As if downtown Olympia didn't already have enough suppliers of showering rama and spring rolls, in comes another Thai restaurant - Pattaya 2.

But just like Oly's bars and salons - crammed two to three in a block - Olympians will always welcome one more tasty Thai option.

Plus, it's kind of a wash since Pattaya 2 is opening in the vacant space of another Thai restaurant that dropped it's noodles and ducked out of the game, Angels Thai Cuisine.

With more than 60 reviews on Yelp, the original Pattaya Thai Cuisine in Lacey receives an overall four-star rating, with an ironic review - given the new location - from Juli M. in Olympia, "This raises the bar for Thai in Olympia back to where it used to be when Angels was at its height. Huzzah!"

The restaurant plans to open within the week. 

PATTAYA 2 THAI CUISINE, 318 FOURTH AVE., OLYMPIA, 360.786.1252

PATTAYA THAI CUISINE, 9323 MARTIN WAY E. #114, LACEY, 360.539.7302

GO LOCAL LOVERS >>>

Sure Valentine's Day has become a "Hallmark Holiday," but it's also a time of year when the imagination is the limit to the range of seductive attire, playthings and, of course, food available to woo your loved one. No, I'm not talking about the intimate kind; I'm talking sweets. This year, skip the checkout line at the grocery store and grab sweet treats from local businesses that put a little extra love in their recipes. Not to say that prepackaged goodies can't be sweet and yummy, but it certainly indicates that the big day may have slipped your mind. Here are five local ideas that will win over your lovva:

Celebrity Cake Studio

Voted "Best Cakes in Western Washington" by Evening Magazine, Celebrity Cake Studio is home to decadent delights. Be on the lookout for a delightful, heart-shaped New York cheesecake covered with a layer of chocolate ganache for Valentine's Day. Rich, chocolate and heart shaped, could you ask for more? 314 E. 26th St., Tacoma

Affairs Chocolates and Desserts

This one is a no-brainer. Affairs Chocolates and Desserts serves splendid baked goods of all shapes and sizes. If you're looking to surprise the kids, or have a Valentine-themed shindig, a heart-shaped cake will feed the masses in such flavors as red velvet, coconut cream and chocolate raspberry. Don't want to go big, but want big flavor? Owner Gay Landry makes decadent, sweet truffle balls of goodness packaged in a lovely little box. Chocolate ignites the brain to release endorphins that improve your mood. 2811 Bridgeport Way W., University Place

Black Door Wine Company

I am a firm believer that wine speaks the language of love. The Black Door Wine Company down the street from Tacoma's Proctor District is home (literally in a home) to a variety of vinos sure to elevate the romantic ambiance. Since I'm focusing on the sweet treats, I'd recommend their dessert wines. Champagnes and ports are also excellent ways to initiate or finalize your candlelit dinner. 3906 N. 34th St., Tacoma

Almond Roca

Made in Tacoma since 1923, Brown & Haley'smouth-watering ButterCrunch Almond Roca elegantly wrapped in gold foil is a favorite around the world. These little logs of goodness may not be heart shaped, but you outline a heart with the candy on your bed. Rather than searching local grocery store aisles, go to the source. Brown and Haley offers two outlets loaded with tins of the classic Almond Roca or its sister sweets Cashew Roca and Mocha Roca. 110 E. 26th St., Tacoma or 2105 Frank Albert Road, Fife

Sugar

Sugar, a wee little candy shop in the Proctor District, is overflowing with Valentine's Day sweets. Cheeky, kiddie Valentine candy will ignite visions of elementary school puppy love, not to mention its boxed truffles, heart shaped lollipops, Blow Pops and variety of candies in pinks, reds and whites. 3901 N. 27th St., Tacoma

Have a favorite sweet treat? Share in the comments

THURSDAY, FEB. 7 2013 >>>

1. The 11th annual Sister Cities Film Festival is more than a film festival. It's a cultural exploration of Tacoma's sister cities, of which there are 11 located all around the world. Each Thursday, a film from a sister city lights up the screen of Blue Mouse Theatre - complemented by bonus activities and entertainment. Each week also has its own committee responsible for said entertainment and film selection. The festival kicks off with Tacoma's oldest sister - Kitakyushu, Japan - at 6:15 p.m. featuring the Stadium High School Taiko Drumming group, a Japanese Garden at Point Defiance update and the Japanese film, What the Snow Brings.

