HOW TWEET IT IS >>>

Whether you've been on Twitter since its beginnings in 2006 or you're a Twitter neophyte, you know keeping up on important tweets can be overwhelming. If you follow everything and everyone that you find interesting, you can end up with hundreds and hundreds of Tweets showing up in your feed on a daily basis.

Don't despair. Every Saturday the Weekly Volcano shares important and pointless Tweets from South Sound Twitter accounts, and sometimes beyond, so you may stay on top of weather and Harlem Shake news - as well as the latest action on the streets.

Yes. It happened...at my high school...#SHS #tacoma #washingtonStadium High School Harlem Shake youtube.com/watch?v=socaot… via @youtube

— Adriana (@dearmisswortley) February 23, 2013

Went to @museumofglass for Third Thursday last night. Fabulous young local artists and galleries! #Tacoma #stunning twitter.com/PugetSoundCEN/…

— Chelsea Noble (@PugetSoundCEN) February 23, 2013

That awkward moment when you realize buzz is on the bathroom with you! #tacoma… instagr.am/p/WDCs9xjxU8/

— Chris H(@JavaBilliards) February 22, 2013

OMG!! Look at this person. Only in downtown Tacoma this happens. WTH!!! #scary #elevator #tacoma… instagr.am/p/WC-gZqJVs8/

— NORMAJEAN (@NORMS1898) February 22, 2013

NEW ARRIVAL: ALL TWIN PEAKS on VHS! at the Central Tacoma Free Radial Media Exchange

— RR Anderson (@RR_Anderson) February 22, 2013

#Tacoma, I hope to see you at the @grandcinema academy awards party on Sunday.

— Brian Johnson (@CaptainChunk) February 22, 2013

Made stuffed peppers for dinner w/local @grassfeddirect gr. beef. Noticeable high quality and great flavor #tacoma ow.ly/i/1yZyt

— Adrienne (@TacomaFoodie) February 22, 2013

Tacoma News Tribune: A glimmer of progress for downtown Tacoma's planned McMenamins bit.ly/YeDaUK #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) February 22, 2013

The deal for land for the Prairie Line Trail north of UWT has one little billboard-shaped problem. exit133.com/7425/prairie-l… #Tacoma

— Exit133 (@exit133) February 22, 2013

#tacoma i might have to break up with you. these shenanigans have gone too far. instagr.am/p/WCiIcdtgXt/

— Dan (@danielcantread) February 22, 2013

Breaking news on New Takhoman & Tacoma Urbanist: "#Tacoma City Council is Unfriendly To Space Transit!" let's get a progressive council!

— Daniel Rahe (@danrahe) February 21, 2013

Now that the Murray Morgan Bridge is finally open again... it will be closed starting tonight. exit133.com/7428/murray-mo… #Tacoma

— Exit133 (@exit133) February 21, 2013

Hey #Tacoma nerds, Cafe Brosseau is hosting a games night this Friday: facebook.com/photo.php?fbid…

— Brian Kerr (@chairkicker) February 21, 2013

Business owners, here’s a chance to learn how to be more sustainable: bit.ly/YBpZLF #tacoma

— Tacoma News Tribune (@thenewstribune) February 20, 2013

Central #Tacoma Free-Radical Media Exchange Rain Flap Tutorial: youtu.be/MkZelLXX42w

— RR Anderson (@RR_Anderson) February 20, 2013

Tacoma News Tribune: New Boeing contract splits engineers, tech workers bit.ly/13dugGn #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) February 20, 2013

Well over 60% of the total films nominated for Academy Awards this year screened or are scheduled to screen at our Cinema. #TGC #Tacoma

— Grand Cinema (@GrandCinema) February 19, 2013

Tacoma News Tribune: State Farm's national expansion plans coming to light — but what does it mean ... bit.ly/UETVZm #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) February 19, 2013

It doesn't matter how many times it is explained to me, I will never understand what toner is or does

— Kenny Coble (@kennycoble) February 18, 2013

Tacoma News Tribune: Taking up the baton: Tacoma Symphony Orchestra looks for new artistic director bit.ly/WCD1ZO #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) February 17, 2013

#Cork in #Tacoma. If you haven't been there go!Great wine, good food, great times ????

