5 Things To Do Today: People Under the Sun, Dancing with the Tacoma Stars, Bettie Brigade and more ...

By Volcano Staff on February 15, 2014

SATURDAY, FEB. 15 2014 >>>

1. Beyond being reliably catchy providers of psychedelic synth-rock, People Under the Sun are perhaps the Tacoma music scene's most committed aesthetes. Not content to simply call it a day at paying homage to the New Wave pioneers that have clearly served as influences, People Under the Sun go so far as to cram their stage with a bounty of outmoded technology. Blocky computers and vintage Korgs surround the band, making it hard not to recall how David Byrne swooned over the sterile beauty of microchips in True Stories. While rumor has it that the band has recently begun pairing down the equipment (read: they're ditching floppy disks), they're still very much analog-powered. Catch them with the Silver Dollars and Bod at 8 p.m. at The New Frontier Lounge.

2. Asia Pacific Cultural Center will host the 16th Annual Asian New Year Celebration from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall. The Island Nation of Tahiti (French Polynesia) will serve as this year's host nation. The public is invited to come and bring friends and family to this free family friendly event.

3. The Rainier Hockey League - four divisions and 22 teams - has a full line-up of face-offs scheduled, including six games at 1:10 p.m. in the Puget Sound Hockey Center

4. Tacoma Musical Playhouse's "Dancing with the Tacoma Stars," is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Landmark Convention Center in the Temple Theatre Ballroom. There are two ways to enjoy this event: An $85 ticket includes dinner, show and competition. Tickets for $35 include dessert and a chance to view the show and competition from the balcony. This year, the "Stars" include Miriam Barnett (CEO of the Pierce County YWCA), Donald Hansen (owner/operator of Cascade Park Vista and Rotary 8 president), Connie Ladenburg (Pierce County Councilperson), Kathy Kluska (professional financier/fitness instructor), Jeff McVicker (owner of several Tacoma area Subways) and Cameron Smith (a Tacoma based Mortgage Advisor).

5. JBLM Bettie Brigade's second roller derby bout of the season hits the Lacey Derby Center's flat track at 5 p.m. against Grunge City Rollers. Bonus: The JBLM Bettie Bratz are back and ready to issue some JV hurt on the Grunge City Juniors.

LINK: Saturday, Feb. 15 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area