This weekend, the Hip-Hop highlight brings us back to ground-zero for 253 Hip-Hop, The California Night Club located on 56^th and E. Portland Ave. Now, I will tell ya this much, if you've never been to The California Night Club, then you only know about a small minority of Tacoma Hip-Hop. If you've never been to The California Night Club, then it means lately you've seen the majority of your shows at The Taproom Underground. This means you're woefully under educating yourself on the majority of Hip-Hop this city has to offer. The California Night Club has by far the most live Hip-Hop shows in the Tac'. So, if you've never been there, you can't say you're a true-fan, at least an all-encompassing, knowledgeable fan.

                  This Friday it's a Shade City Ent show, bringing us Motamouth Jones headlining, and opening performances from King Scrub (featured in last week's column), Illizm, Cam the Viking, and more. If you come to this show, you'll get to witness two of the best choppers this area has to offer, with Motamouth Jones and Illizm. This show has a good chance of being Klowned-out, as Motamouth Jones and Illizm all could fall into the Juggalo category.  Last time I saw a Motamouth Jones show, it was at The California Night Club, and he literally did have a K.O.E. army following him about. If you don't know what all that is then come bare witness.

It’s such a kind community gesture when musicians work with non-profits. The two are harmonious – with live music there are no worries about the future or the past, just the pulsing of the moment. With non-profits you can take solace in the fact that there are communities of support all around us.

Throw in the fall equinox, trapeze and a magician, and the circle of kindness and wonder keeps spreading.

I could go on and on about all the warm fuzzy feelings I get when thinking about the relationship between music and the greater good in life, but at the risk of sounding like a just smoked one in the Evergreen woods, I will stop now and let the event speak for itself.

This Friday night, from 12 – 7 p.m., the Olympia Ballroom will feature The Brown Edition, The True Spokes and Joe Doria and The Drunken Masters along with aerial performances by Sara Sparrow and some of the best magic you've ever experienced with Michael Budd. The event is a benefit for the Rachel Corrie Foundation.

Rachel Corrie was a 23-year-old American peace activist from Olympia, who was crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer on March 16, 2003, while undertaking nonviolent direct action to protect the home of a Palestinian family from demolition.

Corrie’s family recently lost their case against Israel and event promoter Lee Brooks felt compelled to make this a benefit for her foundation, which encourages and supports grassroots efforts in pursuit of human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.

“I always try to include a non-profit entity in my productions – I’m not in it for me, I’m in it for the community,” said Brooks. “With Corrie, and the conclusion of the trial, I knew it was something I wanted to do – the bands all backed it up.”

Brooks manages the Brown Edition (who won the Best of Olympia two years in a row,) and describes the band’s sound as “sophisticated funk – they can get down and dirty – but they are high-end, they know their craft.”

Another highlight of the evening will be magician Michael Budd, who Brooks said he hired because “he levitated right in front of me.”

Budd said he has a couple tricks up his sleeve, including one he’s been working on involving a cell phone. “When people see it, they literally flip out.  I remember one lady who was so freaked out, she ran out of the bar and off down the road.  She didn't even take her car!”

So come for a night of excitement and community, all for a good cause.

$10 at the door + $5 Suggested donation for The Rachel Corrie Foundation, All Ages, 21+ beer garden and full bar, fresh local veggies and fruits. Feel free to bring something from your garden to share as well.

In 2003, New Hampshire hip-hop artist Sage Francis traveled to Olympia for one of the biggest hip-hop shows the city had seen at that time.

Sage rapped and told stories to a near sold-out Capitol Theatre main stage and left Oly's hip-hop scene bubbling and eager for more. Shortly after, Sage's popularity reached a higher level and it became clear that with his increased success he probably wouldn't be playing smaller cities like Olympia anymore, or at least for a while.  

This Saturday, Sept. 22, almost 10 years after his first and only performance in the state capital, the bearded/vegan rapper will make a trip back to town to headline the KAOS Block Party. Once again, the Capitol Theatre main stage will host his performance, and if it's anything like last time, then it'll be much more then your average everyday hip-hop show. 

