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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Mostly sunny, hi 68, lo 49

Saturday: Partly sunny, hi 72, lo 52

Sunday: Partly sunny, hi 74, lo 55

>>> FRIDAY, JULY 8: Amocat Live!

Amocat Cafe's live music night -- the appropriately titled "Amocat Live!" -- goes down on the second Friday of every month. And, lo and behold - that's this week! As of this writing the list of scheduled performers includes: Gabe Rhee, Sam Bogle, Steve Cairns, Karen Miller, Volkert Volkersz, Morgan Alexander & Kevin Freitas and Amocat Live! house band Les Collaborateurs.

• Amocat Cafe, 7-9 p.m., NC, 625 St Helens Ave., Tacoma, 

>>> JULY 8-9: The Nuge

There comes a time in every great performer's career when they stare the Emerald Queen Casino square in the eyes. Ted Nugent has arrived. A shredder of '70s testosterone-driven hits like "Cat Scratch Fever"; the man behind some of the best bow-hunting-based television ever produced; and right wing gun-advocate many consider to be a prolific racist, Ted Nugent will be in T-town for a two-night stand starting Friday. Both shows are basically sold out. Quick! Think of something that rhymes with poontang!

• Emerald Queen Casino, 8:30 p.m., 2024 E. 29th St., Tacoma, 253.594.7777

>>> SATURDAY, JULY 9: South Sound BBQ Festival

Who doesn't like meat off the grill? Well, vegetarians we suppose, but still. BBQ is pretty damn popular. This Saturday the Lacey Chamber of Commerce looks to jump all over this fact with the South Sound BBQ Festival, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of Cabella's. It's free, and yes - there will be a chicken wing eating contest.

• Cabela's, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., 1600 Gateway Blvd NE, Lacey, 360.252.3500

>>> SATURDAY, JULY 9: Out In The Park

Tacoma's annual, awesome LGBTQA Pride celebration, Out In The Park, goes down this Saturday. Not only does the yearly event have a new locale this year -- taking over Ninth and Broadway -- it's also part of ten full days of Pride events this year in T-Town. It's literally fabulous. Find our full article on Tacoma's Pride festival here, and look for pictures and words coming on SPEW shortly after Saturday's big-ass party.

• Out In The Park, noon-6 p.m., Ninth and Broadway, all ages, free, Tacoma, outintacoma.com 

>>> SATURDAY, JULY 9: Tacoma Old Town Blues Festival

Tacoma is a blues town. For every sparsely attended indie show or spotty DJ night there's a hopping blues jam packed by a familiar set of middle-aged South Sound blues hounds. The yearly Old Town Blues Festival draws these faces out en masse. Saturday, catch 15 bands - names like Little Bill and the Bluenotes, Cold Shot and the High Rollers - and more than 15 hours of entertainment throughout Old Town. Check out the full schedule here, including the 9 a.m. BluesBerry pancake breakfast.

• Old Town Tacoma - Slavonian Hall, The Spar, The Mountaineers, Old Town Park, 9 a.m. to 1 a.m., tacomaoldtownbluesfest.net

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
Got the Subaru loaded with beach pails, diapers, extra pillows and a cooler full of Capri Suns and PBRs. Yep, the Talotta - McCoy clan is packing it up for a weekend at the beach. Beautiful grey-blue waters, kids splashing through the waves , and late night games of dominoes with the hubby. Damn I'm a lucky girl.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
I play half of the characters in David Mamet's incendiary Oleanna, a thriller of intellectual combat, which opens this week at Olympia Little Theater. I'm also catching A Midsummer Night's Dream in Priest Point Park and, at some unknown point, sleeping.

JOE IZENMAN: Theater Critic
Umm... getting married. I think that pretty much covers it. OK, so really it's two days of mad scramble to get everything ready, one day of getting married and partying, one day of opening presents, and one day of chilling in Tacoma and going to the Red Hot and Parkway for Tap Night Tacoma. But I figure that was mostly implied in "getting married."

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
This weekend I will be busy reviewing Cats at Tacoma Musical Playhouse, celebrating my son's 11-month anniversary of being alive, and playing music at church on Sunday.

