SATURDAY, JAN. 1, 2011 >>>

1. Today marks the last day of the Washington State History Museum's famed Model Train Festival.  Little bridges. Little trains. Little railroad crossings. And lots of potential fun for old people and little kids alike. Check it out while you still have time.

2. Today and tomorrow check out the South Sound's "first all star acting company" as they delve into the Christian Doyle creation and newborn area favorite, Joe's Diner Lakewood Playhouse. Doyle, the name behind The Outfit Theatre Company, promises with Joe's Diner an evening of slapstick, improv, zany situations and guest stars. OK -  we came up with the "zany" part, but you know we're right.

3. Check out Buckley's Death First and White Ward tonight at Northern in Olympia. Death First's affected vocals and snarling guitar histrionics sound native to the post-millennial FM rock era (shades of mid-career Queens of the Stone Age), and their shrieking choruses and oodles of cooing back-up vocals should make for a keen counterpoint to White Ward's sustained fervor.

4. Like many ex-Dear Records members, Molly Hamilton eventually fled Washington for New York. While there, she joined up with a psychedelic rock-leaning band called Widowspeak, which was a substantial departure from the somber, minimalist music she made in Tacoma. Today, Hamilton returns for a solo show at The New Frontier Lounge. It'll be interesting to see how the big city has affected her solo material.

5. Join C.F.A., 12 Gauge Saint and Bloodhunger tonight at Supernova Hair and Tattoo for an all-ages holiday show you'll definitely be bummed if you miss.

6. Vote for the Weekly Volcano's Best of Olympia 2011 issue right now. Go here and let your voice be heard!

BRING ON THE WEEKEND >>>

OK, so, technically it's a day off at Weekly Volcano World Headquarters. Technically, employees of this fine rag are supposed to be resting and relaxing with family and friends, taking some time for themselves and bringing in the New Year without the pressure of work.

But do you think that's going to stop the Prefunk from doing what it does best - providing a primer for you and your liver for the coming weekend (with a picture of an alcoholic household pet thrown in for good measure)?

Fat chance.

Supernova Holiday Party with C.F.A., 12 Gauge Saint and Blood Hunger

Saturday, Jan. 1

Here's a quick list of things that are awesome:

Free shows

All ages shows

Holiday parties on Jan. 1

Cody Foster

Supernova

Steve Pool's hair

Now, admittedly, one of the above items has nothing to do with Saturday's free, all-ages holiday show with C.F.A., 12 Gauge Saint and Bloodhunger at Supernova Hair and Tattoo (817 Division, Tacoma) - but it really doesn't matter. It's a fine list of awesomeness, and Saturday's show at Supernova (starting at 10 p.m.) will be a fine display of awesomeness. Not quite ready to give up on the holidays yet? Want one more raging night of T-town metal to fill your stocking (wait, what?)? This show is just your ticket.

PREFUNK: In the day leading up to Saturday night's show, try a burger from the Burger Bar, an Americano from Satellite, some bit of novelty sparkly goodness from Tricky's Pop Culture Emporium, and ... wait. Crap. It's New Year's. Many of those places will probably be closed.

A good Plan B would be to simply spend the day sleeping off the hangover on the couch before finally rustling to activity about 7:30 p.m. to find some food for your belly and a (relatively) clean 3 Inches of Blood t-shirt from your floor to head out in.

FRIDAY, DEC. 31 >>>

1. Well, it's New Year's Eve in Tacoma. You know what that means: it's time for First Night. Check out details here. And check out the Rev. Adam McKinney's take here.

2. You've waited a long-ass time for this - the legendary Sonics play the Capitol Theater in Olympia tonight to ring in 2011. The Dirty Birds and November Witch open the show - which promises to be amazing.

3. Bring in the New Year with style, flavor and a little crooning. The Two Crooners are at Pacific Grill Event Center tonight - check here for the details.

4. Check out the Atomic Outlaws' new singer, Calvin Muma, and the band's new direction tonight at Hell's Kitchen - where there'll be a free New Year's Eve show also celebrating one year of the new, Pacific Avenue Hell's Kitchen location.

5. Sure, you could bring in the New Year with some fancy champagne toast and some pressed khakis, or you could venture out to Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill in Spanaway and do something more true to yourself - celebrating the coming of 2011 with Tacoma's own Church of Hate. Nothing says happy New Year like makeup and fake blood.

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Partly sunny, cold, hi 37, lo 25

Saturday: Partly sunny, hi 39, lo 30

Sunday: Partly sunny, hi 43, lo 33

>>> FRIDAY, DEC. 31: THREE DOG NIGHT

The song is actually called "Joy To The World," but that doesn't mean it's not about a bullfrog named Jeremiah with some mighty fine wine. Similarly, Three Dog Night may be at a point in their career where New Year's Eve is spent at the Emerald Queen Casino, but that doesn't mean you should be embarrassed to show your love for the band. Hell, you love the ladies; you love to have your fun. You're a straight-shootin‘ son-of-a-gun. This show's for you.

