BENEFIT CONCERT >>>

Carol Parsons was murdered by her ex-husband on March 17, 2010 during a marriage counseling session at a Federal Way church. Read the full story here.

Northwest Music Scene, Northwest Convergence Zone and Music Giving Back will produce a benefit concert for Carol Parsons' children Saturday, April 10 at Happy Days Casino in Lakewood. Rockfish from KZOK will emcee the show that features such bands as Voxxy Vallejo, Deborah Page, O'Dark 30, China Davis and ML3.

Admission to the all-ages show is $12. All proceeds go directly to Carol Parsons family.

[Happy Days Casino, Saturday, April 10, 6 p.m. to midnight, $12, 11521 Bridgeport Way SW, Lakewood, 253.306.1574]

BENEFIT SHOW NUMBER ONE IS IN THE CAN >>>

Tacoma's Urban Art Festival - the free, all-ages event that showcases Tacoma musicians and artists - will be reaching new heights this year when it commences June 27.

This year the traditional downtown Tacoma festival will climb up South Ninth Street to Hilltop Tacoma and go nuts in Peoples Park.

Organizers Johanna Gardner, Lisa Fruishanti and MandiWebster-Martin are already busy lining up arts and bands. However, they presently have fundraising on their minds.

Their first benefit show for UAF was held last night at Hell's Kitchen. Voxxy Vallejo, Sugar Beats and Shotgun Kitchen rocked a small, but enthusiastic crowd. Highlights included: Voxxy Vallejo's cover of "Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)" and their new slow song, "Alone"; watching the Sugar Beats' friend eat nachos and text against the stage while his friends blasted Hell's Kitchen with their spacey rock; $2 Pabst drafts.

I only heard one Shotgun Kitchen song before I had to leave, but I enjoyed their blues-laced rock.

The UAF crew plan several more rocking benefits before the June festival. Stay tuned.

To volunteer or perform at the Urban Art Festival, click here.

To see more photos from last night's show, click here. 

THIS JUST IN >>>

Johanna Gardner and crew sent out a notice looking for support for the Urban Art Festival held this summer in downtown Tacoma.

The staff of the Urban Art Festival has announced that this year's event will take place Sunday, June 27 at People's Park in Tacoma. The all-day festival, now in its 6th year, strives to make art more accessible to the community through multiple live music stages, DJs, spoken word, graffiti, burlesque, belly dance, stilt walkers, fashion shows, performance art, craft vendors, and kid-friendly activities.

The Urban Art Festival is currently seeking performers in all mediums, vendors, artists, and volunteers.

Sponsors like YOU & local business owners are a crucial part to keeping this local community event going!

Several sponsorship levels are available and in-kind donations are gladly accepted.

Event details and vendor information is available at www.TacomaUrbanArt.com.

An Urban Art Festival benefit show will be held Wednesday, March 31 at Hell's Kitchen. The 9 p.m. show features Shotgun Kitchen, Sugar Beats and Voxxy Vallejo. Admission is $5.

LINK: Photos of the 2008 Urban Art Festival

SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 >>>

1. The Swiss will host a benefit for the FISH Food Bank featuring live music by The Painkillers, Michael O'Neill, The Shy Boys, China Davis, Fuzz 58, and Jason Lillie beginning at 6 p.m. Please bring a $10 or greater donation.

2. The Tarot Experience workshop is an educational party that helps bring the mystical into a more practical perspective from 5-8 p.m. inside the Speakeasy Arts Cooperative.

3. The Olympia Dance Festival features performances by host Ballet Northwest, Debbi's Dance Etc., Johansen Olympia Dance Center, Mas Uda, Slieveloughane Irish Dancer, Southwest Washington Dance Center, Studio West Dance Academy, Tribal Elements, and Wild Grace Arts Yoga and Dance at 2 p.m. inside the Washington Center.

4. Billy Farmer hosts a popular open mic at 6 p.m. inside the Mandolin Café.

5. Steve Stefanowicz performs at 6 p.m. at the Engine House No. 9.

LINK: Movie showtimes in the South Sound

UPDATE: This is one for the books.

Artist Cheryl Rux just told me that the Tacoma Gets Smashed exhibit and benefit is canceled ... because all the piñatas are now smashed evidence.

"Unfortunately, the SMASH benefit for EMPTY BOWLS scheduled for March 27th has been cancelled. Why?? Because at a little after 1 a.m., a crazed drunk woman threw all the piñatas out of the gallery and into the street. She then stomped each piñata to shreds. Then the police arrived," explains Rux.

"We would have raised $400-$500 for our local charities, so we feel that this was a success on many levels and we plan to rebuild next year."

Wow. I need Matt Driscoll back from SXSW to have his Ragnet team write this up.

The original post is after the jump.

Read more...

