LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

2nd Cycle Tacoma - Hiltop.Arrington de Dionyso's Malaikat Dan Ainga, MTNS, DJ Urine, the Nadines. 8 pm. $5.

• If Arrington de Dionyso's Malaikat Dan Singa is a mouthful of a name, then his music does well to invade every other one of your senses. For years, de Dionyso has been making a name for himself as one of the premier practitioners of experimental music in the Northwest. Unlike other experimental artists, whose work consists of beauty in chaos, de Dionyso is conceptual and thought-through in the extreme. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on Arrington de Dionyso's Malaikat Dan Singa in Northwest Military's Music & Culture section.

Buzz's Tavern Olympia - Westwide. Eclectic State, benefit for Partners in Prevention Education with auction. 8 pm.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Aaron Daniel's One Man Banned. 9:30 pm. NC.

• The Weekly Volcano has raved about Aaron Daniel before. Daniel and his "One Man Banned" takes a few cues from minimalist composer Steve Reich to create intricate pieces based on cyclical guitar loops. While his loop pedal is a main part of his guitar rig, he also builds intricate jams with beatbox and distortion pedals to change the textures and colors of the guitar while the delay pedal determines the tempo and pattern. Daniel comes to the stage as only a single dude, but typically leaves seen more as a phenomena. It's to be seen live. - Weekly Volcano
  

Harmon Tap Room Tacoma - Stadium District. Champagne Sunday. 9 pm.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Sweet Water, The Guessing Game. 8 pm. $10.

• Every so often, a band comes along that blows you through the flaming hoop of innocence and hangs you out to dry on the tattered trapeze of days gone by. Sweet Water is one such band. In June 2007, the band - under the disguise The Cupcakes - prepared for their big reunion show in Seattle with a tune-up show at Tacoma's Hell's Kitchen. Four chords into its first song, I was transported to Seattle's RCKCNDY in the '90s by these four guys fully in control of everything - the air, the audience, the sound, the unknown. Adam, Rich, Paul, and Cole ran through their pop-punk hits before a packed crowd. I found myself unexpectedly roaring and pumping right along, caught up in memories and rock star singer Adam Czeisler's dance moves. Sweet Water picked up on the crowd intensity and worked it like seasoned pros. I felt outside of myself, carried, nay, pushed along on opener "Cake And Strychnine," then "Feed Yourself," "Big Rock Show," "Win," "Slide," "Everything Will Be Just Fine," "Losing," "Sleep," "Superstar," "Head Down" and closing with "Crawl."  The band's shining ultra-hooky and supercharged show injected ecstasy into everyone around me. I fell in love with the audience and thanked them for taking me back to a place I had almost forgotten existed, a place of total immersion in the music and the moment, and fie on anybody who has a problem with that. I'm ready for a repeat Saturday night at Jazzbones. - Ron Swarner
  

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. SuperNothing. 9 pm.

Little Creek Casino Shelton. John "Scootch" Cungo. 7 pm. NC.

Louie G's Pizza Fife. Garrett Whitney, Rane Stone, JT Phillips, Lady Justice. All Ages. 8 pm.

Northern Olympia - Downtown. Broken Water, Vex, Voices, Dr. Sleep. All Ages. 8 pm. $5.

• "Sitting down to write about Olympia's Broken Water, I'm tempted to get stoned first. Listening to the three-piece and their fuzzy, shoe-gazing drone-rock, I'm nostalgic for contemplative thoughts that roll with the crescendos and crashes of the music. But I don't have to get stoned. They take me there anyway. With mesmerizing vocals - both male and female - and sometimes heavy, sometimes sweet guitar riffs, Broken Water has an almost grunge-pop quality ... but not quite. They are too busy being their own sound." I wrote those words a year ago - almost to the day - and I still feel the same about Broken Water. And while last time I was reviewing their album Tempest, this time I'm writing about their homecoming show. After launching their spring tour April 22 at Dumpster Values in Olympia, the band has played a show every single day since. From Austin to New Orleans, from Ithaca to Calgary, Broken Water has been making waves. Celebrate the band's homecoming Saturday at an all-ages show at Northern. - Nikki McCoy
  

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. Tumblin' Dice (Rolling Stones tribute). 8 pm.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Shyan Selah's Republic Of Sound, Xola Malik, Monica-Crystal & The Beat Bandits, Stephanie Anne Johnson. 8 pm.

