THURSDAY, APRIL 25 2013 >>>

1. American Voices: Invisibility, Art, and Educational Justice is a three-part series presented by Puget Sound University's Race and Pedagogy department. The series features educators, scholars, artists, and activists whose work stimulates critical intellectual engagement about issues of racial justice and educational reform. Today, the series culminates in a collaboration between Tacoma's Fab-5 and poet, writer, activist and teacher Walidah Imarisha. The spoken word performance, New Faces, New Voices: The Role of Youth in Educational Justice, will take place at 7 p.m. in Schneebeck Concert Hall. Entrance is free and everyone is welcome. Tickets are not required.

2. More than 50 establishments will be participating in Dining Out for Life today. During this large scale culinary fundraiser 25 percent of your bill will go directly to benefit the Pierce County Aids Foundation funding AIDS and HIV advocacy care and prevention programs. All types of cuisine are available from the rise of the sun until that late night nibble in Pierce County. Check out full details and a list of participating restaurants at diningoutforlife.com.

3. bella balls will be hosting a social to celebrate their newest fleur-de-lis adornment from 5-8 p.m. Co-owners glass artist Diane Hansen and designer Lesli Jacobs-McHugh will be in attendance and cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

4. "Look Here," a salon style art exhibition of 14 Tacoma visual artists, will be held from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at 1215 Earnest S. Brazill St. - a Tacoma building scheduled to be listed on the real estate market for sale. Showing will be works by Bill Colby, Karen Doten, Kristin Giordono, Lisa Kinoshita, Lynn Di Nino, Janet Marcavage, Yuki Nakamura, Nicholas Nyland, Frederic Quinn, Betty Sapp Ragan, William Turner, Emily Wood and Otto Youngers. Victoria Johnson curates the show, as well as contributes work. "Artists are gentrifiers in Tacoma along with innumerable harbingers in a city poised for cultural tourism to booster private commerce," states Johnson in a release.

5. Balto formed in winter of 2010 as a document of young men traversing the landscape of Siberia. Appropriately, their folk-rock sounds barren, lonely and searching. The guitars and voices mingle together in the wide, scary expanse of an unfamiliar environment - countless, inconceivable miles away from loved ones. Beyond this air of being so helplessly lost, Balto also possesses an admirable musicality and liveliness that helps to buoy the songs and fight back those aggressive gusts of cold foreign wind. Join their jounrney at 10 p.m. inside Le Voyeur.

LINK: Thursday, April 25 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

TUESDAY, APRIL 9 2013 >>>

1. When fine-art photographer Eric Schwartz set out to photograph people with tattoos, he didn't expect to find a detailed history underneath the artwork. After a chance meeting with California tattoo legend Edward "Chuco" Caballero at a national tattoo show, the story for Schwartz's first film, Tattoo Nation, began to reveal itself - the documentary profiles some of the biggest artists and tattoo recipients to come out of the early Los Angeles-based, Chicano black-and-grey tattoo scene. The film screens at 1:45, 7 and 9 p.m. at The Grand Cinema.

2. Twenty five percent of Washington state children live in food insecure households. At 6:30 p.m. inside the Wheelock Student Center Rotunda, executive director and founder of Hilltop Urban Gardens Dean Jackson, executive director of FISH Food Banks Beth Elliot, folks from Canyon Little Mother Earth Farm and the Emergency Food Networks and sustainability manager of city of Tacoma Kristi Lynett will discuss this problem and other hunger issues.

3. This might be hard to believe, but you can't go see The Beatles live anymore, unless you have some sort of resurrection or time traveling technology. If you do have said technology and are using to see The Beatles, you've got some problems, so let Red Wind Casino help you out. It hosts Beatles tribute band British Export at 8 p.m. Go scream your head off.

4. GOAT, Overboard and IDefy will rock Malarkey's Pool & Brew at 8 p.m. as a benefit for Puget Sound Pizza bartender Theresa Pino who has been out of work due to health issues.

