TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012 >>>

1. Finnish director and master of deadpan Aki Kaurismäki's Le Havre follows Marcel Marx, a sleepy, aging bohemian whose amblings run him afoul of Idrissa, a young African boy trying to sneak to England to reunite with his mother. With little hesitation, Marx begins helping him, first by leaving him food, then by giving him shelter, then by getting his neighbors involved, all while evading a dogged inspector. Le Havre, without ever mussing its hair or upsetting the deadpan fun, offers a testament to the warmth of people at their most wonderful. Catch it at 2:15 and 6:45 p.m. as part of The Grand Cinema's Tuesday Film Series.

2. Drop by the Mystic Mocha in Graham from noon to 4 p.m. for Tarot Reading with Hank. Hank? Can you see a Hank in flowing robes, leaning over a small table in a candlelit room, foretelling impending doom? Hank's a real name. Hank's your buddy. Hank's the kind of guy you can trust, the kind of guy you can drink a beer with, the kind of guy who doesn't mind if you puke in his car, Hank! Well, that's not really what Tarot cards are about. In fact, they're not even really meant to tell your fortune or future. According to The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, "The most powerful sources of information come from within; the Tarot aids in coming in contact with one's Higher Self." See Hank.

3. An off-the-court fundraiser for the Tacoma Titans paralympic basketball team will be held from 5-9 p.m. inside Moctezuma's Restaurant. Fans can meet and greet the players, and eat a bunch of tacos. Moctezuma's will donate 20 percent of proceeds to the Titans. 

4. The Asia Pacific Cultural Center hosts a Japanese Tea Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. inside the Lakewood Library as part of the Pierce County READS program. Pierce County Library System selected Jamie Ford's best-seller Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - the story of the Japanese American internment during World War II through the eyes and voice of a child as he matures through life.

5. One of the quickest ways to impress someone is with a show of skill. And one of the easiest ways to get close to an attractive stranger is to ask them to dance. Said invitation is more likely to be accepted if you've been showing off your moves on the dance floor; doing it well turns heads. OlySwing offers an introductory swing class at 7 p.m. followed by the OlySwing Swing Dance from 7:30-10:30 p.m. inside the Olympia Eagles Ballroom. Since no partner is needed, this type of instruction is great for those rolling solo.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight in the region

LINK: South Sound happy hour food and drinks

MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012 >>>

1. Every Monday, DJ Melodica and guests DJs spin a wide variety of tunes in between band sets during Showcase Mondays at Magoo's Annex in Tacoma, which kicks off at 8:30 p.m. If that wasn't enough, Melodica hosts a "Guess the TV Theme Songs" contest in which people guess the songs to win either a Jell-O shot or a mix disc compiled by Melodica. There are folks who show up just for this little game. All the while Magoo's shucks $3 beers and $2 mondo hot dogs. It's really quite fantastic. Tonight, guest DJ Das Prompt and band Rusty Cleavers are in the house.

2. In honor of Women's History Month, Dr. Susan Armitage, professor of History and Women's Studies, Emerita, Washington State University, will present "Connecting Women's Lives to Make a Women's History of the Great Pacific Northwest," the topic of her forth coming book on women in the Pacific Northwest, at noon inside the Washington State Capital Museum in Olympia.

3. Book clubs are one of the last vestiges we have of formally engaging conversations for groups of strangers. You can discover a lot about a person by learning their opinions on any piece of art, but books prove to be especially revealing. If you're into more non-traditional storytelling, King's Books hosts a Graphic Novel Book Club, which meets the second Monday of every month at 7 p.m. inside 1022 South on Hilltop Tacoma, the craft cocktail house. Tonight's book is Sleeper: Season One by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips.

4. Let's tally up the score for Jazzbones Rockaraoke, shall we? A chance to sing onstage with a live band? Yes. Cheap Miller High Life? Yes. A valid excuse to drink on a Monday (repeat, Monday) night? Yes, yes and, oh God, yes. Of course, the real entertainment isn't the Rockaraoke, it's the people-watching. Since most of the patrons are just a touch this side of 21, a look around the club is akin watching a "how to hookup" instructional video. It all goes down beginning at 9 p.m.

