LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

4th Avenue Tavern Olympia - Downtown. The True Spokes. 9 pm.

• Flowmotion is now the True Spokes. Got it? Good. According to the band's website, the change was made at the beginning of the year to allow the Seattle-based quintet more artistic freedom and wiggle room when writing songs. "The music the band is writing and recording has reached a point where the name Flowmotion is an unsuitable description for who the band is now. With a solidified line up and many members writing material, transitioning to a new band name allows us to evolve into whatever it is we want to become," reads an ultimately reassuring letter to fans. And a letter was probably a good idea, considering Flowmotion had existed for a decade and built a fairly sizeable fanbase. Now that the band has a fresh start as the True Spokes, expect a new record by the same name in early March from a band striving for the same "post-jam" spotlight currently occupied by the likes of Dr. Dog, et al. - Matt Driscoll

Buzz's Tavern Olympia - Westside. Oly Mountain Boys CD Release Party. 9 pm. NC.

• Look, it wouldn't be fair for us to draw conclusions and/or reaffirm stereotypes about people who are big into bluegrass music just because the Oly Mountain Boys will celebrate the release of the band's new live CD at Buzz's Tavern on Mud Bay Road. No, that would not be fair and we will not partake in such blind musical bigotry. We'll tactfully avoid referencing the film Deliverance when discussing the musical genre, and we'll steer clear of family tree jokes that involve fans of bluegrass marrying cousins. Why? Because we're bigger than that. Plus, when the band proclaims its mission is to "reinvigorate the bluegrass genre by bringing the original bluegrass sound of the 1950s to a new generation of fans," we kind of believe them, especially after taking a listen to the passion guitarist Chris Rutledge, mandolin player Derek McSwain, banjo player Tye Menser, bassist Phil Post and fiddle player Josh Grice get down with. Yep, we're taking the high road on this one. As mentioned, Saturday's show will be a celebration for the release of a new Oly Mountain Boys live CD, recorded at the High and Dry Bluegrass Festival in Bend, Ore. - Weekly Volcano

Dorky's Arcade Tacoma - Downtown. Dungeon Science, Si Si Si, the Loose Buoys, the Triple Sixes. All Ages. 9 pm. $3.

• Dungeon Science are a part of the generation of garage rock bands being churned out of the factory that is Tacoma School of the Arts. Along with Apache Chief, they've started a collective not unlike the now mostly evaporated Team Unicorn Records from a few years back. Theirs is called Market Street Records, and their recruits are similarly fuzz-laden. Also like Apache Chief, Dungeon Science recently competed in EMP's underage battle of the bands, Sound Off!. What separates Dungeon Science from the rabble is the soulful lead vocals from Aaron Berryhill, which recalls the early days of garage rock when the main influence being called to the fore was blues and R&B. Hidden in the distorted guitars is a young voice, filled inordinately with passion and throaty yearning. - Rev. Adam McKinney
  

Eagle's Hall Olympia - Downtown. Mardi Gras Fundraiser, featuring Too Slim & The Taildraggers, Blues Attitude. Proceeds benefit The Partners in Prevention Education. All Ages. 8 pm.

Eastside Club Tavern Olympia - Downtown. The Blackberry Bushes Stringband, New Forge. 9:30 pm. $5-$10.

Forza Coffee LakeBridge Lakewood. Ben Potter. All Ages. 6 pm.

Hell's Kitchen Tacoma - Downtown. The #253 Party, featuring Mike "G," EMAC, South East Camp, Amber Red, P. Washington, DJ Midnight Grooves, hosted by Meechy La'Velle. 9 pm. $5.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Hell's Belles, Riot In Rhythm. All Ages. 5 pm. $10. Hell's Belles, Phasers on Kill, True Holland. 9 pm. $12-$15.

• Adrian Conner, her searing axe and her band, Hell's Belles, have been through a lot - having toured clubs and rocked the asses from coast to coast as the world's premier all-female AC/DC tribute act. In all honestly, Hell's Belles has been doing this for long enough, and with enough expertise, that one could accurately attribute the tribute band explosion to the influence of Hell's Belles and a handful of the band's contemporaries. These days comprised of Conner, bassist Mandy Reed, rhythm guitarist Lisa Brisbois, drummer Laura D and singer Amber Saxon this is still one balls-to-the-wall, all-girl rock-hard revue. Breasts, beer and head-bangin' - all of life's pleasures in one place. - WV
  

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Josiah & Sam Bogle. All Ages. 8 pm.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Halcion Halo. 9 pm.

• It's hard to separate the music of Halcion Halo from the commanding voice that presides over it. Lead singer Jenson Charnell's voice can sometimes resemble the more mumbling, beat-poet-aspirations of Lou Reed - he never provides any release for the plodding, heavy alt-rock guitars, just ever-rising tension and downtrodden declarations. Musically, Halcion Halo sound similar to other hard-to-pin-down fixtures of those odd ‘90s negotiations between alternative rock and heavy metal. Bands like the Afghan Whigs and Queens of the Stone Age can't help but come to mind. But there is a minimalism that reigns at the heart of Halcion Halo - a minimalism that allows for creepy, little, stomping fuzz-bombs like "Someday I'll Learn to Put You Down." It's here where Halcion Halos weird ticks and affectations are most effectively put into sharp focus. - Rev AM

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. Kim Archer, Chris Hyde. 8 pm.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Pisces Party, featuring K-Do, Killas Wit Kindness, Abom Kid, Shao Sosa, Gonzo Family, Josh Rizeberg, Dead In Vest, Blue Nose Music. 9 pm.

Tahoma Tea and Co. Tacoma - Downtown. Aleotrope and Rending Sinew. All Ages. 7 pm. NC.

• I will tell you all that I know about Aelotrope. What you do with that information is entirely up to you. May god have mercy on your soul. Here's what I know: the band is an experimental two-piece that utilizes drums, guitar and the didgeridoo. Ahem, again: THE MOTHERFUCKING DIDGERIDOO. Guess where they're from. HERE. Aelotrope hails from Tacoma, and yet the band harnesses the power of didgeridoo in a completely non-ironic (I assume) way. You know what? It kind of works. Vaguely metal-ish jams are accompanied by that familiar warbling drone, and it all manages to meld in some way into a cohesive unit of, er, something. Honestly, this is one of the more unique bands you'll find around here, and there's something to be said for being that, in and of itself. - Rev. AM

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. The Downtown Mountain Boys. All Ages. 8 pm. $8-$12.

Waterstreet Cafe Olympia - Downtown. Carnival Celebration, featuring Ocho Pies. 9:30 pm.

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

WHAT IS YOUR TALENT? >>>

It was last month; Bobble Tki was hanging with Fat Pat in the Naches Tavern in Greenwater after a day at Crystal Mountain.  Like typical random bar talk goes, some guy claimed Cool Hand Luke could never eat 50 hard-boiled eggs in an hour. Then he thought it would be a good idea if there was a contest to see who could eat the most eggs in one hour.  This guy looked like a lumberjack because he was a lumberjack. When he threw his plaid hat into the ring, we hopped out the door ... like chickens.

The next morning we woke up early and decided to give the Cool Hand Luke thing a shot. From 1:15 p.m. until 2:15 p.m., we ate eggs (the morning was spent boiling).

In the last 15 seconds, Bobble Tiki crammed two eggs in his mouth, barely chewed, then swallowed. Time.

Bobble Tiki won, but not really.  Remember that PBS documentary about Liberace? While the sequined cars, pianos, and matching outfits were disturbing enough, they paled in comparison to the footage of the piano virtuoso in a hot tub while in his 50s, the sight of which was not only not very pretty but doubly troubling because his physique at the time looked very much like Bobble Tiki did that night. Ouch!!! 

If you have a similar talent - or can sing, dance, play an instrument, juggle, conjure rabbits out of hats or just love to perform - you could win $500 by entering SHOW OFF!

Interested? Thurston Community Television provides the details below:

SHOW OFF! is a benefit fund raiser for Thurston Community Television.  Nonprofessional performers seven years of age and older, who live in Washington State are invited to enter. 

Preliminary competition is Saturday, March 3, 2012, from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM at the Kenneth J. Minneart Center for the Arts at South Puget Sound Community College.  TCTV will accept early entries until 5:00PM on March 2^nd.  Space is limited.  Any timeslots not filled by March 2^nd will be available on a first come basis at the Saturday, March 3^rd.   Entry fee is $15.  Each act will receive a DVD recording of their preliminary performance. 

The preliminary judges will select up to 15 acts to perform in the SHOW OFF! Final Competition gala matinee show on Sunday, April 1^st. The Judges Choice award winner and the Audience Choice award winner will each receive a $500 cash award. 

Details and entry information is available at www.tctv.net or by calling 360-956-3100.

LINK: SHOW OFF! promo video

SUNDAY, FEB. 19, 2011 >>>

1. Argentine singer-songwriter Maria Volonte's tango mastery met expatriate blues harmonica player Kevin Carrel Footer in a Buenos Aires café and it was magic. The result of that fateful meetings is The Blue Tango Tour - a celebration of the deep spiritual bond that joins tango and the blues, as two genres steeped in sin, born in brothels, censored yet always resurgent and speaking directly to our souls at 2 p.m. inside Madera Architectural Elements in downtown Tacoma.

2. Museum of Glass visiting artist Michael Taylor will discuss his art and career during this conversation and slide presentation in the Hot Shop beginning at 2 p.m.

3. The Olympic Wine Merchants in Olympia will pour organic wines to taste from 2-4 p.m.

4. The Pierce County Gospel Sing will reach great heights beginning at 6 p.m. inside the mammoth Life Center in Tacoma. Hallelujah.

5. Jeanne Hopkins, the singer and songwriter better known as Jeanlizabeth, hosts an open mic at 8 p.m. every Sunday in the Steilacoom Pub and Grill. The night's entertainment can include poetry readings, original songs and rock covers from Pink Floyd to modern hits. Past crowds ran the gamut of age groups, but many, including seniors, wore hoodies.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

LINK: South Sound happy hours

SOMETHING TO KNOW >>>

Weekly Volcano hip-hop columnist Josh Rizeberg presents another Word 3rd Thursday local hip-hop show - on the fourth Thursday of the month. It makes sense since the Weekly Volcano's Best of Olympia 2012 Party was on the third Thursday.

Thanks Josh.

Check out the poster above. It's going to be a killer show.

Seattle hip-hopper Fatal Lucciauno headlines the show. Click the YouTube video below to hear the smooth "Amazing" off Lucciauno's new album, Respect, which he will be pumping Thursday night. The song features J. Pinder, who headlines a show tonight at The Royal Lounge in Olympia.

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Backstage Bar & Grill Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Anvil. 9:30 pm.

• Anvil began its career as the band Lips in 1978, but changed to Anvil before releasing its debut album, Hard 'N' Heavy in 1981. Anvil pioneered a furiously fast and aggressive music we know as speed metal, which created the sonic framework for thrash. – Weekly Volcano
  

Dawson's Bar and Grill Tacoma - South. Blues Jam, hosted by Tim Hall Band. 8 pm.

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Open Mic, with Denny Foreman & Friends. All Ages. 6 pm. NC.

The Royal Bear Algona. Black Dog. 9 pm.

The Royal Lounge Olympia - Downtown. J. Pinder, Dyme Def, Eighty4 Fly, GMK, Royce The Choice, DJ Vega the Virgo. 9 pm. $5.

• Quite simply, if it wasn't for all those awesome presidents of the past, and the National Holiday we made to honor them, this Sunday's opportunity to catch Seattle hip-hopper J. Pinder at the Royal Lounge In OLYMPIA would be far less appealing. Sure, Pinder's swag and skill would still be abundantly evident on the mic, whatever day the show falls on, but the fact that you likely have no school or work on Monday makes this banger one not to miss at any cost. Sunday's bill also includes Dyme Def, Eighty4 Fly, GMK, Royce The Choice and DJ Vega the Virgo. - WV

Tacoma Comedy Club Tacoma - Downtown. In The Pocket Jazz Night. 8 pm. NC.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. Mia Vermillion. 8 pm. NC.

Steilacoom Pub and Grill Steilacoom. Sunday open mic with Jeanlizabeth. 8 pm. NC.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. The Stonegators. 8 pm. NC.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Sunday Blues Jam Night. Hosted by Shelly Ely. 7-10 pm.

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Suing The Tacoma Police Department: A man says two Tacoma Police officers broke his arm and shoulders during a traffic stop. (News Tribune)

Slimeball Alert: Tacoma Police are searching for a man who tried to abduct a woman but instead ram his truck into her. (News Tribune)

Nonprofits Might Be Taxed: The City of Tacoma is considering taxing nonprofict organizations to score some much needed cash. (News Tribune)

Head Scratcher: Israeli pilots would have a helluva task bombing Iran. (The New York Times)

Their Big Fat Greek Bailout II: European ministers have a deal for Greece. (The New York Times)

Dodging Ice Blocks: A rapid thaw brings chaos to the River Danube in Belgrade. (BBC)

Best Of Olympia 2012: It's online! (Weekly Volcano)

Get Ready For The Marketing Machine: Lindsay Lohan returns to host Saturday Night Live with musical guest Jack White in tow. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Matt Groening: Life after 500 episodes of The Simpsons. (Los Angeles Times)

It's A Funeral!: Timeline of Whitney Houston's funeral. (E Online)

Happy President's Day!

