WE SCENE IT >>>

Tipsy chicks with press-on mustaches and $2 wells makes for a standard November Rockaraoke night at Jazzbones. Of course, the live house band cranking Sublime, Gwen Stefani and other dorm room-type music for karaoke singers is standard, too.

Last week, however, Jazzbones tossed in a twist - adding a Pray For Snow Party element to the booze fest. Yes, it was $2 Jagers when a karaoke singer belted out a suicide song. Yes, raffle giveaways and Jell-o shots were doled out. Yes, some dude sang "Beat it."

Of course, the real entertainment isn't the Rockaraoke, it's the people-watching. Photographer Steve Dunkelberger captured a few on film.

What will happen tonight?

JAZZBONES RESTAURANT AND NIGHTCLUB, ROCKARAOKE LIVE BAND KARAOKE, EVERY MONDAY, 9 P.M., NO COVER LADIES, $3 MEN, 2803 SIXTH AVE., TACOMA, 253.396.9169

LINK: More Rockaraoke Pary For Snow Party photos

TUESDAY, NOV. 20, 2012 >>>

1. It's Tuesday and that means The Grand Cinema unleashes another special film as part of its Tuesday Film Series. Today at 2:15 and 6:50 p.m. The Grand will screen Stars In Shorts, a collection of short films featuring famous faces, including Judi Dench, Kenneth Branagh, Colin Firth, Keira Knightley, Julia Stiles, and Lily Tomlin.

2. Yea, like you're going to have an arts month and not include one of the longest running open mics in the state. Art at Work Month continues in Tacoma. And the celebration shines a spotlight on the Victory Music Open Mic, which pulls out the microphones from 7-10 p.m. inside the Antique Sandwich Company.

3. A principled lawyer who defends both a black man against trumped-up rape charges and his children against the evils of prejudice in the Depression-era South. Sounds like a read right up the Banned Book Club's alley. The club will discuss To Kill a Mockingbird at 7 p.m. inside King's Books.

4. With a 90-minute set featuring around 20 of Diamond's hits – ranging from his early work for television shows, such as The Monkees ("I'm A Believer") to songs from his movie "The Jazz Singer" – Neil Diamond tribute band The Diamond Experience will rock the Red Wind Casino from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

5. Pretty Old take cues from the delicately driving and melancholy pride of bands like the National as well as the spark and verve of punkier groups like the Weakerthans and Jawbreaker - from whom Pretty Old derived their name. The Seattle three-piece is one that was clearly raised on punk, yet remains comfortable to bust out a sadly shuffling ballad or two. Catch the band at 10 p.m. inside Le Voyeur.

LINK: Tuesday, Nov. 20 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

UP CLOSE & PERSONAL >>>

As with the Andy Warhol exhibition at Tacoma Art Museum, there is much more to say about the Ray Turner exhibition at Museum of Glass than I can say in a single column.

There are a number of principles that I have often written about which are beautifully exemplified in this show.

The first of these is the idea, which should be apparent to anyone, that there is a huge difference between seeing reproductions of a work of art and seeing the real thing. I saw photographs of some of Turner's oil-on-glass portraits, and my thought was: these are not bad. Then I saw the real thing and my head began to swim. Even the lavishly illustrated, 164-page catalog does not begin to approximate the lushness of these paintings as seen in the gallery. The difference would be like - imagine this is you can - the difference between seeing Marilyn Monroe's 1953 Playboy photos and being in the room when she was posing for them.

The second of these principles is that art that depicts images from the real world must work on two levels. It must convincingly depict the object or figure, whether in a stylized, realistic or abstract manner, and connect with the viewer emotionally; and it must work on an abstract level. These paintings do both in spades. They connect emotionally, and they look very much like real people with all of their fears, their playfulness, their humor, their longings and frustrations on display.

Within the faces there are swirls and slashes of thickly laden paint that create abstract movements, contrasts and harmonies of color and shape that are captivating in and of themselves regardless of their relationship to the faces. These areas of color and movement tend to encircle hairlines and jawlines or to create patterns within cheekbones and across noses and lips, and particularly around the eyes. They are painted in shades of violet, blue, green and red that can be almost as startling as was the green stripe Henri Matisse painted down the middle of his wife's face in the famous portrait popularly known as "Woman with Green Stripe." Yet, in Turner's portraits these odd colors seem perfectly natural.

The third principle I would like to mention has to do with looking at art. Art should be looked at up close and at a distance. Details get lost when viewing from a distance, and overall patterns can't be seen when up close, especially when what you're looking at is 21 feet wide and five feet tall. Turner's portraits are displayed in such a way as to create astounding patterns of value and hue that can only be seen when you step back and look at them from across the gallery, but then from that distance you can't see the marvelous details of texture and abstract patterns that I wrote about in the previous paragraph.

I started this with a comparison to the Andy Warhol show at Tacoma Art Museum. As much as I admire Warhol's accomplishments and overall body of work, if I were to compare these two shows alone, not taking Warhol's historic contribution into consideration, I would have to say the Turner exhibition is more enjoyable.

See my review in the Weekly Volcano, which hits the street tomorrow due to Thanksgiving, and get yourself down to Museum of Glass to see this show.

MUSEUM OF GLASS, RAY TURNER: POPULATION, THROUGH JUNE 3, 2013, 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M. WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY, NOON TO 5 P.M. SUNDAY, $5-$12, 1801 DOCK ST. TACOMA, 866.4MUSEUM

253HEART MUSIC FEST KICKOFF >>>

"House music is not a business; it's a community of people who like to dance. In order for the community to maintain and grow, the people that make up this community have to continually contribute," explains local DJ and promoter Chris Savenetti. "And that contribution can be anything from coming to dance to the music, to introducing others to this sound, to providing a night for the community to gather, to producing the music, or from a DJ standpoint, playing the music provided by the community. It is circular, and is essential for survival, because without one of those elements it cannot continue."

Savenetti loves house music. He's been spinning it since the dawn of time. And he will continue to spin it until the end of time.

"DJ dAb and I will continue to spin and support house music in the South Sound," he says, a little depressed after his beloved house music home, Tempest Lounge, closed this summer.

For those who would enjoy a little Savenetti house should drop by Dorky's Arcade Wednesday night. Savenetti is producing the DJ portion of this year's 253heart Music Festival. "This will be the first DJ night ever for the festival," says Savenetti.

Savenetti will spin alongside DJs Mr. Melanin, dAb, Deron "Suga" Jones, D:Fi and Ninja Kat. Besides house music, expect drum 'n' bass, jazzy rhythms, soul, funk and electro dance. 

Why Dorky's?

"Why not?" replies Savenetti. "It's an awesome place. Play games, listen to music, drink beer."

Admission to the 253Heart Music Festival DJ night, as well as all the live music venues during the three-day festival, is two cans of non-perishable food earmarked for local food banks.

"There's really great music being made every day. House music is not for everybody, and that is fine, but we're not going to compromise the music to make it appeal to everyone. It's for people who like to dance and have fun," says Savenetti

Sounds like a plan.

DORKY'S ARCADE, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 21, 9 P.M., ALL AGES, BEER AND WINE FOR 21+, TWO CANS OF FOOD ADMISSION, 754 PACIFIC AVE., TACOMA, 253.627.4156

LINK: 253Heart Music Festival schedule

TRIPPY, MAN >>>

When researching a band, it's always a good sign when I leave its YouTube videos or SoundCloud clips on play, leaving the computer with the music still blasting as I chat on the phone or grab a snack. It means the band is listenable. Elbow Coulee has been on for about 45 minutes now with their synth-rock, psychedelic, dance-oriented jams grooving right along with the rain pounding on the window, rhythmic and soothing. Tonight, they invite you to "Get Basted!" at a Turkey Day pre-funk show with the Dead Kenny G's. If the name "Dead Kenny G's" is not indicative enough for you, this punk jazz band trio will blow minds with their saxophone, driving drums, electric guitar and nice tattoos.

Elbow Coulee's Andrew Tuller talks about playing with the nationally recognized band.

"We're a little intimidated," he chuckles, "While we're confident in our music and we want people to dance - we always get people up and moving. Dead Kenny G's will get people dancing too, but if they don't know what to expect, it's in kind of an awkward amazement. But, we're excited to play."

Stuff yourself with some good music, and brace yourself for the rest of the week.

THE OLYMPIA BALLROOM, TUESDAY, NOV 20, 8:30 P.M., $10, $8 STUDENT, 116 LEGION WAY, SE, OLYMPIA, 360.359.8636.

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Yesterday's comment of the day comes from Phil Walden in response to our story last year on the passing of the great Kent Morrill.

Walden writes,

SCOTTSDALE, AZ: I GREW IN TACOMA. MIKE BURK WAS IN MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS AT EITHER STADIUM OR WILSON OR BOTH - - CLASS OF '60. THE WAILERS WERE HUGE IN TACOMA; THEIR SOUND WAS INCREDIBLE. I STILL PLAY TALL COOL ONE AND MAU MAU IN THE MUSIC OF MY MIND. ATTENDED THE DANCES AT THE ARMORY, THE CASTLE AND MIDLAND. THE GREATEST!

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 21, 2012 >>>

1. Is it possible for a bar to save your life? The Weekly Volcano thinks so. Whether you're looking for cocktails and conversation, or a place to brood, your favorite bar, tavern or lounge can be a home away from home. These are the places you go to commiserate, to communicate or to just get rocked. Three bars exist in Tacoma's Stadium District, and all three will be rockin' tonight. The Hub hosts the Kim Archer Band at 7 p.m. and it will be packed. The Harmon Tap Room hosts two 253Heart Music Festival stages tonight. And Doyle's Public House throws its annual Bad Sweater Party. Off the hook.

2. Throughout the month of November brave men have been attempting to eradicate cancer by growing mustaches (thus raising awareness, which is fatal to cancer). The movement is called Movember. All the Farrelli's Pizza joints are down, hosting a Big Stashe Bash tonight demanding all participants wear a big mustache to score giveaways and drink specials. That means you too ladies. The drink specials include $4 Red Hook Winterhooks and $16 buckets of five. A Best Stache Contest for men AND women will be held. Release your inner face-follicles and go balls-out manly! Oh, check out our Movember photo gallery.

3. Speaking of 253Heart Music Festival, a DJ stage has been added this year. DJ Chris Savenetti brought in an arcade full of local talent, including himself, Mr. Melanin, dAb, Deron "Suga" Jones, D:Fi and Ninja Kat. Expect house music, drum 'n' bass, jazzy rhythms, soul, funk and electro dance competing with the beeps of the arcade games. That's right, it goes down at Dorky's Arcade, beginning at 9 p.m.

4. Besides tasty tunes and big ass bottles of Grey Goose, Encore Boutique Nightclub is also know for showing a lot of skin - specifically, the ladies in the house. A good example would be its second anniversary party last week. Tonight, expect to see more skin when Playboy's Miss September Alana Campos drops by for the club's Pre-Thanksgiving Party tonight at 10 p.m.

5. Punk rock returns to O'Malley's Irish Pub at 8 p.m. in the form of South 11th, Sok and the Faggots, Deathbed Confessions and Burn The Threshold.

LINK: Wednesday, Nov. 21 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

IT'S ON TONIGHT! >>>

"Honey, Parkway ruined your Thanksgiving ... again," - famous last words to be spoken by an attendee of another Thanksgiving eve at Tacoma's Parkway Tavern.

The event is aptly named and according to manager John O'Gara, "It all started a few years ago as a bit of an accident. I'm not sure when the day before Thanksgiving became the biggest drinking holiday of the year but it is."

Think about it: college kids are home visiting the family after months of studying (binge drinking), pulling all-nighters (binge drinking) and worrying about midterms (binge drinking). And it's not just the college-aged drinkers who have transformed this evening as the most popular drinking holiday of the year. It's the men and women who get Thanksgiving Day off, which let's face it is most people as almost all businesses shut down or close early to allow the practice of thankfulness, football watching and stuffing ourselves full of tryptophan and gravy.

The first pre-Thanksgiving party at the Parkway was so off the hook O'Gara recalls thinking, "If this group of people were to join forces not only would they take over here but they could conquer Tacoma. It was almost riot status."

The Parkway Tavern is known for its eclectic, tasty beers and seasonal brews - specifically potent that can knock you on your ass. And your ass could be in trouble again tonight. The Parkway will offer extra seasonal brews on tap, just for the occasion. The hops lovers who like that fuzzy tongue feeling can chug on the likes of Schooner Hoppy The Woodsman and Supergoose IPA. If you prefer to make your brew into a meal and chew your way through it Jolly Rogers and Dog Fish Head Miles Davis Bitches Brew will hit the spot. And naturally for those looking forward to Thanksgiving go-to desserts there will be a couple of pumpkin ales available.

Here's what's on tap tonight: Maritime Pacific Jolly Roger 2010, Maritime Pacific Jolly Roger 2011, Southern Tier Pumking, Southern Tier Old Man Winter 2011, Russian River Temptation, Avery Samael, Avery duganA IPA, Boneyard Aleias, Schooner Hoppy the Woodsman 2011, Hale's Bourbon Barrel Aged Supergoose IPA, North Coast Barrel Aged Grand Cru, Dogfish Head Mile's Davis Bitches Brew, Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper and Timmermans Pumpkin Lambicus.

This year is sure to have another poor soul in the doghouse for being so hung-over that contributing to or even arriving to the obligatory family gathering is simply out of the question as they opt for aspirin, water and moaning in agony.

Drinking holidays are fun, until the morning after.

THE PARKWAY TAVERN, "HONEY, PARKWAY RUINED YOUR THANKSGIVING ... AGAIN," WEDNESDAY, NOV. 21, 6 P.M. TO CLOSE, 313 N. I ST., TACOMA, (253) 383-8748

EFF OFF BLACK FRIDAY >>> 

UPDATE: Having a sale for Small Business Saturday? Tell our 6,100+ Facebook fans about it by posting it on our page.

I have grown tired of your gimmicks and shenanigans and glittery advertisements. I am officially breaking up with you.

I, along with millions of conscientious consumers, am putting my foot down and letting that turkey settle a day longer before spending my hard-earned cash. That's right, the movement that started in 2010, that has gained momentum and gained my love - Small Business Saturday - is taking the nation by storm. 

And I'm in.

A website and Facebook page are devoted to the cause, and small businesses everywhere are celebrating.

"But, wait!" you might say, your voice dripping with deals, "Ballerina Barbie is only $2.99, wouldn't your children be delighted?"

"No!" I'd shout back, "Black Friday, you are nothing more than a media control tactic to warp our sense of gratification, when really our local economy will thrive and our sense of self-worth will soar when we shop at our neighborhood stores!"

And your little wingman, Cyber Monday, can shove off, too.

Did Small Business Saturday includes technological businesses, too? Info Tech in Federal Way sells computers and parts and will service your device so you don't have to go out and buy a new one and 4th Dimension Computers and Technology in Lacey has been locally owned for more than 15 years and offers deals on not only computers, but ultrabooks, LCD, LED and Plasma TVs.

And there are dozens and dozens of little boutiques, craft fairs, toy shops, galleries and more that provide cuter, classier, more original gifts than your Ballerina Barbie or two-in-one chair massager.

Black Friday, you and your little cohorts can take your long lines, China-made toys, door busting stress and forget about me.

I'm shopping locally on Saturday.

Sincerely,

Nikki McCoy

LINK: Shift Your Shopping Tacoma

BRING ON THE VIBE >>>

Sometimes Bobble Tiki gets irritated. Sometimes it's the rockets red glare over Gaza. Sometimes it's factory pollution in China. Sometimes it's batshit crazy talk, like adding eight cents to barely edible chain pizzas because of health care.

Sometimes it's something else.

Bobble Tiki guesses you could say he has a fair amount of pent-up anger and resentment. Feelings like these don't exactly generate boatloads of friends.

Sometimes Bobble Tiki also gets depressed. Sometimes Bobble Tiki hates himself most of all. It's not as much fun as hating other things, but that doesn't seem to stop him from doing it. Sometimes Bobble Tiki's heart rate slows down, his eyes glaze over, and he feels like staring at the wall for a whole weekend. Bobble Tiki considers this a god given right, but admits it's not the most social activity.

What Bobble Tiki often needs is something to pull him from a particular funk or rut - something to lure him out of his shell, into the world - something that makes him remember the good aspects of interacting with humanity. That something could be reggae.

Bobble Tiki is talking about real reggae. Not streaming out of a little pod while people mull over musty mulled wine, mortifying mistletoe moments and situations involving coats piled up on the bed in a Gore-Tex orgy to make the guests who own them feel unwelcome. Nope, Bobble Tiki is ready for some live reggae ... in public, no less.

Alas! Ben Alaalatoa of BTOA Entertainment will have hangers for coats and four reggae-like bands for your enjoyment Saturday at the Temple Theater: Fiji from Honolulu, Bonafide from Las Vegas, Two Story Zori out of Seattle and Tacoma's own Island Trybe featuring PO Boxx.

Fiji is huge in Hawaii. Bigger than Bobble Tiki. Born George Brooks Veikoso, Fiji lays down an exotic fusion of classic reggae, hip-hop, R&B and jazz, which dials in nice when swaying from a hammock or tossing back Long Island Ice Teas at Moose McGillycuddy's on Maui. Just sayin'. Fiji also performs a mean version of "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay."

When Bonafide isn't riding the gondolas at the Venetian, the Las Vegas band serves up good rhythms infused with sultry base lines coupled with Jr. Rootz gracing each track with his smooth soothing vocals.

What's your story Two Story Zori? Bobble Tiki guesses its four dudes from Guam, one from Hawaii and one from Vietnam, channeling Bob Marley, Natural Vibrations and Tribal Seeds to produce island reggae tunes from its home base of Seattle.

Island Trybe hails from Tacoma, with Guam in its heart, and fuses rap, reggae and R&B with its island musical roots.

Bobble Tiki expects an insane amount of positive vibes at this show - especially with money raised headed toward Families for Effective Autism Treatment of Wasington.

TEMPLE THEATER, SATURDAY, NOV. 24, 7 P.M., $25 AT TICKETMASTER, $30 AT DOOR, 47 SAINT HELENS AVE. TACOMA, 253.691.3173