5. Cowardice, The Sheds and Trey The Ruler play an all-age show at 7 p.m. inside The Red Room in Tacoma.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight in the region

LINK: South Sound happy hour food and drinks

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2012 >>>

1. Today brings a chance to join the Olympia Symphony Orchestra and guest pianist Wolfgang Wortberg for "By Audience Request," a performance promising Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15, Verdi's Overture to NabuccoI, Grainger's Irish Tune from County Derry and Stravinsky's Suite from The Firebird. While the Olympia Symphony Orchestra rarely-if-ever disappoints, much of the pre-show hype for this events centers on Wortberg's piano skills, and rightly so. As the Symphony's website notes, "Known for his musical insight, beautiful tone, and technical command, pianist Wolfgang Wortberg has performed in venues across the United States and Europe.  Audiences and critics alike acclaim his unique concerts: portraits of a single composer, interweaving music with insightful reflections on the life and work of the composers themselves and their contemporaries."

2. Rabbit Hole continues at PLU today, hyped on the school's website as "a story of loss, heartbreak, and forgiveness as a family attempts to move on after a life-shattering accident." Find more info here.

3.If you find yourself in Fife for some reason, consider dropping by Freddie's Club of Fife for another Sunday Jam Sessions featuring  Butch Harrison & Good Company. And let us not forget about Keely Whitney and friends. The music runs from 6 - 9 p.m. and there's no cover.

4. It's Service Industry Night at Rock the Dock Pub & Grill - meaning Lena with Songbird Karaoke will be in the house along with drink specials, games, contests and giveaways.

5. It's another Sexy Sunday in Puyallup (really, every day is sexy in Puyallup), with DJ El Guapo breaking out the hip-hop and R&B at O'Henry's Sports Bar.

MORE THINGS TO DO: The Weekend Hustle

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

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SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2012 >>>

1. Presented by the Washington State Arts Commission, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation, today's Poetry Out Loud State Finals will pit winners from seven regional finals held across Washington state in an ultimate throwdown of poetry recital. Along with ultimate statewide bragging rights, competitors will be vying for an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Poetry Out Loud national finals.

2. Ariana Throne's one-woman "dance drama" Collision looks at rape culture in American college life. She herself was involved in two such collisions, and much of her performance is uncomfortably autobiographical. Throne uses a variety of performance skills to examine our views about rape - and to tell her own story - from multiple angles. She brings much to the table: self-penned guitar ballads, a black-light dance routine, tongue-in-cheek vignettes. Throne's show runs today and tomorrow at the Evergreen State College. Read Christian Carvajal's full feature on Collision in the Arts section at weeklyvolcano.com.

3. There's not much that's funnier in this world than Dave's of Milton. See for yourself when Dave's hosts its "Comedy Night," tonight featuring Jay Wendell Walker and Rodney Sherwood. The laughs are hosted by Stephen Morton Jr., and expect musical guest O Dark 30.

4. It's Grown Folk Saturday at Last Call Bar in Lakewood. Expect DJ C-Luv to bust out all sorts of "old skool," hits from the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s  dance hits.

5. Join Tacoma's master of Karaoke, the Rev. Colin, at Engine House No. 9 tonight. The tunes start getting belted out at 9:30 p.m.

MORE THINGS TO DO: The Weekend Hustle

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FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2012 >>>

1. The Weekly Volcano has a Street Team of 20-somethings who attend events in the South Sound, takes photos, blogs and distributes flyers and posters for future events. They also host events, such at the Street Team Pub Crawl. How do you get in on the first Street Team Pub Crawl? Show up at Charlie's Sports Bar & Grill in Olympia at 6 p.m. tonight. If you miss the mark, you can join up with the Volcano Street Team along the route. A free door prize raffle will be held at each location so don't dilly-dally. Here's the schedule.

