SATURDAY, FEB. 2 2013 >>>
1. Inspired by the lack of variety in dance music in Tacoma, Calvin Murphy and Omar Stokes founded Ocean Grooves Entertainment in January 1999. They started off strong that February with Monday night shows at the 6th & Proctor Bar & Grill (later became Hell's Kitchen) and dedicated Mondays to underground dance music showcasing various DJs from Seattle, plus Tacoma favorites such as Donald Glaude and DJ dAb. Fourteen years later, Murphy and Omarvelous are still throwing DJ parties, including their own 14th anniversary bash tonight at 10 p.m. inside Jazzbones. DJs Cyphers, Omarvelous, dAb, Mr. Clean and Jason Diamond will spin house and its variations.
2. Local author S.E. Shell will launch and sign a new children’s book Coffee with Orange Sherbert at 2 p.m. inside Mostly Books in Gig Harbor. Fully illustrated by local artist Mary Elizabeth Smith, the book has a maritime theme and has a cover illustration by teen artist Tova Beck. Gig Harbor’s Art of Chocolate Walk also happens from noon to 6 p.m.
3. Australian Circus Oz is back for two more performances - 2 and 7:30 p.m. - inside the Pantages Theater. Formed in 1978, Oz is a rock and roll, animal free circus of musicians, acrobats, contortionists and artsy clowns. However, because Oz doesn't have the financial backing of Cirque du Soleil, it only has a dozen or so performers doing all the acts. Whether you've been awaiting its show or have never heard of them before, read five reasons you should be Circus Oz's new biggest fan here.
4. There's plenty of smooching and sex talk in Harlequin Production's Or, as its primary characters are what the English of their time label "libertines." We'd more likely call them swingers or (in a praiseworthy turn of phrase popularized by Easton and Hardy in 1997) "ethical sluts." The show becomes a highbrow reflection of that inexplicably cherished 1970s sitcom, Three's Company, in which pansexual hijinks were always on the other side of any closed door. Read Weekly Volcano theater critic Christian Carvajal's review of Harlequin Production's OR, in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.
5. Oaklawn, Fall City, Just Cuz and Audentia perform at 8 p.m. inside the all-ages venue Live Room in Sumner. Weekly Volcano all-ages music columnist Rockford Rowley has the scoop on Oaklawn.
PLUS: Art of Chocolate Walk, Scared Harp Singing, Illuminated Ball and the Neon Man in our Weekend Hustle
LINK: Saturday, Feb. 2 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area
