WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20 2013 >>>

1. British prog-rockers Wishbone Ash's harmony-laden dual-guitar attack predated Thin Lizzy, the group often credited with inventing it. Of course, Wishbone Ash also perfected the slow beginning/fast ending rock anthem. Only guitarist Andy Powell remains from the group's '70s heyday, but despite an ungodly number of lineup changes, he's managed to keep Ash on the road and recording. The band's current lineup is Finland's guitar wizard Muddy Manninen, long-time bassist Bob Skeat and drummer Joe Crabtree. While Wishbone Ash's Elegant Stealth Tour brings the band to Tacoma's Jazzbones at 8 p.m., the band will concentrate on its third album Augus - considered to be its greatest release - and includes such hits as "The King Will Come" and "Blowin' Free."

2. Award-winning poet Bruce Beasley will read from his latest poetry collection, Theophobia, at 4 p.m. in the Benedictine Reading Room of O’Grady Library on Saint Martin’s Lacey campus. The event is free and open to the public.

3. The Puget Sound Revels hosts its annual Spring Sing at 7 p.m. inside King's Books. Bring your voice, fiddle and penny whistle for an evening of rounds, springs songs, sea songs, drinking songs and others. Expect song sheets and snacks.

4. Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland and recently wrapping up a UK tour, the Golden Grrrls trio will play its air-tight set of indie pop punk laced with impeccable harmony at 7 p.m. inside Le Voyeur in Olympia. "What began as bedroom guitar experimentation soon bloomed into a fully-formed pop language inspired by the '80s New Zealand and Australian indie pop scenes, DIY punk and Glasgow's own rich pop history (think The Vaselines, The Pastels)," according to Grrrl's hype.

The Weekly Volcano staff has been injecting Survival Knife between its toes for weeks now. Nikki McCoy profiled the band, as well as mentioned its tour with Modest Mouse. Timothy Grisham reviewed the band's debut single. Even young Rockford Rowley gave nod to the show in his all-ages column. It's justified. The quartet is taking the local and global music scene by storm. At 8 p.m., the show finally hits Olympia. It will be your last chance to get your brains and ears brutalized before Survival Knife hits the road. The band will play with Deathfix (ex-Fugazi, Chain & The Gang) and Lois at Olympia's all-ages venue, Northern. 

LINK: Wednesday, March 20 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

A comforting drink is just what we crave during this rainy time of the year. When it comes with an excellent bite, even better. Here are several noteworthy South Sound drink and food pairings.

Jameson pairing

Thursday, April 18 Chef-owner Tom Pantley of ToscanosCafe & Wine Bar hosts a Jameson Irish Whiskey pairing dinner at 6:30 p.m. Four Jameson whiskeys - including a rare 18-year-old whiskey - will pair with Pantley's talents. Let's break it down:

• Jameson Irish Whiskey - Thyme and Sweet Vermouth Poached Salmon Sliders;
• Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey - Mushroom Ravioli with whiskey and butter sauce;
• Red Breast 12 Year Irish Whiskey - Prosciutto Wrapped Beef Steak, Fig Sauce, Fried Potatoes and Onions;
• Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve - Chocolate Toffee Torte.

The cost is $79 per person, tax and gratuity included. Reserve your spot at 253.864.8600.

Kestrel meets Dirty Oscar's

March 26 and 27, Dirty Oscar's Annex will hold its monthly pairing dinner, this version featuring Chef Aaron Grissom's new twists on American dishes paired with Kestrel Vintners. The menu is still a mystery, but the $50 dinner always sells out. Reserve your spot at 253.572.0588.

Taste Tacoma

Maxwell's Speakeasy and Lounge will host the Taste Tacoma food and drink pairing dinner Thursday, April 11. A matrimony of beer and wine from Tacoma winery 21 Cellars and the brewmasters of Wingman Brewers will match with a seven-course dining experience, which will include artisan cheeses from Backcountry Creamery and organic produce and eggs from Terry's Berries. The cost is $85 per person. Reserve your space at 253.683.4115.

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

IT'S THIRD THURSDAY! >>>

Tomorrow is the third Thursday of the month, which means Tacoma museums, galleries and business aim an extra spotlight or two on their art, complimenting the works with free nibbles and sips.