2. Today brings the South Sound Technology Conference to the University of Washington Tacoma, a one-day event designed to bring together, "leaders from industry, education and government to discuss and demonstrate innovations and their applications," according to pre-event hype. The day-long event features a morning keynote by VP Product Development Expedia Steve Jarvis, a panel discussion on the mobile app development "explosion," and a lunch keynote by White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard Schmidt. Find more info about the South Sound Technology Conference and more in the Volcano's Weekend Hustle.

3. Time flies when you're having fun. Or so the saying goes - and fun is definitely one of the many great, hyper-local bits of awesomeness being served every day at Tacoma's Amocat Café, celebrating one year this Friday with the aptly titled, "Amocat Live." Expect an evening full of live music for all ages including John Dolge, Jon Parker, Micaela Cooley, Sam Bogle, Russ Dahler, Gen Obata, and The Collaborators. Best of all, it's free. It good times start at 7 p.m.

4. Comedian Slade Ham performs twice at the Tacoma Comedy Club tonight, taking the stage at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Meanwhile, the Comedy Underground Presents at Tacoma's Big Whisky Saloon presents Kortney Shane Williams and Joe Fontenot will keep things funny at Grit City Comedy Club.

5.In Olympia at Traditions Café and World Folk Art,  drop in on what's sure to be an enchanting event for all ages, "The Heartsparkle Players Present Stories From Outside Your Comfort Zone." It starts at 7:30 p.m.

MORE THINGS TO DO: The Weekend Hustle

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LINK: Live music tonight

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012 >>>

1. Almost exactly a year ago the Washington D.C. comedy troupe Capitol Steps descended on Olympia and the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, bringing with it a full bag of political humor and clever song parodies about things that rhyme with Scalia. Major laughs ensued. Tonight the Steps return to our state capital, no doubt full of new material thanks to a whole year of new inspirations - from the seemingly endless Republican presidential candidate debates to the many sweater vests of Rick Santorum.

2. PLU debuts David Lindsey-Abaire's Rabbit Hole tonight at the school's Studio Theater. The production starts at 7:30 p.m. According to hype, "Ultimately, as Rabbit Hole so beautifully demonstrates, compassion for ourselves and for each other makes us stronger as individuals and wiser as a community."

3. Slide in and catch Sandy Harvey in the Piano Lounge at El Gaucho in Tacoma tonight. The swank gets heavy around 6 p.m.

4. Thursday is the new start of the weekend, and what better way to kick things off than the open mic and "Musicians Night" at Tacoma's Rock the Dock Pub & Grill and hosted by Big D of 9 Pound Hammer? There's really not. The fun starts at 9 p.m. and there's absolutely no cover.

5. Weekly Volcano hip-hop columnist Josh Rizeberg gave us the lowdown this week on Hacienda Real. Tonight, check out the club for yourself during "Thursday Night South Sound with Skrilla and DJ J City." Expect a Top 40 party kicking off at 9 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2012 >>>

1. Drop on over to everyone's favorite neighborhood bar, Magoo's, and check out Gypsy jazz by Blue Grit tonight. There's no cover charge and the fun starts at 8 p.m.

2. If it's classic rock you're looking for, Tatoosh will be holed up at Stonegate Pizza on South Tacoma Way - playing good ol' fashioned rock starting at 9 p.m.

3. Play bingo with those not just killing time before the Grim Reaper calls their number. Every Wednesday at The New Frontier Lounge, players are treated to a rather boisterous evening of number-calling. The music rocks, the prizes are craptastic and there's something very satisfying about yelling "It's not a tumor!" when B-9 is pulled from the hopper (Schwarzenegger anyone?). Sessions are free with $2 margaritas and $4 Cuervo Gold shots during bingo. Every Wednesday night is also Taco Night with $1 beef, $1 black bean and $2 chicken in soft or crunchy shells.

