THURSDAY, FEB. 6 2014 >>>

1. Green Drinks welcomes you to meet new people and discuss environmental issues over happy hour. Happy hour for environmentalists. It's a beautiful thing. Green Drinks Tacoma rides into the Tacoma Cabana at 6 p.m. That's right, brah, and the folks from the South Sound chapter of Surfrider will be under the thatched roof to give an overview of what they are up to, including their efforts to work with the Tacoma City Council to adopt a reusable bag initiative that would include a ban on single-use plastic bags.

2. Puyallup Gallery Three will host an artist reception for watercolorist and multi-media artist Renee' Healy as well as a healing arts event featuring internationally renowned reiki master, Norma Jean Young, Tara Tremlett and Charles Klennert from Ahimsa Hypnotherapy and Healing, Denise Coyle from True Heart Counseling, Kathy Leale from doTERRA, seated massage from Salon DaVinci Medi Spa, acupuncture from William Leigh, medical aesthetician for eyebrow wax and tints and others from 5-8 p.m.

Flip on any food or travel network and most likely chefs are battling mano a mano in a duel to the death - or at least through dessert. NetShed No. 9 - the Gig Harbor waterfront creative breakfast and lunch destination opened by Thad Lyman and Katie Doherty, the husband-wife team behind Brix 25 - will launch its version of a chef battle at 6:30 p.m. They call it Fight Club, and the judges are you.

The 12th annual Sister Cities International Film Festival kicks off at 6:15 p.m. in the Tahoma Room at Commencement Hall on the University of Puget Sound campus. The city of Tacoma's Sister Cities program pulls together movies from each of its sister countries and offers nights of all things cultural - for free. Tonight's film, Thermae Romae, is based on a popular Japanese manga series. Marrying a sci-fi hook to a costume-epic look, the script tracks the time travels of a lowly architect in the Rome of Emperor Hadrian. Lucius designs bathhouses, until he slips through an aquatic wormhole into present-day Tokyo, marvels at the wonders of Jacuzzi technology, then wormholes back to put his newfound knowledge to practical use. Toga-clad Romans speaking Japanese!

5. Brian James is an accomplished singer/songwriter and instrumentalist who was hired in 2008 as the head staff writer at Sure-Fire Music Publishing in Nashville where he wrote hit songs for four years, before starting his own publishing/management company, Brick Hit House Music. He wrote the theme song for the Discovery Channel's American Farmer, as well as for Taylor Hicks, Donny Anderson and Tonya Kennedy. Catch him at 8 p.m. at The Swiss.

LINK: Thursday, Feb. 6 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5 2014 >>>

1. Sara Sparrow is a member of the Aerialistas, "Seattle's Original Aerial Girl Gang," with whom she has performed internationally on several occasions. However, she does perform in Olympia as well - specifically, at the monthly "Brotherhood Takes Flight" show, where she occasionally guest performs with the Tallhouse Arts Consortium. Her next performance is 8 p.m. at The Brotherhood Lounge. The show is free, and tips for the performers are encouraged.

The Pacific Lutheran University "Faculty Exhibition" opens today in the University Gallery. The show features work from current faculty of the Department of Art and Design, including JP Avila, Craig Cornwall, Spencer Ebbinga, Bea Geller, Steve Sobeck, Jessica Spring and Michael Stasinos. The artwork ranges from ceramic vessels, sculpture, digital photography and paintings to printmaking and letterpress. Check it out from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

As Seattle loses its freakin' mind today, the Washington State History Museum is making room for the chainsaw carving that made national news: Jacob Lucas' "The Spirited Warrior." Constructed from two cedar logs, the seven-foot sculpture came to life during the Seahawks' final run through a pulse heightening Ram's game, the heart wrenching Saint's game and a full-on gladiator battle with the 49ers. You were there. The sculpture features ornate feather detail, etched moccasins and the Space Needle for a belt buckle, and is a true reflection of the Native American history of the Emerald City. Check it out from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ring in Chinese New Year 2014, the Year of the Horse, with the Olympia Tai-Chi & Kung-Fu Club performing the traditional Lion Dance and demonstrating the martial art of Kung-Fu at 7:30 p.m. in the Olympia Timberland Library.

5. Honestly, we don't know who the hell is in the Long Beach Rehab band. Lyon Pride Music has booked the band in several Northwest venues, including Jazzbones at 7 p.m. Pre-show hype still has Qball fronting the band, which will probably perform the songs of Bad Brains, Sublime and other punk, surf and funky reggae tunes.

