WE SEEN IT >>>

A Native American flash mob popped up at 2 p.m. today inside the Food Court at the Tacoma Mall. The peaceful demonstration was in support of Canada's Idle No More movement - a protest of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's legislation and the overall treatment and conditions of aboriginals in Canada.

The "spontaneous" flash mob round dance - which consisted of beating drums, chanting and singing traditional songs - drew around 20 police officers and frightened nearby shop owners who immediately closed.

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Yesterday's comment of the day comes from Heather in response to our video of protesters beating hide drums and singing coastal tribal songs during a flash demonstration yesterday in the Tacoma Mall to support First Nations peoples who are lobbying Canada's government. Heather was among many who commented on the video.

Heather writes,

The shops closing their doors is a silly response to native people gathering peacefully to draw attention to issues that are generally ignored by the rest of the world. Why on earth would there be arrests or evictions as a result of store owners overreacting? This was a brilliantly planned and executed moment of illumination. Well done, to those who planned and participated.

THURSDAY, DEC. 27, 2011 >>>

1. Raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Comedian Marc Ryan feeds his rambunctious stand-up performances with Southern stereotypes and anecdotal snippets from his own upbringing, packing his bits with quips about Walmart, family woes and drunken follies. Catch Ryan at 8 p.m. inside the Tacoma Comedy Club.

2. Abracadabra! Hocus-pocus! Rama-lama-ding-dong! Local magician Jeff Evans will teach kids important lessons at 2 p.m. inside the Olympia Timberland Library. We're not going to guarantee you scantily clad assistants, but audience participation is enforced, so keep an eye on your watch - there's a fine line between David Copperfield and a pickpocket.

3. You're sick and tired of driving through the neighborhood looking at the homes of people who think they deserve an award for their light displays. You deserve to take a night to go see ZooLights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Billed as the region's biggest walk-through light show, ZooLights includes animated light sculptures, live entertainment, snacks, animal encounters and the Paul Titus Carousel. While enjoying your stroll, be thankful you're not in charge of this holiday light display. The lights flip on at 5 p.m.

4. The always entertaining Billy Stoops hosts an open jam at Stonegate Pizza tonight. Start your weekend a wee-bit early with a trip down to South Tacoma Way.

5. Unless you're some kind of stiff, you like to laugh. And people in Tacoma who like to laugh seem to enjoy Nate Jackson's Super Funny Comedy Show, which happens every Thursday at the Varsity Grill on Broadway.

LINK: Thursday, Dec. 27 arts and entertainment events in the greater TAcoma and Olympia area

THE WEEK OF DEC. 27, 2012 - JAN. 2, 2013 >>>

In this week's issue of the Weekly Volcano ...

What did you get accomplished in 2012? Some of you graduated from high school/college, some welcomed a bouncing baby boy/girl into the world, still others found/lost that perfect job. (My condolences to the latter.) As for Weekly Volcano film critic Christopher Wood, just another typical year fighting his future self while rising to save Gotham from a wheezy tyrant. Then he found myself in a little skirmish on the high seas involving aliens and battleships, but that story seems to bore folks. There he goes again, confusing reality with the movies he saw this year. Instead of picking the best movies of 2012, Wood enlisted the help of a few good men, local filmmakers who personally know a thing about crafting silver screen magic.

Humble Cub's last album, back in 2010, concerned itself with the beach, Five Mile Drive, and the sensation of hanging onto youth and relationships in long car rides and buzzed hikes. Telegram From Your Future Life,the band's latest, is conversely all about living, working and playing music in downtown Tacoma - an urban wood not entirely dissimilar from the beach that so enamored frontman Allan Boothe back in 2010. Weekly Volcano music critic Rev. Adam McKinney reviews the new CD before Humble Cub takes the stage twice this weekend.

Picking up an album and examining the cover is the first step when shopping for, listening to or contemplating music. Sometimes gazing at the cover, studying the inside jackets and analyzing the art is half the fun. Nikki McCoy asked Weekly Volcano arts critic Alec Clayton to give his impression of a handful of recently released Olympia-based album cover art.

It's a given many folk had major kitchen fails this holiday season. Weekly Volcano food writer Jackie Fender is a darn good cook, yet she cannot for the life of her make gravy that isn't lumpy. To avoid the glaring eyes, polite decline for seconds and giggles, Fender presents a few South Sound cooking classes. 

We're getting a little misty-eyed here at Weekly Volcano World Headquarters, where 12 months of 2012 have passed like a speeding coal train through Tacoma. Those of us whose careers depend on newsy doings owe the year 2012 a major professional debt. The Weekly Volcano presents the top South Sound stories of 2012.

PLUS: Music critics' picks of the week

PLUS: New work by Devin Reynolds at Fulcrum Gallery

PLUS: Josh Rizeberg's hip-hop column

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Reading Like A Writer

In my Christmas stocking was one of the better gifts I've received. It was a copy of On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King. It's true; writers want to read about writing. The only thing that could have made this gift better would be a chance to discuss it with other writers.

Perhaps that wish will come true; a new book club was formed two weeks ago in Tacoma that aims to read a variety of books on writing.

The Reading Like a Writer Book Club — currently sits eight members and plans to meet up every two weeks — will hold its first meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan 2 at founder Sue Pivetta's house in Old Town.

Pivetta started the group to go beyond the typical writing critiques of grammar and punctuation. 

Good writing, she says, "Is not about mechanics, it's more about the language."

This is the concept of the first book to be discussed, Reading Like A Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them, by Francine Prose. The premise is an exploration of the techniques of writing style hidden in the dialogue of books we read, or more specifically, some of the books that Prose admires.

While Pivetta says the group will collectively choose future books — with King's book in the running — the lean will be toward classics, such as The Elements of Style by Stunk and White.

For more information, or to join the group, visit the Reading Like a Writer Book Club Meetup page.

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Yesterday's comment of the day comes from Dave L. in response to our story about the Never Never Land figurines going on sale at Broadway's Best in downtown Tacoma. The figures are sculpted from fiberglass and molds by Hungarian sculptor Elek Imredy.

Dave L. writes,

Elek Imredy is no small name in the world of public art, and his bronze works are in places such as Stanley Park. Though he passed away in the 90's, I'm quite sure he still has family in Vancouver BC. These pieces represent even more than our beloved Never Never Land.

May I add that in correspondence I had a few years ago with a wonderful and helpful librarian at the Vancouver Art Gallery (BC), she quoted text from an interview with Elek Imredy, in which he referred to the “two different commissions to make a series of nursery thyme characters…” He went on to say, ”These figures were primarily for young children and they can be the most discerning of all critics! (a smile) But when I do a job, I try to do my best and that is what I did here also. I am a professional sculptor.” If you have seen “Girl in a Wetsuit” in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, that’s Imredy’s, also.

FRIDAY, DEC. 28 2012 >>>

1. Humble Cub's last album, back in 2010, concerned itself with the beach, Five Mile Drive, and the sensation of hanging onto youth and relationships in long car rides and buzzed hikes. Telegram From Your Future Life, the band's latest, is conversely all about living, working and playing music in downtown Tacoma - an urban wood not entirely dissimilar from the beach that so enamored frontman Allan Boothe back in 2010. Humble Cub releases its new CD tonight with Roswell at The Space in downtown Tacoma. The all-ages show kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's review of Humble Cub's album Telegram From Your Future Life in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

2. Federal Way Commons Mall (1928 South Commons, Federal Way) hosts an indoor market from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Expect produce, crafts, food and other goods. Stay warm and shop market style.

3. Tis the season to entertain and be jolly. Let's be honest, spirits help. Liquor store giant BevMo (2330 S. 37th St., Tacoma) opens its tasting room 4-7 p.m. for New Belgium Folly and Blue Moon Seasonal sips.

4. At 5 p.m., local artist Lisa Kinoshita presents Bridle Show at Fulcrum Gallery, where she will discuss her experience with the inmates of Dear Lodge, Mont. and share the meticulous process of horsehair hitching which passed through more than a century of inmates. Prisoners are allowed to sell their art in the gift shop, often bringing in thousands of dollars while preserving the craft and providing a sense of self-worth.

5. Immigrant Pilgrim — Patrick Galactic and Chris Nunley — perform an all-ages show at 5:30 p.m. inside the Amocat Cafe in Tacoma.

LINK: Friday, Dec. 28 arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

DANCING, YEAH >>>

Tacoma Art Museum is going all out to ring in 2013 the right way - with some art, some food, some drinks and a whole lot of party. You want to do New Year's all glitzy and ritzy? Tacoma Art Museum's Studio 54 New Year's Eve Bash is the place.

"Unleash your inner celebrity," tempts Tacoma Art Museum's website. "Be glamorous. Be free. Be you."

The Andy Warhol exhibit will be open for the wandering. Once you're done hobnobbing amongst the art, proceed with wild abandon to the dance floor. Upon said dance floor, enjoy spiffy dance beats by DJ Marc Sense of Integral DJ. If the dance floor is where you shine, join in the dance contests to strut your stuff. Other perks of the evening include dance performances by Studio 6 Ballroom, drinks by The Mix, a photo booth by 1000 Words, and food and snacks at the café.

Wear your finest or dress in costume - from Venetian masks to quirky creations, Studio 54 welcomes your costumes. Come up with the best costume in the land and there may be a prize in it for you.

There are three levels of tickets: the Party Pass at $50, Gold Level VIP Pass at $100, and Platinum Level VIP Pass at $150. VIP access gets you into special areas, a private no host bar, and other private areas. Platinum Level allows you to dance the night away on an illuminated dance floor.

TACOMA ART MUSEUM, MONDAY, DEC. 31, 9 P.M., $50-$150, 1701 PACIFIC AVE., TACOMA, 253.272.4258

LINK: New Year's Eve parties in the South Sound

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Cloudy, hi 44, lo 38

Saturday: Partly sunny with a shower, hi 43, lo 34

Sunday: Partly sunny, hi 40, lo 32

>>> FRIDAY, DEC. 28: BRIDLE SHOW

I read that it takes an average of two hours to create one inch of horsehair hitching, the art of twisting and knotting horse tail hairs in to intricate and detailed patterns and designs, often in the form of wearable art, horse bridles or decoration.

The process is so tedious and time consuming, that most of the folks still producing this fine art are found in prison, where, for many, there is no end to the hours in a day. While a handful of prisons have adopted the art, specifically, state prisoners in Deer Lodge, Mont. (MSP) have garnished praise for their craftsmanship and dedication to keeping the art alive.

This Friday, local artist Lisa Kinoshita presents Bridle Show at Fulcrum Gallery, where she will discuss her experience with the inmates of MSP and share the meticulous process of horsehair hitching which passed through more than a century of inmates. Prisoners are allowed to sell their art in the gift shop, often bringing in thousands of dollars while preserving the craft and providing a sense of self-worth.

"Hitching inside prison is a very special privilege, and inmates have to buy their own materials and do it in their limited free time, after their chores," explains Kinoshita. "The administrative staff says it helps calm the atmosphere, reduce tension and build inmates' self-confidence. I was very impressed by the fortitude of the artists I met."

Kinoshita has also done collaboration work with a few of the prisoners and has taken up the art of leather working as a parallel to the hitching.

"I had wanted to learn hitching, but eventually realized that - short of committing a serious crime in Montana - it would take too long for me to really learn the craft," she says. "So, I took up leather working instead - I'm a scant beginner - which also has centuries of history behind it, and is madly beautiful. The bridle in the show took 450 ft. of kangaroo leather to make, and I can't wait to start the next piece." - Nikki McCoy

• Fulcrum Gallery, 5 p.m., free, 1308 S. MLK Way, Tacoma
  

>>> FRIDAY, DEC. 28: IMMIGRANT PILGRIM

"Amocat is a great spot to see music because they have a room that's isolated from the rest of the venue that has great acoustics, tons of places to sit and it's right in front of a storefront window so people look in as performers are playing. They don't host a lot of music but when they do, they do it very well." This is the praise that Patrick Galactic gives the venue space where he and Chris Nunley will play Friday evening as Immigrant Pilgrim, where the two incorporate acoustic guitar with electro beats and atmosphere. "It's a lush sound, haunted almost," says Galactic. Adam Hendricks, a veteran singer-songwriter will be opening the show with his distinct brand of psychedelic folk-blues and handcrafted ales will be flowing all night. The show is free and all ages. - NM

• Amocat Cafe, 5:30 p.m., free, 625 St. Helen's Ave, Tacoma, 253.242.3370

>>> FRIDAY. DEC. 28-TUESDAY, JAN. 1: MODEL TRAIN FESTIVAL

There are some hobbies better kept to yourself. You know, the ones you do alone in your basement late at night. And then there are some truly cool hobbies, like model railroads. These should be celebrated and dragged out in the open for all to admire. This is why the Model Train Festival, downtown Tacoma's biggest model railroad exposition (taking into account, of course, the relatively small size of the subjects at hand because they are, of course, models), is being held through Jan. 1, instead of like, a half hour. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy every floor of the Washington State History Museum filled with operating modular layouts. — Weekly Volcano

• Washington State History Museum, through Jan. 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.3500
  

>>> FRIDAY. DEC. 28-SUNDAY, DEC. 30: A CHRISTMAS SURVIVAL GUIDE

After 17 years of Stardust holiday schmaltz-fests, Harlequin director Linda Whitney outsourced her holiday revue-writing to James Hindman and Ray Roderick of Miracle or 2 Productions, authors of 2003's A Christmas Survival Guide. From a critical standpoint, it's a welcome change; especially since this anthology's aimed squarely at cynical adults weary of the hustle, bustle, and rabid commercialism of 21st-century holidays. It plays to the Whitneys' principal strengths: live pop music, technical design and intelligence (in no particular order). It also introduces diminutive spitfire Amy Shephard, newly returned from grad school at Exeter, to the Harlequin stage, where she joins revue regulars Antonía Darlene and Christian Doyle. — Christian Carvajal

Read Christian Carvajal's full review of A Christmas Survival Guide in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

• Harlequin Productions, through Dec. 30, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $25-$38, 202 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.786.0151
  

>>> SATURDAY. DEC. 29: COMIC BOOKS SIGNING

Nerdy Stuffs is just that. It's store full of nerdy stuff, especially comic books. Join other nerds for Nerdy Stuff's first-ever comic book signing. Dang, I just wrote "nerd" four times. Make that five. Anyway, this Saturday, Tim Seeley - creator of Image Comics hit, Hack/Slash, as well as co-contributor of many others including GI Joe, Love Bunny and Mr. Hell - will be in-store for a signing and meet and greet. Also present will be Chuck Messinger, author of Stink, and local writer Marie Frances, who wrote the successful Night Hawk. Steve Frank, who wrote the horror cult comic, Zombies Vs. Cheerleaders and Nathan "Rock" Quarry, famed UFC and MMA Fighter and creator of Zombie Cage Fighter will also be there. A Q & A will be available for all the nerdy fans as well as special signed prints. - NM

• Nerdy Stuffs, 1-4 p.m., free admission, 115 176th St., Spanaway, 253.267.1850

>>> SATURDAY, DEC. 29: RETRO SKATE NIGHT

Go old school in Puyallup Saturday at another Retro Skate Night at Tiffany's Skate Inn. Retro is all the rage these days, from Atari to tube socks, and Retro Skate Nights at Tiffany's - featuring tunes from the '70s, '80s and '90s - are probably better than both of those things. Get funky from 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. — WV

• Tiffany's Skate Inn, 7-10 p.m., $7, 113 N Meridian, Puyallup, 253.848.1153

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
My only plans this weekend are to read, hit the gym (to burn all those holiday carbs), and spend some gift card money. Thanks, Santa!

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
I think I'm going to try and set a record for sleeping.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
A little reading, a lot of writing and a possible stop by the Pig Bar Saturday night to see the Illustrious Danny play. Oh, and a coin toss to see whether we should put my cat down because he keeps pissing on my bed, the crotchety old man orange tabby that he is.

JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
Friday, Beanz & Rize will be guests on Screwed Loose Radio, a successful syndicated hip-hop show put-on by Diggs Bozon. The show is on NWCZradio.com & gojuiceradio.com. Just to make sure ya know, Beanz & Rize is my new hip-hop group with MC Coo Beanz. Our self-titled album is out now on bandcamp and we have three sweet videos on YouTube. Get-hip! Have a good weekend Family!

JACKIE FENDER Food Writer
Nothing interesting here. Serving up breakfast goodies over the weekend, sleeping, reading and writing. Riveting I know.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
Friday and Saturday, the husband, two year old and I will be DRIVING home from Denver. Hopefully the boy will do as well on his drive TO Denver as he does home. A highlight along the way will be to stop at a gas station outside of Twin Falls to pet the alpacas and buy more chips and snacks. Sunday we will go to church and then do N O T H I N G the rest of the day (well, other than watch football).

NIC LEONARD Music Writer
Unfortunately all I'm doing this weekend is working.

ROCKFORD ROWLEY All-Ages Music Columnist
This weekend a friend and I will be apartment hunting in downtown Tacoma. Hoping for hardwood floors and a great view! And I will of course be sniffing out some good live music in north end.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT >>>

I would imagine the weekend between Christmas and New Year's Day is a good one. There are plenty of things to be happy about right now - Seahawks included. Personally, this Jewish kid could not care less about football. For me, these two weeks are a true total vacation. I do Chanukah, but it is nowhere near the messy run around spend all yo $ extravaganza that my friends who celebrate Christmas experience. I get to check out and move at a slower pace than everyone. It gives me much needed rest, relaxation and clarity. This is a major time of the year for shows and entertainment, as everyone is back in town visiting their families and there seems to be all kinds of reasons to celebrate.

Tonight, I suggest hitting the free Kwanzaa Celebration at the Colored Women's Club (2316 S. Yakima Ave., Tacoma). Why? Cause it's put on by friends and members of our hip-hop community - Stella Haioulani with Free Ya Mind and D.J. Luvva J with Live from I-5. These two are the most powerful brother/sister one-two combination I have ever seen. Both are activists, educators, entrepreneurs and movers and shakers of their communities. If there is something good going on in the community, more than likely one of them or both is helping to make it happen.

The Kwanzaa Celebration runs from 7-11 p.m. and includes spoken word, music, dance and food. I bet there is even time for any open micers out there.

Sunday, stay home and listen to ILLFIGHTYOU on Street Sounds on KEXP 90.3, www.kexp.org. They will be doing a live in-studio performance at 8 p.m. Make sure ya watch their video "Batcave" at www.illfightyou.com so ya know what to expect.

LINK: Josh Rizeberg's What's The Word? hip-hop column