SUNDAY, AUG. 8, 2010 >>>

1. The Tacoma Cult Movie Club presents a night of vampires films, as well as the usual shorts, raffles and popcorn, at 7 p.m. inside the Acme Grub Cage.

2. Washington State History Museum and the Longhouse Education and Cultural Center at The Evergreen State College present In the Spirit: Native Arts Market and Festival - a fabulous opportunity to buy and see cool stuff from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the History Museum.  During the event, festivalgoers can experience a juried art exhibit, arts market, and performances - all in the Native American tradition.  There are artisans, storytellers and musicians, plus a vendor area with goods for sale such as carvings, weavings, engravings, clothing and more.  Allow time to see the museum's regular exhibits as well.

3. Tacoma's Shakespeare In the Parking Lot Theatre Company will perform the award-winning tragicomic drama Arcadia by Tom Stoppard - author of the play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and the screenplay for Shakespeare in Love - at 2 p.m. at the Tacoma Art Museum. Kids 11 and younger will giggle or bang their heads on the wall, depending how they were raised.

4. Le Voyeur Café and Lounge in Olympia presents a rare all-ages matinee-ish show featuring Hell Woman, Pitted Youth, High Five and No High Five at 5 p.m.

5. The Radio8Ball Show is a musical talk/game show based on the concept of synchronicity. The format is simple and unique: Guests and audience members ask questions to The Pop Oracle, and the answers are divined by spinning a wheel or picking a card that determines which song the musical guest will perform as the answer to the question. Speakeasy Arts Cooperative hosts Radio8Ball with singer-songwriter Jerin Falkner from 7-10 p.m. Ask away, just make sure you're ready for the answer.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2010 >>>

1. Abbey Road LIVE! - a kickass Beatles tribute band with more than 100 songs in their repertoire - will perform at 6:30 p.m. in Pioneer Park at the corner of Commercial and Wilkes in Steilacoom. The nearby Steilacoom Farmers Market will begin at 3 p.m.

2. Tacoma Art Museum presents an exhibition of paintings, prints, and sculpture that explores the impressionist movement and its international influence in The Movement of Impressionism: Europe, America, and the Northwest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. Glass artists Marvin Oliver and Richard Royal are in the Museum of Glass' Hot Shop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

4. Bird by Snow plays an all-ages show at 7 p.m. inside The Den @ urbanXchange.

5. Blood Of Rome, Oritaks Indrome, and People Die will rock Hell's Kitchen at 9 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

MONDAY, JULY 5, 2010 >>>

1. The Bran Flakes, The Evolution Control Committee, Gitar play a 7 p.m. all-ages show at Northern in Olympia.

2. See The Light, Swinglow, We Move Mountains, and Ashlynn play an all-ages show at The Viaduct.

3. Sons of Norway play an all-age show at the Mandolin Café.

4. Dented Trucks perform Chicago and Texas blues at 8:45 p.m. at The Swiss.

5. DJ Darren Selector spins Tacoma indie rock and underground hits during "Grit Rock Monday" beginning at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier Lounge.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2010 >>>

1. Influenced by "power, violence and grindcore," according to the horse's mouth, the two-piece furry of Jensen Ward and Jon Kortland - together Iron Lung - is not to be missed with Slices and White Wards at 9 p.m. inside the all-ages club Northern.

2. Paintings and drawings featuring landscapes and tree portraits in oil, pastel, charcoal and ink by local teacher and artist Sue Kopp Casillas hang at the Tahoma Center Gallery (1323 S. Yakima St.) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. TiMER - A high-concept, low-budget romantic comedy that integrates science fiction - screens at 5:55 p.m. inside the The Grand Cinema.

4. S.R.O. - a 16-piece jazz band playing music from the 30s and 40s - will perform from 7-9 p.m. inside the Imperial Dragon on Sixth Avenue.

5. In 1968, two surfers headed to Argentina to attempt to climb a notoriously dangerous volcanic mountain in Patagonia. One did make it to the top, and both survived to tell the tale and succeed in business, founding Patagonia and The North Face, and buying massive land in Patagonia to help preserve it. Forty years later, surfer Jeff Johnson attempts to meet up with the two men and scale the mountain himself in the film 180 South screening at 9 p.m. inside the Capitol Theater in Olympia.