THURSDAY, FEB. 25, 2010 >>>

1. Poet Lucia Perillo will be in the house for PLU English Department's Visiting Writers Series at 3:30 p.m. inside the Garfield Book Company. An accomplished author, Perillo's poetry has made her a previous finalist for the L.A. Times Book Prize, and scored her the Kingsley Tufts prize from Claremont University. Perillo will be discussing and signing her latest work, Inseminating the Elephant. Perillo will also readat 5:30 p.m. inside the Scandinavian Cultural Center.

2. Tacoma Runners start and end their 3-ish mile run at Terry's Office Tavern beginning at 6:30 p.m. After the run, they'll head inside Terry's to discuss potholes over beers.

3. Yenney Music in Olympia will host a hand drum class from 6:30-8 p.m.

4. Reggae will fill The Swiss beginning at 9 p.m. when Higher Vibes hits the stage.

5. The $100 for Haiti benefit will feature Perry Acker, Christopher Day, art by Chris Sharp, poetry by Jessica Uhler and dance by Faith Stevens beginning at 7 p.m. inside the Urban Grace Church.

LINK: Movie show times in the South Sound

SHARE YOUR LOVE WITH HAITI >>>

South Sound restaurants have been showing support for Haiti in a big way: Dockside Bistro's benefit dinner this past Monday, Primo Grill and the Crown Bar donating wine sale monies, and dozens of other fundraising events.

The latest effort will come in the form of two benefits held on Valentine's Day at Paddy Coyne's Irish Pub and Masa.

Paddy Coyne's will be accepting donations for the American Red Cross Sunday, Feb. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. With each donation the donor will receive a $7 promotional card to use for their next visit to Paddy Coyne's, plus a raffle ticket for prize drawings. The downtown Tacoma restaurant suggests you pony up $20.

Masa also will be donating to the Red Cross - 10 percent of all sales on Valentine's Day. DJ Midnight Mike will spin beginning at 6 p.m. The band Ben Union and hip-hop artist Darius will join forces for a "ridiculously awesome" performance according to event organizer Nick Casanova.

Masa will also sell "Send You Love To Haiti" T-shirts to raise funds.

[Paddy Coyne's Irish Pub, Sunday, Feb. 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 815 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.6963]

[Masa, Sunday, Feb. 14, 9 a.m. to 1:15 a.m., 2811 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.254.0560]

THURSDAY, JAN. 28, 2010 >>>

1. Last Chance Romeos play an unplugged show at 8 p.m. inside Doyle's Public House.

2. The Tacoma Urban Orchestra will show support and solidarity for the devastated nation of Haiti with a $10 concert tonight at 7 p.m. inside Cutters Point Coffee in downtown Tacoma. Price includes coffee and a raffle.

3. Hear Erica Bauermeister speak about her debut novel, The School of Essential Ingredients, at 7 p.m. inside the Collins Library on the University of Puget Sound campus.

4. Harlequin Productions opens End Days full of religion, science, family, friends, suicide or rock and roll tonight at 8 p.m. inside the State Theater.

5. The Revengers, EvergreenOne, Todd Sykes, and Rockwell Powers bring hip-hop to The Swiss beginning at 9 p.m.

NOSH PIT >>>

Here's Something Cool: MIJAS Transitional Restaurant in Olympia (109 Legion Way SW) is a new social organization conceived by a group of Latina women wanting to help women in crisis of domestic violence. Through working and learning new job skills in a restaurant, titled Chica's Cafe, MIJAS helps empower and increase self-esteem. Currently, MIJAS is only hosting special dinners. The next one — a three-course traditional Mexican meal — will be Saturday, Jan. 23 from 3-9 p.m. For reservations, call 360.951.9982.

Haiti Relief: Primo Grill, Crown Bar and McGavick Winery have partnered with Doctors Without Borders to raise funs for Haiti relief. Now through Feb 28, McGavick Winery will donate 100 percent of proceeds of wine sales to DWB, and Primo and Crown will donate $5 for every bottle of McGavick merlot sold.

Plan Ahead: The Pacific Grill hosts a five-course Chef Tasting Beer Dinner featuring dishes paired with Belgian Abbey beers Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. The cost is $65. Reserve your spot at 253.627.3541.

Food For Thought: Five foods that taste better the next day.

SATURDAY, JAN. 16, 2010 >>>

1. The Grand Cinema presents a free screening of The Secret of NiHM at 10 a.m.

2. Metro Parks and the Friends of McKinley Park organization host one of many upcoming McKinley Park Cleanup Work Parties where people will gather between 9 a.m. and noon at the new playground restrooms off of McKinley Avenue (500 E McKinley Ave., Tacoma) before breaking into groups and helping to clear the park of invasive and non-native plants like English Ivy and blackberry bushes.

3. Bring umbrellas, rain ponchos and cash to the Bazi Reigns event 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Tollefson Plaza (South 17^th and Pacific Avenue) to help keep the homeless dry and warm.

4. Richard Henegan, author of Gestation: Unborn Hostage, will be hanging at Orca Books in Olympia beginning at 3 p.m.

5. Voxxy Vallejo performs in The Hub's bar at 9 p.m. with no cover.