TUESDAY, DEC. 31 2013 >>>

1. A legitimate excuse for frivolous hedonism comes but once a year, so we say make the most of it. Don a silly hat (everyone else will look stupid, too), pop a magnum of champagne and blow your horn: 2013 is finally done. Check out the Weekly Volcano's Music Calendar and Entertainment Calendar for ideas.

2. Good news: a new round of art installations move into the Woolworth Windows today. For a sneak peek, click here.

3. First Night is a coordinated international phenomenon with hundreds of cities worldwide manifesting (relatively) drunk-free celebrations that allow people not interested in being totally smashed to come out of their homes to celebrate New Year’s. In Tacoma, past celebrations have included giant puppets, parades, scavenger hunt, giant snake, pirates, racing pigs, rolling heads, music, performers, fireworks, medieval sword fights and more. First Night Tacoma is back with a Year of the Horse theme this year, as well as a soapbox derby race, world's shortest parade, ice walk, Tacomapoly, coconut shell stampede and tons of music. Venues for this year’s offerings are all about Broadway — the Rialto Theater, Theater on the Square, the Pantages and indoor and outdoor spots from Seventh to 13 streets. Click here for the First Night Tacoma full schedule.

4. Speaking of First Night Tacoma, the event has always been an embarrassment of riches, and this year's installment looks to be no different. The New Year's Eve celebration is packed with any number of bands worthy of highlighting - bands like the lovely OK Sweetheart, the dance-rock of The Fame Riot, and that elder statesman of throat-singing oddness, Baby Gramps - but my eyes were immediately drawn to Fly Moon Royalty. This electro-soul duo on the rise combines the talents of producer/MC Mike Illvester and singer Adra Boo. The interplay between producer and vocalist is classic, each performer building off of one another to create a funky stew that challenges the folded-armed hipster. Adra Boo's smooth vocals mingle perfectly with Mike Illvester's compositions. It's a unique thing to be found at this year's First Night at 9:45 p.m. on the Main Stage, so don't go sleeping on it.

5. Celebrate New Year's Eve at The Brotherhood Lounge. For a reasonable price, one of Olympia's most fun bars will take it a notch higher, with 50 percent of the door earmarked for Safeplace. It will be awesome, ladies and gentlemen. DJ Dead Air will be the entertainment for the evening, and the playlist is composed of '80s, rawk, punk and disco. The Broho is also bringing back the midnight balloon drop. Even if your hipper-than-thou ass has to pretend like you're going to be all ironic and shit, you know that this is the kind of party you want to use to forget about 2013. 

SUNDAY, DEC. 22 2013 >>>

1. The "War on Christmas" decried by Sarah Palin and Bill O'Reilly isn't evident in South Sound theater, which is producing a rich variety of appropriately jolly and family-friendly shows for the holiday season. Four out of the seven current productions end this afternoon. Weekly Volcano theater critics Joann Varnell and Christian Carvajal chime in with their thoughts on the productions here.

2. The only time we were forced to walk through that new H&M store in the mall we started to feel queasy, claustrophobic and like we were going to karate chop the next person we saw with a stupid bleach pattern on their jeans in the throat. Just because it's the holiday season doesn't mean anyone should have to go through this. Check out the Jada-Moon Gridley-created Gritty City Gift Fair, where local artists and crafters will offer their one-of-a-kind fairs for all from 3-8 p.m. at Fulcrum Gallery. Expect re-purposed silk, cashmere and wool to recyled silver and pearls, fashion, reclaimed wood, forged steel, sparkling gems, feathers, ceramics, glass and more.

3. Pacific Church in East Tacoma hosts "Gospel Christmas - a Christmas Musical Celebration" at 6:30 p.m. with a soulful sound and a timely message. After the show, enjoy the spirit of giving at "The Jesus Christmas Shop" stocked with a myriad of children's toys, winter coats and holiday groceries all for needy families.

4. Just as surely that every December stockings will be hung, malls will become volatile swarms of madness and It's a Wonderful Life will clog television schedules, The Nutcracker will be performed at local venues - including at 7 p.m. in Mt. Tahoma High school by the Washington Contemporary Ballet. Set to Tchaikovsky's most famous composition, the classic ballet about a little girl and a magical toy that comes to life one fateful Christmas Eve is as timeless as a sunset, and the WCB has been staging the ballet since 1998. So pack up the family and enjoy a night of sugar-plum fairies and rat kings. It's a holiday tradition that's as constant as getting handmade socks from Grandma. Tacoma City Ballet ends its Nutcracker run at 3 p.m. in the Pantages Theater.