— Jenny(@jwsmiles) February 16, 2013

Follow the Weekly Volcano on Twitter. Because otherwise we're coming to your house, and while we will bring wine, we will not, under any circumstances, take off our shoes.

GOOD TIMES >>>

Wednesday's 2013 Best of Olympia Awards Party was - to put it as professionally as possible - awesome. The Weekly Volcano's annual celebration of its Best of Olympia issue drew the biggest crowd yet - this year held at the Capitol Theater in downtown Olympia. Because of the Capitol Theater's professional sound, lighting and stage, the party was more of a show, including emcee Elizabeth Lord introducing acts, telling stories, running the raffle with hyper-local prizes and keeping the show moving. There were some special moments: Lord singing the "Kids Must Go To The Lobby" song before every TUSH! Burlesque performance, the guitar work by band Science!, Mosquito Hawk rockin' faces off including the two super fans up front, "Best Arts MVP" Stephanie Johnson giving props to the Olympia community, watching Pappi Swarner run up and down the aisle with the raffle box and, of course, the lovely ladies of TUSH!.

Above all, what makes Best of Olympia Awards parties, well, the best are the award winners and people who attend. Olympia is a tight-knit community with everyone cheering each other on, hugging, sharing beers and discussing their next collaborative ventures. It's a wonderful vibe.

One love, Thurston County. xo   

LINK: 2013 Best of Olympia Awards Party photos

BONUS: "Best Music Video Producer" Red Williamson snapped photos too

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

4th Ave Ale House Olympia - Downtown. Horse Bodies CD Release Party, with Elbow Coulee, I Like Science. 9 pm. $5.

• Horse Bodies is celebrating its CD release at the 4th Ave Tav. With Elbow Coulee and I Like Science, the show will certainly entertain. Horse Bodies have been jamming for more than five years and continue to clippity-clop its way into the ears and music libraries of South Sound rock hounds. - Nikki McCoy
  

Ben Moore's Cafe Olympia - Downtown. Chung Antique, Tired Joke, SSRIs, Clayface. 9:30 pm. $5.

C.I. Shenanigans Tacoma - Northend. KC Brakes presents pop folk rock night. All Ages. 7-10 pm. NC.

Columbia City Theater Seattle. Bodybox, True Holland, In Cahoots. 7:30 pm. $8 pre show $10 at door.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Eddie Spaghetti, Metal Marty. 9 pm.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Hells Belles (AC/DC tribute). All Ages. 5 pm. Hells Belles (AC/DC tribute), The Graceland Five. 21+. 9 pm.

• Hell's Belles returns to Jazzbones Saturday, where last November they blasted Bobble Tiki's eardrums and raised the Jazzbones' temperature to hell-like heat with its all-female brand of chugging, riffing rock. The all-female AC/DC tribute band gets 'em in the door, but guitarist Adrian Connor (Angus incarnate with more energy!) and singer Amber Saxon from Australia (belting Bon and Brian with Tina Turner sass) keeps 'em coming back.  The onstage exuberance shown by these gals could pummel a brick wall into submission. Whether strutting, swaying, or the most important of all true r'n'r rituals, soloing, Hell's Belles makes it known that it came to shake things up. It's classic cock-rock without the, uh, receding hairline. - Bobble Tiki
  

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Full Moon Radio Anniversary Party, with The Deep Wile, The Have At Its. 9 pm.

• I've made it no secret that I'm a fan of the 2013 Best of Olympia Best New Band Full Moon Radio. Saturday night they will host a free EP release and one-year anniversary party at Le Voyeur. Copies of the new EP, Drop Off, will be available, and auditions for a roadie are still open for when the ladies head off on tour in March. Catch 'em with The Deep Wile and The Have At Its for a night of luscious rock 'n' roll. - NM

The Loch's Tacoma - Downtown. Fresh Blends Reblended. DJs Reign and Iceman, Auraswon, Lofton and Beans & Rize. 9 pm. $5-$10.