2. Why drink alone when you can get your drink on with cool cats who care about environmental issues? On the first Thursday of each month, Green Drinks invites Tacoma and Pierce County residents to do just that - hang out and chat with other green-minded individuals over drinks and snacks. The next session of Green Drinks - which will be held at 6 p.m. inside The Office Bar at Grill - will focus on downtown Tacoma's pacific Avenue Streetscape Project ... and drinks, of course. Read Kristin Kendle's interview with the project's consulting firm here.

3. Urban homesteading, backyard farming — call it what you will, the movement for self sufficiency and sustainable living is booming. In South Sound neighborhoods it seems more and more houses sport a chicken coop or custom greenhouse. Soon, the most dedicated local homesteaders may be able to join ranks of urban farming trailblazers elsewhere who are exploring a new way of bringing the farm to the city: raising goats. Seattle author Jennie Grant will discuss urban farming trends, as well as her book, City Goats: The Goat Justice League’s Guide to Backyard Goat Keeping, at 7 p.m. inside King's Books.

4. Every 15 years or so, the American musical veers in a new and unpredictable direction. When it works, it inspires a wave of imitators. Phantom and Les Miz spawned a decade of bombast. Rent added urban flava and moved gay life and issues to the forefront. Weekly Volcano theater critic Christian Carvajal believes Next to Normal, which debuted on Broadway less than four years ago, is the model for the next wave. Catch the show at 7:30 p.m. inside the Capital Playhouse. Read Carvajal's full review of Next to Normal in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

5. There's a certain familiar moment when you're hanging out with very close friends, being giddy and silly, and there's a way that you make each other laugh that's so specific and so unique that it's hard to recreate anywhere else. For sure, it's hard to recreate in the setting of a comedy club. A professional comedian is designed to make you laugh, but that certain type of laugh is so particular that it's almost banned from comedy clubs. Todd Glass can make you laugh like an audience member might but he can also touch you in the way that a close childhood friend can hit your buttons. In a way, um, he's magical. Glass begins a three-night run at the Tacoma Comedy Club at 8 p.m. tonight. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's interview with Todd Glass in the Weekly Volcano's Bars & Clubs section.

LINK: Thursday, Feb. 7 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

HOUSE OF AWESOME >>>

Stuffy analysts will tell you how health care is one of the fastest-growing industries, but I hear there's an impending boom in a much tastier industry. The donut industry.

House of Donuts (HOD) in Lakewood reopened for business Jan. 27. At 6 a.m. three hundred donut lovers from near and far bombarded the triangular donut shop. It was a beautiful sight to HOD's new and second-ever owner Tom Peterson, a Lakewood native who started and ran two successful businesses in California and firmly believes in the power of donuts.

"We think there's a donut boom coming," Peterson says.

Tom and his team shut down the beloved HOD for three weeks in order to implement phase one of a three-stage plan to continue to improve the HOD legacy for all of eternity.

"HOD has been a tradition for 54 years in Lakewood," Peterson says. "It's been known for the taste and quality of donuts for many decades, yet the last five years it had lost its path due to a number of management changes and lack of vision."

But the new HOD team is back on the right donut track. Phase one included gutting the building and restoring it back to its original glory. HOD now has brand-new equipment customized for their super secret-recipe donuts. That's right. Lifelong HOD fans will be ecstatic to learn that Peterson got his hands on the original HOD recipes for quality, handmade donuts.

"That's what makes our donuts special," he says.

Of the five donuts I scarfed, er, tasted, the apple fritter was my favorite. Delightfully crispy on the outside, soft on the inside with a yummy glaze - it was definitely special.

Peterson noted that in addition to the best donuts, HOD has the best team in the world. And in HOD's business philosophy, 1+1=3. That's right, 3. Obviously, they have big plans.

"We want the world to revolve around donuts," he says, adding that they hope to truly build a brand.

Phase two of HOD's three-stage plan will include adding a professional kitchen onto the back of the building and revamping the front end of HOD to allow the delivery of a café experience, complete with barista. Again, Peterson noted, best donuts, best coffee ... 1+1=3!

Phase three will include a second location for HOD.

Original owners Marilyn and Bob Cheatham opened HOD in 1959, and Peterson bought HOD from Marilyn this past December. He first noticed the "for sale" sign outside House of Donuts last summer when he was back in Lakewood. Having sold his two successful businesses and ready for his next adventure, he knew it was fate.

"This place is iconic," Peterson says, explaining that the building itself is a Lakewood landmark for four main reasons: its unique roofline, double drive-up windows, famous neon sign and multiple globe lights. 