ALEC CLAYTON Visual Arts Critic
'm going to see "Oleanna" at Olympia Little Theatre and "Cats," America's most overrated musical, at Tacoma Musical Playhouse, and an art exhibit called "Three old guys and one old lady" at Art House Designs in Oly, which I plan to write about for Spew, and a PFLAG meeting Sunday.

BRETT CIHON Meat Market Correspondent
I'm heading to a Meat Market on Friday night. Then maybe a hike on Saturday? Not that I'm much of a hiker, I just like to balance out the debauchery.

Jennifer Johnson Food and Lifestyles Writer
Girlfriend's birthday party in Puyallup Friday. Saturday, Motorcycle Rally ride and benefit show at Jersey's in Federal Way followed by a stop at the FedWay farmers market; Putt-Putt golf that night. Sunday after church it's all about AoA...that's Sixth Avenue's Art on the Ave for the peeps that don't know.

Steve Dunkelberger Photographer
I'll be going to the new Pooh movie, then seeing Cats at TMP before heading to Art on the Ave

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2011 >>>

1. WaMu rocks the Northern in Olympia tonight. Find all the details you'll need here.

2. Murder and thriller writer J.A. Jance will be in University Place today at the library, slinging and signing books.

3. Tacoma Pride Week kicks off today with a flag raising. Pride info can be found here.

4. Join Billy Farmer open mic style today at the Tacoma Farmers Market.

5. Check out Not From Brooklyn tonight at the New Frontier Lounge in Tacoma.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight in the South Sound

TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 2011 >>>

1. The Perry Acker band will bring rock, pop and jam fusion to Gig Harbor's Skansie Brothers Park from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

2. The Tacoma Food Co-Op is all about bringing a grocery store and community space dedicated to local, natural, organic, allergen-free, affordable and sustainable food to the corner of Sixth and Junett. They're also about partying. From 6-9 p.m. they'll tip wine and coffee, shuttling back and forth between Bluebeard Coffee and Cork Wine Bar - at the corner of State and Sixth - to raise funds for the new store. Do it.

3. Whatever the reason for plant-based dining, you may need some inspiration to cook up a variety of tasty dishes. The Vegan Book Club meets at 7 p.m. inside King's Books to discuss The World Peace Diet by Will Tuttle.

4. We had no idea our graphic artist Holland Hume was a geek. Apparently he's the quizmaster for the new Tuesday night Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz at Paddy Coyne's, which begins at 8 p.m. For specifics on how to play the game, check out the little ditty we wrote on the Ram's version, which has moved to Thursday nights.

5. Lady Luck's Cowgirl Up Steakhouse and Saloon in Parkland hosts Twisted Tuesdays featuring DJ Atom Ant spinning the Top 40/karaoke thing at 9 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Movies!

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2011 >>>

1. The last time we saw Saucy Yoda, it was at an underground benefit show being thrown for a friend. Standing in front of the stage with just a microphone in hand, being accompanied by a prerecorded backing track, Saucy Yoda unleashed a flurry of absurd party jams that incorporate equal parts hip-hop and electro-clash attitude. Mythological Horses joins Saucy Yoda at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier Lounge. It's a must see.

2. Mutants, aliens, technogeeks and puny humans who like to read superhero comics make up the Capes & Cowls Book Club, which meets at 7 p.m. inside King's Books to discuss Batman: Year One by Frank Miller & David Mazzucchelli.

3. The Rod Cook Band will perform at The Swiss beginning at 8 p.m.

4. Kim Archer does the solo thing at 8 p.m. inside the Harmon Brewery & Eatery.

5. San Francisco's punk rock band Grandma's Boyfriend will be tearing up the tiny back room at Le Voyeur around 9 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Happy hours!

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

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2011 >>>

1. Olympia's Elizabeth Lord brings back Smoking Is Cool tonight, and spreads the hilarity through Sunday with performances each night at the Midnight Sun. Find details here.

2. Seasons Grey will rock Hell's Kitchen tonight. Expect facial hair. If you shaved this morning, perhaps you'd be better served by browsing the Volcano's extensive live local music calendar.

3. Phil Slater visits Oscar's Restaurant & Lounge on Hosmer.

4. Write stuff? Wanna share the stuff you write with other people who write stuff? OK, good. Check out the "Writers' Round Table" tonight at Barnes & Noble in Olympia. Or, if you detest the written word, perhaps a browse through the Volcano's comprehensive Viva South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar would do you well.

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

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2011 >>>

1. Eliot Lipp makes yet another valiant return to Tacoma tonight -- playing the New Frontier. It's sure to be awesome. Find details here.

2. The Tacoma Cult Movie Club gathers at the Acme Grub Cage tonight for "Things that make you go Vroom" - a night of cinema-obsession, presumably with a car theme tonight. It starts at 7 p.m. and the popcorn is free.

3. It's "Toxic Karaoke" time at Lady Luck's Cowgirl Up Steakhouse and Saloon in Parkland. Or, if that's not your ticket, find the Volcano's extensive live local music listings for the South Sound right here.

4. What's the coolest thing you're going to hear today? Quite possibly, Drunken Poetry, a twice monthly event organized and operated by Last Word Books in Olympia. What makes it so cool? You can just trust us, or find all the details here.

5. Today would be an excellent day to get into pottery, wouldn't it? Or maybe tomorrow. Either way, find details on the Pottery Class at Throwing Mud Gallery that kicks off today and runs for the next six weeks. Find specifics here.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2011 >>>

1. Barnburner, Stone Axe, Sleeper Cell and Electric Falcons will rock the crap out of Hell's Kitchen beginning at 9 p.m.

2. Weekly Volcano visual arts critic Alec Clayton posses many talents, including the ability to write a bad-ass novel or three. His latest, The Backside of Nowhere, is a wild and funny Southern novel set on the Gulf Coast in range of New Orleans. At 7:30 p.m. inside the Lakewood Playhouse, director Scott C. Brown and a dozen of the best actors in the South Sound region will read from the full-length feature film script adapted from Clayton's novel.

3. These pretzels are making us thirsty. But we mean, at only 50 cents apiece, it's impossible not to scarf down four in a row. If only we had some ... oh, yes, there it is. Microbrews for $2.75 and wells for $2.50 every weekday afternoon from 3-6 p.m. Magoo's Annex and Eatery, you've done it again. Now all we need is a sexy friend. Preferably one who can recognize old Seinfeld quotes.

4. 99 Bottles in Federal Way will serve tastes of big stouts from 4-7:45 p.m. for a $1.

5. The Fun Police, The Taxpayers and Dead Peasants will play the all-ages Red Room in downtown Tacoma beginning at 7:30 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Half-price wine bottles night!

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011 >>>

1. Things get graphic, let's discuss.  This month the Graphic Novel Book Club meets 7 p.m. inside Hilltop's 1022 South to discuss Footnotes in Gaza by Joe Sacco.

2. Washington State Historical Society curator Maria Pasqualy shares her long-time interest in Northwest Coast imagery and how it has been used in museums, schools, and advertising at noon inside the State Capital Museum in Olympia.

3. Billy Roy Danger will perform roots-based originals and covers at 8 p.m. inside The Swiss.

4. Seven's Revenge duo hosts an open stage night at O'Malley's Irish Pub beginning at 9 p.m.

5. The poetic singer/songwriter Brandon Mayer & The Hidden Powers performs at 9 p.m. inside Le Voyeur in downtown Olympia.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Happy hours!

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2011 >>>

1. If you need something to shake the mid-week doldrums, check into Wednesday Sessions at Jazzbones, tonight with Air Stream Safari. Or, if that's not your musical cup of tea, find the Volcano's extensive live local music listings here.

2. Tacoma's Classic Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of every month - which just so happens to be today. The action starts at 7 p.m. at King's Books, and this month's classic is Bound For Glory by Woody Guthrie.  Or, if you're looking for something else, browse the Volcano's comprehensive arts and entertainment calendar here.

3. It's Free Bingo Night at Applini's Clean and Sober Club in Puyallup. Who doesn't love free bingo?

4. Wednesday  night at Masa in Tacoma means College Night. According to the hype, "Your Girlfriend's Favorite DJ spins," and there's no cover for the ladies before 10 p.m.

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.