WEDNESDAY, OCT. 20, 2010 >>>

1. The Tacoma Dome opens its doors at 11 a.m. so you can buy It's Beginning to Smell a Lot Like Christmas Tree fragrance at the Tacoma Holiday Food & Gift Festival.

2. The Peninsula Art League's eighth annual open juried art show opens today. Drop by the Gig Harbor Civic Center and check out the more than 85 paintings by local and regional artists from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. A reception for Keely Willoughby's whimsical parasite paintings will be held from 5-8 p.m. inside the Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital in Tacoma.

4. Author Cherie Priest will discuss her new zombie-ridden alternate history book, Dreadnought, at 7 p.m. inside the Garfield Book Company. This third book of hers follows a Virginia nurse who travels to Seattle when she receives a telegram bringing bad news, and it promises to expand the thrilling Clockwork Century universe into entirely new territory.

5. Your Girlfriend's Favorite DJ spins at Masa's College Night beginning at 10 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

TUESDAY, OCT. 19, 2010 >>>

1. In celebration of its 75th anniversary the Tacoma Art Museum presents a screening of the 1935 (45, 55, 65 ... hey, it's 75 years old) classic film Top Hat at 7 p.m. inside The Grand Cinema.

2. The Banned Book Club gathers at the Tempest Lounge at 7 p.m. to discuss the book, The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer, over cocktails.

3. Bowling is a game devised for drinkers. You get up, you roll a ball, you sit down. You pound some beers and watch other people do the same. Then you repeat this cycle, all while wearing stupid shoes and knocking stuff down. It's like alcoholic heaven. The Chalet Bowl sweetens the deal every Tuesday from 6-11 p.m. with $2 games, $2 shoe rentals, $2 food items and $2.25 Rolling Rocks.

4. The 4 Tissimos Saxophone Quartet perform at 7 p.m. inside the Mandolin Café.

5. DJ Omar spins at 10 p.m. inside Jazzbones.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

THURSDAY, OCT. 14, 2010 >>>

1. How many times have you seen it? A young couple gets a flat tire on St. Helens Avenue in downtown Tacoma and stops at Club Silverstone to innocently use the phone to call for help. Once inside there just happens to be a party in progress for the creation of super-hunk, Rocky Horror, which is orchestrated by the evil transvestite scientist, Dr. Furter. Naturally he and his gang of humanoid aliens from planet Transexual wreak havoc on the couple. The rest of the story is better experienced than read. The Blue Mousketeers actors, famous for reenacting The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Tacoma's Blue Mouse Theatre, will be at Club Silverstone tonight at 7. So grab your rice, newspapers, toast and toilet paper, and hit the Silverstone to hang out with all the kinky kooks.

2. Check out the eclectic body of 33 innovative works created by Visiting Artists at the Museum of Glass from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. King's Books hosts a Banned Book Tea from 3-4:30 p.m. at Collins Memorial Library on the UPS campus.

4. This November voters will be asked to make important decisions about taxes, liquor sales, industrial insurance, and more. These decisions will have a significant impact on the lives of families throughout this state. Representatives in support of these initiative and those that oppose them will discuss the issues addressed by these ballot initiatives at 6:30 p.m. inside the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch in downtown Tacoma.

5. Maestro Gerard Schwarz, the longtime music director of the Seattle Symphony, is pretty much the shit. And we don't usually bestow such heady honors upon symphony types. Under his leadership the Seattle Symphony has become a world-class institution, and Schwarz has been repeatedly recognized for his brilliance and dedication to the craft. On a farewell tour of sorts, tonight will mark Schwarz's last Tacoma appearance before stepping down from his post at the end of the 2010-11 season. See him and his posse at 7:30 p.m. inside the Pantages Theater.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 13, 2010 >>>

1. When it comes right down to it, few things in this world can top a freshly poured, frosty barley pop. We're referring to beer, of course, and it's way more than a delicious sexual stimulant/memory eraser . . . beautiful beer is an art form unto itself. In keeping with its tradition of promoting awareness and appreciation of this heavenly beverage, the Weekly Volcano reminds you that the Parkway Tavern hosts its annual Jubelpalooza at 6 p.m. featuring Jubel Ale '08, '09 and '10, Nitro '09, cask '09, Super Jubel '08 and '10, Abyss '09, Black Butte 21 and Mirror Mirror.

2. Bead artist Keiko will demonstrate her live torch techniques for contemporary bead making from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. inside the Museum of Glass' Hot Shop.

3. Dakota Bob & The Business Man Blues Band perform at 7 p.m. inside A Rhapsody In Bloom Florist & Cafe Latte on Sixth Avenue in Tacoma.

4. Appalled by the horrors of local dog fighting in Afghanistan, Pen Farthing and his troop of young Royal Marines had no choice but to intervene. Soon, the Marines operated a makeshift pound. Farthing wrote about the experience in his book, One Dog at a Time: Saving the strays of Afghanistan, which he'll discuss at 7 p.m. inside the Moore Library in Tacoma.

5. Dave Welch, past president of the Museum Association and the Oregon and California Trails Association, will speak about the Oregon Trail and show an award winning film about students who traveled by wagon train like 19th century pioneers, at 7 p.m. inside the Steilacoom Historical Museum.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

TUESDAY, OCT. 12, 2010 >>>

1. Classical Tuesdays in Old Town presents a free concert tonight of Native American Flute performed by Gary Stroutsos, whose music was showcased in the Ken Burns PBS documentary, Lewis and Clark: Journey of the Corps of Discovery. Stroutsos will perform at 7 p.m. inside the Slavonian Hall in Tacoma.

2. The public is invited to dine at Joeseppi's Italian Ristornate from 4-8 p.m. and support the Tacoma Concert Band at no additional cost as a portion of the proceeds will be donated by Joeseppi's to the TCB. There will be food, a silent auction, bucket raffle, music and more.

3. Leave it to liberals to use the economic collapse to point out there might be a better way of doing things than the capitalist orgy and TV dinners we've grown up on. Award-winning political cartoonist Ted Rall is just such a whacko, and his new book, The Anti-American Manifesto, is as pinko and commie as it sounds. Rall will discuss his work at 7 p.m. inside King's Books in Tacoma.

4. Volcano editor Matt Driscoll never saw Titanic, on pure principle, despite months of begging from his then girlfriend. Thankfully, Driscoll ditched that bag for a hip eventual wife who's never seen Titanic either, meaning the Driscoll household as a whole is completely unfamiliar with the cinematic vehicle that launched Gaelic Storm, perhaps the most famous Irish pub band-turned-Celtic music superstars. All of this is OK, since Gaelic Storm will be at the Puyallup Fairgrounds at 7 p.m..

5. Maroon 5 plays the Tacoma Dome at 7:30 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

MONDAY, OCT. 11, 2010 >>>

1. Even if electronic music "isn't your thing," you'll no doubt find German über-producer Ulrich Schnauss' tidal waves of sentimental nu-gaze awe-inspiring and profoundly soothing at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier Lounge.

2. In Kittredge Gallery's Small Gallery is a video work by Portland photographer, filmmaker, and installation artist Vanessa Renwick from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Her video, shot in 35 mm black and white film, both mourns the loss and celebrates the former vitality of The House of Sound - places, stories and histories of Cascadia, with scores by musicians living in the Pacific Northwest.

3. A state income tax specifically designed to take more money from the rich?  That's the idea behind Initiative 1098, which if passed would institute a state income tax on Washington's most wealthy to pay for education and health programs. Rich guys like Bill Gates Sr. are in favor of it. Other rich guys, like former U.S. Sen. Slade Gordon, are against it. At 6 p.m. inside Philip Hall at UW Tacoma, they'll debate the issue.

4. Leave it to liberals to use the economic collapse to point out there might be a better way of doing things than the capitalist orgy and TV dinners we've grown up on. Award-winning political cartoonist Ted Rall is just such a whacko, and his new book, The Anti-American Manifesto, is as pinko and commie as it sounds. Rall will discuss his work at 6 p.m. inside Orca Books in Olympia.

5. The Jake B Band will fill The Swiss with blues beginning at 8 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

THURSDAY, OCT. 7, 2010 >>

1. Weekly Volcano visual arts critic Alec Clayton reviewed an exhibition of Joe Penrod's intriguing blue-tape shadows three years ago at the now defunct Black Front Gallery in Olympia. The works Penrod's showing at Fulcrum Gallery in Tacoma - today from noon to 6 p.m. - are exactly the same only more sophisticated. Read Clayton's review of this new show, Object Permanence, here.

2. Joy Keniston-Longrie, author of Tacoma's Stadium District, will give a book talk and slide presentation, as well as sign the book, at 7 p.m. inside the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch's Olympic Room.

3. Chiqui Cartagena, author of Latino Boom! What Every Business Needs to Know about the US Hispanic Market, will lecture on Hispanic marketing at 11:30 a.m. in the Opgaard Student Center at Tacoma Community College.

4. A modification on karaoke chaos, Chopstix is a dueling piano bar where audience interaction is encouraged and bawdy jokes accompany the familiar songs. Don't expect much dueling; it's more of a sing-along/comedy show. The whole process makes more sense the more one drinks - and the drinks are strong. Tonight, it's ladies night beginning at 8 p.m.

Lenore, Odyssey, Seker and Terra Morta will rock your face off inside Hell's Kitchen beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

MAIDEN VOYAGE >>>

Last Sunday, I threw on my Zelda T-shirt and headed out to attend Comic Book Ink's 24 Hour Comic Book Day. The event, which is in its second year, was organized by C.L.A.W. (the Cartoonists' League of Absurd Washingtonians) in order to raise money for their student scholarship fund.  Amateur and professional illustrators alike were invited to participate in the challenge: to complete a 24-page comic book within 24 hours.  The madness started at 10 a.m. Saturday morning and didn't conclude until the same time Sunday.

I, freshly established intern and comic-book novice, arrived during the final hours (7 a.m.-ish on Sunday) hoping to learn a little about how comic books are created, but more hoping to see grown men in full fantasy costume. 

This was my first time ever in a comic book store.  And I have to admit I've made fun of those who are "into that sort of thing." Generally, I lump them in the same category as those who dress up for Harry Potter movies, and those who prefer hentai to real porn.  But, I was ready to cast aside all previous judgments and explore the comic book world with an open mind.   

I entered Comic Book Ink and took in the enormous wall of colorful action figures, realistic Spiderman weaponry, and a long line of comic books.  At 7 a.m. it appeared as though I'd missed most of the action (and all of the spandex).

C.L.A.W. member Mark Monolux

I was immediately greeted by a very friendly and enthusiastic staff. I'm not sure if their enthusiasm spurred from their love of the Weekly Volcano or if having a female want to talk to them was just that much of a rarity. Comic Book Ink owner, John Munn, gave me a quick tour around the mostly empty shop, telling me, "The party peaked at around 3 a.m. with about 25 people, which was a lot more than last year."

"The whole point of the event is to raise money," Munn continued. Between a crystal skull mug stuffed with small bills and a Paypal account setup for donations, C.L.A.W. had already raised a total of $734.40 - more than doubling last year's total. The donations are granted to students attending or just graduating art school.

The biggest draw of the event, besides the warm fuzzy feeling of donating to a good cause, was watching the comic writers at work. Several tables were lined up in a large corner of the store, and in the 22nd hour only five comic writers remained. They sat diligently sketching on electronic pads and drawing in notebooks, pausing only for coffee, and also, thankfully, to talk with me.

James Stowe, freelance illustrator and full-time cake designer ("If you've bought a cake at DQ, chances are I designed it," he told me.) set up a live feed on Ustream so anyone interested could watch his comic scenes unfold.  Stowe took suggestions through the website, Mad-libs style. Some creative suggestions he incorporated into his storyline included: "bearded dragon" and "wedgie corset."

Guest star Clayton Crain, best known for his work on Ghost Rider: Road to Damnation, Venom vs. Carnage and Sensational Spider-Man (vol. 2), according to a quick Wikipedia search, labored out a tedious design for an upcoming Marvel comic book. Just how tedious? He'd cranked out three pages in 22 hours.  But it was three pages of the most graphically intricate work I've ever seen.

So, what did I learn from my maiden exploration into the comic book world? Are comic book writers nerds? Hell yes. Probably the nerdiest of nerds. But DAMN, are they talented. These guys are imaginative writers, talented illustrators and masters of technology for the medium.

Intern Julie Holt punches a Comic Book Ink employee.

The bottom line: If you missed this year's Comic Book Ink marathon, make sure you mark next year's calendar. The talent is beyond, the action figures aplenty, and tights and capes are optional ... but highly encouraged (by me).

THURSDAY, SEPT. 30, 2010 >>>

1. It's community arts appreciation day at the Tacoma Farmers Market on Broadway from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tacoma musician Deborah Page will perform at 10:30 a.m.

2. Megan Peters leads a group knitting sessions from 5-8 p.m. at Tacoma Art Place. Group knitting is always free for members and those with a day pass. First time visitors also can join once for free. You can be a beginner or expert, just as long as you're not one of those roughian sewers.

3. King's Books presents an engaging presentation on the history of banned books with Laura Ferri from Seattle's Book-It Repertory Theatre at 7 p.m. as part of Banned Books Week. Puyallup Public Library encourages folks to drop by between 6:30 to 7:30 and read excerpts from their favorite banned book.

4. The Thursday Beer Runners will kick off a 3-mile jog from the West End Pub & Grill at 6:30 p.m. only to return to the joint and put the calories back on with endless pints of beer.

5. DJ Toner spins vintage rock and soul beginning at 8 p.m. inside The Brotherhood Lounge in downtown Olympia.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

TUESDAY, SEPT. 28, 2010 >>>

1. The last 6th Avenue Farmers Market runs today from 3:30-7:30 p.m. Stop by Sixth and Pine and hug your favorite vendor goodbye.

2. The offspring of Northwest Garden Guru Ed Hume, James Hume, typically specializes in acrylic on canvas, but for his latest exhibit, Not Painting Flowers, showing from noon to 5 p.m. at the Sandpiper Gallery, he's abandoning typical crutches and going all out. Inspired by a trip to Paris, and the "fleeting masterpieces" Hume saw from street artists in the Metro, Hume says, "With my new work I'm breaking all my old habits and experimenting with stencils, spray paint, Photoshop and even my iPhone." Read the full story here.

3. Tuesday Read-In from 5-7 p.m. at Last Word Books is your chance to sit, read, drink tea and argue politics.

4. The Broadway Center presents another happy hour season preview/sneak peek thingy from 5:30-7:30 p.m. with a glimpse behind Cirque Mechanics Boom Town. As you sip dollar drinks inside the Pantages Theater you'll witness feats of strength and the latest mining fashion. If you hang for the whole happy hour you'll have the opportunity to win two free tickets to see Jo Dee Messina or Eileen Ivers.

5. Big Wheel Restaurant and Lounge hosts a College "Nite" beginning at 8 p.m. featuring $2 beers and $2 wells and a DJ spinning all vinyl.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound