SUNDAY, MAY 29, 2011 >>>

1. Check out Surreal Ultra Lounge's "All White Everything Memorial Weekend Party" tonight. It's awesome because you don't have to go to work tomorrow!

2. See what the kids in the Morgan Family YMCA's Dance Department have been working on when they bust out It's Showtime! - a dance recital performed at the Pantages Theater.

3. Loose Gravel & The Quarry will fill The Spar with blues tonight. Or, if you're looking for something else, find the Volcano's extensive South Sound live local music listings here.

4. Since the little buggers have no school tomorrow, drop into the Jazzbones Kid's Jam, hosted by Randy Oxford.

5. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Puyallup Farmers Market is in full effect. Find info on it and more in the Volcano's comprehensive South Sound arts and entertainment calendar.

ALEC CLAYTON REVIEWS THE VISUAL ARTS >>>

How many typos can you count in the title above? The answer is none. That's the correct title for the new show at Fulcrum Gallery, complete with the threes in place of E's and weird capitalization. And the title is about as weird as the art, which is to typical glass art what one of Lady Gaga's outfits is to a typical Sunday-go-to-meeting dress.

Featured are glass art by gallery owner Oliver Doriss (it's about time he featured his own work) and neon artist Galen McCarty Turner ...

To read Alec Clayton's review of Pr3v1eW & Pr0t0tyt3ps click here.

[Fulcrum Gallery, Pr3v1ew & Pr0totyp3s, noon - 6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and by appointment, through June 11, special G.A.S. Open House Wednesday, June 1, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., 1308 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253.250.0520]

SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011>>>

1. The Metro Parks annual Outdoor Challenge is right down your alley. Starting at 11 a.m. today at Owen Beach at Point Defiance Park, teams of two adults and family teams of four will battle for supremacy in a bevy of outdoorsy and just plain absurd challenges. Cross-country skiing, golf ball chipping and adult dress up will all be in play. Be warned, and be ready.

2. Today, Tacoma and Fircrest upstart team Toxic 253 will engage in their second bout ever, taking on the Ft. Lewis Bettie Brigade Team Bravo at Wheelz Skate Arena. Did we mention there'll be a beer garden? Sold.

3. Today at Freighthouse Square and the Harmon, and in the evening at Stonegate Pizza, the 8^th annual Tacoma Jazz and Blues Festival will offer exhibitions of all the South Sound has to offer in jazz and blues. Familiar names like Little Bill and the Bluenotes and Jerry Miller will make their expected appearances. Closing out the festival will be Rich Wetzel's Groovin' Higher Jazz Orchestra. Or, if this isn't down your musical alley, find the Volcano's extensive South Sound live local music listings here.

4. Born in Everett, currently a resident of Portland, and birthed on blues-worn stages up and down the West Coast, Curtis Salgado is the type of musician you don't get a chance to see every weekend. Luckily for all of us, today Salgado will do his thing at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia.

5. Today, Rock the Dock Pub & Grill's two-year anniversary party will offer live tunes by Tim Hall and Zero Down. Find details here.

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011 >>>

1. See Romeo & Juliet through a new lense at the Evergreen State College in Olympia. Find details here. And find the Volcano's extensive South Sound arts and entertainment calendar here.

2. Sugar Sugar Sugar is set to get sexed up and guttural tonight at the New Frontier Lounge in Tacoma. It's gonna be awesome. Trust us. Or, peruse the Volcano's comprehensive South Sound live local music listings here.

3. Meet photographer Ed Kenney, and see his solo exhibition Fourth Phase: Early Images today at Morso in Gig Harbor, during an opening reception today from 6-8 p.m.

4. Get funky tonight with Phunkatron at Jazzbones in Tacoma. You know you want to.

5. Comedian Johnny Cardinale stops into the Tacoma Comedy Club tonight.

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Rain, hi 55, lo 43

Saturday: Rain, hi 58, lo 43

Sunday: Partly sunny (maybe), hi 63, lo 48

>>> FRIDAY, MAY 27: BLAME SALLY

It's not every night you get an opportunity to drop in on a foursome as talented and in-tune as the Bay Area's Blame Sally, making a stop at Traditions Cafe in Olympia Friday as part of a much larger national tour. Packing the individual punches of female songwriters Pam Delgado, Renee Harcourt, Jeri Jones and Monica Pasqual, fans of Blame Sally have come to stand behind this group for a myriad of reason; the obvious musicianship and skill is only the start. The collective voice of this band is one of real life experience, highs and lows, and the power of unity. It doesn't take much listening to realize it's an easy thing to get behind. You'll have a chance to see for yourself Friday.

• Traditions Cafe, 8 p.m., $15, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia, 360.705.2819

>>> SATURDAY, MAY 28: OUTDOOR CHALLENGE

You're goddamn ridiculous. Just admit it. For this reason, the Metro Parks annual Outdoor Challenge is right down your alley. Starting at 11 a.m. Saturday morning at Owen Beach at Point Defiance Park, teams of two adults and family teams of four will battle for supremacy in a bevy of outdoorsy and just plain absurd challenges. Cross-country skiing, golf ball chipping and adult dress up will all be in play. Be warned, and be ready.

• Point Defiance Park, 10 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. competition, 2:30 p.m. awards ceremony, $40 per team, metroparkstacoma.org/challenge

>>> SATURDAY, MAY 28: BOOM TOXIC ROLLER DERBY

It used to be that roller derby events were few and far between - whenever one popped up it was to be savored like a rare commodity. These days, in a major improvement, it seems South Sound derby fans have roller-skate-clad fun to get behind almost every weekend. Saturday, Tacoma and Fircrest upstart team Toxic 253 will engage in their second bout ever, taking on the Ft. Lewis Bettie Brigade Team Bravo at Wheelz Skate Arena. Did we mention there'll be a beer garden? Sold.

• Wheelz Skate Arena, 6 p.m., $10, 2101 Mildred St., Tacoma, 253.460.7655

>>> SUNDAY & MONDAY, MAY 29-30: TWO FINAL DAYS OF ROCKWELL

Norman Rockwell, the guy who - we swear it must be so - invented Thanksgiving, watermelon, baseball and prayer, has been on display in Tacoma since February. Or, rather, his art has. The exhibition American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell scheduled its only Northwest stop at TAM Feb. 26 through May 30, with 44 paintings and 323 original Saturday Evening Post covers.  This means Monday, Memorial Day, is your VERY LAST CHANCE TO SEE IT! It's been here since February, people! There's no excuse for having missed it. See archival materials showing how Rockwell worked, from preliminary sketches, photographs, color studies and detailed drawings to the finished painting. There's more nostalgia, sentimentality and Americana here than at a lifetime of family reunions and Fourth of July picnics. See it before it's gone.

• Tacoma Art Museum, through May 30, Wednesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4258

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
In my fantasies, I'll be doing something awesome, like spending the weekend wakeboarding on Lake Shasta in Northern California, then heading west to camp in the Redwoods, followed by a leisurely drive back up the 101. But, in reality, I'll be bartending, changing diapers, cleaning house, changing chicken coop poop and - if I'm lucky - having a barbeque. Guess all those things are awesome in their own right, too.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
Not much going on this weekend, really, just catching a screening of Bridesmaids...OH, AND GETTING MARRIED! And yes, we are registered, on Honeyfund.com. It's so sweet of you to ask!

MATT DRISCOLL: Editor
I realize you're probably going to freak out if you have to read me whine about another toddler birthday party in the Weekend Hustle. The gag is old ... I get it. Thing is, next weekend is OUR toddler's birthday party and nary a party hat or kazoo has been procured. There's not a single streamer in the house. This will never do. I anticipate a weekend of hurried preparation and store-bought sheet cake research. 

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
I'm gonna take my four-day weekend and spend three of those days in Portland where we will ride bikes and hang out with the cool kids and talk about how great riding the train is. Oh yeah, and buy books from Powell's that may or may not have run-on sentences or fragments.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
Well, I've run out of my monthly allotment of cigarettes, and I am too broke to buy more. So, as a kind of forced experiment, I will be taking a few days off from smoking, for what will be the first time in probably four years. I will only have expired nicotine patches to protect me. As a result, my plans for the weekend will largely feature staying inside in the fetal position.

JENNIFER JOHNSON Food and Lifestyles Writer 
Friday luncheon then karaoke and dancing. Saturday morning temple trip to Bellevue followed by nice weather (oh please, oh please, oh please), so I can work in the yard. South Tacoma Way Farmers Market Sunday morning with secret chef then church and down time.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Meat Market Photographer
I am hitting the Rockwell exhibit at TAM and maybe the music festival at Freighthouse Square on Saturday, yada yada yada, kiddo weekend.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2011 >>>

1. Catch comedian Nate Jackson's "Super Funny Comedy Show" every Thursday at Varsity Grill in Tacoma. And hot damn! It's Thursday! Look at that!

2. Check out the "Come Out And Play Open Mic," hosted by Kim Archer and Nick Sandy at the Tempest Lounge in Tacoma. The fun runs from 7-10 p.m. and it's all ages. Or, if that doesn't tickle your musical fancy, find the Volcano's comprehensive live local music listings here.

3. Explore the deeper social meanings running through If You Give the Mouse a Cookie, currently being produced by Olympia Family Theater. Or just watch it for fun. Either way it cool. Find details on the show here. And find the Volcano's extensive South Sound arts and events calendar here.

4. It's a good day for farmers market action, as both the Downtown Tacoma Broadway version and the Olympia version will be in full effect. Coincidentally, the Volcano's Jennifer Johnson recently had lunch at the Downtown Tacoma Broadway Farmers Market.

5. Pick up the latest issue of the Weekly Volcano, and read Zach Powers's cover story on education in Tacoma plus all the other regularly scheduled editorial goodness.

WORKING TITLE FOR THIS POST - "INTERVIEWS BY OTHER PEOPLE">>>

As we've reported on several times (as recently as yesterday, in fact) Tacoma-loved filmmakers Scott Stone and Joe Rosati are two of the driving forces behind Chad Ruin's A Perfect Life, a film creating an impressive amount of buzz for itself screening at the Seattle True International Film Festival June 7. For Tacomans, there will be a pre-party for the film's STIFF screening Friday, June 3 at Doyle's Public House featuring the bands Looking For Lizards and Ten Miles of Bad Road. With Stone and Rosati having relocated to Park City, Utah, it will also be a chance for old friends to catch up.

Here's a clip of a recent interview Rosati and Stone did about A Perfect Life on Park City TV. (Trust me, the interview is there ... the trailer intro is just long.)

EVERGREEN CLUB STAGES LGBT "ROMEO & JULIET IN FOUND SPACES >>>

In Evergreen Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, the star-crossed couple consists of two women - and that's just the beginning of the production's gender play. The show will also feature cross-dressing and drag performances.

Different as that is, the free production's locations are even more so. Romeo opens at 8 p.m. Friday, May 27, at the Soccer Pavilion (an indoor sports space) at The Evergreen State College (2700 Evergreen Pkwy. N.W., Olympia). This weekend's other shows, also in the pavilion, are at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 28, and 6 p.m. Sunday, May 29.

For the closing weekend, however, the show moves downtown to a concrete courtyard space at 308 Fourth Ave. S.E., Olympia. That's the former home of Griswold's Office Supply, which burned to the ground in 2004 and has stood empty ever since. The building was recently sold, says Jeff Painter of Evergreen Shakespeare, and the new owners have begun renovations to create a Green Living Center, which will include a performance space.

Performances will be in the graffiti-covered outdoor space on Friday, June 3, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, June 4, at 9 p.m.; and Sunday, June 5, at 8 p.m. The intention is to call attention to the plans for the building. Painter suggests dressing warmly and bringing rain gear for the outdoor performances.

[Evergreen State College, May 27-29, 8 p.m. Friday - Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, free, 2700 Evergreen Pkwy. N.W., Olympia]

[Griswold Building, June 3-5, 8 p.m. Friday - Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, free, 308 Fourth Ave. S.E., Olympia]

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 >>>

1. That Mad Rad show you’ve heard so much about, with SOTA, Friday Knights, QDot and City Hall also on the bill, is tonight at Hell's Kitchen, yo. Find all the details here.

2. Have yet to check out the Gritty City Sirens Burlesque troupe? Tonight’s your night at Jazzbones. The show starts at 9 p.m. and there’s no cover.

3. Bingo! It’s free bingo night at Applini's Two Clean and Sober Club in Puyallup.

4. Catch Shotgun Red and The Moonshiners tonight at Golden West Restaurant and Lounge in Tacoma. Or, if that’s not your musical cup of tea, try browsing the Volcano’s extensive South Sound live local music calendar here.

5.The OMG! Teen Gaming Club meets tonight at the Lakewood Pierce County Library. There’s no doubt you’ll LOL if you go.  But, if gaming isn’t your thing, take a look at the Volcano’s comprehensive South Sound arts and events calendar here.

ALL EYES ON TACOMA FEATURE >>>

Do you know Joe? In case you don't, actor-producer Joe Rosati has entertained Tacoma for the past several years with a stack of film roles that continues to grow. My own first encounter came in 2008, as I had the privilege of watching Rosati sledgehammer the honest-to-God crap out of a honey bucket in the short comedy It Don't Rain on Sunny Days.

Memories...

Three years later, J-Ro commands the screen once more, showing audiences his serious side as a down-and-outer in Chad Ruin's feature A Perfect Life (costar Ashley Cozine appeared in a Biz Buzz several weeks back). Already the movie has generated buzz around Park City, Utah, where Rosati and Perfect cinematographer Scott Stone relocated some months ago. And when you practically share a backyard with the Sundance Film Festival, a little interest in your picture doesn't hurt.

It was Park City, Utah where they ran into some good fortune in the form of Vivian van Dijk, owner and editor in chief of Eyes In^TM Magazine. "She was intrigued by our story," says Stone. You can find Van Dijk's published article via the "Press" page of www.a-perfect-life.com. Both men found the attention a pleasant surprise.

"We had no idea that it would be a 13-page spread...in a global art publication, so this is a real honor," says Stone.  

Rosati attributes this to "an energy" he hasn't seen before at other festivals. "It's just been amazing, the people we've networked with down here. Meeting Vivian was huge," says Rosati. 

A risky yet strategic move has started paying off for two intrepid filmmakers. The world premiere of A Perfect Life took place just days ago at the Park City Film Music Festival, and very soon the rest of us can see the film. It screens Tuesday, June 7, at the Seattle True Independent Film Festival. Find more details at www.trueindependent.org.