TUESDAY, FEB. 26 2013 >>>

1. In the 1990s Olympians were knee deep in a D.I.Y. music revolution, running between house concerts and packing it in anytime indie-metal band KARP found a stage. Short for Kill All Redneck Pricks, KARP anchored the other end of the K Records roster - the loud, impenitent high-energy end. By the end of the '90s, like many of the Olympia venues of the time, KARP faded to black. After 4 1/2 years of collecting archival footage - and conducting interviews with Calvin Johnson of K Records, Justin Trosper of Unwound, Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill and others - Brooklyn filmmaker William E. Badgley has managed to capture the rise and fall of the raucous band in his film, Kill All Redneck Pricks: A documentary about a band called KARP. The film documents - in a rough-and-tumble style - the story of the Olympia sludge band and its exposure to drugs, demons and bad luck. Tonight at 9:30 p.m. catch a free screening of the KARP documentary on King Solomon's Reef's new big ass projector screen ... with director Badgley drinking next to you.

2. It's Tuesday, which means The Grand Cinema busts out another special film gem. Today at 2:15 and 8:05 p.m. the independent film house will screen Starlet, the story of an unlikely friendship between 21 year-old Jane and the elderly Sadie after Jane discovers a hidden stash of money inside an object at Sadie's yard sale.

3. You’re feeling pretty down about your failed Oscars predictions. But, hark! dear knowitall. Your shot at redemption and encyclopedic esteem lies before you at The Hub's Trivia Night. Every Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. the Tacoma Stadium District restaurant hosts two rounds of trivia with$100 in cash prizes.

4. Lyda Kuth and Kent Christman were enrolled at The Evergreen State College in the '70s. Nearly a decade later, they crossed paths in Boston and later married. Their relationship, and the universal uncertainties of finding and staying in love, is the subject of Kuth’s first feature film, Love and Other Anxieties, which will screen at 6:30 p.m. at The Evegreen State College. Kuth will answer questions after the screening.

5. The Unknown Relatives play songs that sound like dead ringers for songs you'd find hidden in one of those Nuggets compilations of long-lost '60s garage gems. It's all bopping guitar and bouncy rhythms, with cute little stop-start dynamics that pull you in and make you oddly invested in a song that's just a little over a minute and a half long.Check the band out with The Matildas and Pacific Pride at 10 p.m. inside Le Voyeur in Olympia.

LINK: Tuesday, Feb. 26 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

REAL LIFE COMICS >>>

Readers of the Weekly Volcano, be you man, woman, child, beast or alien, I am quite sure that whomever you may be, you have all thought about creating your very own comic book or cartoon. Well, would be painters, artists, geniuses and future Alan Moores of the world, it seems that the fez wearing, secret handshaking and world domination task force known as The Cartoonists League of Absurd Washingtonians, or C.L.A.W., have just the opportunity for you. Wednesday, Feb. 27, this brilliantly tongue in cheek cult like group will be teaming up with the lovely, local cosplay group Super Sirens for an event at King's Books that will likely shake the foundations of the world, as we know it. The event entitled "Real Life Comics" will give the public the ability to create its own cartoon creation based on the models of the wonderful ladies of the aforementioned Super Sirens. To provide more detail on this event and C.L.A.W. in general, I sought to prove my worth and contacted the evil genius mastermind behind this event - and one of the high council members of CLAW - Michael Daley and fellow member Mark Monlux.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: What's the C.L.A.W. story?

MICHAEL DALEY: The C.L.A.W.'s primary purpose is to unite cartoonists and inform the general public of the common truth that art is the voice of the community; that creative expression holds fiscal as well as emotional value and that the Robotic Overlords are on their way. To that end the C.L.A.W. avails upon the talent of its membership to engage with the public in ways that dare and strain comprehension. We also like to give a scholarship to art students learning the ways of cartooning, because, boy, they sure need the money. 

VOLCANO: Was C.L.A.W. born from a secret society in Tacoma's Chinese Tunnels?

DALEY: No, C.L.A.W. was founded by Electric Elliot Trotter, RR Anderson, Mark Monlux and James Stowe above ground - finding a common ground chalking at Frost Park.

MARK MONLUX: More than anything else I think we were all looking for an excuse just to sit down with other artists and have fun doodling. Oh, that and wear a fez and have a secret handshake.

VOLCANO: What's the story behind the Real Life Comics event?

DALEY: I wanted to do a live drawing - not in a traditional sense.  I contacted Nemrac the Destroyer of the Super Sirens about possibly using the Sirens cosplay group for a live drawing session. Why not have people make a comic page utilizing live models to build their stories?

SUPER SIRENS: Photo courtesy of Facebook

VOLCANO: Do you need to know a secret handshake to participate?

DALEY: It absolutely is open for anyone to come down and participate.  We encourage others to come and draw along side us and partake in the fun that is a C.L.A.W. Open Swim.  Our Open Swim's take place every fourth Wednesday of the month at King's Books. We utilize the Swim's to meet new potential members and, at this particular event, we are inducting Travis Bundy as a new member of C.L.A.W.

VOLCANO: Does the winner receive an encoder ring?

DALEY: Typically, there isn't. For this particular event, we do have prizes.  Everyone - models included - will be able to cast their vote for their favorite pieces. I won't say what the prizes are - but there definitely are prizes.

The event will commence at 7:30 p.m. and will continue into the evening. Everyone is welcome to come, create his or her own piece of art and witness the beginning of a new modern era lead by the elite CLAW. I for one, will be there, and will be shaking the hands of the cartoonist overlords looking for a clue to their secret handshake.

KING'S BOOKS, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 27, 7:30-9:30 P.M., FREE ADMISSION, 218 ST. HELENS AVE., TACOMA, 253.272.8801

CHECKING IN WITH THE CONE >>>

I've been neglecting the Museum of Glass lately. Shame on me. MOG is one of the Northwest's premiere art museums and it has not one, not two, not three, but four new shows that I have not seen or reviewed.

"Northwest Artists Collect" has been open since mid-January. This exhibition focuses on seven Northwest glass artists, showing not only their own works but pieces by other artists whose work they collect, including glass and non-glass art. If I unserstand correctly, each of the seven chosen artists  -  Martin Blank, Joseph Gregory Rossano, Richard Royal, Ginny Ruffner, Preston Singletary, Cappy Thompson and Dick Weiss  -  is showing one of their own works alongside works by artists in their collections, offering a unique glimpse into their inspirations.

The curatorial process for this show was also unique. It was curated by students from UW Tacoma and museum staff who visited the artists' studios to make their selections. Included in the exhibition are video clips of the studio visits and first-hand accounts from the students, offering visitors an indication of the curatorial process of designing and planning. A gallery guide created by the interns is also available. The show runs through October.

"Mosaic Arts International 2013" opened Jan. 26. It is a juried show organized by the Society of American Mosaic Artists. There are 50 individual works, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional, that incorporate materials varying from ceramic and glass to rusted metal, petrified wood and dinosaur bones. This show runs through May 5.

"BENJAMIN MOORE: TRANSLUCENT": Benjamin Moore (American, born 1952), Palla Series, 2012, blown glass, photo courtesy of the artist

"Benjamin Moore: Translucent" opened Feb. 16 and runs through October. A native Washingtonian, Moore is associated with Pilchuck and the glass art movement that made Seattle and Tacoma famous for its glass art. He has studied in Murano, Italy as well as with Pilchuck and the Rhode Island School of Design and is considered one of America's best glass artists.

"... my work has always been about clarity and simplicity, I would like to present a very simple and minimal exhibition that will showcase my career's aesthetic: simplicity of form," states Moore.

Finally, "Outgrowth: Highlights from the Museum's Collections" displays the variety of conceptually-oriented sculptural glass in the Museum's collections. With the long-standing effort to include artists from outside the studio glass movement combined with nearly 50 years of academic fine arts glass programs, this period of rapid growth encouraged many offshoots to grow out from an initial rhizome (root system).

"Although technique remains vital, "Outgrowth" demonstrates a concerted effort to create work that is rich in content, appealing to an audience beyond the tradition of studio glass," comments curator David Francis. "This exhibition allows us to showcase applications of glass as a medium that our visitors may find surprising - something that is key to the Museum's mission." The show will be on view until April 21.