For all you Spew readers, you know the official Third Thursday Artwalk has been replaced with the Tacoma Art Mingle, which is gaining speed with an improved website, more participating venues and a new passport game.

Proctor Art Gallery participates in tomorrow's Art Mingle - but it's not content with just opening the door to see what happens.

"We're hoping through our connection with Tacoma Art Group and the Tacoma Art Mingle that people will come out and see what we're doing," says owner Carolyn Burt. "And learning a little bit about art, too, if they come in. We always have an artist on duty here. By talking to the artist, anyone can find out how things are done and made, so it's an educational process too for people who are interested."

Proctor Art Gallery has three featured artists this month: Gary LaTurner (painting and drawing), Sharon Crocetti (oil painting), and Leslie Theil - a lampworker who has branched out her glass bead and jewelry work into awesome glass and metalwork flowers mounted on maple burl. Of the three, Crocetti and Theil will be in the house Thursday.

"I'm actually doing a scratchboard demonstration from 6:15 to 7," says gallery owner Carolyn Burt. "So many people aren't aware of what scratchboard is. I've been showing it now for several months and a lot of people are curious what it is."

Scratchboard consists of a layer of white, baked clay with India ink on top. Burt will use a series of engraving tools to carve away the layer of black and create a black-and-white image. It's an unforgiving art form, but Burt has decided to take her chances anyway.

PROCTOR ART GALLERY, 3811 N. 26TH ST., TACOMA, 253.759.4238

FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING>>>

You might not know this (because you might be a Communist), but the Tacoma Rainiers will open the 2013 season at Cheney Stadium Friday, April 12 with a night game against the Salt Lake Bees. I had a chance to chat via e-mail this week with Byron Pullen, Tacoma Rainiers events coordinator, on the upcoming changes for Cheney Stadium.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: What is your vision as the new special events coordinator?

BYRON PULLEN: I am afforded the opportunity to make Cheney Stadium a year-round venue, meaning I'm tasked with attracting and creating events outside of the 72 Rainiers games we host each season. Baseball will always be what we are known for, but with the amenities this facility offers, Cheney Stadium has the potential to be much more than just a ballpark. Most people don't realize the scope of the events or outings that we can host. Christmas parties, company meetings, corporate picnics/batting practices, festivals, concerts, car shows, 5K runs, etc. - you name the event and I would love to talk about putting it together. The Rainiers focus has always been to contribute in making Tacoma be a highly desired destination for events and entertainment, with Cheney Stadium being a premiere venue.

VOLCANO: When/what will the first event outside of baseball be?

PULLEN: Our next big event is the Seattle Seahawks Celebrity Softball Game. The details will be released soon, but it looks to be an incredible opportunity to host current and former Seahawks players, all while benefitting a great cause. The game will be held on Sunday, July 7, 2013, and the Rainiers are excited to host it. Many more incredible events are already in the works this season, and we look forward to adding to that list as the year continues.

VOLCANO: Where can people find information about upcoming special events?

PULLEN: All events information is featured on the Tacoma Rainiers website, including a calendar with interactive features to help track our upcoming events schedule. Additional information can be found through Facebook, Twitter and the club's other social media platforms.

VOLCANO: Why do you think this change is important for Tacoma?

PULLEN: Hosting non-baseball events at Cheney Stadium presents the opportunity to further develop an already unique, culturally rich community. I have already come to appreciate many of the local venues and businesses involved in putting on events throughout the area, and the community seems supportive of bringing in concerts, festivals and other promising events. In Tacoma, the music and events industry is on the cusp of exploding, and the Rainiers want to do our part in making sure this region's potential is realized.  

VOLCANO: Anything else you'd like to add?

PULLEN: At the end of the day, the goal is to have members of the community wonder what the next fun event is happening at Cheney Stadium, regardless of the season. That's the fun part of my job; being able to put these special events together and get the community involved. This is one more way to give Tacoma something new that people can be excited to be a part of.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL HAPPINESS DAY! >>>

The United Nations has declared today International Happiness Day. What a lovely United Nations. It has taken a break from the heavy drinking and comfortable airline seats to take a deep breath, look up at the sky and be grateful for the wonderful gift of life. Maybe the U.N. will nourish someone else's happiness with a loving word or kind gesture. In fact, research shows that simply smiling will release some of those happy hormones within you and make someone else feel better, too.