5. Cosmonauts share time equally in mind-melting squalls of Doors-esque acid rock and bursts of sweet, jumpy garage pop confection. It would be more than advisable to bring some earplugs for the band's show with The Garden Of Burgers at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier Lounge.

PLUS: It's Olympia Restaurant Week! enjoy three-course dinners at fancy restaurants for only $25.

LINK: Tuesday, April 9 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FUNDRAISER GALA >>>

Get out your wallets, big spenders. The Star Chefs on Broadway 2013 will consume the Pantages Theater Sunday, April 14 bringing along with it an evening of incredible cabaret performances, a delicious dinner and auctions to help the event raise funds for Broadway Center's groundbreaking arts education programs. This year, an online auction serves up some supplementary action - an auction in three parts, all titled after the 2013 Star Chef's theme of The Wizard of Oz.

Monday, March 25, the last of the three online auctions is opening up an entirely new lineup of awesomeness. Get ready to get your bid on!

"Our goal is to raise over $10,000 on the online auction and that we are well on our way having raised $7,412 thus far," says Broadway Center development manager, Jane Bell. "We could realistically reach our goal in phase 2. We have had 103 bidders, a total of 219 bids and 3,558 visitors to the site. Many auction bidders swoop in at the last hour to win their items - we call them auction snipers!"

So far, there are 46 items up for bid and more may be listed. Some of the raddest and baddest items on the list include:

Glassbaby Class in Seattle for Two - How can you call yourself a true Northwesterner if you've never stood in front of a raging fire hole and forged hot glass into a creation? You can't! Fix that. Fix it now. Bid on the Glassbaby Class for two and work one-on-one with a glass artist at Glassbaby, blow and shape your own piece of glass, and take your creation home two days later. Classes take place every day from 5 to 8 p.m.

Total Wine Tasting for 20 - It's not every day you get to go wine tasting, much less with 19 of your BFFs. Win this auction and you can take your pick from a seated, class-style event or a stand-up mingle. Guests will get to sample and learn about wines from California, Italy, France or Australia as well as light appetizers at Total Wine in Bellevue.

Harbor Fibers Studio Hat Felting Class - Like to crochet or knit? Those are just the gateway crafts. Learn to create felted creations just over the bridge at Harbor Fibers Studio. Win the auction and win a class valid between April 14 and May 30, 2013.

"I am excited about all the great getaways especially to Silver Reef Casino which includes lodging, dinner plus spa experiences for two!" says Bell. There are several getaways up for bid. Others include the Weinhard Hotel in Dayton, Wash., Oregon Garden Resort in the Willamette Valley, and the Eagle Crest Resort with some golf included in Redmond, Ore.

Bidding remains open until April 14.

PANTAGES THEATER, STAR CHEFS "OVER THE RAINBOW," SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 4 P.M., $200, $700 VIP, 901 BROADWAY, TACOMA, 253.591.5894

LINK: Weekly Volcano has crashed Star Chefs

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Mostly cloudy with a shower or two, hi 56, lo 44

Saturday: Freakin' rain, hi 50, lo 38

Sunday: Some sun, some clouds, maybe a shower and a little bit colder, hi 48, lo 36

>>> FRIDAY, MARCH 15: MOSQUITO HAWK

Olympia's Mosquito Hawk joins Tacoma band Mahnhammer - the band's first show with guitarist Mike Crum from Mico De Noche - Portland's Dark Country and Seattle's Gang Cult for a house show in Tacoma. "We have some new songs, and some re-vamped old tunes since our new addition," says Mahnhammer's vocalist Micah Hembree. "We are very happy to know that there are great people like Chuck that will open up his home to support the music scene." Sean Lanksbury (vox/guitar) chimes in. "I'm personally stoked because Friday's lineup spans the I-5 corridor and all kinds of heavy music. Varied night of killer music in a great atmosphere? Doesn't get much better." Agreed.

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 16: WHISKERS WINE & DINE

In support of Coalition Humane's efforts to fight pet overpopulation, the Whiskers Wine & Dine event will go down Saturday night at the Sharon McGavick Center. Not only with the benefit include an exquisite buffet style dinner and drinks, you should also expect an amazing silent auction and help support a cause that is passionate about our furry family. All proceeds benefit the Northwest Spay and Neuter Center. Tickets cost $60 and include dinner and a drink coupon. - Weekly Volcano

• Sharon McGavick Center, 6-10 p.m., $60, 4500 Steilacoom Blvd., Lakewood, nwspayneuter.org

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 16-SUNDAY, MARCH 17: THE GOLD RUSH

The Northwest Sinfonietta bills itself as, "an orchestra to be reckoned with," not to mention an orchestra of, "passion, vision, thrill, and creation." Anyone who has seen the Northwest Sinfonietta in action would have trouble arguing with these statements, as the musical body routinely wows audiences in Tacoma, Puyallup and Seattle. Saturday the Northwest Sinfonietta will perform the original score to Charlie Chaplin's flick, The Gold Rush, in which the Little Fellow is cast as "the Lone Prospector," one of the hopeful hordes of prospectors during the Alaskan gold rush of 1898. Chaplin drew his creative muse from grim history, specifically the tragic saga of the Donner Party, an ill-fated expedition of westward travelers who got caught in a bitter winter storm in the Sierras, resorting to cannibalism to survive. - WV

• Temple Theater, 7:30 p.m. March 16, $19-$49, 47 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 800.838.3006
• Liberty Theater, 2 p.m. March 17, $19-$49, 116 W. Main Ave., Puyallup, 800.383.3006

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 16: BEFORE CARS

Chad Channing, former Nirvana drummer, brings his pop rock band Before Cars to Rocket Records for an afternoon, live performance. Before Cars are promoting its latest album, How We Run, dropped Feb. 26 on the band's record label, Pocket Star Records. Best thing about this album is the acoustic, singer/songwriter feel. Best thing about Rocket Records shows is they start early, you can browse music, there is a cool gumball machine, and owner Steve Gaydich and his dog, Bruno, are never without smiles, making it feel like your living room. Combine the two, and you're golden. - NM

• Rocket Records, 3 p.m., no cover, 3843 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.756.5186

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 16: SOUR OWL

Ooh! Another free show! This time at Ben Moore's in Olympia - a few-and-far-between music venue that's known more for its Best $3.75 Fish and Chips than hosting a show. But, Saturday, you can enjoy a live set from Sour Owl in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. Rock, pop, jazz, fusion, whatever you want to call Sour Owl's sound, just know that it's sweet. - NM

• Ben Moore's, 9 p.m., no cover, 112 Fourth Ave. W., Olympia, 360.357.7527

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 16: HARMONY SWEEPSTAKES

The Harmony Sweepstakes may sound like a new dating service, but it's actually an annual event in Olympia featuring some of the region's best a cappella talent. No kidding. A night of music and awards, Saturday's festivities will include hosts and guest artists Six Appeal, the 2012 first-place champions, along with event emcee Smilin' Jay of Olympia's KGY AM/FM radio. Event hype available on the Washington Center's website promises, "an evening of impeccable harmonies and scintillation arrangements." Hard to go wrong there. - WV

• Washington Center, 7:30 p.m., $13-$26, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia, 360.753.8585

>>> SUNDAY, MARCH 17: ST. PATRICK'S DAY AT O'MALLEY'S

Celebrate St. Patty's in true Irish fashion at O'Malley's in Tacoma Sunday night. Bag pipers and performance dancers kick off the night, followed by live music from Shivering Denizens, The Fun Police and The Approach - plus tons of free schwag, food specials and of course, green beers. This will be a Patty Party not to miss. For more St. Patrick's Day parties, check out the Weekly Volcano's St. Patrick's Day Command Center. - NM

• O'Malley's Irish Pub, 2403 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.9403

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
We're seeing Philadelphia Story at Harlequin and Oliver! at Capital Playhouse. Just as happily, we're also taking a bunch of foodie friends to Marrow.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
Well, it's St. Patrick's Day weekend, so I'll likely be avoiding the bars. Much like New Year's Eve, St. Patrick's Day is amateur hour when it comes to drinking. Best just to steer clear.

