MONDAY, JUNE 17 2013 >>>

1. Harry and the Potters may well be the nerdiest band in existence: They Might Be Giants-esque power pop that only concerns itself with Harry Potter ephemera. That they've been around for over a decade and released roughly one album a year in that time is a testament not only to how mythologically dense and circuitous that book series was, but also to the bloody-minded tenacity of the band itself. Catch the band at 7 p.m. in Northern.

2. Luigi LaCross is a jazz quartet consisting of John Croarkin (flutes, saxophones, harmonica), Drew Gibbs (piano, flute, percussion), Phil Lawson (classical guitar) and Steve Luceno (string bass, percussion, steel string guitar) performing original pieces as well as pieces by Brazilian composers Hermeto Pascoul and Jovina Santos Neto. See the band at 8 p.m. in The Royal Lounge.

3. You've heard it many times: Practice makes perfect. Doyle's Public House in Tacoma's Stadium District lives by this adage. Every 17th of the month, the watering hole hosts St. Practice Day, a trail run at its annual, massive St. Patrick's Day party. It's a warm-up, if you will. Naturally, rebellious Celtic band Bog Hoppers will provide the soundtrack. Practice starts at 8 p.m. Don't be late or the coach will yell at you.

4. Richard Molina and blues musician friends will jam at 8 p.m. in The Swiss.

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 17 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

TIDBITS TO CHEW ON TODAY >>>

The Triple Play sports bar opened over the weekend at Sixth and Proctor in the spot Hell's Kitchen once served Pabst and punk. The Triple Play offers standard sports bar food with an emphasis on hot dogs, a full bar, plenty of televisions and a stage for live bands on the weekends - the sound board set-up is ready to go thanks to Danno of Jazzbones. The ownership doesn't have plans to use the elevated DJ station.

Rocket Records has re-opened a few doors down from the Triple Play on Sixth Avenue offering vinyl, CDs and music paraphernalia in a long, narrow space. There's a nook halfway down the space that owner Steve says he'll try to squeeze band into. Also, he has a couple signed copies of the new Alice in Chains CD for sale.

After shooting the new Chevy Silverado "Like A Rock" commercial for eight days in eastern Washington, where do Leonard and Teddy Haggarty grab food and drinks? The revamped 1022 South J lounge. That's right, the Tacoma brothers pulled up to the Hilltop Tacoma lounge Sunday night tired and grungy. The 1022 South J lounge reopened Saturday night with a daily 4 p.m. opening time, fancy patio, craft cocktails and food and a happy hour from 4-6 p.m.

MARTIN SCORSESE: Here's the trailer for his The Wolf of Wall Street starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

WINE AND COLA?: It works.

EYEBALL-LICKING: It doesn't work.

Be All You Can Be Today!

Entering downtown Olympia eatery Acqua Via you may first notice the minimalist, simple decor. Lightly used wooden tables and bare bulbs are complimented by colorful contemporary art pieces along the walls.  It's a lovely spot for people watching while sipping on a craft cocktail - the Vigilante (grapefruit liqueur, jalapeno syrup, tequila, lime with a jalapeno salt rim) being the most compelling in my opinion - or a bit of espresso.

Its menu boasts bites that "elevate the art of simple rustic food," presenting flavorful nibbles with simple artful flair. Upon my visit during the afternoon the lunch menu was available featuring a selection of light salads and grilled focaccia and baguette sandwiches.

I opted for the Cubano, and could not have been more pleased. The golden brown focaccia was fresh maintaining a soft bready interior beneath its crispy crust. The stars of the show were copious portions of Duroc ham and slow roasted pork loin, both super tender and thinly sliced. Swiss cheese was warm and gooey while the combination of the Dijon and salsa verde added just a bit of pop with each bite. Rather than diced or sliced traditional dill pickles Acqua Via's Cubano highlighted sliced cornichons, which contributed a nice little crunch and pucker.

Fans of the Cuban sandwich should give this rendition a go.

