THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>
WEATHER REPORTFriday: Cloudy, hi 58, lo 42
Saturday: Chance of sun, hi 59, lo 42
Sunday: Partly cloudy, hi 57, lo 43
>>> OCT. 14-16: GIG HARBOR FILM FEST
Just can't get enough local film festival action? Neither can we. That's why we'll pony up the bridge tolls this weekend to venture to Gig Harbor, where the annual Gig Harbor Film Festival will run all weekend. An endearingly quaint endeavor, despite the cushy, stadium style seats of the festival's home (the Galaxy Theatre at Uptown), the Gig Harbor Film Festival shines a spotlight on independent film while simultaneously inviting the entire Gig Harbor community to come together and connect through the power of cinema. This year's festival highlights are sure to include the screening of A Perfect Life including a Q&A with director Chad Ruin and actor Joe Rosati, the Kids Fest and Gig Harbor 72 Hour Film Competition awards ceremony on Sunday, and the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award, which will go to Blake Edwards and be accepted by his wife, Julie Andrews, on Saturday.
>>> FRIDAY, OCT. 14: ROTATOR DEBUTS
ROTATOR, set to debut Friday with a kickoff event at Fulcrum Gallery, is at once a periodical and a piece of art. Headed up by Lance Kagey, Tom Llewellen and the collaborative efforts of plenty of other local talent, ROTATOR will cover topics relevant to the Pacific Northwest, largely focused on urban life. Its creators refer to it as a "quarterly portfolio of Pacific Northwest anti-suburban arts and industry." To Read Kristin Kendle's full feature, click here.
>>> FRIDAY, OCT. 14: THE LAMB LIES DOWN AT THE BROADWAY CENTER
Concept records and rock operas aren't what they used to be. Hell, records in general aren't what they used to be. But Friday, the Musical Box - a Quebec-based Genesis tribute act that bills itself as the only band in the entire world to cozy up to Genesis and Peter Gabriel enough to acquire the performing rights and access to archives, audio tracks and the original images for The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway - will perform the classic rock opera, in its entirety, in Tacoma, at the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts.
FRIDAY, OCT. 14: SYMPOSIUM ON CONTEMPORARY NATIVE AMERICAN ISSUES IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Now in its fourth year, the annual UWT Symposium on Contemporary Native American Issues in Higher Education is designed to increase college enrollment among Native Americans and help open new education doors for tribal communities. The event invites native students, their families, teachers and advisors to "learn about what it takes to become a successful college student. Participants may participate in workshops, campus tours and discussions about the college experience." Well-known and respected filmmaker Sandra Sunrising Osawa will deliver the keynote address.
>>> FRIDAY, OCT. 14: SIDE SHOW SPOOK-TACULAR
A proper burlesque show - in the vaudevillian sense of the term, not the hipster reclaiming sense - is all about excess and spectacle. It's a variety show, featuring not just the burlesque dancers, but music, comedy and oddities. Tacoma's resident burlesque troupe, the Gritty City Sirens, will be throwing a Halloween-themed "Side Show Spook-tacular," which does well to reflect these different aspects of burlesque. In addition to the Sirens' always engaging performances, there will be appearances by Tacoma artist/juggler Jeremy Gregory, a fire dance display and magic. Thrown on top of all of this will be musical sets from DJ Buckets the Pony and the country/reggae/punk rockers, the Fun Police. It will be a night of sensory overload and, perhaps, just a little bit of spectacular chaos.
SATURDAY, OCT. 15: NORTHWEST SINFONIETTA >>>
The Northwest Sinfonietta bills itself as an "orchestra of passion, vision, thrill, and creation - an orchestra that awakens the musical spirit in all of us, performing to sold-out crowds of youngsters, hipsters, and connoisseurs alike." You see that? They're talking to you, hipsters. Saturday, the Sinfonietta delves into Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 at the Rialto Theater, inviting pianist John Novacek into the mix and letting the magic happen. The concert will also feature works from Wagner and Fauré.
SATURDAY, OCT. 15: OCCUPY TACOMA DAY OF ACTION MARCH >>>
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 Saturday - as part of the National Day of Action - Occupy Tacoma protestors, aiming their wrath at rampant corporate abuse of democracy, will march from People's Park to Tollefson Plaza to show support for "the 99-percent." Find all the info you need right here.
>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING
ALEC CLAYTON Visual Arts Critic
I'm going to see Jekyll & Hyde at Tacoma Little Theatre. I hope it will be as good as it was at Harlequin. Sunday I just might Occupy Olympia's Sylvester Park.
NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
Going to Lattin's Cider Mill for apple slingshots, wagon rides and apple fritters. I wonder if they have any hard cider? If not, a stop by the liquor store is in my future, because, the other task on hand, is a mean jam session between my keyboard and I as I work on a variety of holiday article delights just for Volcano readers. To have a little lubrication always helps the motivation. Cheers!
CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
We have absolutely zero plans, but the weather will be nice so I'll probably do some yard work. Also, we're in physical training for an upcoming week in Orlando.
REV. ADAM MCKINNEY: Music Writer
Friday, I'll be attending Basemint's first show in quite a while. But earlier that day, I'll be helping to make a ridiculous amount of pretzels for my Saturday activity, Maltoberfest.
JOANN VARNELL: Theater Critic
Wait, weekend? Already? Oh, um, I'm thinking of baking some cookies for the baby and finishing a baby blanket for a friend whose baby is now two. Most exciting is a trip to Renton to take one of my favorite people to get dim sum for her recent birthday. YUM!!!
JENNIFER JOHNSON: Food & Lifestyles Writer
Friends' 50th Wedding anniversary party Friday, Church conference Saturday, Church Sunday. And the never ending homework.
JOE IZENMAN: THeater Critic
Theater, theater, music. Friday night brings the opening of Tacoma Little Theatre's Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, marking that rare occasion where I will be both reviewing the show and listed in the program as crew. Saturday night we truck out the ol' alma mater, PLU, to see their new theater space and opening production of The Fantasticks. And Sunday, anyone who knows what's good for them will get their asses to Neumo's in Seattle to catch English songwriting badass Frank Turner belting out tunes like there's no tomorrow.
STEVE DUNKELBERGER Meat Market Photographer
I have the kiddos, so we are doing whatever they want to do. That said, it might involve some walking, lounging, laughing and general dingo wrangling.