THE VOLCANO'S VISUAL ARTS CRITIC CHIMES IN >>>

OMG, what a problem to have! There's just too much art going on in the South Sound. There's no way I can cover it all - not with only a single column per week in the Weekly Volcano and one little Spew per week, not with me being old and decrepit and lazy. I want to see it all and then report on the good stuff.

Here's some stuff that promises to be good, which I may or may not get to review.

First, Susan Christian and Ron Hinson at Childhood's End in Olympia. OK, I have every intention of reviewing this one, even if I have to give up on the new Dale Chihuly show at Tacoma Art Museum - even after driving up I-5 from Oly for a special press preview with the man himself. One other aside about Chihuly before I get back to the Christian-Hinson show: Chihuly is going to be showing, in addition to his own work, Native American art and artifacts he has collected. That should be fascinating even if we have been inundated with Native art lately, what with the current show at the Washington State History Museum and the recent shows at TAM and B2 Fine Arts.

Now back to Childhood's End. The show features paintings by Christian and sculpture by Hinson. I've never seen sculpture by Hinson. He's primarily a painter, and a great one, although his most well known paintings are three-dimensional wall hangings that obliterate the boundary between painting and sculpture. The photo of his piece on the invitation is like nothing I've ever seen from him. I'll be interested in seeing what else he has to show.

Christian does minimalist landscape-based abstract paintings that sometimes hit and sometimes miss the mark. When they do hit they are marvelous. The very best painting I saw in Oly's last Arts Walk was one of hers. I plan on seeing this show soon. You can see it through July 24. Childhood's End is located at 222 4^th Ave. W. in Olympia.

Another new show I'm looking forward to is Hot Fusion: Exploration Into Abstraction at B2 with works by Todd Clark, Judy Hintz Cox, Scott J. Morgan and Yvette Neumann. I don't know these artists, but so far in its young lifetime as a contemporary art gallery B2 has done nothing bad, and the picture on the invitation, a painting by Morgan titled "Clave," looks as hot as the title implies this show is going to be. It runs through Aug. 6 at the gallery at 711 St. Helens Ave.

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom is showing paintings by Seattle artist Marsha Glazière. I haven't seen a lot of Glaziere's work but what little I have seen has been impressive. I wrote of her painting "Schuster Parkway" in last year's juried exhibition at Tacoma Community College that it "fairly leaps off the canvas and grabs you by the throat." This should definitely be a show worth seeing. It runs through Aug. 11. The gallery is on the campus at 9401 Farwest Drive SW in Lakewood. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon Friday.

Yet another show that should be fascinating is the exhibition of wire sculptures called "memory trees" by Chris Wooten and Vladimir Shako's silver gelatin, selenium, gold-toned photographs of female figures draped in shimmering fabrics at Sandpiper Gallery. The one preview photo I saw looked great, especially Shako's satiny photo. This show doesn't open until July 23. Mark your calendars. It's at 2221 N 30^th St., Old Town Tacoma.

THE VOLCANO'S VISUAL ARTS CRITIC >>>

You may know Peter Sheesley from the painting demonstrations he did at Tacoma Art Museum in connection with the Norman Rockwell exhibition.

I have a confession to make: I was not impressed with what I read about Sheesley, nor with what I saw on his website. I thought of it as realism and nothing more than a show of painting virtuosity. But when I saw Sheesley's show, Science and Industry, at Fulcrum Gallery, I realized there was much more to him. I also realized that Sheesley's work-especially dark and moody pieces such as these-do not reproduce well, on paper or online. What you see in print here is a pale reproduction of what you can see in the gallery.

Sheesley's paintings in this show are taken from candid photographs snapped in Chicago's Museum of Science & Industry. The key word is "candid."

To read Alec Clayton's full review click here.

[Fulcrum Gallery, noon - 6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and by appointment, through July 13, 1308 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253.250.0520]

I'VE GOT DREAMS TO REMEMBER >>>

The other day in Oleanna rehearsal, I expressed my theory that David Mamet hates actors. "Mamet loves actors," our director countered, "the way Sondheim loves singers."

Some of you laughed really hard at that. You others aren't theater geeks, so why are you reading this?

My annoyance with Mamet stems from lines like, "I'm sorry...are: we: yes. Bound by...Look: before the other side goes home, all right? 'a term of art.' Because: that's right."

Not only is it grammatically illegal and tougher to memorize than a Tokyo phone number, it also includes not one but two emphases through italics. Doesn't that seem just a tad condescending? As an actor, do I really need Mamet spoon-feeding me every vocal inflection and hesitation? Can't I be trusted to bring some imagination to the table?

