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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Cloudy, hi 53, lo 43

Saturday: periods of annoying rain, hi 47, lo 37

Sunday: Some rain here and there, hi 46, lo 35

>>> FRIDAY, FEB. 15-SUNDAY, FEB. 17: OLD-TIME MUSIC FESTIVAL

The Fifth Annual Olympia Old-Time Music Festival is in full swing. Through Sunday the event takes over the Olympia Ballroom and The First Christian Church with workshops - such as Appalachian basketry, waltzing and beginning mandolin - and of course, musicians! A full schedule of performers include Grizzle Grazzle Tune Snugglers, the Gold Diggers and Kendl Winter. The Oly Old Timers mission statement is to "... spread a love of traditional Appalachian music and create a good excuse to interact with real, live, people, through music and dance and pie-eating." - Nikki McCoy

• Olympia Ballroom and First Christian Church, hours vary, $12, weekend pass $25, Olympia, www.olyoldtime.org

>>> FRIDAY, FEB. 15: BLACK PANTHER AARON DIXON

King's Books is undeniably the literary epicenter of Tacoma these days. So it's not surprising to see Aaron Dixon, one of the co-founders of the Seattle chapter of the Black Panther Party, is at King's Friday to discuss his new memoir, My people Are Rising: Memoir of a Black Panther Party Captain. - Weekly Volcano

• King's Books, 7 p.m., free, 218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.8801, kingsbookstore.com

>>> FRIDAY, FEB. 15-SUNDAY, FEB. 17: ARTIST RAVEN SKYRIVER

Something unique will happen in the Museum of Glass Hot Shop. An artist will return for the second of two back-to-back residencies, a rare occurrence to be sure. Said artist is Raven Skyriver, maker of intriguingly real-looking marine creatures large and small. He scored two residencies in a row by winning two separate awards at the Red Hot Party & Auction last September. He won both the People's Choice and Artists' Choice awards, each came with a hot shop residency. - Kristin Kendle

• Museum of Glass, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $5-$12, 1801 Dock St., Tacoma, 866.468.7386

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 16: ST. MARTIN'S PANCAKE FEED BREAKFAST

You're damn right we love pancakes. Like, we Ron-Swanson love pancakes. It's an almost unsettling level of obsession. But whatever. We'd eat pancakes for almost any reason or cause, making Saturday's pancake breakfast at Saint Martin's University benefiting the Campus Ministry's annual mission service a total no-brainer. According to the press release, this year 16 students will travel to Yakima Vallery to work with Migrant Farm Workers and Catholic Charities Housing. Eat pancakes AND make Yakima a better place! It's a win-win! The $5 ticket, which can be purchased prior to the event at the Campus Ministry office, includes pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit and beverages.

• Saint Martin's - Norman Worthington Conference Center, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., $5, 5300 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey, stmartin.edu

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 15: BIG BEER FESTIVAL

The Big Beer Festival this Saturday in Tacoma will feature 60 hand crafted beers with big character and big flavor. This first annual event has two time slots available, noon to 4 p.m. and 4:30-8:30 p.m., and features 5.5-ounce commemorative taster glasses plus six tasting tokens. Additional 5.5-ounce pours can be purchased for $1.50. Plus, there will be great food. But hurry, it looks like the Big Beer Fest is getting a big response and is almost sold out! Well done, Tacoma. Check Tacoma Craft Beer's Facebook page for updates and where to purchase tickets.