• Emerald Queen Casino, 8 p.m., free, 2024 East 29th St., Tacoma, 253.594.7777

>>> SATURDAY, Jan. 1: CORPUS CALLOSUM

Corpus Callosum are a seven-piece traveling sideshow. Their music is made using arcane and unusual instruments like wine glasses and Stylophones, and it sways and hums in a style similar to fellow anachronistic acts like Beirut and DeVotchKa. The show is rounded out by their emphasis on performance. Puppets, stilt walking, cardboard sets - it adds up to a dizzying interpretation of a school recital, a talent show, a carnival. Do you ever see those vouchers with the elephants and clowns and red balls adorned with stars and regret always missing the circus when it unceremoniously blows through town? Here is your chance to experience that eerie magic before Corpus Callosum pack it in and leave for yet another town, more eyes and ears to be met with wonder.

• The Den @ urbanXchange, 7 p.m., donations accepted, 1932 Pacific Ave, Tacoma

>>> Jan. 1- 2: "JOE'S DINER"

On the first two days of '11, check out the South Sound's "first all star acting company" as they delve into the Christian Doyle creation and newborn area favorite, Joe's Diner. Doyle, the name behind The Outfit Theatre Company, promises with Joe's Diner an evening of slapstick, improv, zany situations and guest stars. OK -  we came up with the "zany" part, but you know we're right.

Lakewood Playhouse, 8 p.m. Jan. 1, 2 p.m. Jan. 2, $14.50, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd., Lakewood, 253.588.0042

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

STEPH DEROSA Features Writer
This week I'm out at the beach in Westport, Washington.  I've rallied some super cool eight-year-old girls for a special New Year's Eve weekend that will include a few clam digs, lots of sugar, and I'm sure many, many very loud Hannah Montana dance parties in the living room.  I would elaborate more on the splendid details of my girlie weekend by the sea, but I have a Disney All Star Party game calling for me upstairs on the Wii.  Laterz.

PAUL SCHRAG Senior Contributor
I'm going to fuck with drunk people and celebrate the mightiness of Jah.

*

REV. ADAM MCKINNERY Features Writer
New Year's Eve, I will be attending an impromptu show at the Hilltop Hollows. Currently, the only band on the docket is Skeleton Rebellion, one of my friend Tristan Marcum's bands. There will surely be drinking and much merriment. I've begged them to learn the theme song to Doug and, if they do, I can die a happy man (and be reborn in 2011 as, once again, a miserable man).

JOE IZENMAN Music/Theater Critic
Through the glory of having Friday off (from my day job... here at the Volcano I do very little and have most days off), I can joyously attend The Red Hot for lunch to make sure I don't miss out on The Abyss, one of the finest beers known to man. This shall prepare me to rock the crap out of the Pantages lobby with Deborah Page for First Night. After that? Who can say? Movies at the Grand? Buying comic books? Eating cupcakes? ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN.

BRETT CIHON Meat Market Correspondent/Features Writer
I'm ringing in the New Year up north. Local Seattle band Mystery Ship is playing a show at the the Blue Moon bar, and I plan for an evening of beers and classic rock. On Saturday I'm heading back to Olympia for a Meat Market night out. 

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
New's Year's Eve is gonna be a blur of First Night activities. I'll hit up The Peabody Waldorf for the early Gritty City Sirens' Burlesque show, then it's over to the Club SOTA stage for Pickwick, Robert Dealing and Ravenna Woods courtesy of The Warehouse Presents. At midnight I'll get a kiss from the fab Mr. Varnell and our cutie progeny.  I'll spend Saturday in my pajamas trying to nap as much as possible or maybe head to the mountains to play in the snow. On Sunday I'm going to pretend I don't have to work the next day.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
Despite repeated begging, no one invited me to a New Year's Eve rager. So instead, my girlfriend and I are watching movies with her sister, who doesn't drink to excess. It's PATHETIC. I'm kinda mad at you right now, Oly cool friends.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Photographer
Hitting First Night with Jen Fab before the Vicci Martinez show at Jazzbones and some Hell's Kitchen tunes since there will be a free show.

ALEC CLAYTON: Visual Arts Critic
 Avoiding drunks.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

GOODNESS IN STORE IN PRINT & ONLINE >>>

>>> The Sonics return

Why the fuck shouldn't the Sonics, Tacoma's own fathers of garage rock, finally play that long (loooooong) awaited South Sound comeback show? Far crazier things have happened, after all.

The band will do just that - on New Year's Eve, no less - at the historic Capitol Theater in Olympia. - Matt Driscoll

>>> Atomic Outlaws

You need the Atomic Outlaws - a band seemingly designed specifically to accompany the moment when rock 'n' roll and your c*** become acquainted. - Rev. Adam McKinney

>>> Record digging in Tacoma

"I think Tacoma is a pretty good place to be a collector," says Todd Sykes, local producer/emcee and one third of the group City Hall. "For the size of the city that it is I don't think there are a lot of people digging for records."

>>> Eliot Lipp

Known for his unique take on hip-hop and house, Eliot Lipp has paid dues in underground scenes in almost every primary market in the U.S., Europe and Asia, and has released albums on multiple cutting edge labels. - Zach Powers

PLUS: Molly Hamilton, Corpus Callosum, Death First

AS SEEN IN THE VOLCANO >>>

As you may have already read, the Tacoma Poet Laureate program will be changing hands in 2011 -- going from the oversight of Tacoma's Urban Grace Church to the Tacoma Arts Commission. The Volcano's Kristin Kendle detailed the changes this week.

You can read about it here. (If you didn't already click on the link above.)

Below, you'll find the official press release which was sent out via the Tacoma Arts ListServ earlier this afternoon

Read more...

THURSDAY, DEC. 30 >>>

1. Hip-hop and electronic based - not to mention Tacoma-bred - Eliot Lipp will be at The New Frontier Lounge tonight with City Hall. Go here for details. This show will be dope.

2. The Not-Its will kiddy-rock the Moore and Wheelock libraries in Tacoma today. Naturally, because they wear skinny-ties, the Weekly Volcano is on it.

3. Fox Hole Whores, The Americommies, Phasers On Kill and Radamus play Hell's Kitchen tonight. This one should be pleasant ... and by "pleasant" we mean "pleasantly brutal and drunk."

4. It's T-Town Thursday at Masa Comida Mexicana. Have a Tecate and represent, yo!

5. Saxophonist Steve Munger will lay down a couple sets of the good stuff tonight at Ben Moore's in Olympia. When Volcano editor Matt Driscoll was in college at Evergreen, Munger worked at a convenience store near his home - and he'd often stumble in to buy American Spirits only to find Munger wailing away on his sax behind the register. Driscoll reports it was, "awesome," but Driscoll was also high for his entire five and a half years at Evergreen ... so take it for what it's worth. That said, Munger is a class act and his performance at Ben Moore's this evening sounds like the perfect way to wind down the New Year's shortened week.

LOOK FOR IT THURSDAY>>>

In a move that should come as a surprise to absolutely no one -- as it's, perhaps, one of the most obvious stories of all time -- tomorrow's Volcano will include a piece on the Sonics, who will return to South Sound action New Year's Eve at the Capitol Theater in Olympia. As you damn well know, the Sonics -- Tacoma's garage rock forefathers -- are a pretty big deal.

Crank this up to eleven on the ol' laptop while you get ready for tomorrow's Volcano ... and more importantly Friday's Sonics show.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES >>>

Many of my high school nights in Olympia were spent in rundown venues. The Midnight Sun, The Backstage, The Eagles Ballroom.  I leaned up against crusty walls bobbing my head to now-defunct bands like the Drawbacks, Vindication and, a personal favorite, I Spit on Your Grave. Outside the shows I'd sneak chugs of beer; inside I'd goof off with my friends and eye girls way out of my league. A skateboard in my hand and Adam Cooper's lowered Honda Accord as my ticket home, those nights in Olympia were the stuff of high school movies.

Now before I tear up and start preaching about "the days of our lives" let me say that The Loft, another important Olympia venue, is in danger of becoming extinct. The issue is complicated. And I must say I'm not sure what side I'm on.

Because as much as I loved every one of those high school days, I certainly love every drop of Fish Tale Ale. 

LINK: Controversy at The Loft in Olmpia

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 29 >>>

1. Koz of Konfuzion will rock the fuck out of Hell's Kitchen tonight in Tacoma along with Airpocalypse, Tangent, Knowledge of Trees, All Eyes Closed and 3 Smokin Barrels. And if you're in attendance, they'll rock the fuck out of you too. We mean, seriously - look at the dude in the bottom right hand corner of that photo up there. If that's not the face of someone getting the fuck rocked out of them, we don't know what is. There's no cover with a non-perishable food donation.

2. It's free bingo night at Applini's Two Clean and Sober Club in Puyallup. Naturally, it's all ages - because bingo and sobriety cannot be constricted by age. The rowdiness starts at 6 p.m.

3. Tacoma loves Maurice the Fish Records. There's good reason. Tonight, in a routine bar regulars have warmly embraced, there's another Maurice the Fish Records showcase at the Tempest Lounge on Hilltop. It's perfect Wednesday night activity material.

4. Knitting alone is sad. Group knitting is hot. Today, check out the group knitting at Tacoma Art Place. Info can be found here.

5. You're coming up on the last weekend to catch Zoolights and Fantasy Lights in Spanaway. Both yearly endeavors will shut it down for the year after Sunday. This evening would be a nice time to take the family out and see some bright shiny things ... if you're not already sick and tired of the holidays, that is.