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. The Saints Of Damnation, Riot In Rhythm, Tyranny Theory, Degree Of Disorder. All Ages. 8 pm.

Magoo's Annex Tacoma - Northend. Taxi Driver. Farewell show for Ricky German featuring Najamonique on vocals. 8:30 pm. NC.

McCoy's Tavern Olympia - Downtown. Pet Products, Fitz of Depression. 9 pm.

Morso Wine Bar Gig Harbor. Americana Music Series, featuring Kevin Fisher. 8 pm. $25.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Santee Record Release Show. 8 pm.

Northern Olympia - Downtown. Grand Jury Resisters Benefit, with Sharkpact, Dogjaw, The Chain, Box, Prank War, MXL JXN, We Play Quiet. All Ages. 4 pm. $5-$100.

The Olympia Ballroom Olympia - Downtown. Balkan Brass Massive Meets Klezmer Funk! Orkestar Zirkonium of Seattle vs. Erev Rav of Olympia. All Ages. 8:30 pm. $10/$8 student.

• The 2013 Best of Olympia Best Band winner Erev Rav performs Saturday night in downtown Oly. Erev Rav pulls together with Seattle's great Orkestar Zirkonium, a brass-and-drum band, for an unforgettable night of perfectly executed dance and rhythm. With Erev Rav weighing in at seven members, and Orkestar Zirkonium with 13, the layers of instruments, the influences of sound, and the personal style of each musician heard, will surely touch each listener's soul. - NM

Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma - Downtown. Accidental Heroes. 9 pm.

The Royal Lounge Olympia - Downtown. DBST, Funk Agency. 7 pm. Pass Out VIP Party, with JRoc, QParris, Yung Zakk, Zikki Carr. 10 pm.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. The Bog Hoppers. 8 pm.

Track House Olympia - Downtown. Mos Generator, Black Pussy. 8 pm.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. ABATE Benefit Soup Cook-Off, with MPB Band. 9 pm.

Waterstreet Cafe Olympia - Downtown. The New York Trio Plus One. 9:30 pm. NC.

LINK: More live music Saturday, Feb. 23 in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, FEB. 24 2013 >>>

1. The 85th annual Academy Awards has arrived, and there exists really only two options for you tonight - you can either watch Daniel Day-Lewis win Best Actor from Tacoma's swanky Theatre on the Square thanks to the Grand Cinema, or watch Daniel Day-Lewis win Best Actor at Olympia's equally swanky Capitol Theater. Before the show starts at the latter, find a good seat to watch fellow guests arrive in their best duds on the Capitol's mammoth screen. Enjoy yourself, and may the best Dan win on Oscar night.

2. As you have heard, the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra seeks a new music director. One of the four finalists for the job, Maestro Sarah Ioannides, will make her debut with the TSO at 2:30 p.m. for a little Glinka's Overature to Russlan and Ludmilla, Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 and other pieces at the Pantages Theater.

3. Saxophonist Kareem Kandi's sound is virtually unrelated to the roomy traditions of soul saxes, honking saxes or deep-chested boudoir ballad saxes. It derives from the classic, free, often enthusiastic tradition of Joshua Redman as filtered through Dexter Gordon and Sonny Stitt, all of whose shadows can be traced-Redman in Kandi's funky organicism, Gordon in his dynamic harmonics, Stitt in the intensity that coats his every note with a Gritty City finish. Catch the Kareem Kandi Band from 3-6 p.m. at Uncle Thurm's BBQ in Tacoma's Lincoln District.

4. Here are three reasons yo should head to Northern at 8 p.m. to catch a live performance featuring R. Stevie Moore, LAKE and Visiting Nurses. R. Stevie Moore! Moore is the kind of outsider-genius-weirdo-musician that consumes whole websites and books. LAKE is a perennial K Records favorite. It's the type of band that strikes a perfect balance of naivete and pop-sophistication. Visiting Nurses is a collaborative effort from (ex)-members of Congratulations, Broken Water and Mona Reels.

5. Portland's dirty rock 'n' roll band P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. - featuring Kelly of Pierced Arrows - is joined by Olympia's The Narrows and Portland's Don't - featuring Sam Henry of The Wipers - for a 9 p.m. show at The Brotherhood Lounge in Olympia.

LINK: Sunday, Feb. 24 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

MONDAY, FEB. 25 2013 >>>

1. Dave Randel and Arne play an acoustic show at 7 p.m. inside Le Voyeur in downtown Olympia.

2. In celebration of South Puget Sound Community College's 50th anniversary, the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts Gallery will feature works past and present from South Puget Sound art alumni. "Then and Now" opens today and will feature the work of former South Puget Sound arts students. Artists featured are Lea Mitchell, Max Stolkin, Kensuke Yamada, Jeff Hulme, Christine Auvil, David Wall, Anne St. Jean, Pat Mclain, Erin Oly, Robin Ewing, Aimee Biggerstaff and Tim Kenny. See the exhibit from noon to 4 p.m. www.spscc.ctc.edu/community-and-business/entertainment/gallery

3. The second TEDxTheEvergreenStateCollege conference is planned to inspire community members through ideas worth spreading about local innovations for a changing world from 4-7 p.m. in the Seminar 2 Building. This event will highlight innovative activities that address the needs of our community now and in the future.  Topics include electric vehicle tourism, ocean acidification, GRuB's Food Justice High, the Sustainability in Prisons Project, and energy efficient homes.

4. Some facts from U.S. prison studies: Today more African American men are in prison than in college. One in every 100 adults in this country is currently behind bars. The booming U.S. prison system calculates its future space requirements by checking how many kids are doing poorly in third grade. Thelma Jackson, education consultant to five Washington governors, and Paul Rucker, acclaimed artist and musician, will give presentations and invite audience participation at the "Education, Race, and Criminal Justice" lecture at 7 p.m. inside Schneebeck Concert Hall on the University of Puget Sound campus.

5. The Royal Lounge presents a night filled with South Sound songbirds. At 8 p.m. Jessica Blinn, Danielle Westbrook, Lizzy Boyer, Susan Tuzzolino and Betsy Perkins will take to the stage with Lorree Gardener on bass, Maria Joyner on drums, Brian Kinsella on piano, Ninee Wolff on sax and flute, and Ariel Calabria on guitar.

LINK: Monday, feb. 25 arts and entertainment events in the greater TAcoma and Olympia area

FUNDRAISER GALA >>>

Star Chefs at the Broadway Center comes with a winning formula: one part delicious dinner, one part sweet dinner show, a dash of helping out an awesome cause in the community. There are some drinks involved, too. Oh, and people have hung from the ceiling. Woohoo!

Each year, Star Chefs strives to be the best dinner party in town - and wins. The area's best chefs prepare a mah-velous meal on which you sup whilst you watch acrobats, performers, perhaps a bit of burlesque. This year, the theme centers on the magical world of Oz. Break out your ruby red shoes. Don your emerald green finest. See if your flying monkey costume from college still fits.

"We're reinventing the event this year to add to the magic," says Jane Bell, development manager at Broadway Center. "With great food from local chefs and local bartenders, you'll follow the yellow brick road through themed lounges, silent auctions all leading up to the best dinner party in town! It's a great evening to spend among friends."

The event raises funds for one of the biggest arts education programs in the entire state - one that serves 35,000 students and staff each year. To support this monumental effort, this year's event introduces a brand spankin' new online auction. Bid from the comfort of your couch in three separate auctions: It's a Twista from Feb. 15-March 5, Surrender from March 6-24 and There's No Place Like Home from March 25-April 14. Auctions start off with about 40 items each and more gets added along the way. Items range from estate planning services to great local travel deals to restaurant gift certificates.

PANTAGES THEATER, STAR CHEFS "OVER THE RAINBOW," SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 4 P.M., $200, $700 VIP, 901 BROADWAY, TACOMA, 253.591.5894

LINK: Weekly Volcano has crashed Star Chefs

GREENER PASTURES >>>

The doctor is in. If you've been grappling with making your lifestyle choices greener, the presenters and exhibitors at the fifth annual South Sound Sustainability Expo have the answers you've been seeking. Around 70 vendors and resources are included in the cost of admission, which is FREE written in big, green letters.

According to hype, the South Sound Sustainability Expo is "intended to provide residents and business owners in the greater Tacoma metropolitan area a place to discover services, products, companies, and agencies in our region that address sustainability needs in our community." As part of that goal, instruction and information on everything from urban chicken cooping to waste minimization and recycling will be discussed.

New this year is a mini farmer's market with about eight vendors selling everything from dried beans to organic ice cream; an art exhibit by local elementary schoolers in the Arts EnviroChallenger program made from refuse; and an interpretive dance by SOTA students titled What the Frack? The piece is a social commentary on fracking and has original music composed by Tacoma jazz saxophonist Kareem Kandi.

The sections of the dance interpret the environment moving from healthy to a state of digging madly for oil and then back to nature.

"Movement is abstracted from societies' multiple perspectives regarding this topic, from the oil companies to the landowners to the environmentalists. The final section of What the Frack? takes us back to nature. It is intimate and personal, yet it is also now broken. This piece leaves the audience to wonder."

You can also use this event to up the ante on your green know-how. The Expo runs (cleanly) from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. During this time, there will be five free workshops spread throughout the day, including how to design a sustainable landscape, solar power, and spring gardening wisdom.

To cap it all off, there is also a raffle - the raffle to end all environmentally centered raffles! Prizes are from a long list of local companies and businesses, from Northwest Natural Lighting to University of Puget Sound to Rain Dog Designs.

TACOMA CONVENTION AND TRADE CENTER, 10 A.M. TO 3 P.M., FREE, 1500 BROADWAY, TACOMA, SOUTHSOUNDSUSTAINABILITYEXPO.ORG

IT'S REALLY COOL >>>

FabLab equals geek chic plus artsy fartsy.

Now that rhyming is out of my system (writing for the Volcano doesn't require much impulse control), let's talk about what FabLab is doing for Tacoma.

Part high-tech-heaven, part creative design and old-world style, FabLab has been offering workshops - from laser cutting and robotics, to leather and woodworking - to the community since November.

"We are a membership-based tech and crafting center that aims to help artists, inventors, crafters and hobbyists to hone skills and launch businesses," says Gabriel Hug, one of five founders and IT director of FabLab. "It's been neat seeing how the word gets out. It's been kind of a viral, kind of grass-roots response. It's been really great sharing ideas and knowing we can be part of launching business in Tacoma and allowing people to be creative."

Upcoming classes and events include "Raspberry Pi 101" Feb 27, "Arduino 201" March 12 and "Leather Working 101" April 11. Most classes cost $15-$80 and run two to four hours. 

"The classes are fairly comprehensive," says Hug. "They are designed to cover basics, but also gain proficiency in specific skills."

Many classes feature take-home projects, such as welding, leather works and electronics.

So hike up your suspenders, push up your glasses, and join in a FabLab workshop - where nerd is the word and art makes you smart. 

FABLAB, 1938 MARKET ST., TACOMA, 253.426.1267

BRING ON THE LUAUS >>>

Everybody, at some time or another, wants to escape from reality to a carefree paradise. For many Americans, Hawai‘i has served as the escape destination of choice, even if it's just a fantasy. It's been that way for well over a century now, ever since the Hawaiian Islands were made a part of the United States. For those dreamers who never made the actual trip, there have repeatedly been times when the craze or things Hawaiian brought a little piece of paradise home to Anytown, USA - Polynesian print sport shirts, Aloha (Casual) Fridays, Magnum P.I. and, of course, music.

Hawaiian music hit the American continent as early as the 1890s. A Hawaiian group playing a mixture of Western instruments (viola and flute) and Hawaiianized ones (‘ukulele and steel guitars) appeared at the Buffalo, N.Y. exposition, where they met famed composer and bandleader John Philip Sousa. In 1912, Broadway saw the successful run of a drama set in Hawai‘i called The Bird of Paradise, featuring authentic songs - most notably Queen Lili‘uokalani's already-classic "Aloha ‘Oe." The ragtime-Hawaiian fad really took off at the 1915 San Francisco Panama-Pacific Exposition, a fair mounted on a grand, gilded scale to celebrate that imperial city's recovery from the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire. June 11, 1915 was "Hawai‘i Day" at the exposition. The Philippine Constabulary Band played "Old Plantation" while native Hawaiians sang. From 1915 through 1919, there were nearly 150 Hawaiian songs published in the United States, the great majority of them written by people who had never been near the Islands. Decades of gyrating women clad in grass skirts shaking themselves around carnival sideshows and nightclub stages followed. At the same time, understandably, recordings of Hawaiian music (then produced on thick, breakable 78 rpm discs that were 10 inches in diameter) were huge sellers. Hawaiian music schools flourished into the 1940s, and a few stragglers even survived into the '90s.

(Cut to the chase)

Then, on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013 Tacoma Cabana tiki lounge opened an adjoining space, adding a stage for live Hawaiian music, as well as a retail space, and upstairs lounge with a pool table and dedicated Mai Tai bar. The new space will be open Friday and Saturday nights. Below are some pictures from its opening night.

Aloha.

TACOMA CABANA, 4 P.M. TO CLOSE TUESDAY-SATURDAY, 728 PACIFIC AVE., TACOMA, 253.222.4184, TACOMACABANA.COM

SHE GRABBED THE MURRAY MORGAN BRIDGE! >>>

She's done business with them and she's lobbied them, and now she wants to become one ... by the vote of the good people of Tacoma.

Tacoma business and community leader Patricia Lecy-Davis announced today she's throwing herself into contention for the Tacoma City Council Position No. 2 this fall. Lecy-Davis was one of several people who recently applied for the appointment to fill the seat being vacated by State Representative Jake Fey. The Tacoma City Council choseRobert Thoms to fill Fey's seat. Four days after plopping down in the chair, Thoms filed toretain his District 2 council seat in the upcoming fall election. District 2 generally represents northeast Tacoma, the industrial area around the Port of Tacoma and downtown Tacoma.

In an email today, Lecy-Davis wrote about her filing:

"I'm running because I believe that our citizens deserve the most committed representation possible. I will work hard to meet and engage with the people across this district, and to bring a voice to their issues on the City Council."

"My priorities are to enhance the business environment in order to spur job creation, maintain a balanced city budget while improving our public safety, and connecting the many unique neighborhoods to improve our quality of life."

In the same statement she noted the difficulty of running against an incumbent, but stated it should be up to the citizens of Tacoma to choose who represents them on the city council.

Besides running the hip Embellish Multispace Salon with its awesome music soundtrack, Lecy-Davis served as president of the Downtown Merchant's Group and is co-founder of Go Local Tacoma, a non-profit organization designed to foster business growth between Tacoma's local, independently owned businesses. She is also a partner at the downtown Tacoma smoothie and juice bar, Smooth & Juicey.

Those who know Lecy-Davis, knows she wears the Go Local Tacoma mission on her sleeve. In fact she bathes in it. She attends 50 local events a week, has dined at two breakfasts joints in one morning just to support local business and truly believes in creative collaborative partnerships to grow business and build community.

With today's announcement, it wouldn't come as a surprise if Lecy-Davis bumped up her appearances to 60 local events per week.

You may reach Lecy-Davis at www.tacomaneedspld.com (not working yet) tacomaneedspld@gmail.com or 253.576.4006.