BAKING IN A BIGGER SPACE >>>

Tacoma's beloved Corina Bakery is closed. It's a good thing. The bakery is moving down to the corner and into the space once occupied by Mavi Contemporary Art and Minoela. Yes, both spaces.

If inspections go well, Corina will open this Wednesday at 8 p.m. Right now it's a shell with the counter system and display case in. The space will allow for more sit-down diners.

Corina plans to stay open later to serve the movie-going crowd.

[Corina Bakery, now at 602 Fawcett, Tacoma, 253.627.5070]

MONDAY, FEB. 20, 2012 >>>

1. Whether you're looking for the perfect opportunity to whet your ukulele whistle, or you're already a seasoned ukulele vet, tonight's uke jam and singalong at Traditions Café in Olympia - hosted by the venerable Steve Einhorn and Kate Power - should be exactly what the doctor ordered.

2. The real entertainment at Jazzbones on Monday night isn't the Rockaraoke, it's the people-watching. Since most of the patrons are just a touch this side of 21, a look around the club is akin watching a "how to hookup" instructional video. Every technique is employed. There's the "touch the babe's lower back and whisper into her ear" maneuver. The "gaze into the stud's eyes and laugh incessantly" angle - a favorite of young ladies. And of course, the always popular "buy them $3 shots of Jager until inhibitions are sufficiently lowered" trick. Band nothing, the hookup attempts are the real show. By 11 p.m., there's a long line to get into Jazzbones. A line on a Monday.

3. Did you know the Mandolin Café jumped into the trivia game? It's true. Tonight Jeff Ross will host the Mandolin's trivia night, starting at 6 p.m. The action is all ages.

4. The Angels Club on Capitol Way in Olympia hosts a new open mic tonight starting at 9 p.m. According to promotion, "Please bring your instruments and band." Now you know. Best of all: there's no cover charge.

5. Of course, we're predictable ... but you start talking about an event simply billed as "Drunken Poetry" and you've got our attention. See the magic of "Drunken Poetry" yourself tonight at Last Word Books in Oly.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

SO YUM! >>>

It's president's Day, and President's Day means caramel.

Why?

Because Morgan Alexander at Amocat Café is giving away free samples of his homemade caramels.

And they're quite delicious.

"Every since I was a kid I dreamed of owning a candy factory," Says Alexander.

Morgan Wonka is on his way. While he claims he's still tweaking the chocolate, I say they're ready now. The mini logs are sweet and luxurious - chewy, but they didn't stick to my teeth. Topping each caramel are grains of Hawaiian clay sea salt. Yes, they have a teensy taste of clay, offering a pleasantly tangy counterpoint to all that richness.

"Once I have the chocolate where I want it, I will start playing around with variety. I want to make candy bar versions, such as a Milky way favor," explains Alexander.

Of course, the home brewer will also come out with a beer-flavored caramel.

Alexander hasn't come up with a price point. Today, the caramels sit on a play on his café's counter for all to sample.

[Amocat Café, 625 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.722.5373]

EATING A SAUSAGE SAMMICH AFTER CLUBING >>>

A frequently asked question around the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters is, "Where, at midnight, after hitting every bar from Lakewood to North Tacoma, can we stuff our faces and thus perhaps avert a hangover of colossal proportion?"

Typically, if it's payday, we hit El Gaucho's bar for its hot wicked shrimp or penne English coastal cheddar mac 'n' cheese. If we're on Sixth Avenue, we'll stop by Asado for empanadas, Dirty Oscar's Annex for chicken and waffles or the Crown Bar for a Zihua Mushroom Quesadilla.

Opening some time this spring, A Taste of Chicago will serve Italian Sausage Sandwiches, Chicago Maxwell Street Polish dogs, pizza puffs, Windy City Steak Sandwiches and other treats branded with Chicago somewhere in Tacoma.

"We are looking at several different areas - Sixth Avenue, South Tacoma Way and downtown Tacoma," says A Taste of Chicago owner Derek Scott, a resident of Tacoma.

A Taste of Chicago recently closed its Seattle location in the University District to make the move to Tacoma.

Why?

"I live in Tacoma and as you know there aren't many spots to grab good food late at night," says Scott.

Here's a preview of A Taste of Chicago menu, as it existed in Seattle.

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide