring. There will also be a large showing of attendees from the Tacoma Police Department.

VOLCANO: Desserts! Tell us about the desserts.

NILSON: The dessert items come from across all districts. The ones that I have acquired come from Gayle Orth Catering, Dulce Cupcakes, McKinley Hill Cafe and Fridays Cookies.

VOLCANO: What's your favorite district?

NILSON: That's a hard one. I am on the board of the Pacific Avenue Business District - though I have spent 10 years with the 6th Avenue District, the district where I also spend most of my spare time. Pacific Avenue has made some major improvements in the past year and more coming. I guess my loyalties are split.

Cross District Association Auction

Saturday, Oct. 22, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Tickets are $60/person at 253.431.7331
C.I. Shenanigans, 3017 Ruston Way, Tacoma
Website

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

More Doughnuts (Never Gets Old): Pay raises are in the works for Tacoma's police and fire chiefs. (News Tribune)

Filling Space: Diane Hansen, Lance Kagey, Janette Ryan, Mary Rothlisberger, Lauren McCleary and others occupy Tacoma. (Spaceworks Tacoma)

Viadoom: Driving to Seattle will suck more. (News Tribune)

Can'twell: Campaign contributions to Sen. Maria Cantwell are off by 30 percent compared with the same point in her re-election campaign six years ago. (News Tribune)

218 Heart: Freed from Moammar Gadhafi's oppressive rule, Libyans face new challenges - building a new government and repairing the war-ravaged country. (CNN)

Got Five Minutes?: The Three Musketeers trailer. (trailers.apple.com)

Today In WTF?: MC Hammer is launching his own Internet search engine. (NME)

It Could Be Yours: Tony Stark's Iron Man 2 racing suit, Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow catsuit and more. (Blastr)

La-la-la-la: Pee-wee Herman wants to be on Dancing with the Stars? (E)

LSD fail

FRIDAY, OCT. 21, 2011 >>>

1. With a few cable comedy specials under her belt, a role in Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector, and even a memoir - 2009's Chocolate, Please: My Adventures in Food, Fat, and Freaks - to her name, insult comic Lisa Lampanelli is riding high and headed to Tacoma's Temple Theatre tonight looking for laughs.

2. Part of a benefit show at Hell's Kitchen tonight, along with the heavy rock of Tummler and Solomon and Sleight of Man, expect the expansive post-rock of Goldwing and the bizarro punk jug-band that is Swampy Draws. This show's got just about all the bases covered.

3. In solidarity with the ongoing Occupy Wall Street movement and protests, and Occupy movements all across the country, T-town is getting in on the action and letting its voice be heard. Occupy Tacoma has been growing stronger by the day, and last weekend's march was just the start. Today, Occupy Tacoma supporters will march from People's Park to McCarver Park starting at 4 p.m. - bringing Occupy Tacoma to Hilltop. Next weekend look for Occupy Tacoma to march in the Lincoln District.

4. It's Friday, which means it's the perfect time to get your groove on when Bump Kitchen tears it up at Jazzbones in Tacoma tonight.

5. Comedian Carlos Alazraqui busts out two performances tonight at the Tacoma Comedy Club - one at 8 p.m. and one at 10:30 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight

CAMOBUNGA? HE'S SO FUNNY >>>

"If you're going to laugh about it later, you might as well start now." That's what Brad Paisley has said in the past.

The contemporary country singer will never be considered a major artist by listeners who insist modern country be old-fashioned or constipated to be taken seriously; who think marriage and parenting unworthy song subjects; who can't stomach a little schmaltz.

South Sounders whom dig his humor and feel-good songs will be thrilled to hear he's coming to the Tacoma Dome Feb. 11, bringing The Band Perry and American idol winner Scotty McCreery with him.

Tickets for this Camobunga 2012 World Tour go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28. Prices haven't been announced.

So what the hell does Camobunga mean?

"Camobunga :n; : //kam,bunga/ - The name of a live musical tour experience. A mind blowing blend of country, fiery 60's surf guitar acrobatics, futuristic special effects, retro heart and soul, and mind altering liquid beverages. The spirit of the deep woods meets the breakneck excitement of the California coast," states Paisley on his website.

He's so funny.

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

4th Ave Ale House Olympia - Downtown. Lijie, True Margrit, Roxi Copland. 9 pm.

