SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013 >>>
1. Bruce Walkup was the booking agent for Tacoma's Prosito Restaurant in the mid-'80s. Considered the first commercial venue to host alternative bands, Prosito's music was turned off by the Liquor Board for graffiti and noise complaints; Prosito let Walkup go. The restaurant morphed into the Central Tavern, which housed many a grunge-era show, then the 6th and Proctor Bar and Grill, and finally Hell's Kitchen (Gruv what?). To fulfill his musical needs, Walkup changed his name to Spud Goodman and bought time on Tacoma's cable system for a parody/music show. With a spatula in one hand and an open bottle of Pepto-Bismol in the other, Goodman interviewed guests and provided airtime for alternative bands in the area. It was the beginning of many cable access music shows to hit the local airwaves. It was an awesome show. Spudman, his cast and crew will commemorate the show 3-7 p.m. at The Red Hot on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue. Click here to join the Facebook event.
2. The Messiah has returned. Once again. He's holding court in downtown Olympia, in Harlequin Production's Jesus Christ Superstar. For a man who's been dead some 2,000 years, Christ sure gets around. He's resurrected (almost) as often as Joseph, of Technicolor Dreamcoat fame. JCS is very loosely based on the Gospels, and emerges as a hip passion play with a heavy emphasis on human passion. And despite the title, the star is actually JC's betrayer, Judas, here depicted as a victim of circumstance. Catch the show at 2 p.m.
3. Two theater shows close today at 2 p.m. The Laramie Project, about the killing of a gay man, Matthew Shepard, in Wyoming in 1998, ends its run at the Tacoma Little Theater. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of The Laramie Project in Northwest Military's Music & Culture section. Same Time, Next Year, the story of a love affair between two married people who see each other only once a year over the course of 25 years, closes at Olympia Little theater. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of Same Time, Next Year in Northwest Military's Music & Culture section.
4. Havey ou been to Treos in Old Town Tacoma? Here's an excuse. The Alex Worland Jazz trio will set up in the corner from 3-5 p.m.
5. Meeker Days continues in Puyallup this morning with bands Sammy Steele Band and Aces Up beginning at 3 p.m.
LINK: Sunday, June 23 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area
