THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2011 >>>

1. WaMu rocks the Northern in Olympia tonight. Find all the details you'll need here.

2. Murder and thriller writer J.A. Jance will be in University Place today at the library, slinging and signing books.

3. Tacoma Pride Week kicks off today with a flag raising. Pride info can be found here.

4. Join Billy Farmer open mic style today at the Tacoma Farmers Market.

5. Check out Not From Brooklyn tonight at the New Frontier Lounge in Tacoma.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight in the South Sound

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011 >>>

1. Catch Old Man Malarkey and the Cutwinkles at Hell's Kitchen as part of Tightwad Tuesdays - a T-Town tradition.

2. Like fiddles and facial hair? Good. The Barleywine Revue performs tonight at the Mandolin Café.

3. Drop in on tan epic "DJ & Drummer Duo Battle," at Backstage Bar & Grill on Sixth Avenue, featuring DJ Switch and Chris Dahl.

4. Tuesday means it's Beer Pong Tournament time at Longhorn Saloon in Lakewood.

5. The Royal Lounge in Olympia invites you to "get your comedic variety showcase groove on," every Tuesday for the club's weekly "Comedy Lounge" showcase.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight in the South Sound

MONDAY, JULY 4, 2011 >>>

1. Well, in Tacoma there's Freedom Fair. Duh. Find details right here.

2. What's that? You live in Orting. Well, they'll be celebrating to Fourth of July there too.

3. In Tumwater they really know how to celebrate the Fourth of July in style with the Artesian Family Festival and Thunder Valley Fireworks Show. Find details here.

4. The picturesque town of Steilacoom also knows how to party on the Fourth of July. Here's a link to Steilacoom's Fourth of July celebration.

5. In DuPont, they bring the "Greatest Generation" into the Fourth of July fun with the Greatest Generation Fourth of July Celebration.

6. You could blow your fingers off ... but that kind of sucks.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight in the South Sound

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Mostly sunny, possible showers hi 72, lo 50

Saturday: Sunny, hi 75, lo 55

Sunday: Showers, hi 66, lo 50

>>> FRIDAY, JULY 1: Tacoma Metal Prom

Tacoma has seen plenty of proms lately. And we're not even talking about the standard high school affairs. It seems like not long ago the "'80s Prom" was drawing folks by the half dozen to Hell's Kitchen, and that's just the start of the prom-themed events Tacoma has seen in its day. Friday, perhaps the most Tacoma-perfect prom of all, the Metal Prom, will shake Hell's Kitchen with bruising performances by C.F.A., Sleeper Cell, Yuck Fou and DJ Melodica. Warning: the punch is spiked.

• Hell's Kitchen, 9 p.m., $5, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003

>>> FRIDAY, JULY 1: The Fucking Eagles

Over the years, The Fucking Eagles have worked hard to make a name for themselves, not only in the supremely ubiquitous genre of garage rock, but in a city like Tacoma - where garage rock bands seem to fall from trees. While many bands in these parts skew toward the psychedelic side of the ‘60s, the Fucking Eagles make their home in the stomping, shuddering footsteps of the Sonics, our blistering rock forefathers. It's relentless, pounding rock ‘n‘ roll - the kind that kids with crew cuts and horn-rim glasses had to find in underground clubs, far from the prying eyes of grown-ups. Friday, the Fucking Eagles willl take the stage at the New Frontier along with the Night Beats, who will be celebrating the release of their debut self-titled LP. -- Rev. AM

• The New Frontier, with the Night Beats, Basemint, The Cigarette Burns, 9 p.m., cover TBA, 301 E. 25th St, Tacoma, 253.572.4020

>>> SATURDAY, JULY 2: Proctor Farmers Market

You can find cut herbs, seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh fish and baked goods along with live entertainment, free crafts for the kids and gardening advice from master gardeners from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Proctor Farmers Market.

• Proctor District, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., North 27th and Proctor St., Tacoma

>>> SUNDAY, JULY 3: 45th Annual South Sound Center Independence Day Celebration

Really, is there a more appropriate locale to celebrate the birth of our nation, the greatest nation on earth, than in the parking lot of Lacey's South Sound Center - home to Target, Kohl's, Sears, Happy Nails, Hair Perfect and even an Applebee's? Hell no. That's exactly why they throw the South Sound Center Independence Day celebration every year. According to the Facebook hype page, this is the 45th year! That's just crazy. Did we metion the Funtastic carnies will be in the house? Do we even need to?