Of course, I'd be less annoyed if I didn't have to memorize over half of an 80-page script, for a role that weighs in at (I'm guessing) 4,000 words--most of which were seemingly chosen at random from a box of refrigerator poetry magnets. I can tell you from personal experience that the ability to memorize declines after age 25. I'm 43. In my undergrad days, I could memorize a page of dialogue every two minutes or so, including Shakespeare. Now I seem to find myself in one impossible monster after another. (Frost/Nixon, in which I had a relatively minor role, was a welcome respite.) My costar, Deya Ozburn, had months with the script; I was a late replacement, so I've had two weeks. We preview in ten days.

Just typing that made me tear up.

I will get this stuff memorized somehow, because I have to. The characters and interaction are working, and our director and stage manager are on point. I'm confident we'll have a perfectly respectable show. In the meantime, have pity on our overworked souls and overtaxed memories. I used to roll my eyes when people in theater greeting lines asked, "How did you memorize all those lines?" as if that were the hardest part of acting. Now I get it. At my age, it's pretty much the despicable part. How Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole did it drunk I will never understand.

VISUAL EVIDENCE OF THE AWESOMENSS >>>

In a weekend full of events, Volcano photographer Patrick Snapp was one busy dude. Saturday, he dropped in on Tacoma Hempfest, a shindig that was unfortunately riddled by controversy thanks to the Tacoma Police Department's handling of the pro-cannabis event and its many vendors.

Along the Thea Foss Waterfront, however, Urban Arts Festival blazed all weekend - inhabiting a new space with the mix of arts, music, fun and culture Tacoma has come to expect out of the yearly summer festival.

Here's how Sunday looked through the lens of Patrick Snapp ...

LINK: Urban Arts Festival 2011 Weekly Volcano Photo Hot Spot

YOUR SOURCE FOR SOUTH SOUND THEATER COVERAGE >>>

The years from 1967 to 1977 were the richest of the radio era. Abbey Road is the single greatest album ever recorded, and whatever's in second place is also by the Beatles. Leather pants will always be awesome. These are indisputable scientific facts, Gentle Reader, so I welcome your nods of agreement.

Now. Can we also agree Harlequin's summer jukebox extravaganzas aren't proper theater? No, we cannot. Last year I thought it; this year I don't. True, there's no spoken dialogue in Summer in the Sixties. There's no storyline, either, just one killer pop/rock smash after another, sung by truly standout voices. Yet it's fully and gracefully choreographed (by Nancy Rawson), and as if that weren't production value enough, God knows how long it took Jill Carter to edit hours of video to play above the band.

I did miss the gospel heart Antonía Darlene brought to last year's production. In her stead, we get the multitalented Christian Doyle and his bodaciously groovy top hat, so there's compensation. The rest of the cast is straight from Sixties Kicks, so if you liked that show, and you probably did, then this year's model will once again pummel you right in your sweet spot. It takes a while to reach escape velocity, but boy, grab your hat when it does.

To read Christian Carvajal's full review of Summer in the Sixties click here.

[Harlequin Productions, Summer in the Sixties, $37-$40, 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through July 17, 202 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.786.0151]

ART AND COMMUNITY ACTION CONTINUES TODAY >>>

Tacoma's diversity, both in its people and in its creative talent, is showcased at this weekend's Urban Arts Festival. Now in its seventh year, this year the two-day summertime event is being  held on the Thea Foss Waterway in a new(ish) park and walking area next to the Museum of Glass. A manicured lawn proved to be a perfect staging area for vendors, a beer garden and the main music stage.

With booths lined up facing boats bobbing in the inlet, vendors smiled and chatted with festival goers about their handmade art, crafts and wares. Bright red, green and yellow blooms and foliage spilled from hanging basket planters. Just as colorful was Jooley Heaps's brilliant red hair at her Box Top Vintage booth. Metalwork art gleamed in the sun from an uncovered booth and humorous prints peaked out from under canopies. I looked on as Ebony Morris, an Eastside Tacoma resident, became the proud owner of two-tone block-style creation. Festival organizer Johanna Gardner remarks that this is what it's all about.

UAF allows artists to show their works in an environment where people can see them, acquire them or even be part of them. With interactive art and dance being a focal point, like chalk-art graced sidewalks, Gardner is definitely right. Walking through I felt the pleasant, lazy vibe of attendees; they matched my slow stroll. The distinct vocal stylings of Kim Archer summoned me to the main stage. To the right, a skateboard course, DJ area with plenty of lawn for dancing and John Spevak's sausage booth flooding the air with delicious meaty aromas.