ACQUA VIA, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 500 Capitol Way S., Olympia, 360.357.6677

You love ABC's Mistresses, the show about four sexy girlfriends - including Alyssa Milano and Lost's Yunjin Kim - who lead sexy lives loaded with sexy problems and sexy men, but at least they have one another's sexy shoulders to cry on. You know what you don't love? You don't love M177 Howitzer firings during your beloved Mistresses show. Unfortunately for you, that's exactly what's going to happen tonight at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. In fact, the 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. blasts will happen every night, same time, through Friday, June 21. Tuesday's The Voice? Boom! Wednesday's Restaurant Stakeout? Bam! Thursday's Swamp People? Ka-boom! Friday's Blue Bloods when Danny leans about voodoo while investigating a stabbing committed by someone in costume on Halloween? No! Yup, BANG!

What are you going to do? Not allow the troops to meet training requirement because you love watching actors act like terrible waiters?

According to a press release from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, "The purpose of the late-night training is to maintain unit proficiency in firing illumination rounds during periods of low visibility, as well as standard high-explosive rounds, to maintain section level proficiencies, and to meet requirements for certification and qualification. This is normally scheduled and required training, which allows military members to practice and improve skills required during combat. As often as possible, JBLM conducts larger scale demolition training and artillery firing at JBLM Yakima Training Center in an effort to minimize inconvenience for the surrounding communities. However, some training must take place on base."

At least JBLM won't blast your beloved Breaking Amish Saturday night.

Perhaps The Grand Cinema missed a good bet by not scheduling Renoir - part of their Tuesday Film Series - on Father's Day instead.  It is the story of a father after all, Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and his relationship with his middle son, Jean. It's also the story of a free-spirited girl who was one of the elder Renoir's last models. Her youth and beauty inspired both men.

Based on real events, Renoir takes place in 1915, when the 74-year-old painter brings his latest muse, Andree Heuschling, to his South of France estate. Jean returns home to convalesce after being wounded in the war, and becomes enchanted with her. An aspiring actress, Andree encourages him to pursue filmmaking. As a result, he not only became a internationally recognized film director, but married the girl as well.

Thanks, dad!

RENOIR, 1:40 and 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 18, The Grand Cinema, 606 S. Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, $4.50-$9, 253.593.4474

Fifteen years ago, a newbie Tacoma resident ventured onto Sixth Avenue to see what "Art on the Ave" was all about.

"I saw, like, four tables and a couple of people walking around," Claudia Riedener previously told the Weekly Volcano with a chuckle.

This year, as she pokes her head out onto Sixth Avenue, she's likely to see art. Tons of art. And wackiness.

The theme this year is "Back to Art!" And it's truly back. Art on the Ave producer Angela Jossy sent the scoop to the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters. Read up and plan your Sunday, July 14:

Read more...

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TUESDAY, JUNE 18 2013 >>>

1. Since its introduction in 1894, the motorcycle has spawned a variety of cultures and uses. As basic transportation, as leisure activity or as a die-hard lifestyle, millions of people have a love affair with Choppers, Crotch Rockets, Thumpers and all things two-wheeled. The action-packed exhibit "Let's Ride! Motocycling The Northwest at the Washington State History Museum is a celebration of the region's never-waning motorcycle culture - will include interactive exhibits, videos and impressive displays of machines from 1906 to the 21st century. Check it out from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2. It's Tuesday and that means The Grand Cinema unleashes another special film as part of its Tuesday Film Series. Today at 1:40 and 6:30 p.m. The Grand will screen bio-doc Renoir, a look at the  elderly painter Auguste Renoir who finds inspiration in a new model. Read John Kephart's preview on the Walkie Talkie blog.

3. With a 90-minute set featuring around 20 of Diamond's hits – ranging from his early work for television shows, such as The Monkees ("I'm A Believer") to songs from his movie "The Jazz Singer" – Neil Diamond tribute band The Diamond Experience will rock the Red Wind Casino from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

4. A poignant story of lost love in the greatest tradition of Greek tragedies told through the recollections of WWI veteran Nick Carraway. A relatively rich young mid-western bachelor living on Long Island Sound and attempting to break into the bond business, Carraway finds himself in the opulent lifestyle of the rich and famous. But very soon he is drawn into the  messy lives of a distant cousin and her abusive, philandering husband, an odd female golfer and a mysterious man, his rich and somewhat eccentric neighbor. Sounds like a read right up the Banned Book Club's alley. The club will discuss The Great Gatsby at 7 p.m. inside Doyle's Public House.

5. If hearing the sound of your own cackling voice echoing off the walls of your shower stall has you craving the sound of something a bit more harmonious, check out the local songbirds at Victory Music Open Mic at the Antique Sandwich Co. It's guaranteed to be jam-packed with gorgeous sounds and humbling verses, as the South Sound's greatest up-and-coming acoustic musicians bare their souls impromptu-style. Performances start at 7 p.m., and if you're thinking that your shower-time ballads are ready for public consumption, you can sign up for your own moment in the, er, sun at 6.

LINK: Tuesday, June 18 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

If you thought Tacoma had no more room for another frozen yogurt option, there's a new way to get your fix. Gibson's Frozen Yogurt, with two locations in Stadium District and Westgate, is opening a mobile version of its shops, the Gibson's Frozen Yogurt Truck.

It will be the first self-serve frozen yogurt truck in Washington," said Judy Jones, business manager for Gibson's.  "We wanted a way to bring the fun to everyone, not just in a single neighborhood."

There will be three machines dispensing six different flavors, with toppings similar to the ones that are in the shops, including fruits, nuts, cereals, candies and more. It'll be pay by the ounce, and since it's self-serve, you can have as little or as much as you want.

Though it's still in the permitting process, look for Gibson's Frozen Yogurt Truck at the Tacoma Freedom Fair on the 4th of July and the Old Town Rhythm and Blues Festival the following weekend. After that, it will be found around town at various locations year-round. To track it down at any given time, check its Facebook and Twitter. It'll also be available for catering weddings and parties.

If you loved ice cream trucks as a kid - or, let's face it, still do run outside when you hear the music, this takes the experience to a whole new level of personalization and convenience.

A military ID gets you in. Without it, you're stuck outside the gate, watching Northwest outdoors expert after expert drive through the gate with their sports utility vehicles loaded with the latest outdoor toys. Clutching cups of scalding coffee in camoflage travel mugs and shouldering backpacks better suited for navigating trails than city traffic, they'll set up booths at Joint Base Lewis McChord's Main Exchange. Indeed, Saturday, June 22 more than 50 hunting and fishing guides, vendors and outdoor experts - including representatives from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Project Healing Waters - will be on hand in the Exchange parking lot as part of the JBLM Outdoor Expo. Included will be 17 Northwest hunting and fishing experts on hand to answer your questions and offers tips.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19 2013 >>>

1. PECK the Town Crier is a honest-to-goodness mystery. A genre-hopping artist from San Rafael, Calif., PECK tends toward faux-smooth hip hop, when he's not incorporating bits of boogie-woogie Americana or Beach Boys-esque sunny surf rock or '70s AM gold. PECK the Town Crier's willingness to drift dreamily from genre to genre without apology or explanation is what makes him so simultaneously interesting and off-putting. Catch him at 10 p.m. with Shye Powers at Le Voyeur.

2. Count yourself blessed, Tacoma, because you get to see something few people in the world have seen. Throughout his career Eric Carle, famous for children's books such as Brown Bear - Brown Bear, What Do You See? And The Very Hungry Caterpillar and more than 70 other picture books - has created art for his own personal satisfaction that he never showed to anyone outside of family and friends. He called it his "ArtArt," and he had to be coaxed into showing it publicly. To our great benefit, Tacoma Art Museum Director Stephanie Stebich is a personal friend of the Carle family. She is the one who talked him into showing this work, and Tacomans get to be the first to see it. And it is great. Absolutely outstanding. Check it out from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. Pint Defiance hosts Fort George for a Brewer's Night 5-7 p.m. Expect to taste Bourbon Barrel Vortex IPA and Spruce Budd Pale.

4. Wednesday night is always good for getting quizzical in the South Sound. The Harmon Brewery hosts Trivia Night with Gordon Adams, Doyle's Public House offers Knowledge Night team trivia with awesome prizes, and out at the Steilacoom Pub and Grill Steilacoom catch "Trivia with Dave." Find all the info you need right here.

5. There may be no better venue in Olympia to belt out the hits as the China Clipper on Fourth Avenue, which hosts Late Night Karaoke every Wednesday for the hard-drinking, hard-singing crowd. You should see this spectacle.

LINK: Wednesday, June 19 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area