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April 4, 2012 at 12:19am

5 Things To Do Today: trivia night controversy, Carlos Fuentes, Walk Tacoma, open mic and more ...

DAVE GRAHAM AND JOHN KEPHART: They'll put up a good fight tonight at Meconi's Tacoma Pub & Eatery.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012 >>>

1. Imagine our surprise when we found out that there's controversy at Meconi's Tacoma Pub & Eatery's Wednesday trivia night. Go ahead, imagine it. Our mouth was all "O," Home Alone-style. Yup, apparently host Rev. Colin wants to oust a team because the four dudes are too good. Dave Graham, John Kephart, Joe Taylor and another guy named Joe win Wednesday after Wednesday. Your team should show up at 8 p.m. and try to knock them off their barstools. Rumor is Cheryl Gorsuch's team of ladies is going to give it a shot.

2. Happy National Walking Day! It's the perfect day to kick off the Downtown On the Go Walk Tacoma series of guided walks. In celebration of the national holiday, three notable folks will lead today's walk. Held in Wright Park, the kick-off event includes a power walk led by fitness trainer Paige Van Der Vliet of Tacoma Living Fit, and a historical walk led by Melissa McGinnis AND Erik Hanberg of Metro Parks. The 1.5-mile walk will begin at noon on the south side of Wright Park by the lion sculptures. If you're into knowledge, check out the booths from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. No registration is necessary, so if you change your mind and hit the office candy box instead, you'll be the only one who feels bad.

3. Big brain Carlos Fuentes - an award-winning novelist, diplomat, activist and scholar - will chat up "magic realism" at 8 p.m. inside Schneebeck Concert Hall on the University of Puget Sound campus. Nope, magic realism has nothing to do with a bunny. According to hype, "Fuentes is known for deploying ‘magic realism' in his fiction to express the often indeterminate mixture of myth, fantasy, and reality in the political dynamics that shape salient historical issues such as the pursuit of Mexican national identity, Latin American revolutions, and the enduring mark left by Spanish imperialism on modern South America." Sometimes going with the hype quote is a must.

4. It's the first Wednesday of the month, which means Weekly Volcano hip-hop columnist Josh Rizeberg is hosting an open mic at Jazzbones at 8 p.m. Spoken word? Of course. Hip-hop? Serious. Acoustic? You bet. Comedy? Josh likes comedy and says it's cool too.

Last year, readers of this fine rag voted the Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe the best bar in Tacoma. This was due in no small part to its well drink Wednesdays. $1.50 well drinks after 7 p.m. Are you kidding? That's, like, riding the train to funkytown for only eight bucks. Yes, please.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: South Sound happy hours

April 3, 2012 at 11:10am

Tournament of Breakfast: Champion crowned

MOON RISE CAFE CO-OWNER SAM SYVERSON: She enjoyed a post-win cocktail last night at Meconi's. Photo credit: Pappi Swarner

TUESDAY, APRIL 3: WE HAVE A WINNER >>>

After three weeks of voting the Weekly Volcano readers have picked the most popular breakfast in the South Sound.

The Tournament of Breakfast Championship match pitted the Moon Rise Cafe in Lakewood against the new kid on the block, Dirty Oscar's Annex in Tacoma.

Yesterday's championship battle saw the most online voting before dinnertime (5 p.m.) of the tournament, topping out at just over 7,000 votes. The Moon Rise Cafe had a commanding lead by the time the voting switched to the live ballot voting at 6 p.m. during the Tournament of Breakfast Party inside Meconi's Tacoma Pub and Eatery in downtown Tacoma. At the party, folks filled out breakfast voting/raffle ballots when they weren't tossing back $5 martinis and screaming at the NCAA Men's Championship hoop game on the tube.

As promised, we tallied the on-location votes during halftime of the hoop game, which Dirty Oscar's owned. The Sixth Avenue bar that serves awesome food won the on-site voting by six votes.

A large representation from the Moon Rise Cafe and Dirty Oscar's Annex were in the house. The Moon Rise arrived early with their black and purple Moon Rise T-shirts. Supporting the Lakewood Cafe and wearing the same T-shirts were The Villa Caffe and Imbibery owners Robyn and Jason.

"Jason and I invented the Villa Caffe over breakfast at the Moon Rise. We have a soft place for it in our hearts," said Robyn.

The Dirty Oscar's Annex also arrived in black T-shirts, but that's just how they roll. 

Team Moon Rise Cafe / Photo credit: Winter Teems

Team Dirty Oscar's Annex / Photo credit: Winter Temms

Dirty Oscar's Annex owner Jake Barth and Moon Rise Cafe owner Christine Curren / Photo credit: Winter Teems

It was a breakfast love fest. The two competing restaurants hugged it out, complementing each other on their talents. Old Milwaukee Cafe owners Pat and Chad attended the party to give props to both resturants. The Moon Rise had nothing but kind words for number two seed Old Milwaukee. The Moon Rise beat the popular Sixth Avenue restaurants in second round action.

