IT CAN BE DONE >>>

Here's how art gets created: the artist gets an idea then makes a sketch of what he envisions and then makes it. Pretty simple, huh? But what if the vision is something he has no idea how to make or he simply doesn't have access to the tools needed to make it? That's where Tacoma's FabLab comes in.

Michael Johnson's sculptural installation at Kittredge Gallery, University of Puget Sound (see my review in this week's Weekly Volcano) is a prime example. His sculptural forms comprise intertwined curvilinear shapes that hover above the floor. How he could possibly make those shapes is as incomprehensible to me as the building of the Golden Gate Bridge or the International Space Station.

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Anyone can be a poet, you say?  Actually, it doesn't work that way. It takes dedication, more work than play. The hours are long, there is no pay. Benefits? What do you think?  You're lucky if someone buys you a drink. Then you find as you sip from your cup — they only did it to shut you up.

Every April, the Academy of American Poets commands us to pay attention to poetry, with National Poetry Month — which is funny, because most poets spend their lifetimes trying just to figure out what poetry is. How is the layperson supposed to do it in a month?

Anyway, local poet Maria Chong Gudaitis has compiled readings, workshops and other poetry happenings in Tacoma over the next month. More details can be found on her website, www.poetrytacoma.com.

Gudaitis will join Tacoma Poet Laureate Josie Emmons Turner and former TPL Tammy Robacker for an official National Poetry Month in Tacoma launch party at 6 p.m. Friday, April at Anthem Coffee, where you can hear and hug poets.

Gudaitis sent a list of local poetry events happening over the next month, which you can find below. Keep an eye on the Poetry Tacoma website for updates, cool pictures and awesome words.

Writing the City: Poetry Workshop for Youth

Saturday, March 30, 1-3pm / FREE / write@253

Youth ages 12-18: write  poetry about our city, with writer Renee Simms & educator Catalina Ocampo. We'll take inspiration from the city, and then take our poems out into the streets! Bring comfortable shoes. Info/register: Mary Fox, mfox@tacomacc.edu.

Behind the Masc w/ Carlos Andrés Gómez

Tuesday, April 2, 7 pm / FREE / PLU (Chris Knutsen Hall)

A special interactive performance and dialogue on masculinity and manhood, with the 2006 Toronto Intl. Poetry Slam champ and author of "Man Up: Cracking the Code of Modern Manhood." An innovative mix of town hall dialogue and spoken word performance.

The Fantastic Four

Thursday, April 4, 7pm / FREE / King's Books

Derek Sheffield, Arlene Kim, Marjorie Manwaring & Rebecca Hoogs. Join host & TCC professor Allen Braden as four acclaimed Northwest poets read from new works at the crossroads of clarity and magic.

Tacoma Poetry Month Kick-Off Party & Reading

Friday, April 5, 6pm / FREE / Anthem Coffee

Tammy Robacker & Maria Gudaitis invite the city to the poetry month kick-off celebration. Hear featured poetry readers and mingle with working poets. Pick up a free copy of the Tacoma poetry month anthology + win poetry prizes!

SWAN Day Event

Sunday, April 7, 2-5pm / FREE / King's Books

A showcase of the power and diversity of women's creativity. Features poets, creative writers, playwrights, & spoken word artists. Email Johnnie at luminousspirit@gmail.com to participate. Benefit for the YWCA of Pierce County's Domestic Violence Program.

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HOW TWEET IT IS >>>

Whether you've been on Twitter since its beginnings in 2006 or you're a Twitter neophyte, you know keeping up on important tweets can be overwhelming. If you follow everything and everyone that you find interesting, you can end up with hundreds and hundreds of Tweets showing up in your feed on a daily basis.

Don't despair. Every Saturday the Weekly Volcano shares important and pointless Tweets from South Sound Twitter accounts, and sometimes beyond, so you may stay on top of bookstore, neck tattoos and shoelace tying class news - as well as the latest action on the streets.

Crunch! It's National Chip and Dip Day... stop by to snack up! ow.ly/i/1Igfk

— Stadium Thriftway (@StadiumTWay) March 23, 2013

This hipster's Bible cover matches his cardigan. I can't tell if this makes me angry or jealous.

— Kenny Coble (@kennycoble) March 23, 2013

Party in #tacoma , see more neck tattoos than a federal state prison. #takemehome #scaredformyblondeAss ????