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
I'm in play-going mode this weekend. I'll be seeing The Philadelphia Story at Harlequin, Oliver! at Capital Playhouse and The Joy Luck Club at Tacoma Little Theatre.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
Plans include Friday happy hour goodness with all my downtown regulars. After they have their fun, it's my turn as another bartender and I plan to hit up the Dwell Hole in Tacoma for a kick ass house show. I hope I make it in time to see Mahnhammer and Dark Country (PDX). Hot damn! Saturday and Sunday, it's back to parent-land, which has its perks - like warm morning snuggles and blueberry pancakes.

JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
I'm recording a verse at Kept See's spot for the League of Extraordinary Emcees album. Saturday, I'm teaching my spoken-word/poetry class at D.A.S.H. from 1-2 p.m. Last, but definite not least, I'll be chilling with my family!

JACKIE FENDER Food Writer
Friday evening I'll be sipping on copious amounts of joe at Bluebeard Coffee while listening to local authors read their works from Wrist Mag, to be followed by an open poetry slam. That said, the weekend will mostly be consumed with work feeding the pre-partying and hungover masses. And pow wow with team peace out to talk non-profit awesomeness somewhere in the mix.

ADRIENNE KUEHL Food Writer
I'll be throwing a baby shower for one of my best friends. Let the "oohing" and "ahhing" over tiny clothes commence! Oh, and I should probably do those taxes I didn't get to last weekend. ...

NIC LEANOARD Music Writer
I will be a hermit this weekend while watching the PAC 12 basketball tournament as well as other college basketball games. If I'm feeling up to it, on Saturday night I may go check out AKA's record release party at McCoy's. Other then that, I will be pretty lame.

STEVE DUNKELBRGER Nightlife Correspondent
I'll be hitting A MidSummer Night's Dream at Tacoma Youth theatre at this weekend. I hear the girl playing Lysander is highly talented as well as genetically awesome.

ROCKFORD ROWLEY All-ages Music Columnist
This weekend I am going out in search of a hard copy of the newly released Strike Gently by The Virgins. Stricken with illness and exorbitant amounts of schoolwork this week, there's nothing like a new album to lift the spirits.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

THURSDAY, MARCH 14 2013 >>>

1. Up until 2003, trains pounded the historic Prairie Line rail corridor from the Thea Foss Waterway to the Brewery District, passing rickety warehouses and dens of iniquity. In the fall of 2011, some $5.83 million was earmarked to turn the half-mile Prairie Trail corridor into a living and breathing interpretive trail connecting the waterfront with downtown Tacoma, which will also include a storm water purification system for the polluted runoff from Hilltop. Then reality hit. The University of Washington redesigned its portion. The storm water filtration ponds are now subtle. The pedestrian and bike paths are more functional. The price tag much less. Now it's the city of Tacoma's turn to fall in line. It's segments of the Prairie Line - south of campus into the Brewery District and north as it crosses Pacific Avenue and heads toward the Thea Foss Waterway, the end of the line for the transcontinental railroad of yesteryear - needs to meld with UWT's design. See the city's proposed designs for its portion of the Prairie Line Tail at an open forum from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Tacoma Art Museum. Yes, open forum. You may chime in with your own design thoughts.

2. From 4-7 p.m. Tacoma's Crescent Moon Gifts will take the bake sale to a new level. Its Dessert and Divination offers baked goodies, shop and snag sweet swag like bracelets, tees and uh, more baked goods - with all proceeds going to support the Central Puget Sound Pagan Pride Day (say that three times fast). Crescent Moon knows how to throw a fundraiser. Also with every $10 dessert purchase attendees will receive a free 10-minute reading.

3. There's a lot of bickering and disagreement in this world, but one thing anyone with a soul can agree on includes the value of pie. At 7 p.m. King's Books celebrates Pi(e) Day, featuring the release of the book Pieography: Where Pie Meets Biography and a Pie Baking/Recipe Contest open to all. Tacoma artist Sarah Beth Smith will be there as she is one of the contributors to Pieography, the new book that features 42 pie recipes that encapsulate the lives of 39 women. The pie contest is open to all with the winner receiving a free copy of the book and a ribbon.