5. Steve Cooley & The Dangerfields will fill The Spar in Old Town Tacoma with rockin' blues beginning at 7 p.m.

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Saturday, Dec. 21 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THURSDAY, DEC. 19 2013 >>>

1. Other, non-North American English-speaking countries know the play The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by an alternate title: The Worst Kids In The World. That should tell you about the quality of the characters in question, and the odds that the title would actually come true. The Herdman clan will be on hand to teach you all about the true spirit of Christmas by lying, cheating, stealing, smoking and other wholesome endeavors at 7 p.m. in the Tacoma Youth Theatre. It's a feel-good season of joy for everyone. Or something.

2. Garfield Book Company is hosting an open holiday party today. From 2-6 p.m., attendees may enjoy refreshments, raffles, door prizes, giveaways and more. Chef/owner John Sundstrom of Lark restaurant in Seattle, as well as an author of Northwest recipes, will host a cooking demonstration from 3-4 p.m. Steve Roberts, author of Wine Trails NW, will host wine tastings accompanied by his book signing. This event is free to attend.

3. Break out the silver bells, South Sounders near and far. It's Christmas time in the city. Of course, downtown Tacoma has had you covered for all your holiday adventures all December long; however, tonight, precious hours before the BIG day, wouldn't it be cool to don your elfish grins and bring your last-minute holiday shopping and wish lists and pop on downtown for a variety of fun, shopping, great eats and drinks and holiday cheer? It's your pick(s) of fun: Art Mingle Thursday (tacomaartgroup.org), where the Tacoma Art Museum and other awesome local art venues open their holiday doors to welcome you from 5-8 p.m. Hop aboard the December Art Bus (tacomaartbus.com) at 6 p.m. for some mobile holiday goodness, treats and guest host Rudolph. Finally, if you are feeling adventurous, join friends for a skate off at Polar Plaza. Holiday perfection, if you ask us.

4. Weekly Volcano music critic Rev. Adam McKinney says there are vocal similarities between Kurt Lindsay and late cult singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley. The Rev. says, "Lindsay's voice, like Buckley's (though, of course, no one can truly touch Jeff Buckley, vocally), is simultaneously full of bravado and wounded timidity. It quivers with feeling, though it might be noted that Lindsay's voice often comes across as more lost, searching, which adds a nice element to what is largely music that errs toward modern rock, with some detours to friendly mixers like R&B and folk." See for yourself over a beer or three at 6 p.m. when Lindsay joins Jorge Olmos, Christopher Ward and Thene Singleton for an 8 p.m. show at Metronome Coffee.

5. Besides being all fancy, the Hotel Murano is dang smart. It knows a good thing when it hears it. The Kareem Kandi Band is back to fill the lobby with jazz from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Thursday, Dec. 19 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, DEC. 8 2013 >>>

1. Generally, music intended for children is perky, chipmunk-y, condescending, cloying and unlistenable for anyone old enough to cut his or her own meat. Enter Kim Archer (cue: needle scratching across Bill Withers' "Use Me"). That's right, kiddies. Tacoma's R&B, soul and funk queen will strum from a doll chair and cause a clap riot from 1-2:30 p.m. at Gibson's Frozen Yogurt Shoppe in Tacoma's Stadium District. Good Mojo Records has released a full length, all original children's music, Music from Planet Cool, featuring the songwriting and vocal talents of Archer and Ivan Pla. The 10-track CD is an accompaniment to the series of books from Tacoma-based publishers Max 'n Me Studio called the Magic Friendship Series. They began as stories from the viewpoint of a 10-year-old autistic boy named Max. Pile the kids into the Family Truckster and head to the sweet tastes of Gibson's e for a Sunday afternoon CD release party.

2. Sugar and spice and everything free is the song for today's Let It Snow community festival, a merry, merry tradition that's ho-ho-hosted every year by the Tacoma Art Museum. The free community event lights up at 10 a.m. and includes dance performances and festive music. While the entertainment fills the main floor, free craft projects will be offered upstairs. Create a pop-up holiday card for family and friends, or buy something cool in the gift shop. Everything the Tacoma Art Museum envisioned this holiday season comes to fruition today.

3. On a scale of one to 10 (one being the worst, 10 being the best), there is a Southwestern Washington community tradition that takes holiday tree decorating to an 11. Better yet? These beautiful trees (along with fun festivities) are present for a great cause. The annual Festival of Trees benefits the children and families of Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and Health Center. Approximately 70 uniquely decorated trees set in a fairy-like holiday wonderland can be seen from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center.

4. The "War on Christmas" decried by Sarah Palin and Bill O'Reilly isn't evident in South Sound theater, which is producing a rich variety of appropriately jolly and family-friendly shows for the holiday season. Weekly Volcano theater critics Joann Varnell and Christian Carvajal chime in with their thoughts on four local productions here.

5. Little Bill has formed a big band for his Blues Vespers Christmas Blues Show at 4 p.m. in the Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Tacoma. 

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Sunday, Dec. 8 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 4 2013 >>>

1. There is the sometimes perilous aspect of holding a discussion in a room full of folks who have had a couple. People feel inclined to yell weird stuff like ‘I've done Jager! I've done Jager!' But it's that kind of energy that makes the Broadway Center's Think & Drink. Part of the Center's yearlong Free For All focus, Immanuel Presbyterian Church Tacoma and Humanities Washington team up two panelists and moderator/KPLU-FM business and labor reporter Ashley Gross for a discussion on holiday shopping and the American consumer culture at 7:30 p.m. in Engine House No. 9's upstairs room. As far as audience members go, if you can handle your alcohol without being a complete asshole, we totally suggest drinking your face off. Drink, drink, drink, drink - because the amount of money you will spend this holiday season will be depressing.

2. Stretch your legs and your mind today through Dec. 8 as Columbia Bank celebrates its 20th anniversary by sponsoring free admission to the Tacoma Art Museum, Washington State History Museum and the Children's Museum of Tacoma. That's lovely of them.

3. Spark: a Burning Man Story is an engaging documentary that gives audiences a rare behind-the-scenes look at Burning Man - a week-long annual art exhibition/party/socioeconomic experiment held in the Black Rock Desert in northern Nevada. While on the surface it may appear to be nothing more than a bunch of hippies living it up in the desert, Burning Man is a monumental undertaking, requiring months of planning and the combined efforts of hundreds of people to pull off each year. The film screens at 6:45 p.m. at The Grand Cinema. Read Jared Lovrak's full review of Spark: A Burning Man Story in the Movies section.

4. You're in denial, but the signs are hard to ignore. Shops are draped in red and green; cocktail parties - your calendar, and you can't button your skinny jeans anymore. Yep, it's the holiday season. As they say, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, which is why you'll be singing at the top of your lungs at the Saint Martin's University and South Puget Sound Community College's "Ring in the Season" holiday concert at 7 p.m. in the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts. The Department of Washington American Legion Band joins the two Thurston County institutions for a lively Christmas pops concert with multiple choral groups, holiday band music and a carol sing-along. Hark you sing!

5. At The Brotherhood Lounge, aerialists are about to take flight again. The re-vamped team is ready to amaze audiences with its color brand of trapeze, beginning at 8 p.m. Creativity never ceases and performances range from naughty to funny to just plain beautiful. The shows are free and tips are encouraged. New this year is a dance party to follow, with grooves by DJ Fir$t Lady. If you've ever been to one of the Broho's impromptu dances parties at past aerialist events, then you know about the twerking, pumping and shaking that goes on. 

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

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

For the past 11 months you have been chasing Tacoma City Ballet nuts around Tacoma. The ballet company has been hiding Golden Krakatuk Nuts as a promotion for its highly anticipated December performances of The Nutcracker and The Tale of the Hard Nut, a prequel to the original Nutcracker, which explains why a prince is trapped inside a nutcracker doll. The performanc eopens Dec. 7 at the Pantages Theater and runs for three weeks. The contest, on the other hand, is on today. The contest in a nutshell: TCB hides the nuts inside jewel boxes around Tacoma; inside the boxes is a scroll with prize details, such as gift certificates, merchandise or tickets to the performance.  

Anyway, the December Golden Krakatuk Nut clue - the last clue of the year - dropped this morning. This clue will guide you to a restaurant, shop or other business at which the nuts may be in plain sight or may be behind the counter.

Read more...

SUNDAY, NOV. 24 2013 >>>

1. The history books will record the Nov. 24 event as Woodstick 2013 and will list among its participants such drumming greats as Kenny Aronoff of The Rolling Stones, Michael Derosier of Heart, Jeff Kathan of The Paul Rogers Band, Todd Sucherman of STYX, Rick Redmond of Jason Aldean's band, John Bolton of the Beatniks and others. Woodstick, set to happen at 3 p.m. (11 a.m. to 3 p.m. drum clinics) in the Emerald Queen Casino, will be the 11th consecutive attempt to set a new world record for drummers pounding the skins to the same song. The current U.S. record is 533 drummers set at Woodstick 2006 in Seattle. The current world record is 800 set by drummers in Birmingham, England in 2010.