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

MONDAY, FEB. 3 2014 >>>

1. "Lego bricks, eight-bit video game sprites, and vintage Tupperware, along with his abiding interest in geology," influence University of Puget Sound Assistant Professor Chad Gunderson's vibrant, sculptural "rocks," as he says. Gunderson ceramic experiments have produced solid-glaze objects with pitted surfaces which reference vesiculated igneous rocks (such as pumice), ancient Chinese scholars' rocks, and the brightly colored surfaces of plastic. Step back and imagine assembling odd shaped Legos of clay, injecting highly saturated colors and molding them into pop culture references, and you'll appreciate the unique spirit and intention of each electrifying shape in the ceramicist "I Like Rocks!" exhibit, which may be seen from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Kittredge Gallery.

Read more...

Once again the gallery at South Puget Sound Community College is filled with artists' postcards. This year the theme is "It's the Water," the old Olympia Beer slogan. Nearly 300 works by 76 artists are on display at The Gallery at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts.

Weekly Volcano art critic Alec Clayton reviewed the Fine Art Postcard Exhibition:

One card that I found to be particularly appealing for reasons I can't begin to understand is one by Mark Holland that has a hand-drawn postmark partially covered by a 33-cent stamp with a picture of an apple. Glued onto it is a piece of paper with the words "I Love You."

You can read Clayton's full review of the show here.

There's a chance to take home the original art in the show. Each piece was donated by the artist for the exhibition's silent auction, open now. Bidding will be open until 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, the exhibit's closing reception. The closing reception begins at 6 p.m. At the end of the reception, winners will be announced and artwork can be taken home.

"IT'S THE WATER FINE ART POSTCARD EXHIBITION," noon to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, through Feb. 21, Kenneth J Minnaert Center for the Arts Gallery, South Puget Sound Community College, 2011 Mottman Rd. SW. Olympia, 360.596.5527 

FRIDAY, JAN. 31 2014 >>>

1. The life and career of folk singer Judy Collins is almost too storied to get into without resorting to bullet points: her rise through the ranks of the Greenwich Village folk scene in the early '60s; her discovering of Leonard Cohen (which led to her making the first recordings of the man's songs, back when he was too timid to perform them himself); her political activism, which included testifying in the infamous Chicago Seven trial, during which she participated in the open heckling of Judge Hoffman by singing "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" from the stand; her transition from exclusively performing cover songs to becoming a respected songwriter in her own right - and this just amounts to roughly the first decade of her career as a musician. Read Rev. Adam McKinney interview with Judy Collins in the Music & Culture section before catching her show at 7:30 p.m. in the Pantages Theater.

2. Dream on stepping inside one of the Woolworth Windows installations in downtown Tacoma? Today is your lucky day. From noon to 1 p.m. Artist Acataphasia ("Cat") Grey will open her window to you and your brown bag lunch then chat about her art. Get in on the lunch party at the corner of 11th and Commerce.

3. North Shore Golf Course hosts a Deschutes Brewery Beer Tasting Night at 6 p.m. A Deschutes representative will introduce new brews, accompanied by live music, raffles and prizes and paired with tasty nibbles for $20.

4. Like emotions? Like, REALLY like emotions? Then you just might go nuts for the "Got Opera? Arias, Duets, and Ensembles" at 7:30 p.m. in Schneebeck Concert Hall. University of Puget Sound voice faculty members Michael Delos, bass-baritone; Christina Kowalski, soprano; Kathryn Lehmann, alto; Dawn Padula, mezzo-soprano; and guest artist Gino Luchetti, tenor will bust out big operatic singing, adding a lot of comedy and a dash of drama. 

5. The majestic feeling of unity is captured quite well in the harmonies of Camp Wisdom. The band takes folk rock and imbues it with the kind of riled-up enthusiasm that's necessary to unite those singular voices into one. Catch Camp Wisdom with Lure and Generifus at 8 p.m. in Northern.

LINK: Friday, Jan. 31 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Apparently there's a big game on Sunday:

Tacoma, WA - Tacoma Little Theatre is proud to show their 12th Man Pride for the Seattle Seahawks.  Due to overwhelming requests from our patrons who are also Seahawks fans, TLT has moved their matinee start time on this Sunday to 12:00pm (Noon), and are offering a special $12.00 ticket special for anyone who uses the code SEAHAWKS at online checkout or with our box office (in person or over the phone). This special only applies to new ticket orders.

Read more...