4. O'Blarney's Irish Pub in Olympia is so freakin' excited about St. Patrick's Day that it can't wait any longer. At 7 p.m. it will host an Irish-themed trivia contest with prizes, Guinness discounts, $7.99 steaks and all hosted by someone named Jimbo.

5. It's a fast-paced world we live in today, and we don't seem to have time to do anything anymore from plant watering to floor resurfacing, it all takes time we don't necessarily have, so we end up giving up the important stuff like meeting the opposite sex because how can you have time to toss your hair and work your smile if you're always late for your next meeting and your iCal doesn't have space for that in your schedule anyway so you have to make time and the best way to maximize the benefits your pheromones provide is to join in an organized event something like Speed Dating at Doyle's that allows you to meet people in less time than it takes to reheat a frozen chicken pot pie - a food you will never have to enjoy alone or at all again if you walk through Doyle's door at 7:30 p.m. because you'll finally have a life. Bring $20 and a smile knowing you're helping HopeSparks charity.

LINK: Thursday, Match 14 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THE STORY BEHIND OLYMPIA MEMES >>>

In mid-December 2012, a new Facebook page was born - a page that appears on the surface to be one of mirth with a smattering of 'tude, a page that takes a cheeky look at life and times in Olympia. But Olympia Memes offers more to its community than JPEGs emblazoned with comical white text. Olympia Memes tries to do a little good for the world.

A person that remains anonymous heads the Olympia Memes Facebook up. We shall dub him or her Memester.

"My agenda is simple," says Memester. "Show Olympia as the great city it is. It's all comedy. But, if I'm really being honest with myself, for me, it's more than the laughs. It's the connections made. People come together here in a unique way. They take their nostalgic walks down the paths of their memories together and our stories intertwine to make up the fabric of Olympia."

The page enjoys taking steady digs at the rivalry between Shelton and Olympia as well as Oly stereotypes. Hippies and hipsters, anyone? But as Olympia Memes comes into its own, it's also reaching out to try and make the community a better and cooler place.

"There have been some surprising/exciting things to come off the site," says Memester. "At the very top of my list would have to be when one of our own, Jackie Waltrous, posted how she was looking for her biological parents. The page went to work sharing more than 700 times that night."

Within days, Waltrous located the family of her biological parents and Olympia Memes instantly became more than your average meme-engine.

If the page could help one person, why not help others? For Valentine's Day, the page invited singles to send in a picture with some general information and get posted on the page. While Memes has not heard of any weddings, at least a few dates came about.

Also in February 2013, the Memester got a whim - why not see who would show up for Olympia's own Harlem Shake? Memester invited people to meet upon the steps of the Capitol for the ultimate shakedown, but due to technical difficulties the video quality was meh. Memester was not daunted. A second Harlem Shake took place at the Heritage Park fountains and turned out bigger and better than the first.

"To those who scoff, I say sure, it's just a stupid dance in costumes, but I saw something amazing that weekend," says Memester. "I saw some of the very best of our town. Kids, parents, teens and adults all playing together in the fountains in the freezing middle of February. How cool is that? It's really cool, that's how much."

The page is even branching into partnerships with local businesses, most recently Eastside Big Tom. Olympia Memes ran trivia questions about the Olympia burger joint and Big Tom offered free meals as prizes. The result? Fifteen winners received free meals, and a burger boom at Big Tom.

Oly Memes hopes to continue to grow and provide some benefit to its community. Recently, the site took on a second person to help with the meme-ing. The page also benefits from several regular contributors. Coming up April 18, Memes will team up with local businesses and host an Oly Memes Meme Yourself Costume Party at Big Whisky Saloon; proceeds will go to SafePlace Olympia.

"I think there is a level of responsibility that goes into running a platform as big as this one, and for that reason my mind is constantly working to come up with the perfect way to support our town," says Memester. "I really like the idea of helping the small businesses of our community like we did with Big Tom. I hope to continue finding ways to build community and help people in the future." 