— DEMiiiiRYERSON (@DatGuRLDEB) March 23, 2013

Tacoma News Tribune: Niche spirits: New South Sound distilleries are on the way bit.ly/YhCK2W #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) March 22, 2013

Fill out this Sound Transit survey. Help move 6th Ave (B1) and MLK (E1) to the next phase! surveygizmo.com/s3/1195336/Tac… #Tacoma #lightrail

— Chris Karnes (@TacomaTransit) March 22, 2013

Late night 38th St Safeway run and it smells of freshly smoked marijuana in here. My cart was the only one without liquor in it #Tacoma

— Meredith (@Mere253) March 23, 2013

For #tacoma tweeter-eaters going to Marrow this Sun, enjoy! I hv other plans, but will be thinking of u! Btw-who wants to help me move? ;-)

— TacomaTweetAndEat (@TacomaTweetAndE) March 22, 2013

Ain't no city quite like mine! #Tacoma #253

— Jonté Joseph (@MisterMcElroni) March 22, 2013

#Tacoma council approves sale of Swan Creek library below appraisal; planned day care viewed as "community benefit" bit.ly/YINBwe

— Lewis Kamb (@lewiskamb) March 21, 2013

Community garden plots available at Orchard & Vine community garden - 45th & Orchard in North #Tacoma. Contact me for more info!

— Liz Satterthwaite (@LizSattert) March 21, 2013

New pot law means big change for drug-sniffing dogs. ACLU upset with how #tacoma PD dealing #liveonkomo @ 4. twitter.com/ElisaJaffe/sta…

— Elisa Jaffe (@ElisaJaffe) March 20, 2013

New @beautifulangle posters out in #Tacoma! twitter.com/theredhot/stat…

— theredhot (@theredhot) March 20, 2013

Did you know that it isn't a true equinox? And did you know it has nothing to do with Vern Fonk?#Tacoma

— Tacomama (@_tacomama) March 20, 2013

#exclusive photo @kiro7seattle of #tacoma daycare rape and beating suspect Andrake Morris being held on $1M bail twitter.com/TerryKIRO/stat…

— TerryKIRO (@TerryKIRO) March 20, 2013

NEW SONG! Stephan Nance — The Sound Narrows (on out-of-tune #piano) youtu.be/QIf0veay3F4 via @youtube #music #Tacoma #pistachios

— Stephan Nance (@stephannance) March 19, 2013

The City is considering changes to purchasing policy to allow it to give local companies an edge. exit133.com/7488/local-sus… #Tacoma

— Exit133 (@exit133) March 19, 2013

Tacoma News Tribune: Boats damaged during Murray Morgan Bridge restoration bit.ly/11hcDtN #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) March 20, 2013

Downtown on the Go kicks off a series of free walks on April 3 to explore downtown, exercise & socialize. downtownonthego.com/2013-walk-taco… #Tacoma

— Liz Satterthwaite (@LizSattert) March 19, 2013

Check our Youtube channel each week as new visiting artists come to the museum! youtube.com/museumofglass #museum #tacoma

— Museum of Glass (@MuseumofGlass) March 18, 2013

Someone just asked if we are a bookstore. How should I have responded to that? #blankstare

— King's Books (@kingsbooks) March 18, 2013

Tacoma News Tribune: Hillary Clinton announces support for gay marriage bit.ly/15hHNOi #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) March 18, 2013

#tacoma police process the scene of a "brutal attack" of daycare worker @ 84th and Pacific. Suspect info soon twitter.com/TerryKIRO/stat…

— TerryKIRO (@TerryKIRO) March 18, 2013

I'm just an average dude from Tacoma, chasing above average dreams. But I'll never forget where I came from. #Tacoma #2?5?3? #??'? #MK

— T-Flacko (@T_Hunt_36) March 18, 2013

Two local #Tacoma food business's Kickstarter campaigns, Purdy Organics and Infinite Soups. Show them your support!tacomafoodie.com/two-local-busi…

— Adrienne (@TacomaFoodie) March 18, 2013

The styles of shows that are being thrown are awesome & out of the ordinary, and they are only going to get better as time goes on. #Tacoma

— A-Hyp (@A_Hyp) March 17, 2013

Tacoma News Tribune: Police Beat: Prostitution sting catches Tacoma city employee bit.ly/ZgLanI #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) March 17, 2013

Another reason to take part in our first Walk-A-Thon: Tacoma's own Sonic Guy will be our MC! Learn more- anewho.pe/8B #Tacoma

— The Rescue Mission (@RescueMissionUS) March 16, 2013

Tacoma News Tribune: Former Gov. Booth Gardner dies bit.ly/XLp9kp #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) March 16, 2013

Tacoma News Tribune: ACLU: Everett school searched student's Facebook page bit.ly/YDS8TG #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) March 16, 2013

Sailboats in the #Tacoma Narrows as seen from Point Defiance Park on my run this morning. campl.us/ojoD

— Rob McNair-Huff (@RobMcNairHuff) March 16, 2013

Did you know #Tacoma #Nordstrom offers a shoelace tying class for kids?When Henry leaves velcro, I am all over this. Sign up in store.

— Maegen Blue (@SoundsFunMom) March 16, 2013

Follow the Weekly Volcano on Twitter. Because otherwise we're coming to your house, and while we will bring wine, we will not, under any circumstances, take off our shoes.

THURSDAY, MARCH 21 2013 >>>

1. Behead the Prophet No Lord Shall Live has returned, at least for the time being. The Olympia hardcore punk band, often considered at the forefront of the noise queercore movement, toured the country multiple times in the mid-1990s, while releasing material on Outpunk, Sound Pollution and K Records. Since the demise of the band some 13 years ago, some its members went on to other bands - Tight Bros, Lords of Lightseed, Yogoman Burning Band and Nudity, to name a few - while others became a touring vegan chef, budding lawyer, reggae jam band god and producer to many of Olympia's latest crop of bands. Sadly, the band also lost founding member and noise-violin player, Michael Griffen. The return of Behead the Prophet is not a reunion, but a happening - allowing the collective members to have closure. The band brings its happening to Olympia's Northern at 8 p.m. The show, which will be packed to the gills, also features The Need, Thrones and Hysterics. Read Timothy Grisham's full feature on Behead the Prophet No Lord Shall Live in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

It's the third Thursday of the month, which means the Tacoma Art Mingle goes down tonight from 5-8 p.m. The monthly art walk now has a passport game. Simply grab a passport at one of the participating venues, have each venue stamp your passport, then turn it in each quarter to win raffle prizes. Catch Pam Ingalls show at the Brick House Gallery and have owner Peter stamp you. Drop in on Katie Hagens show at 253 Collective Gallery and have her stamp you. Pop into the Throwing Mud Gallery in Old Town for a looksy at contemporary handcrafts, have owner Eileen Hudak stamp you. Check out Jill Neal's paintings and sip some wine at B2 Fine Art Gallery, and have owner Gary stamp you.

Want to learn more about Point Defiance Park? Who doesn't? At 5:30 p.m. inside Metro Parks Tacoma Headquarters the "3rd Thursday Community Dialogues" session will concentrate on near-term and long-range plans for the Tacoma park.

You might not think about it on a day-to-day basis, but there is a lot of "un" in Tacoma. Local photographer Gordy Lee has thought about it, though, and seeks to bring some attention to Tacoma's underused, unrecognized and other un-ness through his photos, which offer a colorful and perhaps unappreciated view of T-town. Lee's photos — on display at Tully's in downtown Tacoma — have a surreal look, created by use of three key elements - a tripod, a great camera, and hours of post-production computer work. Each photo takes 10 to 12 hours to create and sometimes consist of up to 20 individual images all at different exposure levels layered on top of one another. Photos are all shot in Tacoma. Unless you have other plans for tonight, do the UN-thinkable and meet the UN-Tacoma creator for a UN prolonged visit from 7-8 at Tully's.

Maurice the Fish Records presents an Evening of Keys IX, highlighting six great keyboard artists - including Brooke Lizotte, keyboardist for Dreamwreck and Dan Reed Network, as well as Doug Skoog (Blues Redemption and The Crazy Texas Gypsies), Mark Bittler (Bump Kitchen), Anthony Ciarochi (Tin Man, The Aury Moore Band and Stone Age Thriller), Raymond Hayden (Raymond Hayden and the Monsters in the Dark) and Derek Whitaker (Heartless, and occasionally, Heart to Heart and Heart. The show kicks off at 8 p.m. at Louie G's Pizzeria in Fife. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on Evening of Keys IX in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

LINK: Thursday, March 21 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL HAPPINESS DAY! >>>

The United Nations has declared today International Happiness Day. What a lovely United Nations. It has taken a break from the heavy drinking and comfortable airline seats to take a deep breath, look up at the sky and be grateful for the wonderful gift of life. Maybe the U.N. will nourish someone else's happiness with a loving word or kind gesture. In fact, research shows that simply smiling will release some of those happy hormones within you and make someone else feel better, too.