• South Sound Center, 6 -11 p.m., donations accepted, all ages, 711 Sleater Kinney Road SE, Lacey, 360.491.6850

>>> MONDAY, JULY 4: Freedom Fair (instead of blowing your fingers off)

Freedom Fair along the Ruston Way waterfront is a yearly tradition for many South Sound families. It's been running strong for over three decades now. This year, in addition to the usual festivities on the Fourth, the gusto behind Freedom Fair helps celebrate the Centennial of Naval Aviation by expanding things - with Military Aviation Appreciation night scheduled for Cheney Stadium on Friday and the Wings & Wheels car, plane and motorcycle show Sunday at the Tacoma Narrows airport. But the big night is still the fireworks on the Fourth.

• Ruston Way Waterfront, all day, Tacoma, freedomfair.com]

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
This weekend is all about garage sales, barbeques and music - a visit to Sylvester park for OIMF is in the plans. And maybe a few fireworks with the kiddos - perhaps some worms and mini-tanks and groundflowers - the driveway classics. But most importantly, I can do all of these things without the worry of work - no more bartending weekends for this mama! Hooray! 

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
I'll be rehearsing the crap out of Oleanna. You know: for America.

.

JOE IZENMAN: Theater Critic
BACHELOR PARTY OF DOOOOOOOOOM. No doubt after an epic poker game Friday night, you'll find me and my horde roaming the bars of Sixth Ave., conning free drinks wherever we can. Then down to Portland Saturday for additional beer. Then... probably just rest on Sunday. I suspect I'll need it.

STEPH DEROSA: Features Writer
I'm out to the beach all weekend so don't try to call, don't try to write, don't try to text, email or smoke signal me.  And if you want to rob my house while I'm gone you'll be greeted by an old southern lady who's packin' heat (hi mom!)- so I wouldn't try that either.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
This weekend (much like every other day this week) will be spent comforting my teething baby while trying to teach him to say "Up" instead of screaming when he wants to be held.

ALEC CLAYTON Visual Arts Critic
I'm going to the opening of the Ron Hinson and Susan Christian art exhibit at Childhood's End.

.

BRETT CIHON Meat Market Correspondent
I'm back on the meat market express this weekend. Long lines for bathrooms and short skirts for the backrooms.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

ROCK ICONS ROCK FOR LOCAL POP CULTURE ICON >>>

Saturday in Chehalis a crowd gathered in the parking lot of the old, iconic Yard Birds all-everything store to enjoy classic cars, all the usual summer festival bells and whistles, and the music of a bygone era - anchored by Don Wilson and Nokie Edwards of the Ventures, and Barry Curtis and Steven Peterson of the Kingsmen. It was called Birdfest 2011, and all the fun was in benefit of the much-loved Yard Bird statue that still stands in said parking lot, albeit in serious need of repair. The Volcano's Nikki Talotta wrote about the event for last week's paper.

And on Saturday, she snapped a few photos ...

Nokie Edwards signs autographs

LINK: Birdfest 2011 Weekly Volcano Photo Hot Spot

VISUAL EVIDENCE OF THE AWESOMENSS >>>

In a weekend full of events, Volcano photographer Patrick Snapp was one busy dude. Saturday, he dropped in on Tacoma Hempfest, a shindig that was unfortunately riddled by controversy thanks to the Tacoma Police Department's handling of the pro-cannabis event and its many vendors.

Along the Thea Foss Waterfront, however, Urban Arts Festival blazed all weekend - inhabiting a new space with the mix of arts, music, fun and culture Tacoma has come to expect out of the yearly summer festival.

Here's how Sunday looked through the lens of Patrick Snapp ...

LINK: Urban Arts Festival 2011 Weekly Volcano Photo Hot Spot

ART AND COMMUNITY ACTION CONTINUES TODAY >>>

Tacoma's diversity, both in its people and in its creative talent, is showcased at this weekend's Urban Arts Festival. Now in its seventh year, this year the two-day summertime event is being  held on the Thea Foss Waterway in a new(ish) park and walking area next to the Museum of Glass. A manicured lawn proved to be a perfect staging area for vendors, a beer garden and the main music stage.

With booths lined up facing boats bobbing in the inlet, vendors smiled and chatted with festival goers about their handmade art, crafts and wares. Bright red, green and yellow blooms and foliage spilled from hanging basket planters. Just as colorful was Jooley Heaps's brilliant red hair at her Box Top Vintage booth. Metalwork art gleamed in the sun from an uncovered booth and humorous prints peaked out from under canopies. I looked on as Ebony Morris, an Eastside Tacoma resident, became the proud owner of two-tone block-style creation. Festival organizer Johanna Gardner remarks that this is what it's all about.