2. A Rhapsody In Bloom Florist & Café Latté hosts an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in celebration of its 25th anniversary. Expect local artists, gift ideas, raffle and, of course, lattés.

3. Do you love the Tacoma art scene? Do you think artists are the most rad people on the planet? Does the word "localvore" describe you to the letter? Bonus question: want to get a jump-start on your holiday shopping while supporting the local artistic community? Of course you do! For not one but two days, Tacoma Is For Lovers presents local artists at the dreamy King's Books for its annual Artists Craft Fair that celebrates local art at its finest. Featured work by a wide variety of terrific local artists will include artwork, culinary goodies, crafts, jewelry and much more from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

4. A good day for reflection, Sunday is. A good day for introspection. A good day for looking at a different way of seeing things. Maybe the way dark artists see things (Bet you didn't see that one comin'!). See if you can find your way up to The New Frontier Lounge at 6 p.m. and catch the "FERUS" raw, untamed art show by Andrei Vassiliev, Pasha Kish and Shelly Ann Snyder. The work is expressive, especially Snyder's handicraft - she creates with acrylics, paper and her hands without brushes or tools. "I have found that it is more organic and really shows the feeling that is behind the painting," says Snyder. Why The New Frontier? "It has a laidback atmosphere," she says. "People that don't know much about art can come and check out what we are doing without feeling intimidated. The staff is also very supportive about art and expression of every form." Debo's Chain Maille and Industrial Art is also part of the show. We have no idea what that means, but it sounds like something to see.

5. Remember that time in high school when your parents went away? You know, plot line of every teenage movie ever made - except this time, you blew up the house. Standing in the ashes as your parents roll up, what do you do? Say it with us now - iiiiiimprovise. Take notes at 8 p.m. in the Tacoma Comedy Club when male and female comedians battle with improve and sketch skills. Watch Monica Nevi, Jen Seaman, Kelsey Cook and Sarah Skilling take on Adam Norwest, Mike Coletta, Kane Holloway and Aaron Kirby - and next time you're in a lose-lose situation, you'll wondrously make screams turn to laughter.

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Sunday, Nov. 24 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THURSDAY, NOV. 21 2013 >>>

1. Antje Duvekot silky voice wraps around her songs like a nice hemp sandal. One song breaks out and tackles grittier social matters with razor sharp insights. The next song, her pitch perfect, sweet, delicate and poignant soprano voice waxes personal. Then, she'll sing a dark-eyed ballad about what becomes of people who fall short of the American Dream in uncomfortable detail. She is as understated as she is wise and her songs go down mentally as well as soulfully. Her voice has a sound of innocence and naivety, which makes razor sharp insights into the human condition. Catch the Boston folk darling at 8 p.m. in Morso Wine Bar in Gig Harbor.

2. Your smokin' local ticket to great art, cool venues, celebrity tour guides, shopping, delicious nibbles, special treats, games, raffles, and fun, fun, fun is just two words: Art Bus! Hop aboard this premier Tacoma art tour at 6 p.m. in front of the Tacoma Art Museum and explore the city, enjoy games, great giveaways and so much more with a wickedly wonderful local twist. Tonight, the Art Bus gives back to the community by donating non-perishable food items to help the hungry (those who donate get a VIP raffle ticket to say thanks).

3. The University of Puget Sound's Art + Science Salon series returns to the Tacoma Art Museum for a conversation about the intersection of science, literature and the printed medium at 6 p.m.

4. The last CONVERSATIONS RE: TACOMA urban design lecture series will center on the arts and its influence on the livelihood of a community, such as Tacoma, at 6:30 p.m. in the museum of Glass. The after party will be at The Social Bar and Grill where the topic will be how cocktails affect an arts discussion.

5. And just when you were about to reach karmic exhaustion and flip on South Park, the anthology Sarasvati Takes Pegasus as Her Mount - featuring poems by Peggy Barnett, Glenna Cook, Maria Gudaitis, Marjorie Rommel, Josie Emmons Turner, Connie Walle and 11 other women poets  - is released, with a 7 p.m. celebration at King's Books. And the calm flows into your skin like the cool rays of the morning sun.

LINK: Thursday, Nov. 21 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20 2013 >>>

1. The kind of light psychedelic pop created by Fruit Juice is eminently invigorating in its giddy goofiness. With their glammy energy and commitment to sunny, falsetto harmonies, Fruit Juice at times resembles Of Montreal. Smack in the middle of a brightly poppy journey, an underwater spoken word interlude busts in and ushers the listener down a rabbit hole of brain-warping textures before emerging on the other end just as boisterous and driving as before. Elsewhere, Fruit Juice recalls the pastoral beauty of Village Green-era Kinks, or the sly experimentation of John Lennon. It's a swirling fish bowl of paint illuminated against a wall in an endless configuration of shapes and colors, and it all eventually congeals into a surprisingly consistent vibe of wackiness and devil-may-care subversion - all with pleasantly glassy-eyed sheen. Catch the band with I Like Science at 10 p.m. in Le Voyeur.

