Weekly Volcano Blogs: Walkie Talkie Blog

Posts made in: March, 2013 (145) Currently Viewing: 141 - 145 of 145

March 31, 2013 at 6:40am

5 Things To Do Today: Merchandise, "Philadelphia Story," Gem Faire, "Oliver!" and more ...

MERCHANDISE: The band will spend Easter night screaming.

EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 31 2013 >>>

For fans of Bruce Springsteen, the Replacements and the Pogues, their latter-day answer to those icons came in 2010 in the form of Titus Andronicus' epic, messy, passionate, over-the-top masterpiece, The Monitor. Similarly, fans of the Smiths, Tears for Fears and the Church may find solace in Merchandise's similarly epic and messy release, Children of Desire. Catch Merchandise with Love Interest, Cairo Pythian and Wet Hair at 8 p.m. inside Olympia's all-ages venue Northern.

2. The Gem Faire at the Tacoma Dome is a rather intriguing event. Quality gems, beads, crystals, minerals, findings and earth treasures will be available at wholesale prices. Yes, you can grab holiday project supplies, get personal treasures or simply browse and look at all the shiny, pretty, sparkly stuff. For the jewelry maker, there will also be tools, packaging supplies and millions of beads. Be sure to enter for a chance to win cool prizes at the Gem Faire with drawings every hour. The last time we witnessed a gem show it was at some hippy rainbow gathering event, and while that was pretty cool, this one is sure to be grander, and much more organized. It runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. As ostensible comedies go, The Philadelphia Story is only marginally funnier than Philadelphia. Barry drops dozens of 1930s references you'll need the glossary in the program to understand, but not many jokes. It's one of those plays where people take a magic narcotic that makes them blab secrets at each other, only to suffer that bizarre theater hangover that causes limping hours later. The first act introduces as many characters as Season One of Downton Abbey, only to waste several on a pointless subplot about the editor of a Fortune-esque magazine. People fall in love instantly, only to make more impulsive, unlikely reversals minutes later.

4. Coming off a smaller-scale, future-gen production, Next to Normal, the bombast of Oliver! represents a smart shift of programming for Capital Playhouse. We know what we want from a show like this, and thanks to director Colleen Powers and an obviously dedicated cast, we get almost all of it. The choreography is intricate and perfectly executed. The madrigal harmonies of "Who Will Buy?" come off beautifully. Sixth-grader Skyler Wyatt Zimmerman, last seen as, you guessed it, Gavroche, looks good in a newsboy cap. Bruce Haasl's set transforms quickly from a workhouse to a mansion to the heights of London Bridge. Oliver! hits the stage at 2 p.m. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of Oliver! in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

5. Harlequin Productions stages The Philadelphia Story at 2 p.m.. Linda Whitney not only directs with precision but offers, yet again, a truly beautiful set design - two, in fact. I can't say enough about Helen Harvester's lead performance. She captures the regal arm acting and Bryn Mawr drawl of Katharine Hepburn, for whom the role was written, without indulging in caricature. Same goes for Aaron Lamb, who has Jimmy Stewart's way of swallowing his lines without bounding around the stage like George Bailey from a Looney Tunes parody. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of The Phiadelphia Story in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

Where does Dad Cop hang out on Easter night? With Indian Taker, Casket and Northfolk at 7 p.m. inside the all-ages Red Room in Tacoma.

LINK: Sunday, March 31 arts and entertainmetn events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

March 31, 2013 at 8:46am

Tournament of Sandwiches: Egg-citing day of battles, yesterday's results

<<< VOTING CLOSED EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 31 >>>

Beginning April 2, we'll cut the field of 64 South Sound sandwiches to the Sliced 16. April 4, it'll drop to the Grilled Eight. On April 8, we'll announce the winner of Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Sandwiches - picked by you, of course - at Masa in Tacoma during halftime of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. On that Monday, we'll cut the online voting at 5 p.m. and take the vote live at Masa, handing out ballots while you pound margaritas.

That's all fine and dandy, but it's Easter and you don't have time for idle chitchat. You need to vote so you can fill your basket with eggs. OK, OK, here are yesterday's results and today's sandwich matchups. Thanks for voting!

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Philly Cheesesteak (Ricky J's Restaurant, 6805 176th St. E., Puyallup) vs. Big Tacoma (Pacific Coffee House & Deli, 1201 Pacific Ave., Tacoma)

Pacific Coffee House grabbed the lead early in this game and never looked back, nabbing 83 percent of the votes when all was said and done. Some believe naming its sandwich after the largest city in the South Sound may have swung the vote in the downtown Tacoma coffee shop's favor. Others think it's an awesome sandwich. Anyway, the Big Tacoma moves onto the Sliced 16.