Speaking of happiness, have you taken the Tacoma Happiness Initiative Project's survey? The deadline is April 25 to be part of this first round of building the new economy of well being in Tacoma. Click here to participate.

FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING>>>

You might not know this (because you might be a Communist), but the Tacoma Rainiers will open the 2013 season at Cheney Stadium Friday, April 12 with a night game against the Salt Lake Bees. I had a chance to chat via e-mail this week with Byron Pullen, Tacoma Rainiers events coordinator, on the upcoming changes for Cheney Stadium.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: What is your vision as the new special events coordinator?

BYRON PULLEN: I am afforded the opportunity to make Cheney Stadium a year-round venue, meaning I'm tasked with attracting and creating events outside of the 72 Rainiers games we host each season. Baseball will always be what we are known for, but with the amenities this facility offers, Cheney Stadium has the potential to be much more than just a ballpark. Most people don't realize the scope of the events or outings that we can host. Christmas parties, company meetings, corporate picnics/batting practices, festivals, concerts, car shows, 5K runs, etc. - you name the event and I would love to talk about putting it together. The Rainiers focus has always been to contribute in making Tacoma be a highly desired destination for events and entertainment, with Cheney Stadium being a premiere venue.

VOLCANO: When/what will the first event outside of baseball be?

PULLEN: Our next big event is the Seattle Seahawks Celebrity Softball Game. The details will be released soon, but it looks to be an incredible opportunity to host current and former Seahawks players, all while benefitting a great cause. The game will be held on Sunday, July 7, 2013, and the Rainiers are excited to host it. Many more incredible events are already in the works this season, and we look forward to adding to that list as the year continues.

VOLCANO: Where can people find information about upcoming special events?

PULLEN: All events information is featured on the Tacoma Rainiers website, including a calendar with interactive features to help track our upcoming events schedule. Additional information can be found through Facebook, Twitter and the club's other social media platforms.

VOLCANO: Why do you think this change is important for Tacoma?

PULLEN: Hosting non-baseball events at Cheney Stadium presents the opportunity to further develop an already unique, culturally rich community. I have already come to appreciate many of the local venues and businesses involved in putting on events throughout the area, and the community seems supportive of bringing in concerts, festivals and other promising events. In Tacoma, the music and events industry is on the cusp of exploding, and the Rainiers want to do our part in making sure this region's potential is realized.  

VOLCANO: Anything else you'd like to add?

PULLEN: At the end of the day, the goal is to have members of the community wonder what the next fun event is happening at Cheney Stadium, regardless of the season. That's the fun part of my job; being able to put these special events together and get the community involved. This is one more way to give Tacoma something new that people can be excited to be a part of.

IT'S THIRD THURSDAY! >>>

Tomorrow is the third Thursday of the month, which means Tacoma museums, galleries and business aim an extra spotlight or two on their art, complimenting the works with free nibbles and sips.

For all you Spew readers, you know the official Third Thursday Artwalk has been replaced with the Tacoma Art Mingle, which is gaining speed with an improved website, more participating venues and a new passport game.

Proctor Art Gallery participates in tomorrow's Art Mingle - but it's not content with just opening the door to see what happens.

"We're hoping through our connection with Tacoma Art Group and the Tacoma Art Mingle that people will come out and see what we're doing," says owner Carolyn Burt. "And learning a little bit about art, too, if they come in. We always have an artist on duty here. By talking to the artist, anyone can find out how things are done and made, so it's an educational process too for people who are interested."

Proctor Art Gallery has three featured artists this month: Gary LaTurner (painting and drawing), Sharon Crocetti (oil painting), and Leslie Theil - a lampworker who has branched out her glass bead and jewelry work into awesome glass and metalwork flowers mounted on maple burl. Of the three, Crocetti and Theil will be in the house Thursday.

"I'm actually doing a scratchboard demonstration from 6:15 to 7," says gallery owner Carolyn Burt. "So many people aren't aware of what scratchboard is. I've been showing it now for several months and a lot of people are curious what it is."

Scratchboard consists of a layer of white, baked clay with India ink on top. Burt will use a series of engraving tools to carve away the layer of black and create a black-and-white image. It's an unforgiving art form, but Burt has decided to take her chances anyway.