(Saturday, Sept. 22 @ The Capitol Theatre - Sage Francis - TH3RDZ - Sirens Echo - Afrok & The Movement = Doors @ 7 p.m. - $20 - All Ages - Beer Garden w/ID

Monday night is all about recovering from the shock of Monday morning. Whether you celebrate your manhood or just have a good time with friends, the Puget Sound can accommodate. Rock Tiki likes to start Monday nights at Malarkey's Pool and Brew at 6^th and Tacoma. Malarkey's offers 21 seven and nine foot pool tables, beer, food, and a stage featuring stand-up comedy. Every Monday, Burgers are half off, drinks are 25% off, and pool is free on all nine foot tables. Additionally, Monday's on the Grit City Comedy stage are Open Mic and free admission. For more information, visit www.malarkeysonline.com/index.html.

                Rock the Dock Pub on Dock Street also celebrates men with Micro Man Mondays. Every Monday micro brews are $3 and well drinks are set at happy hour prices for men all day long. On the Tacoma waterfront, Rock the Dock Pub offers food, drinks, pool tables, and darts. For more weekly specials and menus visit www.rockthedockpub.com/index.html.

                Finally, Rock Tiki suggests Charley's Pub on 19^th street. Texas hold ‘em tournaments every night, no buy in, with cash and bar prizes. Monday night tournaments begin at 6 PM. For directions and more visit www.facebook.com/CharleysPub.

                Head over to Jazzbones on Sixth Ave. Monday night Rackaraoke is one of the most famous weekly events on Sixth. The $4 Jaeger Bombs and $3 Fireball Shots only make it that much better. Check out www.jazzbonestacoma.com.

                If you're looking for music, head down to The Swiss for Blues Night featuring Palmer Junction tonight. www.theswisspub.com/index.htm.

                Rock Tiki Understands that ladies don't want to be cooped up on a Monday night either, so Rock Tiki suggests Bull's Eye indoor range on Puyallup Ave. Ladies shoot free on Mondays, and with over 120 rental weapons, it's hard to resist taking your Monday anger out on an innocent piece of paper. Check Bull's eye website for rules and authorized weapons. www.bullseyeshooter.com/rangemain.htm.

Cicada in Olympia is making some changes.

First, and perhaps most importantly, is the name. Starting this Sunday, when the new sign goes up, Cicada will officially be Oly Rockfish Grill.

“Since we bought the place 14 months ago, people always ask what Cicada is, and it’s a southern bug,” says owner Chris Cratsenberg “I’ve thought about it – are we a southern restaurant? Do I want to try and embrace that? We have two southern items, everything else is local. We are local people who grew up here and we use local suppliers, so I definitely wanted Oly in the name.”

The breakfast and lunch menus will be virtually the same, and the dinner menu will still have staples like duck and lamb, but Cratsenberg says he wants to cut the average ticket price of $28 down to $18, and to establish a more family-friendly environment, complete with kid’s menu.

Sandwiches, meatloaf and macaroni and cheese will be on the kid’s menu. “It’s all comfort food that kid’s like,” says Cratsenberg.

Rockfish is part of the name to represent the menu that has plenty of the indigenous¸ year-round fish, like blackened rockfish tacos and rockfish and chips.

And the last part of the name, Grill, tones it down a bit, explains Cratsenberg.

“The philosophy behind the cooking hasn’t changed” he says. “It’s the same quality – it’s just not fine dining – I don’t want people to think they can’t come because they’re wearing jeans.”

Cicada re-opens as Oly Rockfish Grill Wednesday, October 3. 700 4^th Ave E, Olympia. (360) 753-5700.

What's Marketgrass, you ask? No, it's not something new and novel for you to smoke. It's a brand new event taking place at the Proctor Farmers' Market on Saturday, September 29.

Marketgrass is all about music. Two bands will take to the performance tent: Tattered Dress from 9 to 11 a.m. and The Pine Hearts from 12 to 2 p.m. During the time between the two performances, there will be a kids' jam from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. I'm sure this will totally sound as amazing as the bands.