CLAW CARES >>>

Students looking for scholarship money don't need to tape their breasts and smear Vaseline on their teeth. They don't need to cinch their waists. And they certainly don't need to prove they can balance a book on their heads while walking a straight line.

They do need to be able to doodle well in said book.

The Cartoonist's League of Absurd Washingtonians - a group of cartoonists that dress women in tight superhero costumes to act out their fantasies - offers a yearly scholarship to college students who demonstrate carton-drawing brilliance.

It seems like yesterday when CLAW doled out its first scholarship - $368 in 2010.

This year, the Tacoma-based art organization has $1,059.10 stuffed in its Crayola 64 box, ready to award it to a budding talent. That is, if CLAW receives an applicant.

According to C.L.A.W. scholarship hype. ...

With the deadline of March 15th only a week away The CLAW has yet to get a single application. We ask that you share this link with students you know who are trying to master the glorious technique of sequential art. The scholarship is awarded based on artistic merit, wit, and whims of the judges.

Applicants must:

Provide evidence they are enrolled in college.

They are capable of filling out a form and following its instructions.

Have a letter of recommendation

Show samples of their cartoon brilliance.

Applications can be downloaded from the CLAW Student Scholarship Page. See past winners too!

Great Bluto's beard! Don't let this money be spent on more fezes for the CLAW membership. Put it in the hands of a talented kid. Spread the word. Click the link to CLAW's scholarship page, print the applications and slide them under windshield wipers in your neighborhood. It could be some kid's density!

SATURDAY, MARCH 9 2013 >>>

1. You may not be familiar with the wrestling phenomenon known as lucha libre, but it's all the rage in Mexico, where its popularity lags only behind that of soccer. For the second year in a row, costumed warriors will flex and destroy under the tutelage of José Luis Gómez, over 20 years a luchador in Mexico. His troupe, Lucha Libre Volcánica, hails from Renton, but they're performing at the Lucha de Sound event inside the University of Puget Sound's Memorial Field House at 7 p.m. to benefit a student group, CHispA, the Community for Hispanic Awareness. This event features commentary in both English and español, and you can't beat the price, amigo: it's free! (Since it is a benefit, however, a $5 donation is suggested.) So round up su familia and root for Puget Sound técnicos El Fénix, El Hero, and Rey Jaguar in their never-ending quest for justice against rude boys Chicano, Peligro, and Prófugo. There's a técnica, too: Vancouver, Washington's own La Avispa.v¡Que viva los luchadores!

2. Today marks the final monthly version of the Proctor Farmers Market, which goes down between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. You can expect garden plants and local produce from Cottage Gardens, tasty smoked salmon from Wilson Fish and the musical stylings of John Hoover and the Quinns, in addition to its regular farmer market awesomeness.

3. Sure, Tacoma celebrates its status as an arts community.  Sure, Tacoma loves to band together for a good cause.  With the YWCA RAGS Guild Wearable Art Sale and Juried Gallery, continuing for its 19th 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.

4. Wait ... you have a vision. You plug into the area’s collective unconscious. In a flash, you remember that you — and those of your ilk — don’t need the cathode ray tube and the remote control to flip through images of far-flung places. You’re telekinetic. Telepathic. Otherworldly. And — irony of all ironies — you almost blanked on today’s Psychic Fair at the Meeker Mansion Psychic Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. But then, in the nick of time, your sixth sense kicked in. It always does.

5. Grab the nearest mouth guard, roller derby is back in Tacoma. Actually, it has been here for some time. And, it's in Lakewood. That said, the Dockyard Derby Dames open its season Saturday night at the Pierce College Health Education Center at 6 p.m. For the uninitiated, the all-female flat-track roller derby team has been blocking and lapping like mad for six seasons. The Femme Fianna, Hellbound Homewreckers, Trampires and season six defending champions Marauding Mollys will throw on the elbow pads, kneepads, helmets, fishnet stockings for two bouts. Grab a spot on the bleachers, or if you're really up for it, hang in the beer garden, where your own protective gear is probably a wise idea, and enjoy a night of good ol' fashion bruising.