• Foss Waterway Seaport, noon - 8:30 p.m., $20/adv, $25/door, 705 Dock Street, Tacoma

>>> SUNDAY, FEB 17: NUMERO BY NORTHWEST

"Numero By Northwest" is an unusual DJ showcase at The Brotherhood Lounge Sunday. And by unusual, I mean rare - but I also mean weird, which in Olympia, equates to awesome. The Numero Group's Ken Shipley, Justin Trosper from Unwound/Survival Knife and DJ Wildman James will spin soul, garage and other obscure gems in the comfort of a lounge where a wall of carpet JFKs and gigantic hanging guitars make it feel like your best friend's living room. Dancers and wallflowers welcome. - NM

• The Brotherhood Lounge, 9 p.m., no cover, 119 Capitol Way, Olympia, 360.352.4153

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
It's Valentine's Day weekend, I'm a happily married man, and I'd prefer to stay that way. Ergo, I'm creating a bed and breakfast in our home by adding cozy touches and cooking Amanda breakfast in bed. She may also get dinner and a movie out of the deal. Mr. Romance, that's me.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
This weekend, if I have any brain at all, I'll take it easy and just stay inside. But, if I do go out, I'll probably hit up the Saucy Yoda show at The New Frontier, or maybe The Albert Square show at the Wingmen Brewery, which I've never been to.

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
It's my birthday. Party time.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
How about a bubble bath while the servants, I mean children, clean the cat box and fold the laundry? How about a full body massage with lavender and jojoba oil while my husband serenades me on the guitar? How about a luxury shopping trip with girlfriends and martinis while a team of top-rate gardeners prepare my yard for spring? Oh, sorry, what was that? My weekend plans? Nursing a cold and scrubbing toilets while the tyrants, I mean children, fight over Legos and complain about dinner.

JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
Fiday, Beanz & Rize are performing at the Central Ave Pub in Kent for Nuvo Tha1's birthday party. Saturday, I'll be teaching my spoken word/poetry class at D.A.S.H. - then that night I'm going to celebrate the 9th Anniversary of the 206 Zulu Nation chapter. Sunday, I'm going to try to get down to the Graffiti Garage M.C. Cyphers.

JACKIE FENDER Food Writer
Friday will include art bus pow wowing, checking out a certain local community kitchen and topped off with a Wrist poetry reading and open poetry slam at Bluebeard. Saturday will start with convincing others to start their day with a moonshine mary and more Peace Out fundraising planning. Sunday is committed to work and sleep.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
The husband and I will be taking the toddler to the mountains for some legit sledding on Friday. Saturday, I will set my alarm so I can make it to a friends house for 3 and 1/2 hours of writing before hopping on the train for a family weekend in Portland. While there, I'm hoping to sleep but most likely I'll just end up at Powell's. Probably more than once per day.

TIMOTHY GRISHAM Music Writer
Friday is the day after hallmark gift card day,the amazing BLACK MARBLE is playing, Broken Water is playing and Happy Noose is playing. Hey, that's me!

JENNI PRANGE-BORAN Features Writer
Trying, trying, trying to catch up on Oscar-nominated movies. Look for me at The Grand!

NIC LEONARD Music Writer
Friday night I will be tossing pizzas at I.talia Pizzeria on the westside of Olympia. Afterward, I plan to relax and watch the movie Flight. Saturday, I will be spending a good portion of the day hitting up various Goodwill and Value Villages around the South Sound area followed by a relaxing evening at home with a bottle of whiskey.

ROCKFORD ROWLEY All-Ages Music Columnist
This weekend I will be leaving my beloved city of destiny for another destination: San Francisco. I am traveling there to see one of my favorite bands, The Vaccines, play at The Fillmore. I'm also looking forward to taking in the SF culture, and visiting some places I've never been to before. And of course, I'll be sure to wear some flowers in my hair.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

Tonight, ya got two good and different-styled shows as choices.

In Tacoma, Dirty Oscar's Annex hosts a free homecoming show for The Breaklites at 9 p.m. The group has been on tour. The Breaklites has that white boy hip-hop/funk thing down. Joining them tonight is Kung Foo Grip, a dope group from Seattle.

Nuvo Tha1's birthday show is tonight at the Central Ave Pub in Kent. This free show begins at 9:30 p.m. Performing with Nuvo will be Influential Minds, PoiseN'Ivy, Blue Nose Music, Tim-Me, Doktor Roks, $krilla, 36uh-O, Beanz & Riz, and D.J. Sith One. This show will have of an underground hip-hop party vibe.

Saturday, the fun continues with Krunk 8: Str8 Beastin It at 7 p.m. inside the Theatre on the Square. This is a dance performance put on by D.A.S.H. Center for the Arts. Tickets are $10 advance or $15 at the door.

Sunday, the AyeLogics open for Bone Thugs-N-Harmony at 8 p.m. inside Seattle's Neumos. Tickets are $30. Warm up for the Bone show at the Graffiti Garage MC Cyphers at 1 p.m.

Peace Family!

AWESOME >>>

Wouldn't it be great if you could just negotiate-down your overdue library fines? If you could stroll into the Tacoma Public Library, offer them food and have your borrower status upgraded from "terribly horrible" to "do-gooder awesome"?

Well, you can.

Beginning on Feb. 19 Tacoma's libraries will hold a community food drive at all eight branches. For every three non-perishables items you donate, the library will reduce your overdue fines by $10, without a limit to the total amount waived. Titled "Food For Fines," all food items donated will be delivered to a neighborhood food bank, and you'll be inspired to bring back To Kill a Mockingbird.

According to a release, "Each library branch is working with a nearby food bank to ensure donations stay in the neighborhood. There is no limit to the number of food items the library will accept, nor to the size of the overdue fines the library will forgive."

The Food For Fines drive will runs through March 2. More information is available at www.tacomapubliclibrary.org, or by telephoning the library at 253.292.2001.

South Sound Sidekick series offers advice from experts living in the, well, South Sound. It posts every Friday. Today, Jusby the Clown will help you discover if you or a loved one is clown material.

Jusby the Clown writes,

If you suspect that you or a loved one might be a clown you might want to seek professional help.

First, know that clowning exists on a continuum with mutually exclusive elements, but some characteristics are shared across historical, geographical and cultural boundaries. Clowns use memorization and improvisation with their voices, bodies and props to entertain, educate and ease suffering. So ask: "Is this potential clown using one or more of these tools to achieve one of these results?"

The clown archetype has roots as ancient as the Trickster animals in origin myths, and the first human clowns were wounded healers or medicine people.  We've always needed clowns. They tell stories with lessons that can be overt or subtle. They speak truth to power. Ask: "Is this potential clown teaching others through mischief?"

In modern times a class clown may have the mad gifts that go with a diagnosis from the DSM like ADHD or Asperger's, and these clowns need to be shown how to channel their energies and insights into appropriate venues. This is their biggest challenge because one of the defining characteristics of a clown is their INAPPROPRIATENESS!  One way to discover if you're dealing with an emergent clown is to note the type and timing of ‘inappropriate' behavior such as word play, puns, rhymes, reversals, exaggerations, distortions of size and tempo, repetition, reversals, repetition, reversals, non sequitur, rubber chickens - general bizarreness both in society and in seclusion. These may indicate possession of Clown Spirit. They must exercise those skills by performing to laughter and applause to satisfy the compulsion. Temporarily. Ask: "Is this potential clown bubbling and bumbling with unregulated impulses to blurt and ‘misbehave'?"

The root of the word clown means clumsy. Clowns achieve successful engagement with their audiences by showing our human foibles, failing repeatedly until reaching an innovative solution. Another great challenge of a clown is to become graceful and at ease manipulating their bodies, voices and props.  To meet the goals of entertaining, educating or easing suffering a clown will safely transition between confident incompetence and uncertain proficiency. And back. Ask: "Does this potential clown make easy things look hard and hard things look easy?"

If you or a loved one answered YES to these questions, seek immediate professional assistance. Unsupervised emergent clowns can become a liability to themselves and their communities. A well cared for clown will improve the quality of life for the society that adopts it.

I call out to all whom self-identify as clowns (Buffoons, Comedians, Fools, Jesters, and Pranksters, et al.) to help preserve and improve the field of clowning by collaborating as mentors and mentees. As the Diet Coke is to the Mentos, so shall Elders hold sacred carbonated space and direct the natural exuberance of Young Clownlings to greater heights.

Jusby the Clown is a founding member of the Olympia Clown Collaborative, a welcoming community that provides support, encouragement and mentorship to First of Mays and evolving clowns, allowing them to progress toward their uniquely realized selves. He has pied more than 750 willing faces including Dr. "Patch" Adams.  He is also a Certified Laughter Yoga leader and graduate of the Simple Fool's Silly School of Top-Secret Esoteric Clowning. Connect with him online at jusbytheclown.com

LINK: Make film gore with household items

LINK: Parenting advice for punk rockers

LINK: How to improve your photography skills

LINK: Get fit the Dungeons and Dragons way

LINK: Roommate advice

LINK: Marijuana smoking advice

LINK: How to harvest geoducks

LINK: Music business advice

LINK: First tattoo advice

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LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

4th Ave Ale House Olympia - Downtown. The Fail Safe Project, December In Red, Keeping Secrets, High Noon Horizon. 9 pm.

Capitol Theater Olympia - Downtown. 4 MCs By MCs: Freestyle Rap Battle, hosted by Heretic & Remex. All Ages. 7:30 pm. $5.

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

Dirty Oscar's Annex Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. The Breaklites, Kung Foo Grip. 9 pm. NC.

• The ever-popular Tacoma hip-hop group The Breaklites just recently released the video for the title track from its fourth, full-length In The Trunk, which dropped in the summer of 2012. The video is the culmination from being on the road capturing the group in grainy, minimalistic black and white footage that compliments the song's simplistic, yet driving beat. The crew, which came together in 2008, has spent the last two years pushing forward with a growing group of musicians, and an ever-expanding fanbase. From rocking sold out shows to their first adventure down to SXSW, 2012 saw The Breaklites begin to enjoy some of the fruits of its labor, in that regard, the video for "In the Trunk" is a celebration of the work the band put in over the last several years. To celebrate the whole deal, the group is throwing a homecoming party at DOA Feb. 15 with Seattle rap trio Kung Foo Grip. - Timothy Grisham
  

Forza Coffee Fircrest. Nolan Garrett. All Ages. 7 pm. NC.

Harmon Tap Room Tacoma - Stadium District. Deborah Page, Christine Salazar. Science! 9 pm. $5.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. The Fat Tones. 8 pm.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Broken Water, Black Marble, Happy Noose. 9 pm.

Maxwell's Restaurant + Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. Lance Buller Combo. 7 pm.

McCoy's Tavern Olympia - Downtown. Mico De Noche, Vanguard, Bloodhunger. 10 pm. $5.

• This upcoming weekend both Tacoma and Olympia get to taste the sweet dank metal of Mico De Noche, with thrash duo Vanguard and T-town metalheads Bloodhunger. Come to either show and have access to Mico De Noche's brand spanking new 7-inch set to release in stores Feb 26. The blood red disc features cover artwork by Eugene based Sean Schock, who does work for handfuls of bands, including YOB and Brothers of the Sonic Cloth. In other words, that 7-inch is sexy as hell and will look good in your collection. Come to the show and let the metal take over.  - Nikki McCoy
  

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Shotgun Kitchen. 9 pm.

Pantages Theater Tacoma - Downtown. Roberta Flack. All Ages. 7:30 pm. $49-$109. Read Nikki McCoy's interview with Roberta Flack in the Weekly Volcano's music section.

Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma - Downtown. 80s Night featuring Height Requirement. 9 pm. NC.

Spar Cafe Olympia - Downtown. Tattered Dress. 8 pm. NC.

The Track House Olympia. Shadows Tape/CD Release Show, with Huldrekall, Bison Bison, Lichen. 9 pm.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Gimp Bus. 9 pm.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. Jim Malcolm. All Ages. 8 pm. $10-$15.

