WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4 2014 >>>

1. Lake Island's sound is reminiscent of Radiohead, but their warmth is radiant. Even as they drift away from rock into ambience, there's always a tactile gentility to their music, which goes a long way toward shunning the cool distance that tends to marry with these ambient textures. Catch the band at 10 p.m. in Le Voyeur.

2. Margaret Bullock, the curator of "INK THIS! Contemporary Print Arts in the Northwest," will lecture on the exhibit at 11 a.m. during the Lunch & Lecture series, four days before the exhibit opens at the Tacoma Art Museum.

3. Dr. Lorraine McConaghy will discuss the scoundrels of the American Civil War who resided in the Pacific Northwest at noon inside the Washington State History Museum. Her presentation is part of the exhibit "Civil War Pathways in the Pacific Northwest," which Dr. McConaghy curates. She'll discuss how the issues and characters of that war actually effected the development of Washington Territory, despite being far-removed from the action.

4. Treos in Old Town Tacoma kicks off its Summer Concert Series at 6:30 p.m. with soul, pop and classic rock awesomeness Kim Archer. Kick back on a blanket in Old Town Park and enjoy the outdoor concert.

5. Tacoma karaoke host Bria Macoy brings her Rock-bot Karaoke to The Rock And Roll Lodge at 8 p.m. "Come sing with us on a big ass stage with big ass speakers," she says.

LINK: Wednesday, June 4 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SATURDAY, MAY 31 2014 >>>

1. The Family Curse describe themselves as "electro filth rock," and that definitely does a more succinct job of letting you know what they're all about than we could. To be more specific, the Family Curse sound positively caked with grime and some weird sticky substance that you don't even want to think about. Everything is unspeakably heavy and harsh, like a flaming freight train blazing down the tracks, catching seagulls and squirrels in its path. Catch the band with Survival Knife, Criminal Code, Wimps and the Kitchen at 8 p.m. in Bob's Java Jive.

2. Speed and survival skills will be the key combination at the first annual Association of the United States Army Zombie Apocalypse 5K at 10 a.m. at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood.

3. Tacoma Art Museum welcomes the community to participate in its free, day-long celebration of the region's Native American heritage from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum will be alive with dancing, singing, and hands-on art activities for all ages, engaging participants in the 5th annual Northwest Native Community Celebration.

4. Dave Graham, 49, passed away May 17, 2014, after a courageous battle with cancer. Dave's good friend, John Kephart, paid tribute to Dave here. A potluck memorial will be from 6-9 p.m. in the library at Sanford & Son Auctions. Afterward, a tribute party featuring Dave's favorite bands - Deborah Page, masonapron and Bandolier - will be held at 9:30 p.m. at Stonegate Pizza, 5419 S. Tacoma Way.

5. New country rock group The Papillon Saints will play Doyle's Public House in Tacoma at 9:30 p.m. Expect Neil Young, CCR, Waylon Jennings, original Americana and more.

LINK: Saturday, May 31 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28 2014 >>>

1. Come gather ‘round, people, wherever you roam. Like many writers and critics who prophesize with our pens, we keep our eyes open for new books about Robert Zimmerman, better known as the one and only Mr. Bob Dylan. But The Dylanologists: Adventures in the Land of Bob isn't, strictly speaking, a tome about the Bard of Minneapolis, it's an insider's look at geeks like us who adore him. Author David Kinney will stop by the downtown Olympia library at 7:30 p.m. to promote it. And don't think twice, it's all right: he will have copies available for purchase.

2. Learn how artists have responded to the mountains, valleys, and vast plains of the western United States over time, influencing perceptions of the West, when Tacoma Art Museum Curator Laura Fry discusses "The Western Landscape in Art" at 11 a.m., as part of Tacoma Art Museum's Lunch & Learn series. The lecture is in conjunction with TAM's exhibit, "Northwest in the West: Exploring Our Roots."

3. It's Wednesday, which means Pour at Four pours complimentary tastes of its favorite wines. From 5:30-8 p.m., The Proctor District wine bar will showcase wines from Foris Vineyards and Winery in Southern Oregon. Expect Alsacean style whites and Pinot Noirs.

4. The Telephone Projects is Brennon Gage, of San Diego, a band that seems to mostly revolve around Gage and his Casiotone, churning out vaguely miserablist indie pop with a tongue-in-cheek attitude of carefree defiance. Catch the band with Gage's other band, the gothy Witch Prayer, plus Apollo Ried Sygmund, and Follies and Vices at 7 p.m. in Le Voyeur.

5. As the cliché goes, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." And such is the case with Margaret Cho, who somehow parlayed the poignant failures of her early career - namely, the cancellation of '90s sitcom All American Girl, a gig that, literally, almost killed her - into one of the most successful standup careers. At 8 p.m., Cho will bring her raunchy comedic stylings to The Evergreen State College's Recreation Center.

LINK: Wednesday, May 28 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FRIDAY, MAY 23 2014 >>>

1. Kevin Seconds has never been a slave to expectations, even as his immensely influential band, 7 Seconds, helped to foster the West Coast hardcore scene in the early '80s. Today, Seconds is on his own as an acoustic singer-songwriter. Extricated from the context of the hardcore frontman, Seconds blossomed as both a writer and a performer. The man always possessed one of the best voices in punk, but his true range was given the spotlight once everything else was stripped away. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's interview with Kevin Seconds in the Music & Culture section, then catch Seconds with Erica Freas, Secret Abilities and Sullivan Street for an all-ages show at Northern.

2. Visitors to Museum of Glass, as well as viewers around the world, will have the unique opportunity to watch the first-ever live filming of the museum's new web series, The Hot Shop Live Show, from noon to 1 p.m. Hosted by Hot Shop Emcee Greg Owen and Visiting Artist Coordinator Katie Phelps, visitors will watch artist Preston Singletary work in the Hot Shop and learn more about the inspiration for his upcoming exhibition Raven and the Box of Daylight. 

3. The TCC Orchestra welcomes pianist Dr. Amy Grinsteiner as the featured soloist for our final concert of the 2013-14 academic year at 7:30 p.m. in Building 2 Auditorium. Expect to hear "Air for Strings" by Delo Joio, "Piano Concerto No. 9" by Mozart and "Symphony in d minor" by Frank. Grinsteiner has received every honor on the planet.

4. David Mamet's 1975 A Life in the Theatre is about two actors - one a seasoned veteran, the other a professional novice. They seem to have a growing friendship based on collaboration and mutual respect. But this is Mamet; other things, such as reputation and ambition, soon roil the waters, and Working Class Theater NW will shine a light on them. As part of Spaceworks Tacoma, the theater company will stage the petty skirmishes, eggshell egos and dying nobility on the third floor courtroom of the Old Post Office in downtown Tacoma at 8 p.m.

5. The Kim Archer Duo performs an all-ages show at 8 p.m. at the B Sharp Coffee House in Tacoma.

LINK: Friday, May 23 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, MAY 18 2014 >>>

1. LAKE had a busy 2013, releasing two full-length albums - The World is Real and Circular Doorway - while continuing their habit of not making too much of a fuss about it. Throughout their seven-year career, LAKE has quietly established itself as one of the best bands in the Pacific Northwest, crafting little lo-fi gems of glowing '70s soft rock-indebted indie rock. Their music is sunny and buoyant without falling into twee territory, and airy without risking the chillwave categorization. Any integration of discord into their waves of pristine harmonies is a welcome one, and helps to integrate texture and movement into what sometimes approaches the overly serene. Today finds them joining a free bill with two other solid local indie bands in Humble Cub and Coma Figura at 6 p.m. in Half Pint Pizza Pub. It's not to be missed.

2. The Tacoma Art Museum and Museum of Glass offer two-for-one admission today as part of the international Art Museum Day. TAM opens at 10 a.m., while MOG waits until noon. They both close at 5 p.m.

3. The Foss Waterway Seaport - the South Sound's maritime heritage center - will officially open its doors for the summer season at noon. Located on Tacoma's Thea Foss Waterway, the Seaport will host a re-opening celebration, including family-friendly festivities, cake cutting, live music, the Tacoma Fire Department fire boat, special maritime vessels, activities and exhibits, appearances by Captain Vancouver and Thea Foss, and the firing of cannons until 4 p.m. The inaugural exhibit for the summer season, "Peek in our Attic and Share our Dream," will highlight the many historic maritime treasures in the museum's collection.

4. Anyone who has visited Point Defiance Park is familiar with the stately Japanese-inspired details of the Point Defiance Pagoda. First opening in 1914 as a streetcar station serving the park, the Pagoda celebrates its centennial this month in grand-fashion following the recent announcement naming it to the National Register of Historic Places. In honor of both the centennial and naming to the register, Metro Parks will host a public celebration from noon to 4 pm. The free event welcomes the community to explore the building, enjoy live music and refreshments, create handmade event souvenirs, learn about the history of the Pagoda and future plans for the Japanese Gardens which surround it, and take part in free guided tours.

5. Olympia Little Theatre's production of playwright Lauren Gunderson's Exit, Pursued by a Bear ends its run today at 1:55 p.m. The prey in this story is Kyle Carter, a short-tempered redneck who may or may not have beaten his wife, Nan. On a quest for revenge and emancipation, she recruits the help of a stripper/wannabe actor named Sweetheart (stage name "Peaches," which isn't much better) and Simon, her gay best friend, who arrives in a cheerleader's uniform. Nan's plan is to stage a reenactment of key moments with Kyle, then douse him in honey and open the door wide to Ursus americanus floridanus, a 300-pound Florida black bear. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of Exit, Pursued By A Bear in the Music & Culture section.

LINK: Sunday, May 18 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SATURDAY, MAY 17 2014 >>>

1. Metro Parks Tacoma is throwing a big birthday party today for Queen Victoria from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum. Ah, that's nice. Hey, wait a minute. Victoria, daughter of Edward, the Duke of Kent and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg, was born in Kensington Palace in London on May 24, 1819. Metro Parks is throwing a huge birthday party on the wrong day! The dancing, the songs, the re-enactors, the games - all on the wrong day! There's punch and cookies? Happy Birthday Victoria! 

2. Today marks our country's 64th annual Armed Forces Day, a poignant day to acknowledge, honor, remember and support the extraordinary and brave men and women of the United States armed forces. Throughout the Puget Sound, plans are well underway for some extraordinary events for the general public to partake in the spirit of Armed Forces Day and say "thank you" to our servicemembers. Here are four big celebrations.

3. Matika Wilbur, a leading photographer from the Pacific Northwest (Tulalip and Swinomish Tribes), has traveled more than 60,000 miles in the Western United States over the past year, acquiring extraordinary portraits and remarkable narratives in her quest to visit and photograph people from all 562 federally recognized sovereign Native American tribes. Her provocative work exposes the tenacity and richness of contemporary Native life, and seeks to encourage a shift in consciousness toward Native Americans. Tacoma Art Museum is honored to present the inaugural exhibition of Project 562 featuring 40 of Wilbur's Native American portraits, accompanied by stirring audio narratives from select sitters from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

4. Tonight's music selection at Bob's Java Jive includes the promise of noise rock at its finest with a killer line-up: Heavy hitters Giza just put out a new record; Bali Girls, with their avant-garde noise rock, are making the show a CD release party; Diesto, a prog metal band from Portland, are playing live in the KEXP studio earlier in the day. What strikes my curiosity most is the set by sludge rockers Ex-Gods, the new incarnation of Mahnhammer. Bob's booker Brandon Rowley says expect the band, "To not necessarily abandon all that was Mahnhammer, but to build off of it. ... But, really I have no hopes other than for them to fucking rock." 

5. Encore Boutique Nightclub hosts Hef's girls. Yup, Alana Campos (September 2012 Playmate from Brazil) and the well-rounded Jessa Hinton (July 2011 Playmate from Southern Cal) will be in the house handing out free signed pictures beginning at 10 p.m. It should be an entertaining night with Encore's reputation as an upscale party spot and DJ Phase spinning. 

LINK: Saturday, May 17 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FRIDAY, MAY 16 2014 >>>

1. Ever feel like walking into a room and watching people sing and dance? Cultura Cabaret, self-proclaimed as Tacoma's only dinner theater cabaret, will present the opportunity for the first time when it pulls back the curtain at 6:45, 8:45 and 10 p.m. in the Cultura Events Center. Channeling the 1920s, the vaudevillian show will see emcee Armitage Shanks introduce singer Pearl Posh, pole dancer Lusty Zinns, circus performer Jenny Penny and burlesque performers Sofia Delish, Boom Boom L'Roux and Rosie Cheex in a theater-in-a-round, intimate dinner setting. Diners are so close to the performance they will feel as if they are part of the show.

2. Only Lovers Left Alive is the latest from writer-director Jim Jarmusch (of Coffee and Cigarettes and Ghost Dog fame). The film focuses on Adam (Tom Hiddleston), and his wife, Eve (Tilda Swinton), a married couple who, despite being very much in love, are separated. Several centuries of familiarity breeds a lot of contempt and a few years of absence might make their hearts grow fonder, provided no one puts a stake through them. Adam and Eve are vampires that don't squander the gift of eternal unlife slap-fighting with Taylor Lautner for Kristen Stewart's affections. They do what most people would do if given limitless time and opportunity: Everything. Catch the film at 1, 3:40, 6:20 and (;05 p.m. in The Grand Cinema.

3. Hailing from Oakland, Steel Cranes are a no-nonsense duo composed of Tracy Shapiro and Amanda Shuckle. Their brand of wiry, nervy post-punk recalls badasses such as PJ Harvey and Patti Smith. The assault of guitar and drums is dialed in to a degree that would be exhausting if it weren't so exhilarating.Catch the band with the Redwood Plan and Japanese Game Show at 7 p.m. in Le Voyeur.

4. Louisiana guitarist/vocalist Tab Benoit specializes in old-school Cajun blues - soulful, spicy stuff from the deep Bayou blended with elements of Texas-style blues-rock and vintage New Orleans funk. Catch him at 8 p.m. in Jazzbones.

5. The F---ing Eagles, Blanco Bronco, Raptor Tractor and masonsapron help Tacoma booking guy Chuck Gosk celebrate his dirty 30, so expect debauchery and beers beginning at 9 p.m. in The New Frontier Lounge. We mean a lot of beers.

LINK: Friday, May 16 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THURSDAY, MAY 15 2014 >>>

1. Historic Tacoma throws a postcard party from 7-9 p.m. at 323 Puyallup Ave. by the Tacoma Dome. The organization asks you bring one or more 4x6 postcards, "handcrafted by you of a favorite or most unfavorite Tacoma building," affix a 34-cent stamp, leave room on the back for an address label. Upon entry each guest will fill in their name and address onto a label: the same number of labels as the cards they brought. After a two-hour display of the cards pinned to the walls, the Historic Tacoma board will randomly apply the labels to the accumulated cards and mail them to the attending guests. Besides a postcard, you must bring finger food and/or a beverage to get in. Fun!

2. Ride your bike to Tacoma Art Museum and enjoy an evening of bike-related art activities from 5-8 p.m. The city of Tacoma will be there to chat up Bike to Work Month. Artists will be there to chat up "Inky Spokes: A Traveling Exhibition of Bicycle Art." Thomas will be there because he works there. Admission is free as part of Third Thursday.

3. If you find yourself inexplicably irritated and anxious lately, maybe you need a time-out. By "time-out, " we don't mean standing in the corner or sacking out on the couch like some little munchkin.  We're talking about tonight's Tacoma Art Mingle, officially from 5-8 p.m. Step one: You can never experience too much art, and tonight businesses hang art in honor of the Mingle, museums allow free admission, and the galleries haul out the nibbles and sips.  Step two: Screw walking - take the Art Bus. Tacoma's Mayor of Hilltop, Rand Chiarovano, is the special host tonight. Nice. Click here for details, then meet in front of the Courtyard Marriott Hotel (1506 Pacific Ave.) at 5:4 5 p.m.

4. In its sixth season, the Washington Center for the Performing Arts' Comedy in the Box series presents comedians from the Seattle Comedy Competition in a cabaret setting. The laughs launch at 7:30 p.m.

5. Rebellious Celtic band Bog Hoppers join Tacoma's The Los Hermanos Brothers for a rowdy night at The Swiss Restaurant & Pub beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: Thursday, May 15 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Letterpress and craft beer. These two artistries are at the forefront of the South Sound's creative scene. Over the last decade, the area has become a magnet for creative types of every stripe - especially letterpress artists and craft brewers. Chandler O'Leary, Jessica Spring, Chris Sharp, Beautiful Angle's Tom Llewellyn and Lance Kagey, J Hukee and othershave been fighting against the Kindle tide with small presses and handmade fonts, displaying their work in dentists' offices, bars, street corners and large shows, such as Wayzgoose. The other set of bib-wearing craftsmen put just as much time, energy, thought and humor into designs that help brand their beer and distinguish their products. Beginning in the '90s, a firehouse, an electrical station, a Ram and a Fish inspired the new talent in 7 Seas Brewing, Wingman Brewers, Narrows Brewing, Tacoma Brewing Co. and others, landing them with their own taprooms, spots a notable festivals and space in grocery stores.

Then, there's Harmon Brewing Co. Tacoma's first craft microbrewery cares as much about art and image as it does producing award-winning beers. Co-owners Pat Nagle and Carole Ford will tell you they're restaurateurs first, but crafting quality beer and presenting it in creative ways is always on their minds. They've paired their beers and one-off brews with the bicycling community, snow and sun celebrations, music festivals, airplane rides, holidays, bridge re-opening celebrations, city celebrations, and one of their favorite partnerships, art exhibits at the Tacoma Art Museum. Harmon has created seasonal beers in conjunction with huge exhibits at TAM dating back to 1998, including the Hop Art Ale, a season IPA in celebration of "Andy Warhol's Flowers For Tacoma."

"We really enjoy the collaboration, the community and city government involvement in creating the Art Museum beers. We met with the Tacoma Art Museum folks, examined the Warhol exhibit, knocked around ideas and walked away with flowers on the brain. We incorporated four flowers in the Hop Art Ale - lavender, rose hips, hibiscus and chamomile. The Art Museum designed the label and coasters. They sold the beer in their store. We put it on draft in our restaurants, with coasters everywhere. Everyone's talking about the show, the museum and Tacoma craft beer - I love that," says Nagle, with enthusiasm.

Harmon Brewing Co. will once again team up with the Tacoma Art Museum, this time crafting beer around a Northwest print art show opening June 7.

Ah, all my babbling comes to a point.

"Ink This! Contemporary Print Arts in the Northwest" will shine a light on raised metal letters inked and pressed into heavy paper by notable Northwest artists over the years. The exhibit will hang through Nov. 9, 2014. Naturally, over the course of the exhibit, TAM will host many lectures, workshops and events centered on contemporary print arts in the Northwest.

What pairs well with lectures, workshops and events?

Beer.

The Tacoma Art Museum asked Harmon to brew a beer for "Ink This!".

Harmon came back with ... drINK THIS!  

"drINK THIS WHITE IPA is a medium-bodied IPA brewed with three different malted barleys that make up just over 60 percent of the grain bill," says Nagle. "White wheat makes up the other almost 40 percent, with five different hop varieties - Simcoe, Centennial, Cascade, Amarillo and Citra - used in the kettle."

Nagle says it was then dry hopped with a sixth variety of hop, Sorachi Ace, which was chosen for its tropical fruit and lemon aroma flavors.

"Bold flavors of orange, lemon and melon give away to a crisp, clean and smooth finish," he adds.

drINK THIS dials in with a 7.6 percent ABV and 65 IBUs.

The beer will make the same rounds as its other arty predecessors. It will be sold in TAM's store and be available at special Museum events. The Harmon will have it on tap at its four restaurants: Harmon Brewery & Eatery, Harmon Tap Room and The Hub in Tacoma and Gig Harbor.

While the exhibit doesn't open until June 7, drINK THIS will sneak into a couple earlier events. It's scheduled to be a part of the Walk Tacoma UWT/Brewery Walk after party at the Harmon Brewery & Eatery Wednesday, May 21. Click here for details.  

Others will have the opportunity of snatching drINK THIS even earlier. The national American Alliance of Museums organization will hold its Annual Meeting & Museum Expo in Seattle May 18-20, with a couple busloads of museum directors, curators and educators traveling south to visit the Tacoma museums. During an evening gathering at the Tacoma Art Museum May 19, the group will score a taste of Tacoma - drINK THIS.

"We're going to have drINK THIS coasters in all our locations, with the Art Museum on one side and the other side blank. We're going to come up with fun stamps so you can personalize your coasters and take them with you," says Nagle. "Hopefully, it will entice people to visit the exhibit."

Crafty.

INK THIS! CONTEMPORARY PRINT ARTS IN THE NORTHWEST, June 7-Nov. 9, 2014, Tacoma Art Museum, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Sundays, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, $8-$10, 253.272.4258

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14 2014 >>>

1. Kye Alfred Hillig has produced an incredible body of work over the past few years. At 7 p.m. in Urban Grace, he'll release his latest set of songs, on the Real Snow LP. On record, Hillig is a restless explorer of delicate melodies and grandiose styles, dipping his toe in electro-pop, U2-esque melodrama and dusky folk-rock. As a solo performer, Hillig frequently strips everything down to just him and a guitar, embracing the troubadour motif, and exposing his barebones songwriting in the process. Tonight's show will see him off as he takes to the road on a tour down the west coast.

2. Good news! Artist Yvette Endrijautzki's "CONSTELLATION - an Overture to the Zodiac," which features 40 local, national and international artists interpreting the 12 Zodiac signs via different media, has been extended to June 13 at Tacoma's Fulcrum Gallery. Check it out from noon to 6 p.m.

3. The "Root and Wing" exhibit fills The Evergreen State College Lab 1's lobby space with organisms that seem to grow from the ceiling and walls. Artist Sumi Wu used cast bronze, cast aluminum, and hand-blown glass to create lively, colorful, organic forms that embody the beauty and flow of nature while evoking natural processes of change, relationship, evolution, and adaptation. The installation, which was erected in December, will finally receive its dedication at 3 p.m. During the ceremony, Wu will dance to music by Benjamin Starshine, Anne Rutherford will tell stories and Paul Susi will bust out a monologue.

4. Two beer events will take place tonight — Pike Brewing tasting at STINK and 10 Barrel Brewing tasting at Puyallup River Alehouse. Check out the New Beer Column for details.

5. Oh sure you have your giant floating laughing lips and your hissing Mad Max-ish funny cars shooting flames 400 feet into the air and improvised kitchen-sink costumes and requisite body painting and sword fights and psychedelic light show like you're entering another planet, as if you have stepped out of reality as you know it and into a place where anything goes and usually does and no one really thinks much of it except that it's usually pretty relaxed and ridiculous and surreal and friendly and funny. This is pretty much a given. It's Harlequin Productions' Funderdome improv comedy show at 8 p.m.

LINK: Wednesday, May 14 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area