MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2012 >>>

1. Comedian Alysia Wood remembers getting her start at the house emcee at Tacoma's Comedy Underground. While these days Wood lives in L.A. and is prepping for the release of her debut comedy album on Standup! Records, Princess, she returns to the Northwest tonight for a celebratory (and sure to be laugh-filled) show at Stonegate Pizza. Produced by Grammy award-winning producer Dan Schlissel, Princess may well be the start of even bigger and better things for Wood.

2. As a popular poet once noted, "Makin' your way / in the world today / takes everything you've got." Yes, it's back to the coal mines, tired already from late partying at the BroHo. You need something to soak up that beer, and an artist with mad flow to screw your head on straight. We float you home, Gentle Reader, on the soothing cadences of Poetry Night at al Forno Ferruzza. That's right, it's a full-on poetry slam, slathered in delicious mozzarella. Your lingering hangover demands this. An offshoot of a beloved Portland pizzeria, al Forno offers hearty calzones and pies, a range of wines at $7 a half-carafe, and now, THE KNOWLEDGE. Preach it.

3. Catch rising Tacoma band Death By Stars tonight at Magoo's as part of Showcase Monday. DJ Pocket Square will also be in the house, with the action kicking off at 8:30 p.m.

4. Tonight at the Swiss drink beer and behold Dakota Bob & The Businessman Band, starting at 8 p.m. and featuring absolutely no cover charge.

5. Drop in on Tap Room Trivia tonight at the Harmon Tap Room on St. Helens Avenue. Look for a $50 cash prize for the winner of each round and too much fun to contain - running from 6 - 8 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight in the region

START WORKING ON YOUR EXPRESSIVE DANCE MOVES >>>

Do you use SoundCloud more often than Google? Do you enjoy the kind of excitement that feels like if you don't unleash it by dancing outdoors, it might give you an aneurysm? Do you hate normz and feed off of the creative energy of some of the most talented artists music-makers in Tacoma? If you answered yes to any of the preceding questions, your next big "thing to look forward to" is this year's Urban Art Festival Tacoma, which will be held June 30 and July 1 on Tacoma's Dock Street. The fest's in its eighth year. It'll be a lot more fun and cheaper than a year's supply of Prozac.

Keep in the know by joining its Facebook.

LINK: We've done it

WEEKLY VOLCANO STREET TEAM >>>

With my personal pub name Dairy Queen, I proceeded to fulfill my position as Queen of the Stragglers of the Weekly Volcano Pub Crawl through downtown Olympia. With this title I photographed the bar attendees and doted on those participants who could not help but dilly-dally in the rain, hopping on crutches and puffin on cigs. With "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" coming from a rumbling band of sweet blues in Charlie's Sports Bar & Grill, I guided the newly arrived pub-crawlers on to McCoy's Tavern.Struck by the ceiling lighting, I attempted to capture the new, increasingly energized setting. As I aimed my lens toward a cross-shot of the bar, I became engaged in a bar-eyed staredown with a stunning Olympian. After concise introductions, I recognized the Olympia legend before me, the 2011 Best of Olympia "Best Olympian" Jerry Ziegler. Oh, what a presence. Another soon-to-be-bar mate approached me, questioning, "Could it be a high school reunion?" But, alas, it was the Weekly Volcano Pub Crawl and we were moving to the Eastside Club.

As you may or may not know, the Weekly Volcano has a Street Team of 20-somethings who attend events in the South Sound, take photos, blog and distributes flyers and posters for future events. We host events, such as the Street Team Olympia Pub Crawl, which went down Friday, March 9. The Team and I led a crowd through six downtown Olympia bars. I brought up the rear.

At the 4^th Ave. Tavern we hit the jackpot of door prizes. Guests of the Pub Crawl proudly inflated their alcoholic props and sporting goods. The awards seemed endless.

The night deepened and developed significantly as I wove through the rainy alleyways from The Clipper toward the BroHo with stragglers Okie Dokie, Bill Cosby, Mustard, the Mexican and Kevin. I became one with these precious few.

The Brotherhood was rockin' with its usual splendor and redness when we came in from the rain. The Stragglers arrived just in time to hear Street Team leader Brandon announce the winner of the oversized blow-up Jagermeister bottle - with door prizes a continued theme throughout the Pub Crawl. Lively, vibrant guests filled their glasses and clustered around booths and bars.