LINK: More live music in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SERIOUSLY, NO TICKETS AT THE DOOR >>>

Simple beer math - courtesy of the folks behind today's Big Beer Festival: Winter is cold and big alcohol beers makes you warm, so by way of beer logic, the Big Beer Festival is sold out!

"The BIG Beer Festival is officially sold out of tickets and will not have tickets to sell at the door :( [we are] sorry if any of you have missed getting your ticket but I promise you the Tacoma Craft Beer Festival on September 7th will be our largest yet." - Big Beer Festival management

Oh well. There are other awesome things to do today in the South Sound.

SATURDAY, FEB. 16 2013 >>>

1. The Reality Check Dance Team - the youth outreach organization of the D.A.S.H. Center - has been producing one of the most popular hip-hop dance showcases in Tacoma. In its eighth year, the group's Krunk showcase will host 14 dance acts, comprising a diverse genres of dance styles, while giving a beautiful elevated platform to the genre of hip-hop,at 7 p.m  inside the Theatre on the Square. Watch the dances, ages 8-38, beast it and get krunk. 

2. Puss in Boots - based on one of the most beloved characters of the Shrek series - tells the hilarious and courageous (daring, bold, brave) tale of Puss' early adventures as he teams with mastermind Humpty Dumpty and the street-savvy Kitty to steal the famed Goose that lays the Golden Eggs. See the film for free at 9:30 a.m. at The Grand Cinema, compliments of Click! Tacoma. Put your boot son fast; tickets are limited.

3. Dancing with the Stars is a TV show that pairs professional dancers with famous people - stars who often wouldn't know the bunny hop if it bit them in the ass. Each show, an unlucky couple gets voted off. By the end of the season, the only couples left on stage are ballroom rock stars. "Dancing with the Tacoma Stars" offers a similar experience, but with a very Tacoma twist. All dancers are rock stars within the community. There are six stars: Tacoma City Councilman Ryan Mello, Metro Parks Commissioner Erik Hanberg, Dr. George McClure of Multicare; local investment manager and vocal teacher Jo Goodman, Pierce College Chancellor Dr. Michele Johnson and yoga teacher Nancy Keiter. The dance professionals that they're paired with are based in Western Washington. The evening starts with a dinner at 5:30 p.m. at the Temple Theatre Ballroom. Read Kristin Kendle's full feature on Dancing with the Tacoma Stars in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

4. Songwriters Steve Nebel, John Sparrow and Gary Kanter fill form a circle (the best they can with only three people) and sing songs and tell stories of social justice at 7 p.m. inside King's Books.

5. Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto brings out the mysticism, poetic reverie and wildness of his music, which is the perfect piece of Tacoma-based chamber orchestra Northwest Sinfonietta to mess with it. And by mess with it, we mean perform the piece entirely with strings. Hear the performance at 7:30 p.m. inside the Rialto Theater. German pianist Andreas Klein will join in.

LINK: Saturday, Feb. 16 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

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 Monkeyshines and Murray Morgan Bridge news - as well as the latest action on the streets.

Setting up for the Tacoma Craft Beer 'Big Beer' Fest. vine.co/v/brIjUQIiFhr

— DUO Brewing (@duobrewing) February 16, 2013

Overheard: "We should just knock it down and put in a strip mall. THAT would create value."

— Derek Young (@DerekYoung) February 16, 2013

Anyone else in #Tacoma see the green meteor around 7:45 tonight? Was also sighted in Seattle & in Cali. #Whoa #Cool

— mariachong (@mariachong) February 16, 2013

Cut off all the sound in my house to think but the sirens and random fights outside ruined that #Tacoma

— Ash'ley Rushin (@rushgotjokes) February 16, 2013

Great view of farmland in Sumner with Mt Rainier in the distance from @soundtransit Sounder! #tacoma twitter.com/rashjordan/sta…

— Jordan Rash (@rashjordan) February 15, 2013

RT @tacomatransit: #Streetcar tracks would make the Murray Morgan a full restoration. That point is lost in the current festivities. #Tacoma

— Matt Newport (@tacomabikeranch) February 16, 2013

Why is the TNT surprised that Puyallup's school bond failed? Puy hates government, taxes. #Tacoma OTOH broke 70% approve for $500m.