Art House Designs Olympia - Downtown. The Steve Munger Group, Hardcoretet. 8 pm. $10.

• Hardcoretet is a Seattle-based instrumental quartet that performs original material drawing from jazz, rock, soul and improvised music, among other styles. The band presents music written by each of its members and is reminiscent of fusion groups like Return to Forever and Herbie Hancock's Headhunters, as well as more current modern jazz groups like Chris Potter's Underground and Kneebody.

Backstage Bar & Grill Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Malfunkshun, Silver, Guns of Nevada. 9 pm. $10.

Dockside Bistro & Wine Bar Olympia - Downtown. Greta Matassa, Mimi Fox. 7 pm. NC.

HG Bistro Puyallup. Ed Taylor & TaylorMade. 8 pm. NC.

Hell's Kitchen Tacoma - Downtown. Goldwing, Swampy Draws, Sleight of Man. 9 pm.

• Tonight's show at Hell's Kitchen is advertised as a benefit for some people named Bianca and Joe. The proceeds will go to help offset their medical costs. I don't have much more information than that, but I'm in. It would good to do something nice for strangers even if the lineup for this show weren't so bitchin'. Along with the heavy rock of Tummler and Solomon and Sleight of Man, expect the expansive post-rock of Goldwing and-a personal favorite of mine-the bizarro punk jug-band that is Swampy Draws. This show's got just about all of the bases covered, so I dare say that you'd be a fool to miss it. Hearing Swampy Draws cover "Hey Ya" would be worth the price of admission. - Rev. Adam McKinney

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Bump Kitchen. 8 pm. $10.

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. Cody Rentas Band, Ben Rice Band. All Ages. 6 pm. $5. Jar Of Flies (Alice In Chains tribute), Outshined (Soundgarden tribute), Jonny Smokes, Rane Stone, J.T. Phillips. All Ages. 8 pm.

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Gina Belliveau, Local Strangers, Automatic Theory 6 pm.

Massimo's Restaurant University Place. The Cold 102's. 8-11pm. NC.

Maxwell's Speakeasy Tacoma. Lance Buller Trio. All Ages. 7-10 pm. NC.

The Red Room Tacoma - Downtown. Ill Intent, Malice, Wreck, Reality Check, Merciless, Clarity. All Ages. 6:30 pm. $5.

Red Wind Casino Yelm. Igneous Rocks. 8:30 pm. NC.

The Spar Olympia. Brooke Pennock Duo. 8 pm. NC.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Jerry Miller Jam. 9 pm. NC.

Surreal Ultra Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. "Last Call" Single Release Party, with D'Rocc The Gentleman, Ras Law, Tak Patron, Kapitol Tee, Dem Dam Tongans. 9 pm. $5-$10.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. April Verch. All Ages. 8 pm. $15-$20.

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

BECAUSE TOP TEN LISTS ARE SO LAST MONTH >>>

Four years after a dozen people calling themselves the Olympia Film Society gathered to watch a few flicks at the old Washington School in Olympia, the OFS launched the Olympia Film Society at the State Theater in 1984. Twenty-eight years later, and countless fire dance performances on Fifth Avenue, the Olympia Film Festival will consume the Capitol Theater from Nov. 11-20 with film premieres, the popular All Freakin' Night series, workshops, guest appearances and its infamous opening night party featuring the film Gold Diggers of 1933.

Below, OFF Director J.R. Baker comes clean with his top six favorite anticipated events at the 28th annual Olympia Film Festival.

NUMBER ONE: "The Opening Night Golden Gala (showing Busby Berkeley's Gold Diggers of 1933) is going to be great fun and a bit campy. Lots of folks will be dressing up and we're pushing to wear a bit ol' golden attire."

NUMBER TWO: "On Nov. 12, Crazy Horse is a highly-acclaimed documentary about a Parisian strip club: sensuous, sexy, superb."

NUMBER THREE: "On Nov. 14, Dial M for Murder- in 3D. Scary, fun and presented the way Hitchcock intended. Alternately, Who's Afraid of Virginia Wool, with Liz Taylor at her finest."

NUMBER FOUR: "On Nov. 19, The White Shadow is a recently unearthed Hitchcock, found in a New Zealand vault last spring. Acquiring this film made in 1924 is a major coup for the film festival."