Game 2: Tempeh Reuben (Darby's Café, 211 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia) vs. Beet & Blue (1022 South, 1022 S. J St., Tacoma)

Darby's Café and 1022 South have received national attention. Darby's scored a spot on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. 1022 South has been featured in many publications, including the New York Times. Both are successful businesses, but yesterday Darby's Café had that little extra something to edge out the Hilltop Tacoma cocktail lounge by grabbing 54 percent of the votes.

Game 3: The Comanche (Rock The Dock Pub & Grill, 535 Dock St., Tacoma) vs. Mom's Sloppy Joe (Crockett's Public House, 118 E. Stewart Ave., Puyallup)

Holy crap! Turnout for this contest was like the turnout at a dunk-the-banker booth at the Taste of Tacoma! Both sandwich makers Rock The Rock and Crockett's did their darndest to mobilize their base, and though Rock The Dock ran out to an early lead, Crockett's Mom's Sloppy Joe had an amazing, jaw-dropping late afternoon push that had the stamina to carry through the evening and snatch victory from the Thea Foss Waterway joint with a 40 more votes. Unbelievable. Crockett's moves on to the Sliced 16.

Game 4: Lamb Beef Gyro (Legendz, 1201 S. Sprague Ave., Tacoma) vs. Italian Sub (Meconi's Italian Subs, 5225 Lacey Blvd. SE, Lacey)

Yesterday at 4 p.m. Legendz and Meconi's were dead even. Over at Legendz, a steady stream of cars pulled up to the burger stand on Sprague. Over at Meconi's, people enjoyed its famous Italian Sub in the new, larger environs. Then, Bam! Who knows if it was the excitement of a fourth Meconi's opening in Hawks Prairie or what, but the Italian Sub pulled away to finally grab 62 percent of the votes before the polls closed. That's the power of multiple locations folks.

Stick a toothpick in them! The following are advancing to the next round:

  • Pacific Coffee House & Deli's Big Tacoma
  • Darby's Café's Tempeh Reuben
  • Crockett's Public House's Mom's Sloppy Joe
  • Mecon's Italian Subs' Italian Sub

>>> 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 Second Round sandwich battles. Vote for one sandwich joint per battle. Voting for today's sandwich battles ends at 11:45 p.m.




Tomorrow's Second Round Sandwich Battles in all four regions

Game 1: Beast of Burden (Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe, 3529 McKinley Ave. E., Tacoma) vs. Club (5th Avenue Sandwich Shop, 117 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia)

Game 2: Cuban Fish Sandwich (Asado, 2810 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. Philly Cheesesteak Tempeh (Le Voyeur, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia)

Game 3: Farmhouse Philly (Dirty Oscar's Annex, 2309 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. The Chief (Sparks Firehouse Deli, 621 Fifth St., Puyallup)

Game 4: Banh Mi (Pho King, 1020 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma) vs. Hot Italian Sub (Meconi's Pub, 709 Pacific Ave., Tacoma)

LINK: Tournament of Sandwiches explanation

LINK: Hot Damn! Yes, I want the Weekly Volcano's Afternoon Delight newsletter!

April 1, 2013 at 6:40am

5 Things To Do Today: Dance-In, Edible Books Festival, Palestinian life, Joe Mailhot Jazz Unit and more ...

DANCE-IN: That's what we're talking about.

MONDAY, APRIL 1 2013 >>>

1. If you love to dance, and enjoy long lunch breaks, head to Olympia for a "Dance-In" at the Capitol Building from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In support of Senate Bill 5613 - the bill that will repeal the Opportunity to Dance Tax - organizers ask those who love to dance to do it in front of the legislature. If you see Democratic Caucus Chair Karen Fraser (D-Olympia), and want her attention, we suggest you bust the dance moves in the video below.

2. The latest show at Kittredge Gallery on the campus of the University of Puget Sound has Seattle painter Cable Griffith's video game-influenced paintings in the main gallery and an installation by sculptor and UPS art faculty member Michael Johnson in the back gallery. Check them out from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read Alec Clayton's full review of the "Up-Up-Down-Down-Left-Right-Left-Right-B-A-Start" in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

3. Collins Memorial Library at the University of Puget Sound dedicates itself to protecting books, but from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. it will eat them at the University's seventh Edible Books Festival. What is an edible book? Duh. An edible book is made of food and inspired by literary titles, characters or authors - such as Lord of the Onion Rings. Be sure to drop by Collins on April Fool's Day and browse for a story you can really dig into. Bring canned food items for St. Leo's Food Connections.

4. Fast Times in Palestine is Pamela Olson's powerful, deeply moving account of life in Palestine - from house parties and barbecues to violence, trauma, and political tensions. Olson will drop by Orca Books at 7 p.m. to chat up the book and answer questions.

5. Do you like the music of John Coltrane, Sun Ra and Jimi Hendrix? Then you should dig The Joe Mailhot Jazz Unit at 8 p.m. inside The Royal Lounge in Olympia.

LINK: Monday, April 1 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area


April 1, 2013 at 7:22am

Tacoma City Ballet Scavenger Hunt April Clue

GOLDEN KRAKATUK NUTS: The Tacoma City Ballet has hid them around Tacoma. Go nuts and find them for prizes.

CONTEST BASED ON HIDDEN NUTS >>>

By now you know the Tacoma City Ballet is in the midst of a yearlong scavenger hunt for Golden Krakatuk Nuts. The nuts tie into the company's highly anticipated Dec. 7, 2013 performance, Prequel to The Nutcracker.

Here's a refresher: TCB hides hand-painted Golden Krakatuk Nuts inside jewel boxes around Tacoma; inside the boxes is a scroll with prize details, such as gift certificates, merchandise or tickets to Tacoma City Ballet's World Premier of said Nutcracker in December. Each month through the year, Golden Krakatuk Nuts will be hidden at businesses throughout Tacoma. To find the nuts, decipher the poetic clues, which will be posted at Tacoma City Ballet's website, Facebook page, as well as this blog. You find the Golden Krakatuk Nuts and great riches will be heaped upon you! For complete on the contest and Nutcracker performance, click here.

The April Golden Krakatuk Nut clue dropped this morning. This clue will guide you to a restaurant, shop or other business at which the nuts may be in plain sight or may be behind the counter.

Here you go you nuts:

Searching for the Krakatuk Nut, you are?

Then like Drosselmeyer you must travel far.

Look for beautiful boxes containing the Golden Nut

and other delightful prizes - Who can imagine what?

Only one box is hidden this month in our fair city

And to figure out February's clue, you must be quite witty.

April's Krakatuk Clue:

A sumptuous land of sweets can be found
In one of the most beautiful buildings in all of the town.

Do you know what that means? Are you off to find the golden nut? A limited number of prizes will be available at each location, so speed counts.

And now, for your enjoyment, the Weekly Volcano presents a video from Tacoma City Ballet's Mid-Winter Masquerade Ball held February 2013:

Filed under: Arts, Contest, Theater, Tacoma,

April 1, 2013 at 10:21am

Plan Ahead: Chris Titus coming to Tacoma Comedy Club

COMEDIAN CHRIS TITUS: Hear about his epic fails this month in Tacoma. Press photo

GRAB A PREVIEW TODAY >>>

More than a decade ago Chris Titus had his very own critically acclaimed Fox sitcom, Titus, based on the true-life dysfunctional relationship he had with his father. It unfortunately only lasted two seasons. What followed was a focus on his stand-up career, delivering edgy, confrontational material - custody battles, mental illness, family suicides, heart attacks, domestic abuse and his relationship with his judgmental father - that obviously pushed the envelope instead of brushing the topic under the carpet.

When Titus performs April 11-13 at the Tacoma Comedy Club, you might hear a lot from the voice in his head. Today, his fifth stand-up special The Voice in My Head, drop on his website. For $9 you will discover his worst screw-ups for an hour and 45 minutes. Titus calls it the "Church of the Epic Fail," where every bad decision IS the religion." Turn on your computer, pop some corn and hear all about one sentence that cost him $30 million, his experiences playing Darth Vader at children's birthday parties, "playing" with military attack dogs and a 27 minute epic story about meeting Bruce Springsteen - all involving some sort of idiocy.

To download The Voice in My Head, click here.

TACOMA COMEDY CLUB, 8 P.M. THURSDAY, APRIL 11-SATURDAY, APRIL 13 (18+), ALSO 10:30 P.M. APRIL 12-13 (21+), $15, 933 MARKET ST., TACOMA, 253.282.7203

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News and entertainment from Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s most awesome weekly newspapers - The Ranger, Northwest Airlifter and Weekly Volcano.

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