At halftime of the basketball game, Pappi Swarner jumped behind the mic, grabbed the house PA, and gave away six or so raffle prizes, most to the lucky employees of Dirty Oscar's Annex.

The Weekly Volcano staff quickly downed their drinks and tallied the ballots. After combining the ballots with its 77 percent vote lead accumulated online, the winner of the 2012 Tournament of Breakfast was announced:

Moon Rise Cafe.

Both South Sound breakfast joints will be receiving Tournament of Breakfast trophies after completion of the engraving. Also, look for an upcoming feature on the Moon Rise Cafe in the Weekly Volcano.

So it's official: The Moon Rise Cafe is the winner of Weekly Volcano's 2012 Tournament of Breakfast. Eat it up, South Sound.

EDITOR'S NOTE: More photos from last night's Tournament of Breakfast party will be posted soon.

Thank you!

We would like to extend special THANKS! to Shakabrah Java for sponsoring the Tournament of Breakfast. The popular Sixth Avenue breakfast joint made it to the Poached Eight before falling to Dirty Oscar's Annex. It's a damn tasty breakfast.

Also a big thanks to Meconi's Tacoma Pub and Eatery for hosting our Tournament of Breakfast Championship party last night. Good times.

But most of all, thanks to all the awesome folks who voted. You rock.

LINK: More Tournament of Breakfast 2012 Party photos

March 25, 2012 at 12:12pm

‘Mad Men' takeover at the Tempest tonight

GRAB YOUR CANDY CIGS >>>

Season five of Mad Men hits the boob tube tonight. For Tacoma fans addicted to the show like it's characters crave nicotine, this is a welcome relief.

Tonight from 5 to 8 p.m., the Tempest Lounge is hosting a Mad Men mixer, and those who arrive clad in early '60s finery will have a chance to win a prize.

In addition, the bash will feature Mad Men-themed drinks, meaning brown liquor or clear, in a highball glass, from opening to close. Just, as Roger Sterling says, "don't be a sissy Mary" about it: "You don't know how to drink. Your whole generation, you drink for the wrong reasons. My generation, we drink because it's good, because it feels better than unbuttoning your collar, because we deserve it. We drink because it's what men do."

Yeah ... and women.

And women better dig out that Jackie Kennedy finery quick.

In terms of food, organizers Denise Tempest (Tempest Lounge owner) and Kris Blondin (co-owner of Stink Cheese & Meat) will fill your TV tray with deviled eggs, onion dip, pigs-in-a-blanket and other staples of the '60s.

The party is meant to be a pre-function. It ends at 8 p.m. giving partiers plenty of time to safely get home for the 9 p.m. start of the show.

[Tempest Lounge, Sunday, March 25, 5-8 p.m., 21+, $5 cover, 913 MLK Way, Tacoma, 253.272.4904]

March 13, 2012 at 2:24pm

One-Minute Interview: CMT's "Next Big Comic" winner Adam Norwest

Adam Norwest: His brain developed just enough to be really funny.

TACOMA REPRESENT! >>>

When comedian Adam Norwest, 25, returns to his home by Point Defiance Park he'll be wearing a shiny crown. Yesterday morning he learned he won Country Music Television's Next Big Comic title. Norwest began his comic career at age 13. In a few short years he was the youngest comedian ever to compete in the prestigious Seattle International Comedy Competition and has been seen on cable TV's Man Up, Stand Up, as well as Comedy Brew.

Now he's king of CMT comedy. Well done sir.

The Weekly Volcano caught up with Norwest from Birmingham, Alabama.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: Congratulations Adam. What did you win?

ADAM NORWEST: I won the title of CMT's Next Big Comic, and a recording deal with Rooftop Comedy Records.

VOLCANO:Take us through the steps to the crown.

NORWEST: The competition had thousands of comedians, which was narrowed down to 12 by CMT. Then, through online voting by fans, CMT narrowed it down to the final four. They flew us to Birmingham to compete live in front of 500 people at the Stardome. After the live show, and a little more voting, it was announced yesterday that I won.

VOLCANO: What was the joke that nailed it?

NORWEST: I'm 25 years old, and I just found out your brain is fully developed at 25. Dammit.

VOLCANO: When may Tacoma bow in your presence?

NORWEST: I will be opening for Dave Coulier (Uncle Joey from Full House) March 22-24 at the Tacoma Comedy Club, and then back to headline the club on May 3.

LINK: CMT video of Adam Norwest

Filed under: Comedy, Contest, Tacoma,

February 22, 2012 at 10:06am

Sunday: Tacoma Oscar Party & Costume Contest

THE GRAND CINEMA OSCAR PARTY COSTUME CONTEST: This year's emcee, Mitch Robinson, dressed as Juno MacGuff in 2008.

DRESS AS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE STAR OR MOVIE THEME >>>

We knew indie hotspot The Grand Cinema wouldn't leave Tacoma without an Academy Awards shindig of its own. In recent years, staff has opted for the nearby Theatre on the Square's more intimate space to hold its annual event, and this year's Grand Oscar part is no different. The Grand has plenty to entice guests, including a $100 award for the most creative costume, a raffle, silent auction and host Mitch Robinson, president of The Grand Cinema board.

All costume contest participants need to meet in the Theatre on the Square lobby at 5:10 p.m. to be separated into two groups. Three rounds of audience voting will choose the best movie themed costume.

But best of all, the "Golden Ticket" (a year's supply of free movies at The Grand) awaits the person who correctly guesses the most Oscar winners.

[Theatre on the Square, Grand Cinema's Academy Awards Party, Sunday, Feb. 26, doors at 4 p.m., red carpet coverage begins at 5 p.m., $20 for Grand Cinema members, $25 for non-members, dinner and dessert included in ticket price, 915 Broadway, Tacoma 253.572.6062, grandcinema.com]

Ideas ...

Filed under: Contest, Screens, Tacoma,

February 22, 2012 at 7:35am

Begins Today: Tacoma Drinks Washington Beer Week

THE RED HOT: It's all about Washington beers this week.

During college, I studied in Denmark for a semester and then traveled through Europe with a ragtag group of ramblers from the university I'd attended. The trip included a lot of walking, train riding, museum/church exploring and experiencing the different cultures of Europe (e.g., drinking beer in bars). We kept a list of beers we pounded as if we'd earn a prize. Unfortunately, Europe wasn't united in the mid-'80s so no prize for us.

However, you can earn a prize for drinking a bunch of Washington beers in Tacoma. Today kicks off Tacoma Drinks Washington Beer Week, sponsored by The Red Hot and Parkway Tavern. Tacoma's two beloved taverns will be pushing Washington brews through Feb. 29, hosting specials events and offering a 20-beer punch card WITH A PRIZE - a commemorative growler.

The Washington Beer Blog has all the sweet details on Tacoma Drinks Washington Beer Week.

Have a nice trip.

February 18, 2012 at 1:21pm

Enter the "SHOW OFF!" talent contest

WHAT IS YOUR TALENT? >>>

It was last month; Bobble Tki was hanging with Fat Pat in the Naches Tavern in Greenwater after a day at Crystal Mountain.  Like typical random bar talk goes, some guy claimed Cool Hand Luke could never eat 50 hard-boiled eggs in an hour. Then he thought it would be a good idea if there was a contest to see who could eat the most eggs in one hour.  This guy looked like a lumberjack because he was a lumberjack. When he threw his plaid hat into the ring, we hopped out the door ... like chickens.

The next morning we woke up early and decided to give the Cool Hand Luke thing a shot. From 1:15 p.m. until 2:15 p.m., we ate eggs (the morning was spent boiling).

In the last 15 seconds, Bobble Tiki crammed two eggs in his mouth, barely chewed, then swallowed. Time.

Bobble Tiki won, but not really.  Remember that PBS documentary about Liberace? While the sequined cars, pianos, and matching outfits were disturbing enough, they paled in comparison to the footage of the piano virtuoso in a hot tub while in his 50s, the sight of which was not only not very pretty but doubly troubling because his physique at the time looked very much like Bobble Tiki did that night. Ouch!!! 

If you have a similar talent - or can sing, dance, play an instrument, juggle, conjure rabbits out of hats or just love to perform - you could win $500 by entering SHOW OFF!

Interested? Thurston Community Television provides the details below:

SHOW OFF! is a benefit fund raiser for Thurston Community Television.  Nonprofessional performers seven years of age and older, who live in Washington State are invited to enter. 

Preliminary competition is Saturday, March 3, 2012, from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM at the Kenneth J. Minneart Center for the Arts at South Puget Sound Community College.  TCTV will accept early entries until 5:00PM on March 2nd.  Space is limited.  Any timeslots not filled by March 2nd will be available on a first come basis at the Saturday, March 3rd.   Entry fee is $15.  Each act will receive a DVD recording of their preliminary performance. 

The preliminary judges will select up to 15 acts to perform in the SHOW OFF! Final Competition gala matinee show on Sunday, April 1st. The Judges Choice award winner and the Audience Choice award winner will each receive a $500 cash award. 

Details and entry information is available at www.tctv.net or by calling 360-956-3100.

LINK: SHOW OFF! promo video

Filed under: Contest, Olympia, Bobble Tiki,

February 13, 2012 at 2:32pm

Question: Who's getting lucky tomorrow night at The Hub?

Jason Keil, Tom Zearley and Amelia Lyons participated in The Hub's trivia contest last Tuesday. Photo credit: Steve Dunkelberger

HEART NIGHT BATTLE >>>

"So what are we doing for Valentine's Day, Babe?"

Going to The Hub for happy hour, staying for dinner and trivia, with the possibly of hanging for its late-night happy hour.

"Omg, I love you!"

Yeah, from 3-6 p.m. and 9 to close Harmon pints are only $3, house wines are $4 and premium wells are also $4. At 6 p.m. Andrew grabs the microphone and launches two rounds of trivia. Honey, The Hub gives away $50 to the winner of each of the two rounds.

Oh, The Hub's bartender Ahmand Toussaint is known for his chocolate martinis, Hub Hydrations and margarita frescos, which he uses all fresh juices.

"OMG what an amazing thing to do! I'm so happy you're taking me, let's just have sex right now!"

[The Hub, 6 p.m. Tuesday trivia, 203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.683.4606]

The Hub bartender Ahmand Toussaint

Erin Laycock and Paolo Liloc rocked The Hub's trivia contest last Tuesday.

LINK: More photos from last Tuesday's trivia night at The Hub

LINK: More Valentine's Day stuff to do

Filed under: Food & Drink, Contest, Holidays, Tacoma,

February 8, 2012 at 1:02pm

The Best free party next week

Barry

DON'T BE LIKE BARRY >>>

Everyone likes a good party. Or almost everyone does. We've got this friend, Barry, who doesn't like parties AT ALL. He's adamant about it. But he's also in the minority. That's why we feel more than comfortable saying next Thursday's Best of Olympia 2012 Party at the 4th Avenue Tavern is going to be, for all intents and purposes, "off da hook." Music from Scott Taylor and the Fond Farewells and headliners Glass Elevator, $2 Oly draft all night long, a huge raffle, Olympia trivia, a large percentage of the Volcano's esteemed staff in one spot (and available for mass ridicule), and the debut of the Volcano's Best of Olympia 2012.

What else could you want?

Probably nothing we can deliver.

What we can deliver is all the aforementioned goodness for free - which should hopefully be enough to please everyone ... except Barry.

[4th Avenue Tavern, starts at 6 p.m., free, with Glass Elevator, Scott Taylor and the Fond Farewells, 210 Fourth Ave. E, Olympia, 360.786.1444]

LINK: Read the Best of Olympia 2011 issue

February 7, 2012 at 2:36pm

Academy Awards viewing party in Tacoma

BE A PART OF THE HOOPLA >>>

Contemplate if you will - and as you most likely have - your past Oscar experiences. Lonely. Nachos with not enough cheese. Asleep on the couch before the Best Original Screenplay winners are named.

Wake up, little starlet! You can endure the four-hour show by exchanging snarky comments with your fellow film enthusiasts in a movie theater environment. The Grand Cinema hosts an Academy Awards Party Sunday, Feb. 26 at the Theatre on the Square in downtown Tacoma.  The doors open at 4 p.m. for the 5 p.m. preshow telecast of nominees walking down the red carpet, in which otherwise talented people such as Hillary Swank and Leonardo DiCaprio engage in inane chatter with an inane interviewer.

Bobble Tiki is here to tell you it's going to be on helluva party. For $25 ($20 for Grand members), attendees receive dinner by Maxwell's Restaurant, dessert by Corina Bakery, and several chances to win raffle prizes throughout the evening. By correctly guessing the most Oscar winners, you can win the coveted Golden Ticket, which allows you free movies at the Grand for an entire year.

Finally, there's something positive about the Academy Awards. Bobble Tiki watches the ceremony now to amuse himself with how wonderfully predictable the Academy is - and also to see what ridiculous thing Helena Bonham Carter will wear this year, or what stupid thing Steven Seagal will do. (Bobble Tiki always thought an Exit Wound was that numb feeling in his butt after he leaves a Seagal movie.)

For those who treat Oscar night as another excuse to dress up, the Weekly Volcano promises more than $100 worth of gift certificates for best costume. Yup, the Weekly Volcano is sponsoring the costume contest.

Bobble Tiki hopes Steven Seagal attends this year's Academy Awards. Bobble Tiki wants one cutaway shot of Seagal, brooding in the back corner of the upper mezzanine, eating a box of JuJuBees and trying to see over Carrot Top's hair. It'd be the crowning touch on the world's most anticipated show. 

[Theatre on the Square, Sunday, Feb. 26, doors at 4 p.m., $20-$25 includes dinner, dessert, cash bar, 915 Broadway, downtown Tacoma, buy tickets here]

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News and entertainment from Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s most awesome weekly newspapers - The Ranger, Northwest Airlifter and Weekly Volcano.

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