HOD plans to become an active part of the community and host at least four big events a year on his ample land, including a car show. And of course they vow to continue to earn their place in the hearts of donut lovers.

"At the end of the day," Peterson says, "it's our main focus to make the great donuts for our loyal customers to enjoy."

HOUSE OF DONUTS, OPEN DAILY 6 A.M. TO 3 P.M. (OR LATER IF THEY HAVE UNSOLD DONUTS), 9638 GRAVELLY LAKE DR. SW, LAKEWOOD, 253.588.2647

THE WEEK OF FEB. 7-13, 2013 >>>

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

The Weekly Volcano presents six South Sound love stories.

On any given morning, after eating her daily oatmeal, and feeding her several dogs, legendary musician Roberta Flack gets busy in her New York City home - busy rehearsing, busy planning, busy listening to or writing music. "I'm a busy person. I have a busy personality," Flack told Weekly Volcano scribe Nikki McCoy over the phone. "I have ongoing commitments constantly. ... And now with the Internet slapping you in the face, there's really no excuse. You gotta be motivated to move and make something." All this gusto from a woman who has enchanted the jazz, soul and R&B scene with her singing, songwriting and piano skills since the late '60s, earning two consecutive Grammy awards in '73 and '74 with chart-toppers, and drops in on Tacoma Feb. 15. Read Nikki McCoy's interview with Roberta Flack in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

Stop with the tirade about hating Hallmark holidays. Clearly, it's true that Valentine's Day is an artificial way of forcing you to synchronize your expressions of love, loyalty, and romance with those of the rest of the world, but you have to admit that it's also nice to go out for a top-drawer dinner with someone you really care about. It's a meal fraught with symbolism, so it matters where you go for dinner on Valentine's Day. Jackie Fender poked around the South Sound for special meals served Thursday, Feb. 14.

Every 15 years or so, the American musical veers in a new and unpredictable direction. When it works, it inspires a wave of imitators. Phantom and Les Miz spawned a decade of bombast. Rent added urban flava and moved gay life and issues to the forefront. Weekly Volcano theater critic Christian Carvajal believes Next to Normal, which debuted on Broadway less than four years ago, is the model for the next wave. Read Carvajal's full review of Next to Normal in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

Weekly Volcano art critic Alec Clayton attended the opening of "Out of The Silence," an art exhibit in Olympia's Urban Onion lobby. It was a phenomenal event and a phenomenal exhibition. As they say in high society, everyone who is anyone was there: Mayor Stephen Buxbaum, Congressman Denny Heck, a handful of City Council members, school teachers and administrators, and leaders of the gay rights movement. Calligrapher Sally Penley invited calligraphic artists from all over the country to make art based on inspirational quotes related to bullying and youth suicide or quotes of hope such as Harvey Milk's famous and simple quote, "You gotta give 'em hope. Read Alec Clayton's full review of "Out of Silence" in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

PLUS: Music critics' picks of the week

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT >>>

It's time for another Progressive Dinner Tour presented by Studio 6 Ballroom. I love this concept. You eat at different places along Sixth Avenue in Tacoma, meet new people, learn about local businesses and, at the end, you dance and gobble dessert.

How fab is that? 

This month's Progressive Dinner Tour has a Valentine's Day spin. Studio 6 says you can join a group of singles or a group of couples. Also, the event has been titled "6 ways to Stimulate your Sense on 6^th Ave," although I counted only four ways - meals at Six Olives, Gateway to India, Cork! Wine Bar with dessert back at Studio 6. Maybe number five is Maia Santell & House Blend filling Studio 6 with blues and jazz for dancing. Maybe the sixth way to stimulate your senses is a surprise.

The tour is set for Sunday, Feb 17, launching at 4, 5 and 6 p.m. The 6 p.m. tour is the singles only tour. If you purchase your ticket by Sunday, Feb. 10, you can save $15 and enjoy all of the above for $35. That's less than you'd spend at an evening at Crapplebees!

Anyway, I'm not making commission here, just wanted to tell you the Progressive Dinner Tour is cool.

STUDIO 6 BALLROOM, SUNDAY, FEB 17, 4, 5, OR 6 P.M., $35/ADV, $50, 2608 SIXTH AVE., TACOMA, 253.905.5301

LINK: Six love stories from the South Sound

FRIDAY, FEB. 8 2013 >>>

1. For its 2012-13 season, Tacoma Opera is all about girl power. Its next installment of feminine mystique is La tragedie de Carmen staged at 8 p.m. inside Rialto Theater. Peter Brook’s La tragedie de Carmen is a stripped-down version of the famous Georges Bizet opera Carmen. The story focuses on passionate gypsy girl Carmen, who seduces a very naïve soldier named Don Jose. Jose leaves his steady and faithful girlfriend, but then Carmen in turn ditches poor Jose for someone else. Pimpin' really truly ain't easy. As the show's title suggests, much tragedy ensues.