Westgate Bar and Grill Tacoma - Northend. Steve Stefanowicz. 9 pm. $5.

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

SUNDAY, JUNE 9 2013 >>>

1. The Tacoma Comedy Club presents Comics Under The Influence where five comics perform a set each sober, and then while the other comics are performing they pound booze and return to the stage wasted to do another set. Jubal Flagg from Movin 95.5 FM tries to keep the thing flowing, beginning at 8 p.m.

2. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Pacific Avenue Community Street Fair and Car Show will consume Stewart Middle School with vendors, food, classic cars, skateboarders and entertainment.

3. Author Richard Blumenthal will discuss his new book, Maritime Place Names: Inland Washington Waters, at 2 p.m. in Quarters 2 at Historic Fort Steilacoom in Lakewood.

4. Saxophonist Kareem Kandi's sound derives from the classic, free, often enthusiastic tradition of Joshua Redman as filtered through Dexter Gordon and Sonny Stitt, all of whose shadows can be traced-Redman in Kandi's funky organicism, Gordon in his dynamic harmonics, Stitt in the intensity that coats his every note with a Gritty City finish. Kandi has been hanging with organist Delvon Lamarr and drummer Adam Kessler, which has added groovy innovation to Kandi's sound. Catch Kandi's trio with three Northwest jazz legends will guest appear:  Bill Ramsay on sax, Jay Thomas on trumpet and Julian Priester on trombone at 5 p.m. as part of the Jazz Live at Marine View series in the Marine View Church.

5. Professional storytelller Elizabeth Lord's original The Swimsuit Area stage play "explores reproduction in today's modern age.  What it means to be a parent, and more importantly what it means to choose not to be a parent." Apparently Lord will explore the hard issues such as deciding not to have a child - and what someone does about that - and the finality of hysterectomy surgery which results in never being able to conceive a child - all with her trademark humor lined glow. The show hits the Midnight Sun stage at 8 p.m. through June 9.

LINK: Sunday, June 9 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

MONDAY, JUNE 10 2013 >>>

1. It's appropriate Bill W. - a documentary that recalls the life of Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder William G. Wilson - skips the eight gazillion dollars special effects and 3-D action of modern-day films. Wilson's story - one of heartbreak, recovery and heroism - is a serious one, and the never-before-seen photographs, diary entries and speeches speak for themselves, revealing how Wilson, a hopeless drunk near death from his alcoholism, found a way out of his own addiction and then forged a path for countless others to follow through A.A., a deed that landed him in TIME Magazine's 100 Persons of the 20th Century. Filmmakers Kevin Hanlon and Dan Carracino don't pull any punches in the film that screens at 6:45 p.m. at The Grand Cinema. We see Wilson cheat on his fiercely dedicated wife, experiment with LSD and request alcohol as he suffered on his deathbed from emphysema.

2. Trombonist Marc Smason has performed throughout the world with such luminaries as the Funk Brothers, Baby Gramps, Big Joe Turner, Andy Statman Perry Robinson, Sam Shepard, Julian Priester, Sonny Simmons and Jeff Johnson. His playing encompasses many styles including jazz, Latin, klezmer and R&B. Catch him and his band, A Better World, at 8 p.m. in The Royal Lounge.

3. Monday is typically a black hole for nightlife. Sure, if you run a sports bar, you'll do well during the World Series or football season, but for most eating and drinking establishments, it's just dead, dead, dead. There's a darn good reason why so many bars are empty on Mondays. So how do those that remain open find ways to fill barstools on this, the most dreadful evening of the workweek? The folks at The Swiss seem to have found a solution and, oddly enough, it's one that has been the bane of many other venues: live music. Since the beginning of time, The Swiss has hosted live blues every Monday at 8 p.m. Tonight, guitar legend Jerry Miller will be in the house.