PROCTOR ART GALLERY, 3811 N. 26TH ST., TACOMA, 253.759.4238

STILL TIME TO DESIGN YOUR LADYBUG COSTUME >>>

The Olympia Spring Arts Walk, and it's highly regarded Procession of the Species, is just six short weeks away, set for Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27.

Preparation for Arts Walk is in full swing, with artists, businesses and parade participants gearing up for the event that brings 15,000 people - and an additional 5,000 for the Procession of the Species - to downtown Olympia.

"Downtown is full to the brim!" exclaims Stephanie Johnson, arts and events manager for the city of Olympia, and voted Arts Scene MVP in the 2013 Best of Olympia issue.

While the 128 participating businesses have already paired with artists, Johnson recommends prospective contributors to "keep an eye out for places your art would be a good fit and then contact them."

The artists and businesses may be in place, but the Procession parade workshops continue until April 18. Coordinators encourage volunteer participation to help create, build and design. Three studios are open to the public - a whale studio, butterfly studio and central studio - where animal, insect and luminary costumes and props come to life.

And for those who go to enjoy the art, rather than create it, the city of Olympia created a mobile app that gives real time event updates and acts as a virtual tour guide, complete with interactive map.

For Procession of the Species volunteer hours and information call 360.705.1087.

For more information about Arts Walk and a link to the mobile app, click here.

TUESDAY, MARCH 19 2013 >>>

1. Jewish actor/comedian Stephen Fry explores the dubious associations between Richard Wagner, one of his favorite classical composers, and Adolf Hitler, the 20th century dictator who cited Wagner's music as a motivating factor in waging genocide against the Jews during World War II in the film Wagner & Me screening at 2:30 and 6:35 p.m. at The Grand Cinema. Read a full feature on the film in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

2. Go Local Tacoma presents the Local Food Network Night to connect local food producers, markets, businesses and consumers. The two-hour evening will be all networking, all the time, in hopes to tighten up community resources and awareness. The event is open to all. If you're interested in local food, you are invited from 6-8 p.m. at the William Factory Incubator.

3. Alice Stuart brings her country blues crowd to the Red Wind Casino for a 6:30 p.m. show. Gamblers will be drawn to her finger picking guitar style and genuine voice that will touch their hearts.

4. The Palestinian-raised, New York City-based violin and oud player Simon Shaheen has played Arabic classical music, blended Middle Eastern, Latin and jazz sounds, and directed a string section at the Grammys for a duet between Sting and Cheb Mami. Tonight, Shaheen plays the Slavonian Hall in Old Town Tacoma at 7 p.m. It's free. Shaheen's kind of a big deal. Afterward, head to The Spar and discuss the melancholy, orchestral grace as well as frenzied high-pitched excitement you experienced during the show.

5. Seattle band Enemy Combatants is heading down to Tacoma at 8 p.m. to bring an onslaught of hardcore punk to The Red Room. Double knot your shoelaces and put on your moshing pants, for they will exercise no mercy in putting on a high-energy performance.

LINK: Tuesday, March 19 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

BONDING OVER ROOT VEGETABLES AND CANDY >>>

Go Local Tacoma is out to change the world - or at least the community - one baby step at a time. The group focuses on all things local, and often how to connect all the branches of local awesomeness via networking.

The organization's upcoming Local Food Network Night will be an effort to connect local food producers, markets, businesses and consumers. The two-hour evening will be all networking, all the time, in hopes to tighten up community resources and awareness.

The evening will start with 30-second introductions.

"From there, we will break the group up based on interest levels so people can see who is working on similar issues, and then break the group down further into one-on-one discussions so people can get to know each other a little better," says Go Local president Derrick Rhayn. "This process increases the overall knowledge in the network of who is working on specific parts of systems change, and begins to build the skill set of weaving together connections for change."

Go Local will also be networking at the event.

"We are interested in local sourcing of food, supporting food entrepreneurs in all stages from start up to production to market," says Rhayn. "We are also very interested in developing a city-wide commercial kitchen network that food entrepreneurs can use for production. One of our long term goals is to address food equity issues as well."

The event is open to all. If you're interested in local food, you are invited. Bring topics you wish to discuss.

WILLAM FACTORY INCUBATOR, TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 6-8 P.M., FREE ADMISSION, 1423 E. 29TH ST., TACOMA, WEBSITE