4. Holy crap! Hump Day already? That must mean it's time again for Masa College Night. Expect flesh.

5. 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.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

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TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2012 >>>

1. The Academy Awards 2012 nominees for Live Action Shorts are hitting movie screens across the nation, including The Grand Cinema today. You can view the five nominated shorts -- Pentecost , Raju, The Shore, Time FreakandTuba Atlantic - at 2:05 and 7:10 p.m.

2. Get your groove on tonight in Parkland. DJ Adam Ant spins during "Twisted Tuesday" at Lady Luck Cowgirl Up, offering Top 40 action and karaoke. The good times start at 9 p.m. Or, if you're looking for something more, peruse the Volcano's extensive live local music listings here.

3. Sinatra-esque crooner Chris Anderson takes his show to the Red Wind Casino tonight, hitting all the notes and making the ladies swoon in the process. Anderson has repeatedly proven to offer a throwback good time.

4. Get geared up for St. Patrick's Day tonight at O'Blarney's in Olympia (feels like Lacey). Every Tuesday the bar unleashes its "Irish Sessions," featuring live traditional Irish music.

5.Speaking of going Irish, drop in on karaoke with Danny Ray tonight at O'Malley's Irish Pub in Tacoma.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2012 >>>

1. Catch Olympia's "best new band" as voted by the readers of the Weekly Volcano tonight at Charlie's Sports Bar and Grill. The acoustic jams kick off at 9 p.m

2. Throw on your best aging t-shirt and limber up your devil horns, because Monday means it's time for yet another Metal Monday at The New Frontier Lounge. The head-banging starts at 9 p.m.

3. Monday night is trivia night at the Tacoma Comedy Club on Market Street. There's no cover to get in, and the questions kick off at 7 p.m. In addition to the general thrill of victory, cash and prizes are also advertised.

4. Speaking of trivia, one of the best trivia nights in the area goes down each Monday at the Harmon Tap Room in Tacoma's Stadium District. It runs from 6 -8 p.m., with the winner of each round a $50 cash prize according to hype.

5. Common sense might suggest getting loaded on a Monday night and singing your ass off at the China Clipper's "Late Night Karaoke" might be a questionable idea. But screw common sense. With the karaoke starting at 9 p.m., we suggest sucking down a couple of the Clipper's notoriously strong drinks and then letting it all hang out.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

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SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2012 >>>

1. The Tacoma Youth Symphony Association brings its 2011-2012 season to the Rialto Theater at 3 p.m. for a performance by the much-loved Tacoma Youth Symphony Orchestra. Titled Carnival, and thematically including Antonín Dvorák's "Carnival Overture," Robert Huchinson's violin-piece "Maria Sampen," and Witold Lutoslawski's "Concerto for Orchestra," this afternoon's concert should deliver in all facets of awesomeness.

2. Have you suffered through years of weird and thoughtless haircuts? Bowl cuts. Buzz cuts. Flat tops. Ambiguous messes. The caesar cut (before and after it was cool - not while Justin Timberlake had it). Today's the day to try something new. Baroque Salon hosts a Haircut-a-thon from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to raise money for stylist Novell Dewald who was shot in the leg while leaving Baroque last month. Money from haircuts will help Novell walk again. Pastiche A Wine Bar next door will donate proceeds from wine sales from 3-9 p.m.

3. The Tacoma Buddhist Temple hosts its 50th annual sukiyaki dinner fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. You may enjoy a one-pot meal of thinly sliced beef, saifun noodles, tofu, green onions and other vegetables, all lightly sautéed in a flavorful broth - as well as teriyaki chicken, teriyaki beef shish kabobs, mochi ice cream, rice and drinks - to raises money for the temple's programs and maintenance costs.

4. Power, Loma Prieta, Birds In Row, Dethrone and Earth Mother rock the all-ages Red Room beginning at 6:30 p.m.

5. Hey! Did you hear Vicci Martinez performs at 7 p.m. inside Jazzbones to help her former manager Reed Riley raise money for his triple bypass? It's true.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight in the South Sound

LINK: South Sound Happy Hours