LINK: Saturday, March 9 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6 2013 >>>

1. Typically when discussing beers and hops, one is discussing intensely bitter and bracing beers with a pronounced bite that stays in your mouth all the way to the bottom of the glass ... and beyond. From 6-10 p.m. at Doyle's Public House, hops will take a more literal form, as in bunny rabbits. Project:U, those hip, 20-something, do-gooder rascals from United Way, will host their second annual Brews and Bunnies night. Besides collecting calories, Project:U will collect stuffed bunnies of all shapes and sizes to give to local kiddos during Easter weekend. Doyle's has graciously agreed to donate a portion of the night's proceeds - which will be given to the United Way of Pierce County's Community Solutions Fund - because that's how the Stadium District bar rolls.

2. If you need a beer break from Doyle's, walk next door to King's Books and catch Greta Berlin and Bill Dienst, co-editors of the new book Freedom Sailors, as they discuss the 44 intrepid passengers who sailed through Israel's illegal blockade on Gaza in August, 2008. The discussion will begin at 7 p.m.

3. Usually, the Weekly Volcano feels pretty cool when we order drinks. James Bond clicking opening his cigarette case as he orders his martini kind of cool. We imagine we just kicked ass in our tuxedo and call for our libations with pride. Unless, it's early Wednesday evening after we put the newspaper to bed. Then we drag our tired asses to The Hub. The bicycle-themed neighborhood joint serves $3 Orange Appeals, J&J's, Cosmos, Kamikazes - vodka drinks - and Harmon pints every Wednesday.

4. Paddy Coyne's Irish Pub in downtown Tacoma will launch its new Wednesday night bingo game at 7:30 p.m. It's free to participate with prizes to be scored. If you like a little B-9 with your bangers and mash, then pull up a bar stool. Expect drink specials. Expect not as many blue hairs as your typical bingo game.

5. Dorky's Bar Arcade in Tacoma knows there are many who love live for Twilight's gleeful decapitations and fang-on-fang showdowns. That's why the downtown Tacoma bar + arcade will occassionaly focus its weekly trivia session - Trivia for Dorks - on the vampire melodrama. Held every Wednesday at 8 p.m., Trivia for Dorks is a free, all-ages affair with such prizes as gift certificates to Dorky's. Sure, prizes are nice, but even better is dropping your win at your next round table D & D discussion.

LINK: Wednesday, March 6 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FUNDRAISER GALA >>>

Star Chefs at the Broadway Center comes with a winning formula: one part delicious dinner, one part sweet dinner show, a dash of helping out an awesome cause in the community. There are some drinks involved, too. Oh, and people have hung from the ceiling. Woohoo!

Each year, Star Chefs strives to be the best dinner party in town - and wins. The area's best chefs prepare a mah-velous meal on which you sup whilst you watch acrobats, performers, perhaps a bit of burlesque. This year, the theme centers on the magical world of Oz. Break out your ruby red shoes. Don your emerald green finest. See if your flying monkey costume from college still fits.

"We're reinventing the event this year to add to the magic," says Jane Bell, development manager at Broadway Center. "With great food from local chefs and local bartenders, you'll follow the yellow brick road through themed lounges, silent auctions all leading up to the best dinner party in town! It's a great evening to spend among friends."

The event raises funds for one of the biggest arts education programs in the entire state - one that serves 35,000 students and staff each year. To support this monumental effort, this year's event introduces a brand spankin' new online auction. Bid from the comfort of your couch in three separate auctions: It's a Twista from Feb. 15-March 5, Surrender from March 6-24 and There's No Place Like Home from March 25-April 14. Auctions start off with about 40 items each and more gets added along the way. Items range from estate planning services to great local travel deals to restaurant gift certificates.

PANTAGES THEATER, STAR CHEFS "OVER THE RAINBOW," SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 4 P.M., $200, $700 VIP, 901 BROADWAY, TACOMA, 253.591.5894

LINK: Weekly Volcano has crashed Star Chefs