MUSEUM OF GLASS, 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M. WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY, NOON TO 5 P.M. SUNDAY, $5-$12, 1801 DOCK ST., TACOMA, 253.284.4750

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 27 2013 >>>

1. Take an international cast, a rolling landscape in Flint, Mich., the thundering music of Red Hex and the twisted, talented mind of Isaac Olsen and you have German expressionist art film, Ich Hunger. The film - shot in black and white with splashes of color - is in German with English subtitles. The plot concerns a murderous creature boy who terrorizes the farming township of Frondenberg, Germany and an inspector, Stephen Heckel, travels from Frankfurt to hunt him down. Ich Hunger will screen at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. inside The Grand Cinema. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's review of the film in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

2. New Old Town Tacoma cafe Treos has been closed for the past week due to more remodeling needs. That was a week without stellar flatbreads and a great beer selection. It's hosting a grand opening celebration all day today at 2312 N. 30th St.

3. Jazzy's Cafe at 3701 S. Lawrence St. in Tacoma hosts an all-ages Jazz Jam Session with the Peter Adams Trio from 7-10 p.m. Wine and cold beer are available.

4. C.L.A.W., teams up with the lovely, local cosplay group Super Sirens at 7:30 p.m. for an event at King's Books that will likely shake the foundations of the world, as we know it. The event entitled Real Life Comics will give the public the ability to create its own cartoon creation based on the models of the wonderful ladies of the aforementioned Super Sirens. Read Weekly Volcano intern Sean Contris' interview with C.L.A.W. for the sweet details.

5. At 8 p.m. several musicians will explore the art of the tape loop at the all-ages club Northern in downtown Olympia. "The Yes And No in All Things: Magnetism in Soundcraft" will feature the lo-fi cassette soundscape of Factoria from Brooklyn and Olympia artists Arrington de Dionyso performing Songs of Psychic Fire, Stellar Angles exploring cyclic textures concerning Macrocosmic Influence and Prismatic Cloak diving into world ambient degradation.

LINK: Wednesday, Feb. 27 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

REVISITING A VERY GOOD PLAY >>>

In 2011, Tacoma Musical Playhouse stage The Drowsy Chaperone. It was a hit. TMP has brought it back, not to cash in, but to stick it to other theater companies.

The show has been trimmed to a one-hour performance for the National One-Act Competition. That's right, it's back with a new purpose and in a new version, but with much of the original 2011 cast that brought the house down two years ago.

"(Tacoma Musical Playhouse) takes a charming ‘musical within a comedy' that is a ‘lovely spoof of 1920s musicals ... tongue firmly in cheek' and deliver spot-on performances through the entire show," wrote Weekly Volcano theater critics Joann Varnell in February 2011. "There was a lot of laughing (and some obnoxious guffaws) from the audience throughout the two-hour production. TMP chose a fabulous script and the cast pulled off singing, dancing and overacting with aplomb. (Jon Douglas) Rake was especially funny as an agoraphobic Broadway fan with his effortless, conversational style and authentic movement and gestures."

"The show is about a character who loves Broadway," says Jon Douglas Rake, managing artistic director. "Whenever he listens to his records, the shows come alive in his living room. We chose it because we felt that the show - it's about 100 minutes at full length - could be cut down to a 60-minute version."

Not every show can survive such time cuts and still make much sense.

TMP has made a run at the National One-Act Competition before, which is produced by the American Association of Community Theatre. The competition begins with the state competition, which is this weekend in Bremerton. If TMP survives that round, the company will then go to the regionals in Richland and act its way to the national level. The competition is held every two years.

In 2011, TMP did not make it to the nationals, but by great happenstance - meaning a sudden withdrawal by another theater - it went to the international competition in Monaco.

Tonight, TMP is putting on the one-hour performance at 7:30 p.m. to help raise funds in hopes of going to the nationals in Carmel, Ind. later this year. Tickets are by donation.

TACOMA MUSICAL PLAYHOUSE, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (ABRIDGED), WEDNESDAY, FEB. 27, 7:30 P.M., DONATIONS, 7116 SIXTH AVE., TACOMA, 253.565.6867

FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING >>>

Thea's Landing condo building towers over the Thea Foss Waterway, providing residents with a glorious view of Mount Rainier, Commencement Bay, Museum of Glass and sunbathers on yachts. Residing on the lower half of Thea's Landing facing the water is The Social Bar and Grill. Owners Jason Bailey, Philip Panagos and Chef Rodel Borromeo - all part of the team that opened the Matador - serve flavorful and eclectic dishes from Spain, the Mediterranean, South America and Asia, all with a touch of heat.

Team Social wants to be more social, so it's grabbing the space once occupied by the Dock Street Sandwich Company and transforming it into Paesan Kitchen & Bar, with an opening date sometime in May.

