INTERN REPORT >>>

When I, Keegan Patterson, the new intern for the Weekly Volcano, was asked if I wanted to write a story, I had to steady myself for fear of collapsing under the weight of my enthusiasm and curiosity. What would I be writing about? Would I get to attend some awesome all-ages show and report on it? Would I meet interesting Tacoma icons and engage them in intellectual interviews? As if to stop my pondering dead in its tracks, Pappi Swarner, the editor, explained the story is about a benefit show in a tiki bar Friday, May 17 - and I had less than 12 hours to finish it.

I'm an innocent, dewy-eyed 18-year-old intern. It's my first story and I can't even go. Ah yes, I thought, so that's how the Volcano rolls. ...

Though I can't go myself, I hope I can convince some of the less age-challenged readers out there to attend an exciting night full of tasty Mai Tais and performances by two skilled and spacey Northwest bands at Tacoma's tiki bar, Tacoma Cabana. The bards in attendance for this tropical bash will be the Olympian electronic bass-synth-synth trio Elbow Coulee and Tacoma natives Death by Stars, a band described as a "21st century Hüsker Dü" by Downtown Joe from KJR Seattle's Bob Rivers Show. DBS guitarist Patrick Galactic describes their sound as "Electropunk," while Andrew Tuller from Elbow Coulee classifies his band as "Northwest Rocktronica." Andrew told me tonight's event is "a meeting of two bands who have the notion to push the boundaries of music as far as we can." When I asked Galactic how he feels about playing a show on the home front, he told me, "In Seattle a Tacoma band can get weird looks" and Death by Stars is "definitely Tacoma proud."

It's not all about music tonight. To keep the atmosphere groovy, belly dancer Carol Bui and contemporary dancer Shelby Alexander will shake it.

Make sure you wear your best Hawaii gear to secure the discount for your drinks; the Cabana's event page recommends that you wear "your best Hawaiian garb, hair flower, or Fez," so you can enjoy more Mai Tais for less moolah.

As if all this excellence wasn't enough, the whole event is a fundraiser for the 2013 Urban Art Festival. Just by going to see these great bands and engaging in the healthy consumption of adult beverages, you will be funding a wonderful organization whose mission is "To teach, share, and learn with our community through the joy and celebration of Art & Music," according to its Facebook.

How cool is that?

So grab some friends, come on down to Tacoma's tiki lounge tonight, pay the $5 cover charge and enjoy delicious drinks, boppin' bands and that warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from giving to a good cause.

I'll probably be home playing Halo or something.

URBAN ART FESTIVAL, w/Death by Stars, Elbow Coulee, dancers Carol Bui and Shelby Alexander, 9 p.m., Friday, May 17, Tacoma Cabana, 728 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, $5 cover, 253.222.4184