Perhaps the coolest thing about Marketgrass is that you can bring your own instruments and take advantage of a jam area located at N 27^th and Madison Street-two if there are lots of people who want to jam out. If there's rain, no worries. Musicians will be protected from the elements with a tent.

                Rock Tiki is so glad Monday is over. Now it's time to really party, starting with Backstage Bar and Grill on 6^th ave. First up is Switch and Wiggles, a DJ vs Drummer show starting at 9 PM. Not only is there no cover charge, but well drinks are only $1, plus 10% off entire tab with military ID, and if military mentions this website at the door, Lunch or Dinner is buy one get one free: www.backstagebartacoma.com/About-Us.html.

                Don't want to work off fat? Need more cheap food? Every Tuesday night at The Harmon Tap Room and Beer Garden is buy one get one free burgers or Fish and chips. For more information, visit www.harmonbrewingco.com/taproom/index.html.

                If you're looking for a quick way to relieve stress, Military shoot free on Tuesdays at Bull's Eye indoor range in Tacoma. For rules and authorized weapons visit www.bullseyeshooter.com/rangemain.htm.

Finally, don't forget about Ha Ha Tuesdays at Jazzbones. Host Ralph Porter will kick things off at 8:30 PM Featuring Cris Rodriguez with headliner Adam Adrian McCovy. There is a five dollar cover, but at 10 PM the live DJ show begins, and the cover charge is discontinued. Check out www.jazzbonestacoma.com for more information.

From a press release received this afternoon at Weekly Volcano Headquarters...

Tune-in Wed., Sept 26^th to watch Mike Malaier, a 34-year-old attorney from Tacoma, WA compete on Jeopardy, America's Favorite Quiz Show®.

Hopefully he kicks ass tomorrow. Tacoma represent!

Rock Tiki knows everyone likes music. That's why Rock Tiki is all about music on Wednesdays. Whether you enjoy listening to a live band, or singing your heart out in a karaoke bar, Rock Tiki knows exactly where to send you tonight. Backstage Bar and Grill offers live music on Wednesday nights. The shows starts at 7 PM, and, as always, military receive 10% off their tab, and buy one get one free lunch or dinner if they mention this website at the door: www.backstagebartacoma.com/About-Us.html.

                It seems just about every bar in Tacoma does Karaoke on Wednesday nights. Rock Tiki does not enjoy Karaoke, Rock Tiki is too shy. However, Rock tiki knows the Harmon Tap Room and Beer Garden is a great place to catch dinner and a couple drinks, especially with Wednesday nights $3 Harmon Pints, so if Rock Tiki were so inclined to experiment with Karaoke on a Wednesday night, The Harmon Tap Room and Beer Garden is where Rock Tiki would go. For more information visit: harmonbrewingco.com/taproom/taproom_events.html.

            Jazzbones also offers great live music tonight, featuring Jean Lizabeth with special guest Scott and Dani Band. Show starts at 8PM, no cover at the door, and this show is all ages. www.jazzbonestacoma.com.

Finally, head over to The Summit Pub on Canyon Rd. in Puyallup for the foosball tournament starting at 8 PM. The buy-in is $10 and the winner takes all. The Summit Pub's website is currently under construction, so visit www.yelp.com/biz/summit-pub-puyallup for more information.

Walking down Capitol Way in Olympia, I noticed a new business in the preliminary hubbub of opening. Through the window I could see a woman painting while another woman ironed. The front doors were opened to a burgundy wall with the word “breathe” written across in white paint.

I poked my head in and spoke with Lisa Cosmillo, a former copy editor and real estate broker, about her new studio at 601 Capitol Way S.

“It’s all been really serendipitous,” says Cosmillo about opening her new business, “I just started dreaming and it’s all been falling into place.”

The 3,000 sq ft space is beautifully designed with warm colors and hardwood floors, and will feature a variety of classes including yoga, pilates, zumba, kid’s classes and weights. Massage, a natural foods snack bar and natural clothing line will also be on premises.

“It’s like a mini health mall,” says Cosmillo.

Breathe will celebrate a soft opening Monday, October 1 and a hard opening Friday, October 5 with snacks, yoga performances and featured artists as part of Olympia Arts Walk.