When I moved from the BroHo to Hannahs's I came across a very personal, perhaps character-defining (or defiling) moment. Circa 9:09 p.m. on Fourth Avenue, I happened upon a shivering Chihuahua lost in the rain. It was undoubtedly alone, cold, wet and running into the oncoming traffic. A benign instinct from within pulled me toward the traffic and - low and behold - I saved a Chihuahua. In a rainy parking lot, I discussed the circumstances of the lonely Chihuahua with some other concerned female Olympians. Earlier in the evening, when making confirmations with the bars, I realized that Hannah's could use an additional door prize. Again, against my character, I volunteered my services as nocturnal chaperone of the Mexicana babe, hoping to designate the next raffle winner as a proud owner of new Chihuahuan love. When I arrived upon the threshold of Hannah's I was proud of my find and sincerely surprised by my additional load. Weekly Volcano Marketing Director Chrystal and I considered whether this dog would truly suit our needs as an eligible prize. Just then, a girl I met in the rainy parking lot ran up and took the dog back to its owner, one of her clients. Somewhat relieved and still excited, I entered Hannah's and quickly realized that I had become not only the dog's savior, but also THE jukebox hero!

By now the communal energy of the Pub Crawl had reached its peak, everyone had become a jovial vocalists at Hannah's karaoke, and the music only accelerated as we proceeded to crawl.

Our final stop landed our crew deep in the heart of the Wild West, and perhaps deeply doused in whiskey -- Big Whisky. Nothing gets my Dairy Queen South Texas blood flowing like line dancing, bull riding and large-scale projections of country singers. I immediately slipped into the swing of things and witnessed some serious bull riders; belt buckles sparkling the whole ride through.

With a final gaze around the perimeters of Big Whisky, my straggler responsibilities subsided and I submerged myself into the vast sea of crawlers.

What a night for the Weekly Volcano Street Team.

LINK: More photos of the Olympia Pub Crawl

LECTURE SERIES >>>

Ellen Galinsky is the kind of bad-ass researcher that wears black leather in her promotional headshot. She doesn't take no shit, in other words, which is probably why she'll be in Olympia Wednesday as part of the Parenting Tools Lecture Series at the Minnaert Center Main Stage. According to promotion, kids and parents can expect, "a game-changing, interactive session about the skills adults and children need in order to succeed in the 21st century."

Galinsky will no doubt draw from her book Mind in the Making, which is said to identify "seven life skills that are essential to success - in school, the workforce and in life."

Most encouraging of all, the event is free. That's sure to help anyone survive in the 21st century.

[Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts - Main Stage, Wednesday, March 21, 6:30 p.m., free, 2011 Mottman Rd. SW, Olympia, 360.596.5501]

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Tacoma City Council: It's expected to impose a 5 percent tax on admissions to some of Tacoma's largest nonprofit museums, theaters and performing arts groups tonight - a long-term sustainable solution for Tacoma's arts programs, but not popular with the large arts organizations. (News Tribune)

Lacey Shooting: The gunman is still on the loose. (News Tribune)

Pugnetti Park: Jerry Pugnetti says the park named after his father should be saved. (News Tribune)

GOP Presidential Primary: The pressure is on Mitt Romney in Illinois today. (CNN)

Justice Department: It's investigating the fatal shooting of an unarmed 17-year-old boy by a crime watch volunteer last month in Florida. (The New York Times)

Housing For The Homeless: 14 smart and sensitive solutions. (Web Urbanist)

Daniel Radcliffe: One of his first post-Hogwarts roles will be Beat poet Allen Ginsberg. (Slash Film)

Burger Battle: Wendy's unseats Burger King as country's second biggest hamburger chain. (Huffington Post)

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations behind-the-scenes TV crew videos. (Laughing Squid)

Yes!: 29 of fashion's mysteries solved. (Refinery 29)

When Critics Mattered: Kael, Ebert and '70s film. (Boston Review)

Is Slactivism Better Than Doing Nothing at All?: Watch to find out. (Mother Jones)

>>> VOTING CLOSED FOR MARCH 20 <<<

Apparently the comfort of breakfast was on your mind yesterday as it was the second largest voting day for the Tournament of Breakfast behind Thursday's opening bell.

So, read up on yesterday's action, and then vote on today's four games in the South region. It’s in your hands, mouth, and stomach, folks. Do us proud.