4. Hey! Guess what? Rafael Tranquilino hosts an experimental jam at Stonegate Pizza every Monday night! Get in on the rockin' action tonight.

5. Beginning at 9 p.m. every Monday Jazzbones is packed to the brim with college kids. Party types. The type that wear tight shirts and trucker hats. Throngs of Chad Fratguys and Sarah Sororitysisters swarm the bar, line up for the bathroom and dance to the Rockaraoke - live band karaoke. The Rockaraoke band is skilled, too. Expect $2 PBR drafts, $3 Sinfire shots and $4 Smirnoff flavor vodka bombs.

LINK: Monday, June 10 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

TIDBITS TO CHEW ON TODAY >>>

The Tacoma Rainiers unveiled a P.O.W./M.I.A. seat during yesterday's Salute to Armed Forces Day.

Tacoma Link light rail will resume its normal nighttime operating schedule beginning today.

TNT Diner reports a group is raising money to reopen the Goldfish Tavern.

Flags are at half-staff today in honor of the passing of Sen. Mike Carrell.

RECAP: Game of Thrones season finale.

HANDWRITTEN MAKES IT MORE AWESOME: Kurt Cobain's top 50 albums list.

Everyone is talking about this....

Not many people are talking about this ...

Tacoma is chock-full of fun community events and festivals this summer. With the combination of local food vendors, blues bands and more than 35 Washington craft brewers, Brew Five Three is one not to miss. This inaugural event, put on by Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, takes place Saturday, June 22 from 1 to 10 p.m. on Broadway in downtown Tacoma.

"The inspiration for Brew Five Three came from our city," said Aaron Stevens, Broadway Center programming manager. "Tacoma has a long-standing and wonderful relationship with craft beer. Further inspiration came from our city's blues fans. We get asked all the time to bring more blues shows to Tacoma."     

Read more...

Soaking in rays of sunshine atop Topside Bar and Grill is bliss enough. Add a cold craft brew from its divine selection and a nibble and you're loving life.

During my most recent visit I took in the spectacular waterfront view and sun drenched dining area and tried Topside's smoked salmon quesadilla ($14).

I was not disappointed. Sadly, a photo can do no justice to the flavor within this warmed golden flour tortilla. Blacks beans, roasted corn, melted cheeses and copious amounts of local wild salmon made this appetizer a real treat. It's all too often you're looking a "seafood" appetizer face to face, only to be sorely disappointed by the lack of a tasty fishy friend. This is not the case with Topside's quesadilla.

The chipotle sour cream only adds a zesty richness to the dish that further elevates the flavors. And just think, this is just an appetizer. The rest of the menu features some tasty sounding entrees and sandwiches for lunch and dinner hour that can fuel your stroll through town.

SMOKED SALMON QUESADILLA, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Topside Bar and Grill, 215 Wilkes St., Steilacoom, 253.212.3690

WITH A SPATULA IN ONE HAND AND A HOT DOG IN THE OTHER >>>

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 6ht 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.

It looks as if Spudman, his cast and crew will commemorate the show 3-7 p.m. Sunday, June 23 at The Red Hot on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue. Click here to join the Facebook event.

TUESDAY, JUNE 11 2013 >>>

1. Folksy, folk-writing folk hero John Denver - born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. - died Oct. 12, 1997, when the experimental plane he was flying crashed into Monterey Bay off the coast of California. Tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Red Wind Casino, fans both casual (which way to the slots?) and rabid (dude, "Rocky Mountain High"!) will cheer on Ted Vigil - born Ted Vigil - as he pays tribute to Denver - both visually and musically.