UAF allows artists to show their works in an environment where people can see them, acquire them or even be part of them. With interactive art and dance being a focal point, like chalk-art graced sidewalks, Gardner is definitely right. Walking through I felt the pleasant, lazy vibe of attendees; they matched my slow stroll. The distinct vocal stylings of Kim Archer summoned me to the main stage. To the right, a skateboard course, DJ area with plenty of lawn for dancing and John Spevak's sausage booth flooding the air with delicious meaty aromas.

Umber Sleeping frontman and drummer Peter Tietjen wrangled his kids while hawking punk buttons. "It's a great location this year. I think tomorrow will be even better. And man, great weather," Tietjen comments. He smiles and gestures skyward where a few fluffy white clouds only made the sun feel even brighter.

Urban Arts festival runs through Sunday, June 26 at 9 p.m.

LINK: 2011 Urban Art Festival in photos

Find our full preview story of the event here.

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2011 >>>

1. The Urban Arts Festival continues today along the Thea Foss Waterway. The weather looks amazing. Come out and play.

2. Today is your last chance at Taste of Tacoma this year. You've been warned.

3. Sleeping in Gethsemane will perform today at Metronome Coffee. Or, if that's not your musical cup of tea, find the Volcano's extensive live local music listings here.

4. It's Movie Night at the Brotherhood in Olympia. It's a tradition - and it's awesome. Wind your weekend down in style.

5. Vote for Tacoma's best baristas, politicians, bloggers, bartenders and local businesses in the only 253 "Best Of" issue that matters. The Volcano's annual Best of Tacoma issue publishes July 28, and this year's readers' poll launched last week. Let your vote be heard now! Find all the details here.

LINK: South Sound Live Local Music Listings

LINK: Viva South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

ROCK MUSIC ABOUT STUFF IN BOOKS >>>

When he and his brother founded wizard-punk band Harry and the Potters in 2002, Paul DeGeorge never imagined the band would be paying his bills.

"I want to say I'm a professional wizard," says Paul, who'll be playing with brother Joe DeGeorge Saturday behind the Olympia Timberland Library. "We thought this would be a weird little side project. We never thought we'd be touring nationally and quitting day jobs."

While he is a fan of the books, Paul says the project was more whim than serious endeavor.

"I knew that people loved these books, but I had no idea there was such a fandom until people got interested in what we were doing and I started getting e-mails from all over the world," he says. "The books were coming out every couple of years, but people needed more. They wanted more ways to interact with the books.

"We were filling that gap, but at the time, it was just like, ‘Let's see if we can convince librarians to let us play in the library if we sing about Harry Potter.'"

To read Molly Gilmore's full article click here.

Harry and the Potters

Saturday, June 25, 6 p.m., Free

On Ninth Avenue behind the Olympia Timberland Library, 313 Eighth Ave. SE, Olympia, 360.352.0595 or trl.org or harryandthepotters.com

SEVENTH ANNUAL UAF PREPARES TO TAKE OFF >>>

The Urban Art Festival is a grassroots festival at its best-a little bit of every kind of art (including some varieties not always recognized as art) all dumped into one public park, then shaken, not stirred, with lots of music and other cool stuff. Now in its seventh year, the Urban Art Festival has expanded to two full days, and will take place June 25 and 26 along Thea Foss Waterway.

The festival began in 2004 when a group of friends, including Joey Morrison, Johanna Gardner (currently the event coordinator), Linda Honeck and Laura and Matt Eklund, decided to put together an event featuring all kinds of art, focusing on local and environmentally friendly vendors and artists. Though one of the founding members, Joey Morrison, passed away unexpectedly in 2005, the group continued on, and even picked up some new members, including Lisa Fruichantie (performance art coordinator) and Mandi Martin (vendor coordinator).The festival strives to bring together every type of music and art, and to tear down stereotypes and draw in the community.

This year, visitors can enjoy the bigger and better nature of this festival as it ramps up. There will be three stages, lots of artists and lots of music.

To read Kristin Kendle's full article click here.

[Thea Foss Waterway, from the Museum of Glass at 1801 Dock St. to beyond the 21st Street Bridge, Saturday-Sunday, June 25 - 26, Saturday noon - 8 p.m., Sunday noon - 9:20 p.m., Tacoma, tacomaurbanart.com]