A fire has been at the center of human social life from the beginning, and an enclosed hearth gives any restaurant a welcoming feeling. Upon entry into Paesan's refined rustic interior diners will come face-to-face with a wood-burning oven. But this oven won't be for decor or ambience. It will be a workhorse, central to the cooking of Chef Borromeo's housemade pizzas focusing on unique and tasteful flavor profiles - think oxtail or lamb, chicken pesto and different fruits.

The kitchen will not only be visible to diners but open enough to really increase the dining experience and broaden the back of the house to front of the house bond and interaction. In the tradition of The Social Bar and Grill, Chef Borromeo's flavor profiles will pair with crafted cocktails.

Panagos says Paesan will be family friendly but will include a small bar featuring four beers on tap, several Italian wines and Campari or Galliano tinged cocktails. During the summer months, Paesan's will dot its patio space with same outdoor fire tables that reside on the other side of the building.

Paesan intends to open as early as 6 a.m. offering residents and commuters espresso and morning drinks - a service in large demand from Thea's Landing residents. Though nothing is set in stone, the morning plans may also include housemade pastries or collaboration with a local bakery.

I know where I'll be landing this summer. 

PAESAN KITCHEN & BAR, 1701 DOCK ST., TACOMA

THIS IS MY JOB >>>

Browsing the net is part of a blogger's job. While some people like to peruse Huffington Post, Reddit or in the Weekly Volcano's case - Twitter, I prefer to browse old school - Craigslist. And I'm not talking the back page hook-ups - the kind former Volcano scribe Brett Cihon described. I'm talking about the obscure and interesting, the weird and absurd, and my favorite - the free.

Below are a few precious items I recently discovered on Craigslist.

Eighty free toilets are up for grabs in Lacey. Why in the world does someone have a surplus of 80 toilets? 

Need beer and wine bottles? Judging by the picture of feet in the photo, and the barrel of bottles, Bilbo Baggins has had some late nights tossing back the brewski - and now the bottles can be all yours - for free. 

There are also cool paying gigs on Craigslist: 

"Award-Winning Filmmakers from L.A. Looking to film in OLD houses in TACOMA area":

"New tattoo shop opening on 6th Ave looking for artists";

"Wedding party looking for a folk/rock band".

And, the community section always has a few awesome postings. This week I found a group of performers in Tacoma looking to collaborate and bring live entertainment to senior citizens and other members of the community who may not experience it otherwise.

Also in the community section is a charity wedding dress sale where money raised on designer dresses on the cheap will help provide weddings and vow renewals for individuals facing terminal illness and other serious life-altering circumstances.

Or maybe you are interested in Irish Hurling, which is not what you do leaving O'Malley's at 2 a.m. It's a sport. And of course there's an ad for Irish Hurling on good ol' Craigslist.

Oh, you can also find all the medical weed you could need on Craigslist - sometimes even ones that will deliver.

What have you found?

IT'S A SANDWICH SERIES >>>

Often considered - and awarded - one of the best bars in the South Sound, Top of Tacoma Bar and Café has extended its hours and added new menu items. Included in the menu expansion are 14 new sandwiches - most have been specials over the years and have earned a secured spot on the menu due to their popularity. I ordered a beer specifically to help me through the menu's 26 sandwiches. Twenty-six! Bee's Knees, Jive Turkey, The Old Country, Cuban, Po' Boys - maybe I should have just order its famous nachos and called it good.

Speaking of good, I chose wisely. The Top's grilled sourdough Beast of Burden with a pile of Angus roast beef, layered with sweet caramelized onions and cherry pepper relish, creamy melted havarti cheese had just the right kick of horseradish-herb mayonnaise. Dude.

I know I'm going to catch hell from Pappi Swarner for not spreading the wealth, but if the rest of the new sandwiches are this good, screw Bonney Lake.

TOP OF TACOMA BAR AND CAFÉ, 11 A.M. TO 2 A.M. DAILY, 3529 MCKINLEY AVE. E., TACOMA, 253.272.1502

LINK: Vote for your favorite sandwich in the South Sound

THURSDAY, FEB. 28 2013 >>>

1. Let's talk Tacoma Runners, cause you know we love them. As it does every Thursday, the running group will gather at 5:45 p.m. outside a venue, stretch a bit, listen to Rob McNair-Huff describe the 3-mile route, then hit the pavement. What makes tonight's run extra special is the venue - The Grand Cinema. The group skips the typical bar homebase and will start and end it srun at Tacoma's independent film house. Once returning from its run, the group will enjoy food, beverages and a free showing of The Mountain Runners. Tonight would be a good night to join the group.