Speaking of happiness, have you taken the Tacoma Happiness Initiative Project's survey? The deadline is April 25 to be part of this first round of building the new economy of well being in Tacoma. Click here to participate.

THURSDAY, MARCH 21 2013 >>>

1. Behead the Prophet No Lord Shall Live has returned, at least for the time being. The Olympia hardcore punk band, often considered at the forefront of the noise queercore movement, toured the country multiple times in the mid-1990s, while releasing material on Outpunk, Sound Pollution and K Records. Since the demise of the band some 13 years ago, some its members went on to other bands - Tight Bros, Lords of Lightseed, Yogoman Burning Band and Nudity, to name a few - while others became a touring vegan chef, budding lawyer, reggae jam band god and producer to many of Olympia's latest crop of bands. Sadly, the band also lost founding member and noise-violin player, Michael Griffen. The return of Behead the Prophet is not a reunion, but a happening - allowing the collective members to have closure. The band brings its happening to Olympia's Northern at 8 p.m. The show, which will be packed to the gills, also features The Need, Thrones and Hysterics. Read Timothy Grisham's full feature on Behead the Prophet No Lord Shall Live in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

It's the third Thursday of the month, which means the Tacoma Art Mingle goes down tonight from 5-8 p.m. The monthly art walk now has a passport game. Simply grab a passport at one of the participating venues, have each venue stamp your passport, then turn it in each quarter to win raffle prizes. Catch Pam Ingalls show at the Brick House Gallery and have owner Peter stamp you. Drop in on Katie Hagens show at 253 Collective Gallery and have her stamp you. Pop into the Throwing Mud Gallery in Old Town for a looksy at contemporary handcrafts, have owner Eileen Hudak stamp you. Check out Jill Neal's paintings and sip some wine at B2 Fine Art Gallery, and have owner Gary stamp you.

Want to learn more about Point Defiance Park? Who doesn't? At 5:30 p.m. inside Metro Parks Tacoma Headquarters the "3rd Thursday Community Dialogues" session will concentrate on near-term and long-range plans for the Tacoma park.

You might not think about it on a day-to-day basis, but there is a lot of "un" in Tacoma. Local photographer Gordy Lee has thought about it, though, and seeks to bring some attention to Tacoma's underused, unrecognized and other un-ness through his photos, which offer a colorful and perhaps unappreciated view of T-town. Lee's photos — on display at Tully's in downtown Tacoma — have a surreal look, created by use of three key elements - a tripod, a great camera, and hours of post-production computer work. Each photo takes 10 to 12 hours to create and sometimes consist of up to 20 individual images all at different exposure levels layered on top of one another. Photos are all shot in Tacoma. Unless you have other plans for tonight, do the UN-thinkable and meet the UN-Tacoma creator for a UN prolonged visit from 7-8 at Tully's.

Maurice the Fish Records presents an Evening of Keys IX, highlighting six great keyboard artists - including Brooke Lizotte, keyboardist for Dreamwreck and Dan Reed Network, as well as Doug Skoog (Blues Redemption and The Crazy Texas Gypsies), Mark Bittler (Bump Kitchen), Anthony Ciarochi (Tin Man, The Aury Moore Band and Stone Age Thriller), Raymond Hayden (Raymond Hayden and the Monsters in the Dark) and Derek Whitaker (Heartless, and occasionally, Heart to Heart and Heart. The show kicks off at 8 p.m. at Louie G's Pizzeria in Fife. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on Evening of Keys IX in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

LINK: Thursday, March 21 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Every year, the city of Olympia changes when the legislature is in session. It's like the great migration in Africa. The political operatives descend from all over the state. Eager young staffers in suits rush around, middle aged staffers roll their eyes, and legislators occasionally produce titillating stories. You can see their influence all over town, but my favorite place to watch is of course, outside.

Settle down on a bench in Heritage Park just before noon for the best viewing. The staffers stream out in ones and twos. Carefully winding their way down the switchbacks from the Capitol Dome. The ladies in their skirts and sensible tennis shoes, the runners trying to get in a few miles, a few men - mostly younger ones trailing their attractive female colleagues for some brownie points. Occasionally, you'll see a legislator in the flesh. You can identify them by the vague look, repeated blinking and constant reaching for their phones. They are completely out of their element and very entertaining to watch. On very nice days some of these wanderers take on a historical air, reminiscent of the Victorian era when taking a turn about the garden was a social norm and a way to be seen. They promenade slowly, gossiping and strategizing. On our less lovely spring days it's all business. Only the serious walkers brave less than perfect sunshine.

Heritage Park and Capitol Lake are great to visit for more than just the people watching. An abundance of ducks provides ample opportunity to impersonate David Attenborough with your own narration of their activities, and the dog watching is always entertaining. Where else would you find a Chihuahua dressed as an Ewok in March? (True story. Saw it on my last visit.) And the scenery is stunning. From one side of the lake you can admire the Capitol Dome, from the other the Olympic Mountains peek out at you.

The path around the lake is wide and lined with numerous benches. The Heritage Park section of the lake has a stonewall separating the path from the lake, which features markers representing each of the state's counties. I found it fun to read them and be reminded about the rest of our great state. Pend Orielle County anyone? The 1.7 mile loop around the main lake takes you through the aforementioned Heritage Park, as well as Marathon Park. An extension of the trail follows Deschutes Parkway down to the Interpretive Center. This is a great place to learn about wetlands and habitat.

The future of Capitol Lake is a bit uncertain. Currently it receives a large amount of sediment from the river feeding it. Thus, the lake is slowly filling with sediment and growing shallower every year. Many solutions - from dredging to restoring the natural estuary - have been discussed but nothing has been decided. Between financial, environmental, and community concerns, there seems to be little common ground.

But none of these concerns impact your ability to enjoy viewing the wildlife and the political operatives in their natural habitat. So grab a coffee or some lunch downtown (I recommend the Bread Peddler) and sit back to enjoy the show.

Capitol Lake

Fifth Avenue Southwest and Water Street
Olympia, WA 98501
Map

>>> VOTING CLOSED FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 21>>>

Three years ago, the Weekly Volcano challenged 64 taco slingers to enter tournament-style culinary combat, shell versus shell, with Moctezuma's crowned best taco. The next year, pizza took center-stage in our quest for gustatory greatness, with Katie Downs' pie reigning supreme. In 2012, it was breakfast time, baby, with Moon Rise Cafe grabbing all the bacon, eggs and hot cakes.

This year, the tradition continues.

Beginning today, 64 well-stacked competitors (some with the crusts trimmed off) will tip off and do battle - working their way through the tediously constructed bracket and toward ultimate supremacy.

We speak, of course, of the Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Sandwiches, which kicks off this morning right here on Spew. Sixty-four South Sound sandwiches were selected and seeded by readers throughout February, and now the time has come to see who's best. Only one can be crowned king - so vote early, and DAILY here on Spew. Use the bracket attached to his post to guide you through the daily matchups.

Then, on April 8, join us at Masa on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue for the Official Tournament of Sandwiches Party - our winner will be announced during halftime of the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship game.

The daily sandwich battles here on Spew are sponsored by Subway in Orting, Puyallup, Tacoma, Spanaway and Lakewood.

OK, let's check out today's First Round sandwich battles. Vote for one sandwich per battle. Voting for today's sandwiches battles ends at 11:45 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2013 >>>

1. Tommy Castro is Delbert McClinton's more talented kid brother. We have been waiting for this San Francisco rockin' blues guitarist to put another one in the ditches. Finally, this past November the blistering "Greedy" / "That's All I Got" (Alligator Records) arrived. Nobody plays roadhouse like this anymore: the rock snarl and the soul heart. His songs don't make us want to sing along; they make us want to scream along. Tommy Castro and the Painkillers will play Jazzbones at 8 p.m.

2. The Bayview School of Cooking in Olympia will pour cider and meads with complementary cheeses from 5-7:30 p.m. The cost is $12 per person. No RSVP is required.

3. Tacoma's first artisan children's clothing shop, Dandelion Wishes, will hold an opening reception from 6-9 p.m. before the store officially opens March 23 at 10 a.m. in the old Corina Bakery space at 510 Sixth Ave. Appropriately, Corina Bakery will provide snacks.

4. Have you visited the Science Dome? At 7 p.m. the South Sound's only planetarium will host an interactive tour of our current night sky, exploring the stars, planets, constellations and other celestial objects followed by a 20-35 minute full dome show.  A question and answer period will follow.

5. As if Horace Pickett's awesome name wasn't enough, the band actually does well at evoking the cheesy party vibe of "Monster Mash." Though the band claims that it often gets comparisons to the Kinks, They Might Be Giants and Beck, to us it couldn't be more perfectly channeling Devo. Stiffly voiced robot-funk, surging electro-pop, concerning topics such as the Milky Way and the weirdness of having a body - and all that entails. Check the band out with The Whorewoods at 10 p.m. inside Le Voyeur.

LINK: Friday, March 22 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

<<< VOTED CLOSED FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 22 >>>

The Weekly Volcano loves sandwiches. Let us say that again: We LOVE sandwiches. We still get giddy over a food item designed almost specifically for children. And we're not really all that picky. A good P, B and J is perfectly awesome. We probably would even dive back into a bologna and Miracle Whip on Wonder Bread if it were served with some Hawaiian Punch.

The South Sound also loves sandwiches. And voting. Yesterday's vote total was the largest Weekly Volcano food tournament opening day tally, surpassing our tacos, pizza and breakfast tournaments' opening bell numbers. Yes, the South Sound turned out in force to vote in yesterday's kickoff of the Tournament of Sandwiches competition. Phone trees were instigated. Neighbors were harassed. Computer labs were invaded. Our poor little blog had to work overtime as droves voted in First Round action.

Yesterday's Results

GAME ONE: MSM Deli's Mike's Deluxe vs. Embers Restaurant's Clubhouse

When a sandwich beats another sandwich by 94.5 percent of the votes, it's called being "clubbed" in the sandwich world. No truly, look it up. MSM's Mike's Deluxe clubbed the Embers Restaurant's Clubhouse sandwich. Will that stop folks from playing a round of golf at Indian Summers Golf & Country Club - where Embers is embedded - while we all work? Nope.

GAME TWO: Doyle's Public House's Cheesy British vs. The Harmon's Tacoma Dome Dip

If you erect a 4,000 square foot tent complete with a 20-foot TV screen to celebrate a holiday, say St. Patrick's Day, then you're labeled as a serious player. That's exactly what happened March 17 at Doyle's. The U.K.-style pub is also serious about its signature Cheesy British sandwich, which grabbed 60 percent of the votes yesterday over The Harmon's Tacoma Dome Dip. The Cheesy British will face off with Mike's Deluxe March 29. Expect skirmishes up and down Division Avenue.

GAME THREE: Sorci's Italian Café's Italian Grinder vs. Metropolitan Market's El Cubano

We know what you're thinking. Italian Grinder vs. El Cubano. This was a grudge match after Italy posted a 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, and 27-25) victory over Cuba at the 2011 FIVB World League of men's volleyball. At first, that motivation seemed obvious. However, Metropolitan Market's doors see a lot of action compared to the doors of the quaint Sorci's Italian Café in Sumner. Or, it could be the fact that Met Market's El Cubano is one tasty sandwich. Whatever the reason, the El Cubano racked up 62.4 percent of the votes and moves on to Second Round.

GAME FOUR: El Zocalo's The Cubana vs. Vinum's Cuban

On New Years' Day of 1959, Fidel Castro, whom the civilian population supported, overthrew Cuban president Fulgencio Batista. On Thursday, March 21, 2013, El Zocalo's The Cubana edged out Vinum's Cuban sandwich with 57.5 percent of the votes. The results of this battle will not change the relationship Cuba has with the United States. Cubans will still not legally be allowed to enter the United States unless they have an overpowering fastball. The next Cuban vs. Cuban face off happens when Met Market and El Zocalo's meets March 29 in Round Two.

Let's weed through the gobs of mayo. The following are advancing to the next round:

• MSM Deli's Mike's Deluxe
• Doyle's Public House's Cheesy British
• Metropolitan Market's El Cubano
• El Zocalo's The Cubana

The daily sandwich battles here on Spew are sponsored by Subway in Orting, Puyallup, Tacoma, Spanaway and Lakewood.

OK, let's check out today's First Round sandwich battles. Vote for one sandwich per battle. Voting for today's sandwich battles ends at 11:45 p.m.