NUMBER FIVE: "Again on Nov. 19, All Freakin' Night has a wonderful line-up this year with Brian Yunza (director of Society) introducing the films."

NUMBER SIX: "Lastly, on Nov. 20 at our Closing Night Gala we're showing Once upon a Time in Anatolia. It was the Grand Jury Prize winner at the Cannes Film Festival this year, and the film I am most eager to see."

There you have it - six reasons why you should attend this year's Olympia Film Festival from the man in the know.

All the glorious OFF ticket information can be found here, including package deals.

LINK: Olympia Film Festival website

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from T.M. Gonzales in response to our recent review of Tacoma Little Theatre's production of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.

Gonzales writes,

I think the script actually does give room for a more in-depth look at Hyde. However, scripts and actors are always at the mercy of a director's interpretation and skill. I read the other review. It is what I wish I had experienced watching this production, but, sadly, it isn't what I saw. What I saw were actors who did not seem to understand what they were saying to each other, and actors who appeared more focused on trying to remember where to move that door than they were on telling a story. In my opinion, that is the fault of direction, not script.

SATURDAY, OCT. 22, 2011 >>>

1. As we've mentioned before, Perry Acker is named like a single dude, but it's actually a band ... a band that's on the rise. Not only did Perry Acker win a Ford earlier this year (as part of the national battle of the bands - Ford "Gimme The Gig" contest), but the band has been gaining steam locally through a string of memorable live performances and a lot of hard work. Tonight, Perry Acker will throw a CD release show at the Rialto Theater for the band's latest record, Path To Freedom. This should be a good one.

2. As far as worthy causes go, it doesn't get much worthy than this. Today, the AIDS Housing Association of Tacoma will present its fourth annual Halloween Ball & Auction, running from 6-11 p.m. at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center and this year packing a theme of, "The Silver Screen." Naturally, money raised will go toward the AIDS Housing Association of Tacoma. You can register online here. If you're still on the fence, here's a look at the AIDS Housing Association's purpose statement: "To provide services which ensure that persons ill with AIDS, and in need of supportive living, are provided enriched housing - including the opportunity to stabilize their condition, to achieve the medical adherence necessary to prolong life, or to receive support for end-of-life issues in an atmosphere that emphasizes individual dignity, respect for diversity and human connectedness."

3. I Low is the latest persona of Colin Reynolds, a local Tacoman who cut his teeth in the Dear Records community under the name Tree Roots in the Basement. Reynolds later refined his considerable skill for performing in the subways of New York. Initially beginning his musical life emulating indie rock icons like Death Cab for Cutie and Minus the Bear and continuing on through roots rock, I Low has emerged as a composite of all the sights and sounds Reynolds has taken in while busking on the streets or taking the stage. Frequently vulnerable lyrically, the music of I Low trades equal time in downtrodden analog pop and serenely drifting folk. It's unclear where the evolution of Reynolds will end, but it's safe to say that we haven't reached it yet. Tonight catch I Low and others at Metronome Coffee in Tacoma.

4. Tonight the Capitol Theater in downtown Olympia will host a Los Angeles-based band that crosses musical boundaries, meshing rock, Americana, folk, funk, hip-hop and much more.  Quetzal Flores created the band Quetzal in the early ‘90s to push the limits of Chicano music - and he definitely ended up doing so, finding plenty of musical success in the process. See the band live tonight.

5. Tonight comedian Susanne Lee/Lucky DeLuxe will be at the Grit City Comedy Club in Tacoma.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Well This Is Lovely: The City of Tacoma faces at least a $10 million general fund budget shortfall. (News Tribune)

Rocky Situation: Gravel mining could begin soon on a Thurston County tract once owned by the Port of Tacoma. (News Tribune)

Sen. White Dead: State Sen. Scott White (D-Seattle) was found dead in his hotel room Friday at the Suncadia Resort in Kittitas County. (Seattle Times)

It's On Like Donkey Kong!: Alaskan Way Viaduct demise begins. (Seattle Times)

Tacoma Shunned Again: "Best Restroom" title has been awarded. (Time)

Back To The Future: New DeLorean and hoverboards are on the way. (Hollywood Reporter)

Flour Is Flammable: Norwegian numbskull learned the hard way. (TruTV)

Being Rich Looks Awesome