LINK: Three more days to vote in the 2010 Best of Tacoma

SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2010 >>>

1. The Urban Art Festival runs from noon to 8 p.m. in People's Park in Tacoma. On deck are live art demonstrations and a hell of a band line, including main stage performers Voxxy Vallejo, Basemint, Blame it on the Girl, New Law, Hotels, Pioneers West, The Fucking Eagles and reggae legend Clinton Fearon. The after party - the formal fashion show with DJs Hilltop Trot - will be held at Fulcrum Gallery.

2. The family-friendly exhibition The Secret Language of Animals ends its run today at the Tacoma Art Museum. The exhibit is devoted to our relationships with our furry, feathery, and slimy friends. Through paintings, sculptures, and videos, The Secret Language of Animals explores not only the role of animal imagery in art, but also our expectations of and emotional attachments to those animals. See it for the last time from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oh, in honor of the museum's 75th anniversary, the 75th visitor to the museum today will receive a free Leroy, The Big Pup plush toy.

3. A benefit for the Gulf Restoration Network  - www.healthygulf.org - to help clean up the BP created mega-disaster currently ravaging the Gulf Coast will be held from 1-10 p.m. inside The Swiss. The show carries a $10 suggested donation, and a lineup including China Davis, The Jerry Miller Band with Lee Oskar, High Rollers, Mojo Overload, Malcolm Clark, Rich Wetzel's Groovin' Higher Orchestra and Kim Archer and Nick Sandy. Expect a pretty major raffle and giveaway to accompany the festivities.

4. A benefit concert will be held for the family of Galaxies guitarist Bob Koch, who died of cancer last month, from 4-10 p.m. at the Imperial Dragon Restaurant in Tacoma. The tribute show will feature the Galaxies, Blue Oasis, Shelly Ely Band, the Tim Hall Band and an all-star jam.

5. The Dana Lupinacci Band, nominated as "Best New Band" for 2010 by the Washington Blues Society, brings their jazzy brand of New Orleans-style to Tacoma's Johnny's Dock from 5-8 p.m. 

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2010 >>>

1. Pecha Kucha Night V. 06 is all about a day in the life of the great people of Tacoma featuring guest hosts Antonio Edwards and Jeremy Gregory. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. inside Shakabrah Java, Stella Haioulani, Leilani Williams, Julie Bennet, Allan Boothe, Tobin Ropes, Patricia Lecy-Davis, Jonathan Kellett, Brad Brown, Michael Johnson, Timothy Pinchney, Kit Evans, and Zach Marvick will show 20 slides, each shown for 20 seconds each.

2. The D.A.S.H. Center for the Arts holds a Ladies Hip Hop dance class every Tuesday at 6 p.m. for those 25 and older.

3. An open mic featuring poetry by Olympia poet Don Freis will be held at 6:30 p.m. inside The Loft on Cherry in downtown Olympia. The $3 suggested donation goes to support the Art Kitchen.

4. Our Only Escape out of Denver will rock The Viaduct with Seeking Skylight, Enthused, To Kill A Genre, West On 18, and Temporary Heroes beginning at 7 p.m.

5. Honeybear, Letters, and Fauxbois play an 8 p.m. all-ages show at Northern.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Hip-hop: The Lacey-based duo of LA Swagga is comprised of the thin and dark chocolate-toned lyricist and MC battle champion, LA White, and the thicker businessman-turned-MC, caramel-colored personality, Swagg.  Both in their early 20s, they attended high school in Lacey and grew up together.  The fact both LA White and Swagg come from motivated households gives clear insight about how they chose their title, and even more understanding about how confidently they walk, talk and -most notably - rap. They will celebrate the released of their new CD, LA Swagga is Mr. Gold Medals and Mr. Blue Ribbons, tonight with SP, DJ Luigi, DJ Travisty. Thursday, June 10, 9 p.m., $10, The Royal Lounge, 311 Capitol Way N., Olympia, 360.705.0760 - Jose Gutierrez Jr.

Punk: In terms of ferocity alone, Seattle duo Last Slice of Butter is some kind of champion. Despite consisting of only bass and drums (the Death From Above 1979 formula, if you will), they're capable of stirring up more racket than just about anyone in the 206 area code. Their music is punk, technically, but you can tell there are some canny pop and grunge instincts under all the dirty, deafening distortion. If you're not already sold, know this: TSLOB drummer Travis Coster is insane. Lightning fast and furiously forceful, he needs to be seen to be believed. With Humble Cub, Emperor Moth, and Girls From the Moon, Thursday, June 10, 6 p.m., all ages, $5, The Squawk Box, 745 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, myspace.com/squeakandsquawkfestival - Jason Baxter

Pop: There are some bands that cut straight to the quick. The Pica Beats are smart enough to put lead singer R. Barrett's voice front and center. Listening to the Pica Beats, it's almost as if Barrett is sitting on the opposite end of a campfire with you, singing right at you with uncomfortable eye contact. It's intimate pop music that avoids being maudlin or sleepy and boring. The band's childlike interest in the insides of bodies and the threshold of human emotion lend quirkiness and peculiar sadness to the whole. With Basemint, Santee, Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside, Thursday, June 10, 9 p.m., $8, The New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, myspace.com/squeakandsquawkfestival - The Rev. Adam McKinney

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Pop Rock: I tell you this honestly: There was a period of my life when I would walk along with a copy of Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies by Of Montreal in my CD player, and it truly scared me. Walking the Tacoma streets at night with the schizophrenic pop blaring in my ears was enough to make me question my sanity. Social Studies take this sound and - thankfully - soften it a bit. The super clean, psychedelic pop sounds are still there, but stillness and ease are added to the pot, creating an easier, not quite so disturbing listen. Some songs even venture further into the more comfortable realm of pop-rock, without relinquishing the buzzing baroque that made the band special to begin with. Giving your mind a moment of rest is not a weakness. Wednesday, May 19, 7 p.m., all ages, The Den@urbanXchange, 1934 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2280 - Rev. Adam McKinney

Dark Pop: Hotel St. George's music is a kind of damaged pop that we've grown to know through bands like Spoon or Guided By Voices - as disparate as those bands might seem. Their melodies are pure and catchy as all get out, but the vocals and lyrics are desperate, longing pleas for love - or maybe just help. The guitars are strummed with veined forearms and gritted teeth, and the vocals keep it cool over an undertone of panic and unease. This kind of dark pop sustains music in general, coming along every so often to make sure it prospers. And we, as its consumers, inherit its riches to someday pass on to our heirs. Music - pop music - is the circle of life. Hotel St. George live on in that tradition. With Johnny Cheezbrgr, Apes of Wrath, Fine Slew, Wednesday, May 19, 10 p.m., no cover, Le Voyeur, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710 - Rev. AM

Acoustic Rock: Playing in a variety of bands, Jonny Smokes dabbles with everything from bass to keyboards but is best known for his flawless acoustic sets where he performs dazzling originals and choice covers from bands such as the Eagles and Alice in Chains. In addition to his original music, Smokes has been a member of the Pink Floyd cover band the Empty Spaces and the AIC cover group Jar of Flies, which spawned the side project, the Smoking Lounge. As for solo performances, what began as stripped down acoustic cover songs with just a guitar and vocals has turned into a major musical production as Smokes has added an arsenal of effect pedals, pre-recorded percussion and backup music to his show, creating a richer and fuller sound. Wednesday, May 19, 9 p.m., The Swiss, 1904 Jefferson Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2821 - Tony Englehart

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

LINK: Vote for your favorite Tacoma band

BRING ON THE WEEKEND >>>

It's that time again.

Friday, the possibilities are endless, and the promise of two work-free days sits in front of us (assuming you're a nine-to-five, Monday-through-Friday schmo). It doesn't get much better.

Here's this week's Prefunk, a regular guide to preparing you and your liver for the weekend ahead - with a picture of an alcoholic pet thrown in for good measure.

The MAKEDONIANS CD RELEASE

Saturday, May 15

"Kids'll dance, some will fall in love... the rest of us may cry."

So reads the bottom of a recent press release for the Makedonians CD release show, tomorrow evening at The Mandolin Café in Tacoma.

Who doesn't like crying, falling in love, or dancing kids? They go together like peanut butter, jelly and steel wool.

The Makedonians, of course, as the Volcano's Joe Izenman has pointed out in the past, are a revolving group of uber-talented musician with a passion for bringing Mediterranean music to life.

Here's a taste of what Izenman had to say about the band following a performance in early January.

Some 20 years ago, at Chambers Primary School in University Place, at the very beginning of my life as a musician, I was fortunate to be taught by Makedonians bandleader and clarinetist Diz Carroll. A few years later, I had the opportunity to play saxophone with Diz and the Makedonians for a few months - a mediocre middle-schooler surrounded by professionals.

Now, a decade later, Diz's desire to educate and inform continues, whether young or old - anyone with the desire to listen. Throughout the

Makedonians' rollicking, energetic set of traditional Balkan music Saturday night, audience members were treated to lessons in Greek musical geography, five-tone scale harmony (most "western" music uses the seven) and how to count some of the more unusual time signatures, ranging from 5 to 25 beats in a measure.

PREFUNK: The Makedonians new CD, Church House, according to the press release, "captures Efiniki's (Zambaras) singing in the CHURCH HOUSE." It goes on to say, "Don't miss her last concert here, in the coziest café in the South Sound."

Exactly, but before you go - keep this in mind, and plan accordingly. Greece is in the midst of a financial crisis. If the Mandolin will take your Euros for a cup of coffee before the show, take them up on it!

23^rd ANNUAL LACEY SPRING FUN FAIR

Sunday, May 16

Technically, the Lacey Spring Fun Fair kicks off on Saturday, but I say avoid the "crowds", and hit up the annual event Sunday - the big, balloon animal-filled finale. With "arts and crafts, commercial vendors and food concessions," as laceyspringfunfair.com points out, the yearly event - held at St. Martin's University - has the potential to be fun for the "whole family" - though the target demographic certainly seems to be those in Superman/Wonder Woman underoos.

PREFUNK: One hit of helium for you, two hits for the balloon animals. And repeat.

See you next week.

SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2010 >>>

1. On the heels of the über-successful Third Annual Spring Fairy Festival - which reportedly drew upward of 15 fairies - Crescent Moon Gifts is back today with a Beltaine celebration and May Day celebration all wrapped into one. Beltaine, for those unaccustomed to Gaelic ways, is both the Gaelic word for "May," and an annual Celtic festival celebrating springtime hope and the coming harvest. It's totally pagan, yo. May Day, of course, is, well, May Day. Both are typically celebrated on the first day of May, but apparently Crescent Moon Gifts is throwing pagan convention to the wind. Expect floral wreaths, maypoles, and some fairy fun - as well as a pagan potluck from 4-6 p.m.

2. The Den @ urbanXchange hosts a grand opening celebration for its Tea Bar from noon to 9 p.m. with a sidewalk sale, free tea pours, an art show, Gypsy jazz, trip-hop from Tacoman Ess One and more.

3. We've come a long way. If you need proof, know that we just we wrote that while Skyping in a pizza order, text-messaging my grandma and Tweeting about our last bowel movement. However, sometimes it is nice to look back - as James Venturini and the Lakewood Playhouse will help us do at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., when they present The Maltese Falcon and The Red Wind in classic, old time radio form at King's Books. The classic mysteries - in old school radio form - should hold audiences captive, if not completely Twitter-free.

4. The Music Giving Back folks presents its annual BreastFest, a salute to mothers with a huge pre-Mother's Day bash at The Swiss to help raise money for breast cancer research. The music lineup includes Deborah Page, China Davis, Heidi Vladyka, and Rosati and The Lonely Guys. The B-Fest runs from 6-10 p.m.

5. Humble Cub, Fat Beavers and ICK perform at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier Lounge.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound