EDITOR'S NOTE: As you read yesterday, SOTA student Alex Kling has been our intern for the last two weeks. The Volcano participates in SOTA's internship program on a yearly basis, and every time we're amazed by the talents and skills the interns come equipped with ... including Kling. She hasn't blogged as much as past SOTA interns. Kling has mostly shared her talents on the print side of the operation. Tuesday, we sent her to King's Books for The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee book release party. She filed her report below. ...

If you went to The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee book release and signing at King's Books Tuesday, you would have seen that there was nothing "Itty Bitty" about it. It seemed like an endless amount of people, all in support of The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee author Laurie Cinotto. More than 100 people were there throughout the night, filling the never-ending line of visitors just waiting to meet and greet the author. While people were anxious to buy their books, congratulate Cinotto, and get their books signed, others were socializing and talking about the new book.

During my Itty Bitty discussion with sweet pea, the owner of King's Books, he mentioned he has been following Cinotto's blog for a while - which carries the same name as the book - and he was most excited about the book being a "great way to raise awareness about cats generally." He had also said that the event was a good way to do a "lot of fundraising for the Humane Society," that it was a good way to "give back."

Since the book was more "focused on young readers, it gives them some awareness of what's going on," as sweet pea put it, he also said that it was cool how the event was "a Tacoma thing," even though Cinotto is also a "national writer."

Along with the two bookstore cats, cats Ninja Bob and Cinotto's Wylla Stout attended the event. To say the least, all cats onsite were very interested in what was going on. Atticus, King's Books' black cat, was really lovey-dovey to the people he came across. He was up on their shoulders, rubbing against their legs and just itching for the extra attention. Atticus was very engaged with the people and what was going on ... until Ninja Bob showed up. Atticus became very interested in what Ninja Bob was doing. Ninja Bob was very curious about the place he was in; he was walking around and enjoying the attention he got from the visitors. King's Books' tabby cat, Miko, seemed very shy, although he did seem interested in the event. However, he was exceptionally interested in the donated cat food. He tended to stay by that area, until the food was removed, then he returned to his original perch behind the register. Wylla Stout was in her bed, looking super cute as she was soaking up the attention. The cats were really curious about what was happening and they were a big hit at The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee party. The cats seemed to be pretty content with the situation.

In regards to the book, I believe that The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee book will help kittens and cats to be rescued, and be taken care of correctly. With helpful tips from the cats themselves, and cute comics to entertain little ones, this book is definitely for the cat-loving type. As for the cats and their owners, I think this book will be good for them, because it will help owners better understand their cats. It will help cats and their owners to have a better relationship, because Cinotto gives helpful tips on how to train your kittens.

Overall, The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee book release, and signing, was very fun and a lot of cat food was raised for the Humane Society. Cinotto seemed really enthusiastic, and excited for everyone to read her new book. She got to meet a lot of new faces, but she also got to see some of the old.

The next big thing for Kings Books will be Sunday, April 27 when the 10th annual Wayzgoose Letterpress and Book Arts Extravaganza consumes the store. At the event, there will be 40 tables with different artists, printers and illustrators. See local artists create 3-foot by 3-foot art with steamrollers. Make your own art and paper too. According to sweet pea, for the past 10 years, "about 900 people visit throughout the day" during Wayzgoose. This will be the sixth year that the Wayzgoose will include steamrolling.

Hi! My name is Alexandria Kling. I am the "Tacoma School of the Arts Intern of the Year" at the Weekly Volcano!

OK, I'm the only SOTA intern at the Volcano.

I am currently a junior at SOTA. I have been writing for the Volcano for almost two weeks. I have been writing the McChord and Fort Lewis history sections for the Northwest Airlifter and The Ranger, the newspapers covering Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and sister publications of the Volcano.

Fun fact for you: I was born at Madigan Hospital in 1997, so being able to learn more about Fort Lewis, and McChord, is pretty interesting to me.

I have also written some "blurbs" - as Publisher/Editor Pappi Swarner calls them - for the Agenda section of the Volcano. As a student at SOTA, I have been studying music, specifically vocals, songwriting, and music composition, for almost 2 years now. This makes my internship with the Weekly Volcano exceptionally fun, because I enjoy arts and entertainment, especially if it's in Tacoma.

With the Volcano I have also been updating the concert alert, and the nightlife calendar section of the weekly newspaper. This week, after previewing the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee book release event at King's Books, I attended the event Tuesday night. My review will be posted soon here on the Walkie Talkie blog.

Through this internship, I have gained so many skills, and I am glad to be able to continue to grow with the Volcano for another week. Overall, I am not a complex girl. I love music, I love to write and I want to go to college for both.

THURSDAY, MARCH 13 2014 >>>

1. One of Tacoma's most popular events makes an epic return today. If you've never been to a 100th Monkey bash, here's what you've been missing: wine, food, art, wine, entertainment and, uh... did we mention wine? Participants bring the food and drinks - including non-alcoholic beverages, as this is an all-ages event - but the rest is provided. The Kim Archer Band supplies the music, and monkey tiles, created by artist Kristina Vallery, will be available for $5 a piece. Get in on the party from 7-9 p.m. at Freighthouse Square's Rainier Ball Room.

2. Proctor District's favorite wine bar Pour at Four hosts complimentary wine tastings. It's a beautiful thing. From 5:30-8 p.m., you may taste six Spanish wines.

3. Think running and drinking don't mix unless there's a K-9 unit involved? Not true. The Tacoma Runners - a group of T-town pavement pounders - meet ever Thursday for a 3-mile loop at a "social pace" at one of Tacoma's favorite watering holes. Tonight at 6:30 p.m. is appropriately the Runners' St. Patrick Day outing - based at Doyle's Public House. Wear green and make a damn fool of yourself.

4. The quarterly Ancient Victorys Open Mike brings back some of the 3,000 acoustic music performers from open mikes run by Chris Lunn in this state and California from the 1965 through 1990 to the Antique Sandwich Co. at 7 p.m. 

5. We've enjoyed Rebecca Lea McCarthy's performances before, most recently in Arsenic and Old Lace at Lakewood Playhouse. Turns out she's an author, too, and her second book, Writing the Diaphragm Blues and Other Sexual Cacophonies, was released in 2012. Her stage play's an adaptation of that work, described by one online reviewer as "(p)art memoir, part feminist scholarship...with just enough dirty jokes to keep it a guilty pleasure." Where the chickens fit in, we have absolutely no idea. Read Christian Carvajal's full feature on Singing the Diaphragm Blues in the Music & Culture section, then catch the performance at 8 p.m. in the 4th Wall Players Theatre in Puyallup.

LINK: Thursday, March 13 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12 2014 >>>

1. When Chicago bands need a musician, they call Howard Levy. He can play any instrument and genre, although he prefers the piano and harmonica - and has a special affection for the music of South America, the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Most know Levy as the founding harmonica player with Bela Fleck & The Flecktones. A superb harmonica soloist, Levy appeared on the first three Flecktones releases before departing for a career that has seen him appear on hundreds of CDs, win both a Grammy and Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Original Music for a Play, and also work with jazz, rock, country, Latin and classical artists, including his own jazz group Chevere de Chicago. The shape-shifter will join the University of Puget Sound Jazz Band in concert at 7:30 p.m. in Schneebeck Concert Hall. Expect some Balkan folk flute or spiky jazz piano or quirky fusion or. ...

2. Letterpress is art, plus so much more, made tangible and accessible. There is something for everyone, from decorator dilettante to art lover, color theorist, historian, mechanical engineer, graphic designer, or lover of literature. Stylistically, finished works become something old-school modern, and can evoke the turn of the century, the 1600s, or 1950. Each year, King's Books in Tacoma hosts Wayzgoose, a celebration of the printed arts. The University Gallery at Pacific Lutheran University hosts "The Art of Wayzgoose," an exhibition that surveys work collected from past Wayzgoose events in anticipation of the April 2014 event. The opening reception is 5-7 p.m.

3. Who's got the best IPA? It's Washington vs. Oregon for all the marbles. Ninkasi Brewing, 7 Seas Brewing Co., Silver City Brewery & Taproom, Deschutes Brewery, Laurelwood Public House & Brewery and NoLi Brewhouse are bringing their best IPAs to The Swiss for a Battle of the Brands: The IPA Face Off, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Grab a passport to sample all the IPAs before casting your vote. Expect giveaways and swag. Grand prize drawing is a VIP tour of the winning brewery and the "Swiss Golden Ticket," entitling the winner to one year of free cover at The Swiss.

4. Lately our society has become lazy. Our interest in the Great Outdoors has been replaced by an extreme interest in technology. Olympia Film Society is on it. The organization presents an interesting mash-up of our favorite, and least favorite, things to do. Its Trail Running Film Festival will allow us to enjoy the Great Outdoors through the marvel of technology in the Capitol Theater. Gather with your family and friends at 7 p.m. to watch films that recreate the exhilaration of running through the woods, climbing mountains and navigating other tough obstacles. With little movement required, we can enjoy our days of laze and enjoy a nice run. For the crazed music lovers, there will be live music by The Pine Hearts that will satisfy your musical hunger after a long, relaxing run.

5. If you visit locations in Olympia's business zones or have lived in the area for any length of time, you've seen Ira Coyne's hand painted signs.  Certainly, if you have read the Weekly Volcano's Best of Olympia issues then you know him as the Best Mural Artists year after year, including this year. Coyne will be at the Olympia Timberland Library at 7:30 p.m. to talk about his art and how his career came about. Audience questions and conversation will follow.

LINK: Wednesday, March 12 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

MONDAY, MARCH 10 2014 >>>

1. The exhibitionFor You! in Kittredge's Small Gallery premieres selections from photographer John Arsenault's newest body of work, which opens today at 10 a.m. The images in the exhibition reveal Arsenault's fascination with the mundane and how the unexpected can be amplified by readily accessible digital technology. Using the Instagram app, Arsenault isolates exquisitely beautiful details of flowers, adding a 21st-century twist to 19th-century precedents and ideas about art and aesthetics.

2. Today looks like an awesome day for a noon, free guided bird walk at the Adriana Hess Wetland Park. No experience necessary; binoculars are available to borrow. No RSVP required. 

3. Ready for a success story ... in story form? At 17, Brandon Stogsdill was arrested, tried as an adult for assault with a deadly weapon and sentenced to four years in prison. While in prison, Stogsdill vowed to change. When he was released, Stogsdill enrolled in college and began a career in psychology. Today he works as a youth mental health counselor. He tells the story of his transformation in his book, The Boy with the Gun: From Incarceration to Higher Education, which he'll discuss and sign at 7 p.m. in the Lakewood Library.

4. James Coates performs original tunes and classic rock hits at 7 p.m. in the Steilacoom Pub & Grill. 

5. Maia Santell and House Blend will fill The Swiss with blues and jazz beginning at 8 p.m.

LINK: Monday, March 10 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia events

SATURDAY, MARCH 8 2014 >>>

1. Do you like the idea of skiing more than the actual activity? Are you considering taking up an extreme sport, but need a hit of inspiration before acquiring the mandatory tattoos and safety equipment? Then consider watching BANFF Mountain Film Festival's Radical Reels Tour's that explore environmental, adventure or adventure-related themes, including BASE-jumping, snowboarding and mountain climbing at 7:30 p.m. in the Capitol Theater. Mountain do or mountain don't? You decide.

Read more...

FRIDAY, MARCH 7 2014 >>>

1. From Bach to Bird to Biggie, Black Violin executes a unique and often brilliant juxtaposition of urban and classical styles. The two-man violin/viola hip-hop outfit of Wil B and Kev Marcus mix classical music with hip-hop beats, and then toss in some rap and freestyle to keep it interesting. Yes, violins. Yes, hip-hop. With the addition of a hip-hop DJ, this talented trio fuses funk, hip-hop and classical music to create a sound and style that very nearly defies traditional genre categorization. Some might call it revolutionary. Check it out at 7:30 p.m. in the Pantages Theater.

2. Sure, Tacoma celebrates its status as an arts community.  Sure, Tacoma loves to band together for a good cause.  With the YWCA RAGS wearable Art Sale and Gallery, continuing for its 20th year, it does both. RAGS started as a fun way to raise money for the YWCA, whose mission statement is all about honoring diversity and creating opportunities for women’s growth, leadership, and power in order to attain a common vision: peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people. RAGS offers guests an opportunity to view and acquire fabulous handmade clothing, jewelry and accessories created by artisans from across the country. Check out RAGS from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. inside the Mercedes-Benz of Tacoma new showroom at 1701 Alexander Ave. East in Fife.

3. The Tacoma Community College Symphonic Band concert and trombone soloists Sara Mayo present a variety of contemporary wind band music, exploring ideas around tradition, conversation, spirits and dance at 7:30 p.m. in TCC Building 2 Auditorium, which is close to South 12th and Mildred.

4. The genial satire of contemporary feminism Angry Housewives ran for ages in Seattle centering on Jetti, Bev, Wendi and Carol — good friends, but angry over the lack of respect from their men. So, they form a punk rock band, Angry Housewives, and take their local club scene by storm gaining new self-respect and renewed respect from their men. The play opens at Paradise Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

5. Near as we can tell from what little music is available of Coma Figura, one might describe them as a sort of Foxygen or Titus Andronicus for the bedroom pop set. These are bands that mash together influences and jumble them up into something that surges past imitation and into a kind of fervent homage. Whereas Foxygen and Titus Andronicus reinterpret pastoral psych rock and boozy Springsteen-isms, respectively, Coma Figura take stabs at the idiosyncratic singer-songwriter. Catch the band with BA the Scribe, FLORIDA, Mad Youth at 9 p.m. in The New Frontier Lounge.

LINK: Friday, March 7 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5 2014 >>>

1. The music typically coming out of Denmark leans toward art punk, power electronics and cold synth pop. Jessica Lynne, who grew up 60 km south of Copenhagen, sings country music. Country Music Television had an effect, as did rural life, with cows outside the church windows. Whatever, Lynne relocated to the Pacific Northwest to be with family, and has struck up a relationship with local label Maurice the Fish Records. We found her Spiritual Cowgirl release on Spotify to be lyrically rich and melodically pleasing. Catch her at 8 p.m. with The Moss Brothers and Tin Man in Jazzbones.

2. Have you ever wondered what happens to your mind when you look at a piece of art? How a particular work can stir an emotional response? Artist David Andresen discusses how our perception changes in unexpected ways at 11 a.m. as part of Tacoma Art Museum's Lunch & Learn series. 

3. Basketball teams from throughout the Northwest will convene at Saint Martin's University's Marcus Pavilion as the 2014 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament begins today.

4. Contemporary painter and art teacher Shaw Osha will speak about her work and show images of her art at the Olympia Timberland Library from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. Osha's recent series, "Soul Train," freezes images of screen shots of archival Soul Train videos in loosely gestural paintings on paper. An homage to the romantic, expressive and, at times, transgressive 1970s soul culture, she uses oil paint to give a sense of collective rhythm and sensuality.

5. New York City neo-folk musician Diane Cluck released a new album, Boneset,yesterday, and will perform tunes off it at 8 p.m. in Northern. Sondra Sun-Odeon and Eleanor Murray will also be in the house.

LINK: Wednesday, March 5 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SATURDAY, MARCH 1 2014 >>>

1. In early February Big Wheel Stunt Show announced announced they would disband, and they're making good on their promise at 9 p.m. in The New Frontier Lounge. But this is no time for hankies. Anyone who knows what these guys can do live won't be crying, but rather headbanging and singing along with merry glee. Guitarist and frontman Evan Nagle and drummer Justin Gimse bid bassist Jake Melius a fond farewell. Melius found a great job in Arizona, so the five-year relationship ends, with three albums on the mantle and a Bob Rivers Show interview yesterday morning. Few bands have rocked, we mean flat-out rocked this area harder than BWSS. They will be missed. So, with one peace sign in the air pumping along to the music - and the other hand flipping Melius the bird (just kidding) - let's help BWSS go out with a bang and celebrate one last time.

2. The South Sound Sustainability Expo at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center will, once again, bring "green" to the masses. According to yearly hype, the South Sound Sustainability Expo is "intended to provide residents and business owners in the greater Tacoma metropolitan area a place to discover services, products, companies, and agencies in our region that address sustainability needs in our community." As part of that goal, instruction and information on everything from urban chicken cooping to waste minimization and recycling will be discussed. Transportation alternatives will also be covered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

3. Top dance groups from the Olympia area perform in a cavalcade of dance that celebrates the South Sound's talent - from Irish dance to ballet, classic to contemporary - at 7:30 p.m. in the Washington Center.

4. The Clinton Fearon and Speaker Minds show is gonna be killa dilla! If you're not familiar with Portland's Speaker Minds, the hip-hop group takes fun to the next level with female vocals and righteous instrumentalists. Of course, Clinton Fearon is the word in Northwest reggae. Catch the all-ages show at 9 p.m. in The Olympia Ballroom.

5. Seattle band Rippin' Chicken plays a greasy brand of funky, bugaloo and soul jazz, executed with creative ease by three funky brothers from different mothers. Check out this soul-food organ trio gone rippin' at 9:30 p.m. inside Doyle's Public House.

LINK: Saturday, March 1 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

The time has finally come.

Maybe you filled out the Weekly Volcano's Best Of Olympia survey and maybe you didn't. But either way the Best Of Olympia edition is on the street today.

That's right, yo! It's like Christmas but better. It's like a trip to Disney World, only not lame.

Every year the Weekly Volcano produces Thurston County's, shall we say, best Best Of reference guide. Yes, Yelm, you're in there, too. Where's the best burger? The Weekly Volcano fills you in. Where is the best place to buy shoes? The Weekly Volcano tells you. Where's the best place to showcase your talent? The Weekly Volcano even tells you that.

Like we said, it's on the street today, tucked carefully inside the Weekly Volcano.

Oh, if your name is Annie Johns living in the 98502, you won our readers' poll contest. We'll be contacting you by email with your Red Lion Olympia prize package.