— Chris Karnes (@TacomaTransit) February 15, 2013

Really wanted to ride in the #Tacoma #mmb100 procession this morning.But home sick with St. Valentine's revenge. Thank you Tides Tavern.

— Kris Symer (@ksymer) February 15, 2013

The Murray Morgan Bridge reflected in the painted fender of a car from LeMay America's Car Museum this morning. #Tacoma campl.us/n0eY

— Rob McNair-Huff (@RobMcNairHuff) February 15, 2013

Better tweet: #HarlemShake, #GallopinGertie edition: youtube.com/watch?v=8VNGWb… … #Tacoma

— Lindsay Cohen (@cohenkomo) February 15, 2013

These next two are for the ladies in our favorite Tacoma burbs. twitter.com/TheNoseTribune…

— The Nose (@TheNoseTribune) February 14, 2013

Rock thrower causes $2,000 in damages at #Tacoma's Grand Cinema: bit.ly/WrSM5D

— Tacoma News Tribune (@thenewstribune) February 14, 2013

The undeniable puppies hashtag. RT @grandcinemawill you be our valentine? #savethegrand #tacoma #vday #puppies twitter.com/GrandCinema/st…

— Post Defiance (@PostDefiance) February 14, 2013

Tacoma News Tribune: Puyallup sad, Tacoma happy after school vote bit.ly/12CpLEX #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) February 14, 2013

Beautiful Angle posters in Tacoma right now! Got our first one tonight #beautifulangle #saved #tacoma twitter.com/meekles/status…

— Meekles (@meekles) February 14, 2013

#Tacoma receives $1.9 million in state transportation grants for street improvement projects: bit.ly/Y9nXAj

— Tacoma News Tribune (@thenewstribune) February 13, 2013

Murray Morgan Bridge, Point Defiance Park among Tacoma’s 11 Wonders | #Tacoma Daily Index ow.ly/hGMfx

— Tacoma Daily Index (@TacomaIndex) February 13, 2013

Pierce Transit will preserve some weekend service, but that means cuts elsewhere in the PT budget. exit133.com/7411/pierce-tr… #Tacoma

— Exit133 (@exit133) February 13, 2013

Just drove by the house from "10 Things I Hate About You". I would have taken a pic but it's too dark. #tacoma

— Ryanna Hartley (@ryannahartley) February 13, 2013

Look how GOOD my mocha is! #MetronomeCoffee #Tacoma @ Metronome Coffee instagr.am/p/VqASlOjKRi/

— Infini-Shan (@shannondimitri) February 13, 2013

#Tacoma unveils economic development plan - a 5-year strategy w/ broad goals & a more narrowly focused "action plan" bit.ly/YbaQjW

— Lewis Kamb (@lewiskamb) February 12, 2013

Harlem Shake Tacoma Valentine Version: youtu.be/pI2K10Jjrrk via @youtube #tacoma #harlemshake #valentine

— RustyGeorgeCreative (@RustyGCreative) February 12, 2013

Columbia Bank Building in downtown #Tacoma going up for auction: bit.ly/159vNB7

— Tacoma News Tribune (@thenewstribune) February 12, 2013

Vote today: #Tacoma, #Puyallup school bond backers sweat through homestretch: bit.ly/12JrmgQ

— Tacoma News Tribune (@thenewstribune) February 12, 2013

Utility rates, bonds, loans, economic development strategy, and all kinds of other fun stuff. exit133.com/7394/tacoma-ci… #Tacoma

— Exit133 (@exit133) February 12, 2013

Tickets are going fast! buy them here #tacoma #savethegranddesigncart.net/cgi-bin/cart.c…

— Grand Cinema (@GrandCinema) February 12, 2013

Leaving the waterfront earlier today. #Peaceful #Waterfront #Tacoma #TacTown instagr.am/p/Vnu9ZjhXW8/

— Ulises Leiva (@Dodger_That_Uli) February 12, 2013

If you live in #Tacoma or #Puyallup - VOTE - Send in those ballots! It is for our future! #education #children

— Michael James (@mjcoug) February 12, 2013

#BonneyLake man sentenced to 2 years in prison for embezzling from group that owns Hotel Murano in #Tacoma: bit.ly/14OBX8L

— Tacoma News Tribune (@thenewstribune) February 11, 2013

Tacoma Link extension decision could come by April (with maps): bit.ly/YS65wy #tacoma #soundtransit

— Tacoma News Tribune (@thenewstribune) February 11, 2013

Finally home from work. Are there any #Monkeyshines left #Tacoma?

— @602Sounder (@602Sounder) February 11, 2013

Tacoma #253 #tacoma #cityofdestiny instagr.am/p/VkvwrIr1i4/

— RP253 (@RaiderPaul253) February 11, 2013

Yippee Skippy!! #Beautiful Angle #Art #Tacoma

— Holly Campbell (@CampbellHolly) February 11, 2013

We are in this New York Times article, read it while starting a 'spro-mance of your own. fb.me/JnUF9eA1

— Olympia Coffee (@OlympiaCoffee) February 10, 2013

#monkeyshines year of the snake, found by a tiger twitter.com/SpringtidePres…

— Jessica Spring (@SpringtidePress) February 10, 2013

Really enjoying the pictures of everyone's balls this morning. Good luck out there! #monkeyshines

— Nathe Lawver (@NatheLawver) February 10, 2013

We got our #monkeyshines thank you monkeys. And for those still looking... South Tacoma Way is a good spot. twitter.com/Amocat253/stat…

— Jordan Foster (@Amocat253) February 10, 2013

Downtown Tacoma looks like a convention for cat burglars right now. Beanies and flashlights. #monkeyshines

— Halley Knigge (@halleyrebecca) February 10, 2013

#Tacoma land of 100,000 awesome ideas!! instagr.am/p/Vipxr6LIEd/

— Dave Kellman (@HELLTRACK) February 10, 2013

Tacoma News Tribune: Dedicated band of Tacomans gave bridge its life back bit.ly/12h9C7N #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) February 10, 2013

Broken Spoke #253 #tacoma #cityofdestiny #bikeporn instagr.am/p/ViVK2vr1p3/

— RP253 (@RaiderPaul253) February 10, 2013

Miss my City #tacoma #WA #253 instagr.am/p/ViZeNAt9rE/

— hawkaholic (@ChristianG253) February 10, 2013

2013 Legislature must deal with mental illness bit.ly/URnlF0 #tacoma

— TNT opinion page (@tntopinion) February 10, 2013

Supported local farmers & chefs at the Proctor Market today. Yummy cheese, bread, soup and beautiful flowers. #Tacoma

— Liz Satterthwaite (@LizSattert) February 10, 2013

This summer I will thoroughly enjoy running along the expanded Rust on Way waterfront in #Tacoma.

— Chris Karnes (@TacomaTransit) February 10, 2013

Dear #Tacoma, I'm kind of in love with you right now. flic.kr/p/dTtPQk

— charlotte (@monstergirlee) February 9, 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.

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

4th Ave Ale House Olympia - Downtown. The Ethan Tucker Band, The Approach. 9 pm.

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

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Nine50Nine, Big Wheel Stunt Show, From The Sea. 8 pm.

King's Books Tacoma - Stadium District. Songwriter's Circle: Steve Nebel, John Sparrow, Gary Kanter. Join these three for an evening of song and storytelling. All Ages. 7-9 pm. NC.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Reptilian Shape Shifters. All Ages. 5 pm.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Speeding Kills Bears, Saucy Yoda, Needles and Pizza. 9 pm. $5.