2. Distinguished writers, poets, playwrights, short story writers, and people who scribble on cocktail napkins will step up to the mic from 7-9 p.m. as part of the Distinguished Writer Series and Open Mic at King's Books. Kelli Russell Agodon, author Letters from the Emily Dickinson Room, winner of the White Pine Press Poetry Prize, will take lead.

3. There are some hobbies you should just pick up. Stamp collecting is not one of them. Neither is anything involving plastic model kits. Now, these pastimes have nothing inherently wrong with them; they've just become rather, well, mockable over the years. They just can't be taken seriously anymore. They're not cool. And we all know you have to be cool. And these just don't cut it. Not like ice skating does. It's cool, both literally and figuratively.  Think about it: you get to go really fast; there's a high potential for injury; and if you get really, really good, really, really, really quickly, you'll probably end up winning a Gold Medal in the next Olympics. The ice skating show returns to a new ice arena at Sprinker Recreation Center Feb. 8-10 for five performances.  The theme of this year's show is Once Upon A Dream and features Olympic Silver Medalist Ben Agosto and United States Ladies Champion and Olympian Rachael Flatt. Take that, loser bird-watchers!

4. American pianist William Ransom headlines the University of Puget Sound's 23rd Annual Piano Festival at 7:30 p.m. inside Schneebeck Concert Hall. The Boston-born and technically perfect pianist has performed everything and done everything. The fact that he's going to take time and teach budding talent the next day in workshop settings is pretty cool.

5. It's a hot summer evening and Julie Rodgers has had a bad day. She's lost her job, and is broke and disillusioned. Her roommate Alice has lost her boyfriend and is in the midst of an eating frenzy. Enter a pizza delivery man who agrees to come in and share a beer with them. Little does he know what's in store for him. The evening gets crazier, wilder, angrier, and very funny. That's what you can expect at 8 p.m. inside the Midnight Sun Performance Space when Prodigal Sun Productions presents Pizza Man.

LINK: Friday, Feb. 8 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Sunny, hi 47, lo 35

Saturday: Mostly cloudy with chance of rain, hi 47, lo 35

Sunday: Partly cloudy, hi 50, lo 39

>>> FRIDAY, FEB. 8-SUNDAY-FEB. 10: ARTS OLYMPIA SHOW AND SALE

Now in its 22nd year, the annual Arts Olympia Show and Sale this weekend at the Capital Museum Coach House promises, according to hype for the event, to be the best ever. And we're inclined to believe said hype. The three-day show comes under the header The Creative Edge and will include the work of nearly 40 local artists. This one's a no-brainer - which is probably why, year after year, the Arts Olympia Show and Sale keeps coming back for more. - Weekly Volcano

• Capital Museum Coach House, Friday, Feb. 8 5-8 p.m. opening reception, Saturday, Feb. 9 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 10 noon to 4 p.m. 211 W. 21^st Ave., Olympia, artsolympia.org

>>> FRIDAY, FEB. 8-SATURDAY, FEB. 9: PIZZA MAN

The flier for Pizza Man looks like a classic '70s porn cover - a funky chartreuse background and violet colored lines swoop around a circular shot of what appears to be a pizza boy being accosted by two "hungry" women. What becomes of two girls - one who lost her job, one who lost her boyfriend - when they invite the pizza man in for a beer? What starts as an eating frenzy to fill the void of their recent losses, the girls begin a frenzy of another type, and the pizza man is in for a terrifying treat. Naughty, dark humor makes the play unsuitable for children, and perfectly suitable for good-humored adults. An admiral Prodigal Sun Productions cast and original music score add to the story, making this another Midnight Sun must-see. - Nikki McCoy

• Midnight Sun, Friday, Feb. 8 and Saturday, Feb. 9, 8 p.m., $12-$18 sliding scale, no one turned away, 113 N. Columbia St., Olympia, 360.250.2721

>>> FRIDAY. FEB. 8-SUNDAY, FEB. 10: THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS, THE MUSICAL!

Everyone likes a good joke and being in on the joke is certainly better than BEING the joke. Well, usually. Certainly, people that take themselves too seriously are a drag and theater people who take themselves too seriously are often insufferable. Thankfully, Tacoma Musical Playhouse not only likes a good joke, with their latest production - The Musical of Musicals, the Musical! by Eric Rockwell and Joanne Bogart - they ARE the joke. TMP's cast embraces the self-deprecating lyrics and dialogue and camps it up for the audience. It's a great show! Read Joann Varnell's full review of The Musical of Musicals, the Musical! in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

• Tacoma Musical Playhouse, through Feb. 10, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $20-$29, 7116 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.565.6867
  

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 9: OLYMPIA ROCK SHOW

Dubbed on fliers and Facebook simply as the "Olympia Rock Show," the line-up of Mom's Rocket, Hellbelly and Novadose speaks for itself Saturday at McCoy's Tavern. Expect heshers, rockers and tall boys to be sloshing around near the stage, using the pool table as the occasional seat to stabilize, then heading back into the crowd for more sweaty Oly rock. Mom's Rocket song, Fist Full of Love, with its Chris Cornell influence, is not only a bitchin' tune, but the title itself seems to encompass the Oly metal/rock scene, where gruff voices shouting "I'd kill for you man," and over-hearty slaps on the back of leather jackets, mean "I love you." - NM

• McCoy's Tavern, 9 p.m., $3, 420 Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.352.0696

>>> FEB. 9: FUN IN THE SNOW

Are you a little ticked off snow hasn't graced the lowlands? Metro Parks Tacoma has you covered with a snow-related happenins going down this weekend. Saturday is Metro Parks' "Family Snow Days," which invite family groups of two or more to head up to Mt. Rainier for a day of sledding and fun in the snow. Of course, families must provide their own sleds and equipment, but the transportation and abundant chances for memory making are provided. - WV

• Family Snow Day, Saturday, Feb. 9, Pre-registration required by calling 253.594.7847, $20 for family of four, $4 per additional person, trip departs at 9 a.m. from the Portland Avenue Park & Center and return at 5 p.m., find more info at metroparkstacoma.org/outdoor

>>> SATURDAY, Jan. 5: 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

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 9-SUNDAY, FEB. 10: ARTIST CRAFT FAIR

For two days, Tacoma is for Lovers and King's Books present an Artist Craft Fair with a Valentine's theme. How sweet is that? A multitude of artists will have tables featuring arts, crafts, jewelry, caramels, letterpress prints, and more, all under the roof of King's Books. So not only can you find the coolest Tacoma artisan crafts, you can find a copy of Wonder and participate in Tacoma Reads Together, too. The event is a super power trio - support local arts, increase brain power, enjoy candy and gifts. Boom. - NM

• King's Books, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free, 218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.8801

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
After yet another round of dental surgery (yay), I'm seeing Pizza Man at the Midnight Sun. Sunday, my wife and I are seeing living legend Bill Cosby perform at UPS. Jell-O Pudding!

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
Recuperating.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
Let me tap into my bag ol' fun and see what I'm doing this weekend. Looks like I'm hustling the usual gin and tonic or whiskey coke pouring gig on Friday. A dinner date with the hubs at The Olympic Club Saturday, followed by a rock show at The Hub. Sunday, I feel like spending money - so we'll see where that takes me. Perhaps a new coffee pot, or some gardening tools, or a bag of weed. ...

JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
Saturday, I have some work to do for D.A.S.H. Center for the Arts. Later that day I'll be checking out "Upper Echelon", the next battle Alliance Battle League is putting on at Backstage Bar & Grill. These events are all-ages. Then that night, Beanz & Rize will be rocking the Juice Radio 7th Anniversary Show at the Harmom Taproom Underground. Door is $5 and the show starts at 9 p.m.

JACKIE FENDER Food Writer
Same ol' jazz - slanging drinks all weekend. I'lll also be working on a big art/craft fair for Peace Out's big fundraiser.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
This weekend is full of win. Friday, as part of my day job, I'll be attending the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts Graduate Series class complete with a catered dinner, usable lesson plans, and a ticket to the Ed Asner as FDR show. Saturday, the husband, toddler and I have a dinner date with one of our favorite families. Finally on Sunday, my husband is taking me to see Bill Cosby for an early birthday present!

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: Photographer
I'm bar-hopping tonight, snapping photos for the Weekly Volcano. The rest of the weekend I'm uking out on the four stringer, doing taxes, keeping it real and writing a book.