Comment On This Post

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 29 21014 >>>

1. Evergreen State College photography alumni Erica Keeling and Paul Elliott have a show this winter in the college's Galerie Fotoland (Daniel J. Evans Library Lobby, 1st floor). Though both working with the traditional tools of color film and medium-format cameras, they follow different paths in concept and in subject choices. Keeling's days are filled with antiquated glamour, boundless curiosity and quiet humor. Elliott captures moments that are telling of character - mostly during the summer months following his graduation.

2. Photographer Gregg M. Erickson spent two years visiting some of the most remote spots in the American west in search of perfect conditions for photographing the Milky Way galaxy. In addition to capturing the Milky Way and the night sky details city dwellers normally can't see, his photos demonstrate how ambient "light pollution" from cities and towns reach even the most remote locations. Check out his work at the Tacoma Community College Gig Harbor Campus during an artist reception from 4-6 p.m.

3. Before you and your child end up in the hospital after your school science fair project goes awry, considering attending the Pierce County Library's Science Fair Success lecture at 7 p.m. in the University Place Pierce County Library. The event offers tips and tricks for making a top-notch science fair project, provides library resources, and demonstrates a few successful experiments.

4. Landon Wordswell, Tim Hoke and Mostafa, and C-LeGz will be traveling back to Olympia at 7 p.m. for an all-ages hip-hop show at Northern.

5. Lyon Pride continues its Hempfest Tryouts Wednesday night series at Jazzbones with bands Shade Of Memories, Digital Chemistry, Fallen Kings and Riot In Rhythm at 7:30 p.m.

LINK: Wednesday, Jan. 29 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, JAN. 26 2014 >>>

1. Between 1963 and 1984, Bigfoot hosted more than 50 roasts, 12 of which appear on The Bigfoot Celebrity Roasts Collectors Edition DVDs, and they offer a time capsule of comedy spanning from deep woods throwbacks Rocky and Bullwinkle, Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har, and Ludicrous Lion right up through some of the era's hottest comics, including Huckleberry "Huck" Hound, the Fraggles and Nipsey Russell. The formula was simple: An announcer welcomes a bevy of roasters - some of whom, such as standup comics Ronald McDonald, Easter Bunny and impressionist Rich Little were basically regulars - followed by host Bigfoot and the Man or Woman of the Hour. The gang chortles amid a haze of cigarette smoke and everyone hoists drinks like it's the fall of the Island of Misfit Toys, but what really redlines the Wayback Machine are the jokes. Sure enough, every roast, someone would rag on Bigfoot's blurriness. "It's not the photographer's fault. Bigfoot is blurry, ‘Look out, he's fuzzy, let's get out of here,'" slurred the Winter Warlock in 1972. Fast forward to 2014, Bigfoot will step down from the host podium and into the roastee chair at 8 p.m. in the Tacoma Comedy Club will make history by hosting the celebrity roast of the most notorious creature to ever maybe exist. Ten comedians - including Lochness Monster, Unibomber and Jesse Pinkman - will roast Bigfoot, and each other.

2. Digital media pioneer Jennifer Steinkamp fabricated a vividly seductive digital artwork following a tree through the four seasons as though blown by unpredictable winds, causing the branches to twist and clench. Titled "Mike Kelley" - to honor her late mentor and teacher, Los Angeles-based artist Mike Kelley - the artwork charts the passage of time by following the path of a single tree as it cycles through a year of change in 11 minutes. The exhibit closes today at the Tacoma Art Museum. Read Alec Clayton's full feature on "Shimmering Tree" in the Music and Culture section.

3. Want to freshen up your storytelling skills? Drunken Telegraph Tacoma storytelling series producers Megan Sukys and Tad Monroe will be at King's Books at 2 p.m. to give you experienced instruction, as well as to hear pitches, should you be interested in performing at the next Drunken Telegraph event.

4. We haven't had much snow in the hills, so the Top of Tacoma Bar & Cafe is throwing a mid-season Pray For Snow Party at 6 p.m. Everybody's Brewing, Boneyard Brewing and Bleach are a part of the party team. There will be a sweet raffle, drink specials and more.

"It's a hundred and six miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark ... and we're wearing sunglasses." If this quote rings a bell, you've probably seen The Blues Brothers (1980). As original cast members of Saturday Night Live, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi created the characters of Jake and Elwood Blues, leading to a successful live album, the film and two more albums before Belushi's untimely death in 1982. The Official Blues Brother Revue captures the original spirit of the film and those first albums, with Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty inhabiting the immortal Jake and Elwood, and backed by their eight-piece Intercontinental Rhythm & Blues Revue Band. Catch it at 7:30 p.m. at the Washington Center. 

LINK: Sunday, Jan. 26 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SATURDAY, JAN. 25 2014 >>>

1. In the early ‘80s, Donald Glaude filled Lakes High School house parties with Funkadelic, Commodores and underground hip-hop. While the dudes played REAL quarters the women flocked around Glaude. His musical knowledge, good looks and outgoing personality made him king of Lakes High School. From there, he emerged himself in the Seattle house and rave music scene before becoming one of the most traveled international DJs of our time. Always a smile, and women on both side of his decks, Glaude still commands the worldwide house music scene, in front of the turntables and behind the studio mixing board. Glaude returns home for a night at Jazzbones, with Skeemer and Mr. Clean opening, and the Northwest DJ roster before him. Respect.

2. The Proctor Art Gallery celebrates its fifth anniversary from 1-5 p.m. Drop by and chat with the artists, take advantage of sales, enjoy refreshments, entertainment and door prizes. 

3. In its 12th year and for the seventh straight year in Olympia, the community is invited to take part in an active weekend of highlighting the plagues of poverty, discrimination, inhumanity and homelessness while simultaneously celebrating the spirit of togetherness during the annual Hip-Hop 4 The Homeless benefit. For the cost of donated items such as food, clean clothing, hygiene items and cash, the 5 p.m. family friendly concert in The Olympia Ballroom features Afrok & The Movement, Speaker Minds (Portland), AKA & The Heart Hurt Goods, The Sharp Five and Real Life Click, plus the annual 25360 Awards celebration.

4. A few decades ago, the term "early music" (generally speaking, any music written before J.S. Bach) had the same cachet as brown rice or granola: esoteric stuff that was vaguely good for you, but none too tasty or easy to digest. And as for performing early music, only specialists need apply. Nowadays, performances of Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music on period instruments - not to mention instrumentalists and vocalists versed in early performance styles as a matter of course in their studies - are the very enjoyable norm, and a lot of great, previously unknown music has become popular and beloved by audiences. At 7 p.m. in Tacoma's Trinity Lutheran Church, the Salish Sea Early Music Festival will focus on the musical styles during the reign of Louis XV, who became king in 1715 at the age of five upon the death of his grandfather Louis XIV.

Producing Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is like saddling a dragon. We caught struggles for lines, most adroitly concealed. The blocking isn't great for performance in the round. There are patrons who won't know what to make of all its profanity, carnality and perma-drunk savagery. What unnerves most, though, is the fact that this drama has no hero or heroine for us to cheer. There's no tragic downfall, as its characters bring misery on themselves. Yet the acting in this Lakewood Playhouse production, on all four counts but especially from Deane and Garman, is extraordinary, some of the best we'll see all year. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in the Music & Culture section, then catch the 8 p.m. show.

LINK: Saturday, Jan. 25 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

When David Serko was diagnosed with HIV in 1988, he could've become just one more overlooked statistic in a dismal, plague-paranoid era. AIDS patients often found themselves suffering and dying alone. David fared somewhat better, though, as his big brother, Peter, returned to his side after decades on the other side of the country. That wasn't enough to keep David healthy, unfortunately; but in the years following his death in November of 1992, Peter established contact with more than 100 people who knew and interacted with David as an adult. In so doing, a richer, fuller picture of the man emerged, as if he'd been summoned back to life. By sharing these experiences, Peter is now helping David - and the causes they shared, including the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) - remain vital in people's minds.

I spoke to Peter and found him upbeat and animated, a far cry from the dismal eulogist one might cynically expect. No, his story's a joyous rediscovery of a talented song-and-dance man, whose mortality couldn't keep him from changing the course of people's lives. "He was adored," Peter says. "I kinda knew that from my own feelings about him, but he was a very charismatic individual. ... He had a big impact on many, many people."

David's final words, "Listen to your heart," have inspired a celebratory tribute to brotherly love. "It's a media-rich production," Peter promises. By incorporating voices and memories from those closest to David, the show paints an audiovisual, multilayered portrait of a stricken hero, the vibrant New York scene he inhabited, and the epidemic that failed to defeat either one.

MY BROTHER KISSED MARK ZUCKERBERG, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1, 7 p.m. Feb. 8, Dukesbay Theater, 508 S. Sixth Ave. #10, Tacoma, $15, peterserko.brownpapertickets.com