2. During the 1970s, a new genre of music called funk was making its way into the American mainstream and Seattle was droppin' the bass big time.  The documentary Wheedle's Groove profiles Seattle's once-thriving now-forgotten soul/funk scene of the 1960s and '70s in entertaining and highly educational fashion. The University of Puget Sound Black student Union and KUPS radio present the film at 7 p.m. inside Rausch Auditorium. It's the first film of the KUPSxSSU Film series. A short discussion led by UPS Prof. Renne Simms will follow the free screening.

3. Like fiddles and facial hair? Good. The Barleywine Revue performs tonight at The Swiss at 9 p.m.

4. The Weekly Volcano has brought you reports from the South Pacific Restaurant, describing its over 40 crowd, including "Muscular, graying men in leather jackets and blue jeans dance with equally attractive, equally middle-aged partners." Tonight, the scene might be a bit different. The "Hip Hop At South Paw" show will feature Blue Nose Music, AR Mastermind, Spikkoli, Syncopated Knock, Model Citizens and Back Magic Noize at 9 p.m.

5. Swing dancing's Africanist cousin, blues dancing, hits the Olympia Eagles Ballroom in the form of OlyBlues every Thursday at 9 p.m. Blues dancing derives from the so-called "Black vernacular" of Southern dance styles and includes such moves as the Lindy and the irresistibly named "Funky Butt." Worst-case scenario: you have two left feet but get to listen to Nina Simone.

LINK: Thursday, Feb. 28 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Oh Pacific Northwesterners. You amuse me sometimes. That first sunny, above 50 degrees day is always so entertaining. It's like you've never seen the sun before. Quick! Everyone all at once get your dose of vitamin D! This behavior is completely justified given our constant state of grey the past two months, but if frolicking among the masses of socks and sandal wearing folks isn't your idea of a grand afternoon never fear dear reader, you need only look just beyond the beaten path.

On a recent sun drenched afternoon the area near the parking lot at Owen Beach was overrun. Dogs, screaming children, groups attempting to picnic without having to sit on the ground. It was an unnavigable mess. However, this is not our destination. Keep walking down the beach, past where the path ends, past the kissing couples, just keep going. The farther you walk the quieter it gets. Be sure to look around though. This is where the magic happens.

Just as the crowd thinned out and my friend and I started to enjoy the quiet we realized we were being followed. And not by a sun-worshipping, vitamin D drunk PNWesterner. By a dark shadowy fella. No wait. There's more than one of them. There's THREE of them. The trio was checking us out then disappearing into the water only to reappear farther down the beach. They were tracking us. I had never been stalked by a trio of seals before, but I'd do it again dear reader. Their hide and seek antics had us acting like eight year olds.

Beach walking and tide pooling is a quintessential northwest activity, and Owen Beach is the perfect place for it. It's fun for all ages: bring the kids, make it a date, or catch up with friends. The rocky beach is flat and you can go as fast or as slow as you wish. Dogs often love the beach but resist the urge to let them run free. Seals like to rest on the beach this time of year and would not enjoy a frightening encounter with a pooch (plus its against the law).

If you feel like being a Good Samaritan remember a plastic bag to pick up litter off the beach. The beach is one of the worst places for trash because of the animals that come in contact with it. Picking up a few plastic bottles won't impact you very much but may save an otter from a really bad day.

We spent most of our beach walk peering into tide pools, poking sea squirts and sea anemones, and mean mugging those seals. At one point violin music drifted down from the hillside above, giving our mock sword battle an epic soundtrack. Kids love finding the greenest rock, or looking for crabs in shallow pools.

I advise you to take a minute before you set off your own adventure to check the tide charts. This is as simple as a Google search these days, and can make all the difference. Low tide doesn't just provide the best tide pool viewing; it's crucial for access to much of the beach. The Tacoma Fire Department is quite good at cliff rescues thanks to folks not checking the tides and getting stranded. Don't be THAT guy. Trust me, wearing a sling to be hauled up a cliff won't impress your date.

OWEN BEACH, OPEN HALF-HOUR BEFORE SUNRISE, CLOSED HALF-HOUR AFTER SUNSET, POINT DEFIANCE PARK, 5605 N. OWEN BEACH ROAD, TACOMA, 253.305.1000