MONDAY, JAN. 3, 2011 >>>

1. The Harmon Tap Room hosts a trivia night from 6-8 p.m. with a whopping $50 cash prize for the winner. First hint: The name the 1973 ABC Afterschool Special that focused on a young boy's struggle to accept his parents' separation was called My Dad Lives in a Downtown Hotel. Second hint: Be sure to order their tasty seasonal IPA.

2. Neil Andersson is a landscape painter whose work has been shown all over the country. He's also a founding member of the jazz group Pearl Django. Andersson has his work hanging at the Rosewood Café in north Tacoma. Check it out, as well as enjoy one of their kick ass sandwiches.

3. You're never too old to learn about Cambodia! The Franke Tobey Jones retirement community hosts Senior University: Cambodia travelogue at 3 p.m. and learn about Molly Daugherty's experiences as a volunteer at an orphanage in rural Cambodia. Afghans not provided.

4. The Graham Pierce County Library's monthly Talk It Up! Book Discussion Group will meet at 3 p.m. to talk about the book Mudbound by Hillary Jordan - the story of racism and well-kept secrets set on a desolate farm in the Mississippi Delta at the end of World War II.

5. Ya ya ya - Rockaraoke at Jazzbones at 9 p.m. But have you actually gone? You'll be surprised at its awesomeness.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

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THURSDAY, DEC. 30 >>>

1. Hip-hop and electronic based - not to mention Tacoma-bred - Eliot Lipp will be at The New Frontier Lounge tonight with City Hall. Go here for details. This show will be dope.

2. The Not-Its will kiddy-rock the Moore and Wheelock libraries in Tacoma today. Naturally, because they wear skinny-ties, the Weekly Volcano is on it.

3. Fox Hole Whores, The Americommies, Phasers On Kill and Radamus play Hell's Kitchen tonight. This one should be pleasant ... and by "pleasant" we mean "pleasantly brutal and drunk."

4. It's T-Town Thursday at Masa Comida Mexicana. Have a Tecate and represent, yo!

5. Saxophonist Steve Munger will lay down a couple sets of the good stuff tonight at Ben Moore's in Olympia. When Volcano editor Matt Driscoll was in college at Evergreen, Munger worked at a convenience store near his home - and he'd often stumble in to buy American Spirits only to find Munger wailing away on his sax behind the register. Driscoll reports it was, "awesome," but Driscoll was also high for his entire five and a half years at Evergreen ... so take it for what it's worth. That said, Munger is a class act and his performance at Ben Moore's this evening sounds like the perfect way to wind down the New Year's shortened week.

SELLER OF LOCAL STUFF, HATER OF CAPITALIZATION >>>

It's no secret that in order to associate the name "Steph DeRosa" with the term "journalism" you must do so in a very sarcastic manner - but this time I had some legitimate investigative journalism to partake in: sweet pea had welcomed a new store, fly boutique (just like the name sweet pea, it's not capitalized), inside the store he proudly operates - King's Books. I needed to get the skinny.   

I channeled Sherlock Holmes as I strapped on my plaid deerstalker and grabbed my oversized magnifying glass and pipe. Leave it to me, Tacoma, and I will give you more fluffed information than you ever wanted.

During my investigation I learned Jennifer Adams, owner of fly boutique, had not long ago opened her store on Broadway in downtown Tacoma. It was filled with items from local designers and artists. Call it a brick-and-mortar Etsy, if you will. (Except, without all the made-in-China bullshit etsy.com sells now that they call "handmade," right? ... But I digress.)

Shortly after opening, however, fly boutique succumbed to light water and smoke damage due to a fire at the neighboring Subway sandwich shop.  I suspect this happened because either sweet pea struck one of those long fireplace matches at Subway due to his hatred for bologna meats, or, in a drunken stupor, Bandito Betty tried to take up smoking only to violently gag and haphazardly throw her nasty Virginia Slim in the general direction of a competitor's stack of papers laying outside Subway's doors. Hehe - that would be funny if it really did happen.

Next I visited the new (and smoke-free!) location of fly boutique located inside King's Books' rare book room. (Note: Even if fly isn't open, someone from King's Books will let you in to shop.) Just as I had suspected, the distinct smell of witty sarcasm, letterpress ink and hand-sewn garments permeated my nostrils as I entered the room. I giggled to myself when I saw the handmade Hanukkah postcard that read "What did JEW do on December 25th?" Next I spotted a child's onesie with "Hug Life" screen printed on the front. Clever.

Of course, I couldn't help but recognize an item I owned myself: One of local artist Jenny Craig's flying genitalia charms. Hey, for $5 each, they make amazing gifts.

My investigative eyes led me to the sign posted upon fly's door. It said: Open until January 15, 2011. Say what? Sweet pea tells me to stay tuned for more information, but something tells me even he has no idea what will go in that spot next. 

I suppose this will call for more Steph DeRosa investigative journalism come January 15, 2011. 

Now you can't say I didn't warn you.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15 >>>

1. There is no party like a Bill of Rights party ‘cuz a Bill of Rights party don't stop! What!?! What!?!  Put your hands in the air y'all! Now scream! OK, now get ready for the screening of This is What Democracy Looks Like, an uber-worthy documentary about the WTO protests in Seattle. It's the Bill of Rights Party at King's Books tonight.

2. Check out some talented people (never mind the fact they're mere children) tonight at Beyond the Bridge Café when the SOTA Songwriters Showcase Concert amazes all comers.

3. The 4 Tissimos Saxophone Quartet does its ragtime thing at the Mandolin Café today.

4. Like coffee? Like songwriters, poets and/or activists? Well, then, check out the legendary Jim Page today at A Rhapsody in Bloom Florist and Café Latte. All ages, and starts at 7 p.m.

5. Tacoma's Hilltop will be hoppin' tonight when the always-fantastic Maurice The Fish Records Showcase takes hold once again at Tempest Lounge. Expect no cover and an eclectic evening of fun and drinks.

MONDAY, DEC. 13 >>>

1. See Straight to Hell Returns at the Grand Cinema in Tacoma. What? That's not good enough for you? OK - see Straight to Hell Returns at the Grand in Tacoma AND meet and discuss the film with famed director Alex Cox. Ask for anything else and you're just being greedy (though popcorn will be available).

2. Talent shows are awesome. And perhaps you haven't seen a good one since middle school. All the more reason to check out "Tacoma's Best Holiday Talent Show" at the Broadway Center tonight at 7 p.m. - brought to you by the Broadway Center's Ensemble 915. Expect audience participation and a gong.

3. New to the graphic novel game? An old pro? It really doesn't matter - Tacoma's Graphic Novel Book Club, which meets on the second Monday of every Month at 1022 South, has something for everyone. And guess what!?! It's the second Monday of the month! See what's up tonight, when the club discusses December's book - A Gods Somewhere by John Arcudi and Peter Snejbjerg.

4. It's movie night at Le Voyeur in Olympia.

5. According to the Volcano's impeccable collection of South Sound event info, until Thursday you've got a chance to meet - and have your photo snapped - with Santa Claus ... at the Commons at Federal Way of all places. Make today YOUR day for a session on Santa's lap. Open 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

MONDAY, DEC. 6, 2010 >>>

1. If you're one of the 5.3 percent of South Sounders who is of Scandinavian descent (OK, we made that up) - and if you're not, just pretend - get in touch with your roots and check out the Scandinavian Book Club that meets at 6:30 p.m. inside Garfield Books in Parkland.

2. You know what you want from your kids this Christmas. And it isn't constructed out of Popsicle sticks, or even necessarily edible. How does one ensure these things do not happen? Give the kids a nudge in the right direction with a fun project in Becka's Studio inside Children's Museum of Tacoma. From 2-3 p.m. children can create holiday art to take home. Parent, grandparent or adult may participate with registered student, so insert your own (truly funny, of course) spousal gift joke here. 

3. Summer's long days have come and gone. Darkness abounds. And just think of all the dirty things you can do in the dark - if only you could see. Stupid ineffective night vision. Stupid streetlights that let you be seen as much as they let you see. Wait, I can see the light. Yes.  Pretty, twinkling lights.  Thousands of them. Outside.  Zoolights, the holiday light display at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium runs from 5-9 p.m. Enjoy your stroll, and be thankful you're not in charge of this holiday light display.

4. Drink, write, edit, submit, read, drink, repeat. That's how Last Word Books' Drunken Poetry night goes down every Monday night from 7:30-9:30 p.m. The public may read three moderate length poems, plus submit a piece to be read by the Designated Drunk, who will be chosen at the end of each reading or shortly after and will be informed well before the next reading. Last Word Books encourages the buying of drinks for the Designated Drunk.

5. It's reggae night beginning at 9 p.m. inside the Gruv Lounge and Nightclub in Tacoma.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

BANDITO BETTY LOU WHO LEAP OF THE DAY >>>

"Back off sweet pea, I'm the mutha elfing Foursquare Holiday Mayor of King's Books now!" screamed Bandito Betty Lou Who – our very happy friend who leaps for us on Spew. We have no idea what that means, but EXCITING!

Read more...

SATURDAY, NOV. 20 >>>

1. Celebrate the fifth anniversary of Tacoma's iconic Tempest Lounge. Everyone who's anyone will be there. Find more details here.

2. Like records? Like rock ‘n' roll? Like Olympia? The 2^nd Olympia Record Show, today at the Elk's Lodge in downtown Oly, sounds like just the event for you. Here's our article on the occasion.

3. Faun Fables, a performer that defies most classifications, is also in Olympia today - performing as part of the 27^th Annual Olympia Film Festival. Faun Fables is, basically, Dawn McCarthy - and her music and performances are like few others you'll see. Here's some background.

4. Check out the first even ‘Nesian Fest at Hell's Kitchen tonight. A celebration and gathering of talented Pacific Islanders in our local hip-hop and music scenes, organized by Island Trybe, tonight's event is one of the most impressive collections of talent you'll find this weekend.

5. Have you been training? Do you have the endurance required? November's Puget Sound Poetry Connection "Poetry Marathon" is today at King's Books in Tacoma - from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Poets scheduled to read include Emilie Rommel Shimkus, Tammy Robacker, Bill Kupinse and more.

1. National Geographic does more than just put out those yellow magazines with pictures from far-away places. They also produce an array of public programs, including the one heading for the Washington Center for the Performing Arts tonight. Join Emmy award-winner Michael Davis, billed as "one of today's freshest voices in documentary filmmaking," to discuss both is work - including films about war refugees in the Balkans and child soldiers in Africa - to his past, a child refugee himself from civil war in Rhodesia (modern day Zimbabwe).

2. The Washington State Arts Alliance busts out an advocacy training workshop today at the Museum of Glass. It's called "Fill Your Toolbox: Advocating for Arts & Culture." Chances are, if you go you'll learn something.

3. Score more "Free Shorts" today at the Olympia Film Festival with the second installment of the traditional happening. Today, some unconventional animation, an aging cupid and some inspirational surfers. Starts at 4 p.m.

4. Like reading, but hate to be called a square? Try hanging out with Tacoma's infamous Banned Book Club - it meets tonight at 7 p.m. at the Tempest on Hilltop. November's controversial selection is Truth & Beauty: A Friendship by Ann Patchett.

5. It's Trivia Tuesday at Paddy Coyne's in downtown Tacoma. Teams of two - six (so if you only have ONE friend, you can still play!) will match trivia wits starting at 7 p.m. There's a $2 entry fee per person, but the winning team is handsomely rewarded.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN MY HEAD >>>

Last night, I swung by RR Anderson's book signing party for his 15th literary release, 100 Tacomics: The Secular & Apolitical Cartoon Life of Tacoma and Her Moral People(s.) at King's Books. Unfortunately, I missed a prime book-clutching people watching opportunity, as I had to drop in a half hour before the official start of the party. Always the gentleman, he signed my copy, and even applied the official red "Approved Nov. 15 2010" stamp. I did enjoy the bowls of trail mix.

After the engagement that forced my early visit, I devoured the masterpiece, laughing and sobbing - sometimes simultaneously. Emotionally drained, but inspired, I pounded out 2,000 words on how Anderson's book took me to one of those places where time stands still without growing monotonous.

And then the power went out. Poof - the R. Crumb and Quantum Mechanics comparisons vanished. I didn't save my work. My thoughts on his explorations of the human experience and Tacoma lore were gone.

I couldn't possibly recompose the critique - I don't have enough bourbon. All I have left are these photos three.

LINK: Previously on Spew

P.S. The book is available for purchase at King's Books in Tacoma.