2. Fans of all things Instagram, Vine, Twitter and more should gather at the Social Media Club Tacoma, a free organization that brings together diverse groups of people to learn and share about social media. The event will offer locals a chance to network and discuss social media while enjoying drinks and food from the Harmon Tap Room. The sharing starts at 5:30 p.m.

3. Proctor District's wine connoisseurs at Pour at Four will be Touring the Rhone Valley June 11. Toward the tail end of their tour series, Pour at Four will be journeying to France's Rhone Valley. Not only is the tasting complimentary, but it is teeming with loads of vino knowledge. Tasting runs 5:20-8 p.m.

4. There are trivia competitions all around the South Sound on a Tuesday night, where you can unleash your inner Ken Jennings. And while you won't approach Jennings-like earnings, you can win some cool stuff, ranging from gift certificates, to concert or sports tickets, to a VHS copy of All of Me, the film starring Lily Tomlin and Steve Martin. Sweet! Two of our favorite Tuesday night trivia are at Fish Tale Brew Pub in Olympia and Farrelli's Wood-Fire Pizza in Tacoma, both start at 8 p.m.

5. Hailing from Olympia, White Wards serves up the meanest sound-fights that the Capitol City has ever swallowed. Sonically they land somewhere between Tar Babies and Devoid of Faith. Catch them at 10 p.m. with Condominium, Negative Press and Coprot at Le Voyeur.

LINK: Tuesday, June 11 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

TIDBITS TO CHEW ON TODAY >>>

Maxwell's Speakeasy & Lounge now serves locally made Ice Cream Social with flavors such as old fashioned vanilla, chocolate toasted coconut, salted caramel and a grilled peach sorbet.

Only five days remain to fund Tacoma's indie music festival Squeak & Squawk on Kicksquawker.

You better hurry. The 14 loaned sculptures on exhibition this past year along Percival Landing are coming down this week. A new set of sculpture will be installed on Percival Landing the week of July 8, 2013. 

The TNT Diner reports the Olive Branch Cafe is moving to downtown Tacoma.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO WATCH? Ghostbusters' documentary.

LIST: 100 songs - one song from each of the last 100 years.

FINALLY: Star Wars characters recreate historical images.

We can't speak for the rest of you, but Walkie Talkie is turning things around beginning tomorrowland.

Seasonal menus are a true thing of beauty, especially when they incorporate the bounty of Pacific Northwest ingredients. The current menu at Maxwell's Restaurant and Lounge takes advantage of the freshness of ingredients of the moment to deliver well-executed, flavorful dishes. A new menu featuring smaller plates and more appetizer options will be available within the next week or so.

Executive Chef Hudson Slater and owner Steve Anderson have a welcome desire to integrate as many Tacoma-made products as possible, including Backcountry Creamery cheeses, Lynnae's Gourmet Pickles and Wingman Brewers beers. Their newest addition will be ice creams from local favorite Ice Cream Social.

The new the smaller plate menu will include items such as fried panko calamari with a tomato ragout, Lynnae's Hot Mama Pickles fried in a cornmeal batter with honey mustard dipping sauce and a flat bread still in development.

"Our inspiration comes from constantly wanting to improve and having fun in the kitchen," says Slater. "The main inspiration is freshness. We try to use in season produce and keep our dishes light and colorful."

>>> Maxwell's seared scallops / photo credit: Pappi Swarner

Case in point, the ahi crudo ($12), with wasabi avocado puree and cucumber apple relish and chili oil, as well as the seared scallops ($12) with southern greens, bacon, roasted golden beets and crème fraiche.

"Our warm buttered spinach salad is like no other salad in town," says Slater. With cucumber apple relish, sunflower sprouts and seeds and roasted golden beets singing together in harmony, it's hard not to agree.

Also notable are the bourbon glazed pork ribs ($21), one of Slater's favorite dishes. "The pork ribs are incredible. We smoke and cook the ribs in-house very slowly so the just fall off the bone."

MAXWELL'S RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE, 4-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, 5 p.m. to midnight Saturday, 454 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.683.4115