O'Malley's irish Pub Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Mico De Noche, Vanguard, Bloodhunger. 9 pm. $5.

• Tonight Tacoma gets to taste the sweet dank metal of Mico De Noche, with thrash duo Vanguard and T-town metalheads Bloodhunger. Come to the show and have access to Mico De Noche's brand spanking new 7-inch set to release in stores Feb 26. The blood red disc features cover artwork by Eugene based Sean Schock, who does work for handfuls of bands, including YOB and Brothers of the Sonic Cloth. In other words, that 7-inch is sexy as hell and will look good in your collection. Come to the show and let the metal take over.  - Nikki McCoy

Rainy Day Records Olympia - Downtown. Survival Knife, Reptilian Shapeshifters, Orcta#Grape. 9 pm. $5

• Survival Knife is Kris Cunningham on drums, Meg Cunningham on bass, Brandt Sandeno on guitar and Justin Trosper on guitar and vocals. Yes, Meg and Kris are married, and yes, Sandeno and Trosper are two of the original three members of Olympia's infamous '90s indie rock predecessors, Unwound. Read Nikki McCoy's full interview with Survival Knife in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma - Downtown. Zero Down. 9 pm.

Six Olives Lounge and Restaurant Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Big Huge. 8 pm. NC.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. Gabriel, The Blondes. 8 pm.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Full Blast. 9 pm.

Washington Center for the Performing Arts Olympia - Downtown. Makana. All Ages. 7:30 pm.

LINK: More live music Saturday, Feb. 16 in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, FEB. 17 2013  >>>

1. "Numero By Northwest" is an unusual DJ showcase at The Brotherhood Lounge at 9 p.m. And by unusual, we mean rare - but we also mean weird, which in Olympia, equates to awesome. The Numero Group's Ken Shipley, Justin Trosper from Unwound/Survival Knife and DJ Wildman James will spin soul, garage and other obscure gems in the comfort of a lounge where a wall of carpet JFKs and gigantic hanging guitars make it feel like your best friend's living room. Dancers and wallflowers welcome.

2. Something unique will happen in the Museum of Glass Hot Shop. An artist will return for the second of two back-to-back residencies, a rare occurrence to be sure. Said artist is Raven Skyriver, maker of intriguingly real-looking marine creatures large and small. He scored two residencies in a row by winning two separate awards at the Red Hot Party & Auction last September. He won both the People's Choice and Artists' Choice awards, each came with a hot shop residency, which ends today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. Next to Normal ends its run at the Capital Playhouse with a 2 p.m. staging. In the play we find Diana Goodman waiting up for her teen-aged son while her insomniac daughter Natalie does calculus homework. As her husband Dan sings the next morning, it's "Just Another Day" in workaday suburbia. What we haven't figured out is why Diana's so distracted. She has a better idea than we do, but even her shrink, the ironically named Dr. Madden, can't get a handle on her dysfunction, prescribing one cocktail after another of happy pills. Because yeah: this musical goes there. Diana's mentally ill, and it's unclear whether trauma some years ago brought on these troubles or they already existed, depriving her of the ability to cope. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of Next to Normal in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

4. The Progressive Dinner Tour presented by Studio 6 Ballroom hits Sixth Avenue at 4, 5 and 6 p.m. 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 we 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. All your questions may be answered at 253.905.5301.

5. The Albert Square makes peppy pop-punk that calls to mind other practitioners of grinning, clever alt-rock, like They Might Be Giants, the Dead Milkmen and Cake - not to mention Barenaked Ladies, Blink 182 and Ben Kweller. You get the idea. But no matter how clever you are, you'd be dead in the water without some serious, smart hooks, and the Albert Square has those in spades. Joining the Albert Square for a free show at 9 p.m. inside Wingman Brewers are fellow indie rocker Brooklyn Pool, Trees and Timber, and the up-and-coming awesomeness of Shogun Barbie.

LINK: Sunday, Feb. 17 arts and entertainemtn events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area