ROCKFORD ROWLEY All-Ages Music Columnist
This weekend I will be putting the albums Strike Gently by The Virgins as well as Comedown Machine by The Strokes on pre-order. Though not Tacoma-made, these are two highly-anticipated albums that are worth keeping an eye on.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

WHOA >>>

It is the weekend again! It looks like there'll be some extra cool stuff going on in Tacoma. Here is what I suggest as far as hip-hop and the 253 go. ...

Tonight at the Temple Theater, none other than Andre Nickatina will be rocking the house. Nickatina has a cult-like following. It is almost on the Mac Dre tip, but not quite.  Andre is bringing Mistah F.A.B. from the Bay with him. F.A.B. has a highly polished live show. He is a true MC. His showmanship, comedy, show-skits and freestyle flows are some of the top in the game. Local M.C. Puget from Olympia is also slated to open, along with some artists. The doors open at 7 and the show starts at 8 p.m. It looks like there is even an after-party with DJ Luvva J spinning. So, the night should be a true party. The Temple Theater does not host a lot of hip-hop shows, but when they do, the town comes out and it is a sight to see. Tickets are $35 at the door.

The fun continues with big shows Saturday. At 1 p.m. at the Backstage Bar & Grill on the west end of Sixth Avenue, Upper Echelon - the latest Alliance Battle League extravaganza - will go down. There is a host of battles on deck featuring some of the top area battlers set to spit it out. These Saturday all-ages events have become some of the biggest and most well attended hip-hop shows our city has to offer. If ya have not experienced an A.B.L. battle yet, quit sleeping!

If I had to name a Rookie-of-the-Year for 2012, it would have been Sky Pilot. The group's buzz got pretty darn big and they managed to breakthrough to the Seattle scene - something that is not easy. Sky Pilot is having its album release show Saturday at El Corazon in Seattle. It is $10 advance and $12 at the door. Sky Pilot can bend genres with the best of them. This show looks like it is more on the rock tip, so go check out this unique, interesting show.

S.P. is always grinding right and hard. His "We Out Here Showcase" has been active again. Check it out at Club M.I.D.A.S. in Chehalis. The showcase begins at 8 p.m. The cover is $10. It is all-ages too. There is a full line up of great battles and performances. Do not miss Patron and Sav Nightz, in particular. These cats are hella-busy out there doing their thing.

Saturday, the choices just keep coming. At The Loch's in downtown Tacoma, California legend Rappin 4 Tay is back. He has a good network going with Tom Hutch and P.M.E., as this is at least the second or third time they have brought up the Bay-Area MC. Tim-Me, MC Controversy and $krilla, as well as others, will be on hand to host and open. Show is $15 before 9:30 p.m. and $20 after, so get there early.

The most affordable show, and it could be the sleeper show of the night, is the Juice Radio's 7^th Anniversary show in Tacoma. The radio show celebrated its anniversary last weekend in Seattle with Q-Dot and Bruce Leroy. This show brings ya'll Bryce Bowden, Heather Gin, Ol Small and Beanz & Rize. This show is an eclectic mix up of different styles. There is boom-bap hip-hop, R&B and dance music on the bill. So come and get diverse with us. Show starts at 9 p.m. and is only $5.

Sunday, hit the Graffiti Garages at 1 p.m. for yo usual slice of live underground hip-hop culture. Sunday night, at 8 p.m., at Tacoma's California Club, Rappin 4 Tay will be on-hand for a meet-and-greet. There will be local performers vying for a 4 Tay collaboration. If ya want a piece of that action, hit-up Tom Hutch to get on the bill. Peace Family!

LINK: What's The Word? hip-hop column featuring ILLFIGHTYOU

ARTIST RECEPTION >>>

Burnished metal art is like glass art in this respect: Its natural beauty can be so enticing that the artist doesn't really have to do much of anything. It's so easy to get by with just a nice surface. Artist Devin Reynolds brings a nice aesthetic sense to his brushed metal work in his show, "Caustic Compositions," which runs through Feb. 15 at Fulcrum Gallery. 

Tonight, from 5-7 p.m., you may meet Reynolds during an artist reception at Fulcrum. If you're not so into art (how dare you!), Reynolds also knows a thing or two about tinkersmithing and magic.

Read Alec Clayton's full review of "Caustic Compositions" in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

FULCRUM GALLERY, DEVIN REYNOLDS RECEPTION, FRIDAY, FEB. 8, 5-7 P.M., NO COVER, 1308 MARTIN LUTHER LING JR, WAY, TACOMA, 253.250.0520