Yesterday's Tournament of Breakfast Results

Here were the match-ups:

The Bair Bistro (Steilacoom) vs. Pine Cone Cafe (University Place)

Knapp's Restaurant (Tacoma)vs. Affairs Cafe & Bakery (University Place)

Moon Rise Cafe (Lakewood) vs. Mandolin Cafe (Tacoma)

Taqueria El Antojo (University Place) vs. Old Milwaukee Cafe (Tacoma)

Quaint, historic, soda fountain and damn good biscuits and gravy still couldn't beat the strong community ties and French waffles as the Pine Cone Café beat Bair Bistro with 57 percent of the vote. We suspect the Cone's butterhorns will go fast this morning in celebration.

You can't overlook chocolate truffles. No matter if your Monte Cristo rules the land, if you sell 10,000 different kinds of truffles, chances are you'll be a winner in life. Analysts agree. Affairs Café and Bakery serves a tasty breakfast, and its Monte Cristo is truly awesome, but you have to walk by a Wonka Factory load of chocolate to find a seat. Knapp's, no matter how beloved, couldn't match the chocolate factor and lost by 30 votes. Close, but no truffles.

You just knew it. The Moon Rise Café fans hit our comment section. You could feel the rally. You could feel the love. And the Mandolin might have a delicious breakfast, which it does. But it has gone through too many changes in the past two years to power up against Moon Rise Mania. The Lakewood café moves into the second round after capturing 56 percent of the votes.

We've written before of the size of the Old Milwaukee Cafe, but it bears repeating. There are seven tables - four of them two seaters. The other three tables seat four each. That’s it. During the mornings, it's packed. A line forms inside the tiny joint. Folks keep showing up, because the breakfast is so good. The Old Milwaukee grabbed 83 percent of the votes against Taqueria El Antojo, a worthy breakfast in its own right. Analysts have Old Milwaukee pegged to be in the West region championship game March 29. However, anything can happen in food tournament voting.

Let's take a look at the stack. The following are advancing to the next round:

• Pine Cone Cafe
  
• Affairs Cafe and Bakery
  
• Moon Rise Cafe
  
• Old Milwaukee Cafe
  

The daily breakfast battles here on Spew are sponsored by Shakabrah Java on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue.

OK, let's check out today's First Round breakfast battles. Vote for one breakfast joint per battle. Voting for today's breakfast battles ends at 11:45 p.m.

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012 >>>

1. There's a rare yet very worthy Tuesday-night indie rock show at the New Frontier this evening featuring everyone's favorite T-Town boys Makeup Monsters along with up-and-comers Learning Team. We've gushed over both bands (here and here).

2. Tuesday night means it's time again for Barstool Bingo at the Westgate Bar and Grill in Tacoma's North End.

3. At the Mandolin Café, a special all-ages evening of "In the Round" is in store, starting at 6 p.m. and featuring Geoffery Klok, Nick Sandy and Nick Deonigi.

4. Get your swing dance on tonight at the Eagles Club in Olympia. Every Tuesday night OlySwing holds a rollicking swing dance, and you're invited. Even better - there's a quick beginning swing class prior to the dance hosted by Christine Corey. The beginners class kicks off at 7 p.m., and the dance runs from 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. Admission is $5.

5. Get your groove on tonight in Parkland. DJ Adam Ant spins during "Twisted Tuesday" at Lady Luck Cowgirl Up, offering Top 40 action and karaoke. The good times start at 9 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

APPLAUSE >>>

As part of its drive to recruit new subscribers (and repay $75,000 to the IRS), Capital Playhouse announced its 2012-2013 season via curtain speeches for Hello, Dolly! "Season in a Box" will host five shows, plus additional projects to be named down the road. While it's unlikely an "Act II" program of straight plays will return in its previous form, there's a possibility that original works will be performed instead. This is welcome news for South Sound playwrights.

The first show of Capital Playhouse's season is Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. If you love rock ‘n' roll from any era, Buddy Holly should be among your patron saints. Singles like "Oh Boy," "Peggy Sue," and "That'll Be the Day" changed the sound of radio forever. Alan Janes's jukebox bio includes all three, plus hits by Holly's iconic contemporaries. It ran for 12 years in London's West End, and I suspect - based on standing ovations for Always: The Patsy Cline Story last year - it'll kill at CP.

I confess I'm the only theater professional in America who has yet to see a production of Nunsense. I'm obliged to address that deficiency post haste, as Capital Playhouse fills its holiday slot with Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical. I loved Scrooge: the Musical last year, but the gift of irreverent snark will be a welcome addition to this year's barrage of yuletide classics. Expect parody numbers like "We Three Kings of Orient Are Us," plus a rioutous riff on the Nutcracker Suite.

Lust for novelty is a defining trait of modern critics, so there's no show from anyone's season I'm looking forward to more than Next to Normal, the Pulitzer winner that "expands the scope of subject matter for musicals" (quoth the Pulitzer Board) by chronicling the story of a mother with bipolar disorder. Even the song title "My Psychopharmacologist and I" piques my interest. Normal rose from Issaquah all the way to Broadway, where it added three Tonys to its mantle. I can't imagine a more coveted lead role.

Lionel Bart's Oliver! was a holiday favorite at Lakewood Playhouse in 2011. This season, it earns its exclamation point at CP, where its in-your-face Dickensian gusto should feel equally "at ‘ome." Such tunes as "Food, Glorious Food" and "Consider Yourself" are irresistible. The late Davy Jones, best known as one of the Monkees, came to fame as the Artful Dodger in London; it's one of several juicy roles for child actors in the show. Meanwhile, one very lucky adult actor will sink his greedy fangs into Fagin.

"All those opposed to chafing, please say ‘aye.'" If you recognize that as one of Elle Woods's lines from Legally Blonde, then you're probably chafing at the bit for Legally Blonde: The Musical. If not, the fact that its first "stage" appearance was on MTV may give you pause. Well, relax, fellow snob, The Musical earned raves including "ridiculously enjoyable from start to finish" (the Independent). Who doesn't like ridiculous enjoyment? CP hasn't announced casting, but there's one perky in-house regular who'd be perfect for the lead...

All five shows have tremendous potential, so I feel safe expecting greatness.

[Capital Playhouse, 612 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.2744]

LINK: Capital Playhouse season tickets

THIS JUST IN >>

Big news out of the Museum of Glass camp. Let's read the press release:

Tacoma, Wash. (March 20, 2012) - The Board of Trustees of the Museum of Glass announces the appointment of Susan Warner as Executive Director/Curator effective March 20, 2012.  Warner has served as interim director since January 3 when former director Timothy Close resigned.  Her role as the Museum's curator remains unchanged.

As director, Warner will oversee the continuing development of the Museum of Glass as it begins its tenth year of operation.  Opened in 2002, the Museum has attracted 1.8 million visitors from all 50 states and 75 countries.  In July, the Museum will celebrate its 10 year anniversary.

Read more...

Comment On This Post

NOSH LEAGUE'S APRIL GATHERING >>>

Of course, as with most learning, it helps to take notes during wine tastings. Notes are absolutely essential if you want to remember what you liked, what you didn't like, and why. Everyone's method of note taking is different, but here's how the Weekly Volcano's Nosh League does it: They write down the vintage and name of the wine (and the region/country of origin, if necessary). After that, they take notes in five categories: color (judged against a white background, though in a pinch white light will do), nose, palate, finish and balance. As they swirl, sniff, slosh and sip, they take notes.

Then, most wine tasters spit the wine into the container or bucket provided (not into the water pitcher), rinse out their mouth and glass with some water, and move on to the next wine.

Nosh Leagues don't spit.

They drink.

All of it.

And that's exactly what will happen at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 12 when the Weekly Volcano's foodie group gathers at the Mandolin Café to drink the wine of Silver Lake Winery and nosh on Chef Emily's appetizers.

How do Nosh League events work? A chef, distributor or owner educates the group on what the Leagues sip and nibble, while Pappi Swarner distributes free door prizes. It's a thing of beauty. At the Mandolin in April, owner Tom Montante, a board member at Silver Lake Winery, will pour two whites and three reds as he explains the inner and outer workings of one of this state's largest wineries.

As always, the price tag for the night will be $15 a person.

The Nosh League is not just about food and drinks; it's an event. There's a pleasant communal aspect to the whole shebang. Join us.

To get in on this Nosh league event, RSVP on the Nosh League's Facebook.

To join the Nosh League, visit the Weekly Volcano Groups.

Read a recap of past Nosh League gatherings:

Social Bar and Grill

The Melting Pot

Affairs Cafe & Desserts