2. Irish glass engraver, designer and tutor Eamonn Hartley will be working in the Hot Shop at Museum of Glass from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. as part of the 2013 Visiting Artists residency program. His work is currently on display in Museum of Glass' newest exhibition, "CAUTION! Fragile. Irish Glass: Tradition in Transition," which explores the Irish glass industry and the impact of recent factory closures on artists, tradition and personal identity.

3. The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation's "Foundation of Art Award" has been recognized as one the most notable art awards in the South Sound region. To celebrate the sixth anniversary of the Award, the Foundation is hosting an exhibit featuring the 12 talented artists that were nominated in 2013 at Fulcrum Gallery, from noon to 6 p.m. The exhibit will also unveil the commissioned artwork created by the 2013 winning artist, Shaun Peterson.

4. Rob McKenna, former attorney general for Washington, will lecture at 6 p.m. in the Norman Worthington Conference Center as part of the Leadership Lecture Series hosted by the Saint Martin's University's School of Business.

5. Come watch and listen to Tom Hornbein discuss the greatest Himalayan climb in American mountaineering history. The film High and Hallowed: Everest 1963 tells the story of Willi Unsoeld and Hornbein's pioneering ascent of the West Ridge of Mt. Everest, and examines the risk and adventure that drew them to the summit. Filmmakers David Morton, Jake Norton and Jim Aikman will join Hornbein onstage after the film to discuss the film with the audience. Discover how Unsoeld and Hornbein conquered the mountain at 7 p.m. in the Washington Center.

PLUS: Joe Roasti performs songs off his new CD at 7 p.m. with China Davis at Jazzbones.

LINK: Wednesday, Nov. 20 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

TUESDAY, NOV. 19 2013 >>>

1. Let's face it. Tacoma's gay-friendly bar The Mix has seen plenty of vibrating, undulating, circling and pulsing. At 7 p.m. patrons of the downtown Tacoma joint will experience all of that, only with even more tutus. Tonight's performance is part of The BareFoot Collective's modern dance series out of the black box. The group aims to take dance into public spaces around Tacoma. The road show will be 30 to 40 minutes long and will incorporate improvisation, contemporary, dance-theatre and hip-hop works.

2. Our Nixon is the latest from director Penny Lane. Consisting entirely of archival footage, this award-winning documentary chronicles the Nixon administration from the beginning all the way to its shameful end. Throughout Nixon's presidency, Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman, Domestic Affairs Adviser John Ehrlichman and Special Assistant Dwight Chapin obsessively recorded their experiences with the President on Super 8 home movie cameras. Their shared compulsion eventually spanned more than 500 reels of film; film which the FBI seized during the Watergate investigation and then subsequently kept hidden away from the public for 40 years. Catch the film at 2 and 6:30 p.m. at The Grand Cinema.

3. Rivers have been widely regarded as the sustenance of life, forever renewing the fertility of land. Rivers are also more than a source of water. They are the start of cities and countries that bring people together. A river is thus a metaphor for all-embracing, merging of cultures from around the world. Gregory Wilson knows the power of rivers. He is the author of Dead Portraits in a Living Room, a collection of poems exploring the intersection of diverse cultures using a river and meeting of rivers as a metaphor. As part of its Caribbean Writer series: Dialogues on identity, Immigration, and Art, the University of Puget Sound hosts the poet and educator who grew up in Jamaica and graduated from The University of the West Indies in Mona, Jamaica, for a discussion, exploring cultural unity in the Caribbean and central America at 5:30 p.m. in the Rasmussen Rotunda at the Wheelock Student Center.

4. Brian Johnson of Better Cocktails at Home concocts compelling potions and films it for youtube. It's awesome. From 6-8 p.m. Johnson will leave his home and sling cocktails at Tacoma Cabana. Grab your phone and film him making three original recipes including Bathysphere (gin, Benedictine, lime, tiki bitters), and two favorites including the Last Word (gin, green Chartreuse, lime, Maraschino), all ringing in at $8 a pop.

5. The Lakewood Historical Society celebrates its 15th anniversary with a lecture on the Legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers by Jackie Jones-Hook at 7 p.m. in St. Mary's Episcopal Church.

LINK: Tuesday, Nov. 19 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area