Umber Sleeping frontman and drummer Peter Tietjen wrangled his kids while hawking punk buttons. "It's a great location this year. I think tomorrow will be even better. And man, great weather," Tietjen comments. He smiles and gestures skyward where a few fluffy white clouds only made the sun feel even brighter.

Urban Arts festival runs through Sunday, June 26 at 9 p.m.

LINK: 2011 Urban Art Festival in photos

Find our full preview story of the event here.

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2011 >>>

1. The Urban Arts Festival continues today along the Thea Foss Waterway. The weather looks amazing. Come out and play.

2. Today is your last chance at Taste of Tacoma this year. You've been warned.

3. Sleeping in Gethsemane will perform today at Metronome Coffee. Or, if that's not your musical cup of tea, find the Volcano's extensive live local music listings here.

4. It's Movie Night at the Brotherhood in Olympia. It's a tradition - and it's awesome. Wind your weekend down in style.

5. Vote for Tacoma's best baristas, politicians, bloggers, bartenders and local businesses in the only 253 "Best Of" issue that matters. The Volcano's annual Best of Tacoma issue publishes July 28, and this year's readers' poll launched last week. Let your vote be heard now! Find all the details here.

LINK: South Sound Live Local Music Listings

LINK: Viva South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

SEVENTH ANNUAL UAF PREPARES TO TAKE OFF >>>

The Urban Art Festival is a grassroots festival at its best-a little bit of every kind of art (including some varieties not always recognized as art) all dumped into one public park, then shaken, not stirred, with lots of music and other cool stuff. Now in its seventh year, the Urban Art Festival has expanded to two full days, and will take place June 25 and 26 along Thea Foss Waterway.

The festival began in 2004 when a group of friends, including Joey Morrison, Johanna Gardner (currently the event coordinator), Linda Honeck and Laura and Matt Eklund, decided to put together an event featuring all kinds of art, focusing on local and environmentally friendly vendors and artists. Though one of the founding members, Joey Morrison, passed away unexpectedly in 2005, the group continued on, and even picked up some new members, including Lisa Fruichantie (performance art coordinator) and Mandi Martin (vendor coordinator).The festival strives to bring together every type of music and art, and to tear down stereotypes and draw in the community.

This year, visitors can enjoy the bigger and better nature of this festival as it ramps up. There will be three stages, lots of artists and lots of music.

To read Kristin Kendle's full article click here.

[Thea Foss Waterway, from the Museum of Glass at 1801 Dock St. to beyond the 21st Street Bridge, Saturday-Sunday, June 25 - 26, Saturday noon - 8 p.m., Sunday noon - 9:20 p.m., Tacoma, tacomaurbanart.com]

SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2011 >>>

1. The Urban Arts festival kicks off for real today along the Thea Foss Waterway. Find all the details you'll need right here.

2. Wanna see some rough and tumble ladies seriously throwdown? Like, seriously throwdown? It doesn't get much better - as far as the competition or excitement goes - than Dockyard Derby Dames roller derby. Today the Dames will hold the season's championship bout - thee Tacoma roller derby event of the year.

3. Oh! It's roller derby you like? Well, the 2009 WFTDA National Champion Oly Rollers have a double header this weekend - facing off today and tomorrow and Skateland. One word: sick. Find the details here.

4. The Cody Rentas Band will perform at the Handicapped Challenge Fundraiser today at Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill in Spanaway.

5. Vote for Tacoma's best baristas, politicians, bloggers, bartenders and local businesses in the only 253 "Best Of" issue that matters. The Volcano's annual Best of Tacoma issue publishes July 28, and this year's readers' poll launched last week. Let your vote be heard now! Find all the details here.

LINK: South Sound Live Local Music Listings

LINK: Viva South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011 >>>

1. The annual Taste of Tacoma kicks off today. Get your loose pants, perhaps a bib, and dig in!

2. There's a 100^th Monkey event tonight - kicking off the Urban Arts Festival. Find info here.

3. Don Wilson and Nokie Edwards of The Ventures join the Northwest Rock Revisited show tonight at the Liberty Theater in Puyallup. Or, if that doesn't tickle your musical fancy, browse the Volcano's extensive live local music listings here.

4. Writer and Pacific Lutheran University prof Jason Skipper will celebrate the release of his debut novel, Hustle, tonight at King's Books.

5. Vote for Tacoma's best baristas, politicians, bloggers, bartenders and local businesses in the only 253 "Best Of" issue that matters. The Volcano's annual Best of Tacoma issue publishes July 28, and this year's readers' poll launched last week. Let your vote be heard now! Find all the details here.

LINK: South Sound Live Local Music Listings

LINK: Viva South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar