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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Partly sunny, cold, hi 37, lo 25

Saturday: Partly sunny, hi 39, lo 30

Sunday: Partly sunny, hi 43, lo 33

>>> FRIDAY, DEC. 31: THREE DOG NIGHT

The song is actually called "Joy To The World," but that doesn't mean it's not about a bullfrog named Jeremiah with some mighty fine wine. Similarly, Three Dog Night may be at a point in their career where New Year's Eve is spent at the Emerald Queen Casino, but that doesn't mean you should be embarrassed to show your love for the band. Hell, you love the ladies; you love to have your fun. You're a straight-shootin‘ son-of-a-gun. This show's for you.

• Emerald Queen Casino, 8 p.m., free, 2024 East 29th St., Tacoma, 253.594.7777

>>> SATURDAY, Jan. 1: CORPUS CALLOSUM

Corpus Callosum are a seven-piece traveling sideshow. Their music is made using arcane and unusual instruments like wine glasses and Stylophones, and it sways and hums in a style similar to fellow anachronistic acts like Beirut and DeVotchKa. The show is rounded out by their emphasis on performance. Puppets, stilt walking, cardboard sets - it adds up to a dizzying interpretation of a school recital, a talent show, a carnival. Do you ever see those vouchers with the elephants and clowns and red balls adorned with stars and regret always missing the circus when it unceremoniously blows through town? Here is your chance to experience that eerie magic before Corpus Callosum pack it in and leave for yet another town, more eyes and ears to be met with wonder.

• The Den @ urbanXchange, 7 p.m., donations accepted, 1932 Pacific Ave, Tacoma

>>> Jan. 1- 2: "JOE'S DINER"

On the first two days of '11, check out the South Sound's "first all star acting company" as they delve into the Christian Doyle creation and newborn area favorite, Joe's Diner. Doyle, the name behind The Outfit Theatre Company, promises with Joe's Diner an evening of slapstick, improv, zany situations and guest stars. OK -  we came up with the "zany" part, but you know we're right.

Lakewood Playhouse, 8 p.m. Jan. 1, 2 p.m. Jan. 2, $14.50, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd., Lakewood, 253.588.0042

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

STEPH DEROSA Features Writer
This week I'm out at the beach in Westport, Washington.  I've rallied some super cool eight-year-old girls for a special New Year's Eve weekend that will include a few clam digs, lots of sugar, and I'm sure many, many very loud Hannah Montana dance parties in the living room.  I would elaborate more on the splendid details of my girlie weekend by the sea, but I have a Disney All Star Party game calling for me upstairs on the Wii.  Laterz.

PAUL SCHRAG Senior Contributor
I'm going to fuck with drunk people and celebrate the mightiness of Jah.

*

REV. ADAM MCKINNERY Features Writer
New Year's Eve, I will be attending an impromptu show at the Hilltop Hollows. Currently, the only band on the docket is Skeleton Rebellion, one of my friend Tristan Marcum's bands. There will surely be drinking and much merriment. I've begged them to learn the theme song to Doug and, if they do, I can die a happy man (and be reborn in 2011 as, once again, a miserable man).

JOE IZENMAN Music/Theater Critic
Through the glory of having Friday off (from my day job... here at the Volcano I do very little and have most days off), I can joyously attend The Red Hot for lunch to make sure I don't miss out on The Abyss, one of the finest beers known to man. This shall prepare me to rock the crap out of the Pantages lobby with Deborah Page for First Night. After that? Who can say? Movies at the Grand? Buying comic books? Eating cupcakes? ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN.

BRETT CIHON Meat Market Correspondent/Features Writer
I'm ringing in the New Year up north. Local Seattle band Mystery Ship is playing a show at the the Blue Moon bar, and I plan for an evening of beers and classic rock. On Saturday I'm heading back to Olympia for a Meat Market night out. 

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
New's Year's Eve is gonna be a blur of First Night activities. I'll hit up The Peabody Waldorf for the early Gritty City Sirens' Burlesque show, then it's over to the Club SOTA stage for Pickwick, Robert Dealing and Ravenna Woods courtesy of The Warehouse Presents. At midnight I'll get a kiss from the fab Mr. Varnell and our cutie progeny.  I'll spend Saturday in my pajamas trying to nap as much as possible or maybe head to the mountains to play in the snow. On Sunday I'm going to pretend I don't have to work the next day.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
Despite repeated begging, no one invited me to a New Year's Eve rager. So instead, my girlfriend and I are watching movies with her sister, who doesn't drink to excess. It's PATHETIC. I'm kinda mad at you right now, Oly cool friends.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Photographer
Hitting First Night with Jen Fab before the Vicci Martinez show at Jazzbones and some Hell's Kitchen tunes since there will be a free show.

ALEC CLAYTON: Visual Arts Critic
 Avoiding drunks.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

THURSDAY, DEC. 16>>>

1. Rare Exports opens at the Grand today with a free screening starting at 7 p.m. The only catch: You need to pick up your free tickets at either Doyle's or Comic Book Ink.

2. Well hot shit! The Fabulous Wailers play the Swiss tonight - and they're promising a big bash. Expect extra horns and some boogie piano.

3. Still shopping for the holidays? Who's not? Try the 25 and Under Sale today at the 253 Collective Showroom (1901 S. Jefferson). "New art, new artists and new excitement," it promised.

4. Need a laugh? I'm sure we all do. Chances are, the comedy open mic night at Big Whisky Saloon in Tacoma will provide a few. Giggles start at 8:30 p.m.

5. Get your fiddle on with The McKassons and the Haggis For the Holidays Benefit at the Mandolin Café.

AS SEEN IN THE WEEKLY VOLCANO >>>

Artist Michael Kaniecki just sent out a message on the TacomaArt listserv regarding that endless drawing of his - you know, the one the Volcano's Alec Clayton reviewed last week. It's called Semi-Automatic.

Kaniecki invites all interested to check out the FINAL version of his Spaceworks Tacoma installation, an India ink and wash drawing, this Thursday, Dec. 16. The work will also be on display for two weeks following this date.

Viewable at 1114 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma, next to Chase Bank, Kaniecki's drawing measures 40'' x 500'' and is supplemented by 35 additional drawings of two sizes (12'' x 44'' and 4'' x 5''). It's part of the Spaceworks Tacoma program, which aims to invigorate unused public space through art.

Read Clayton's review here.

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Partly sunny, hi 46, lo 33

Saturday: Partly sunny, hi 43, lo 34

Sunday: Partly sunny, noticing a pattern here, hi 55, lo 38

>>> THURSDAY, DEC. 2-FRIDAY, DEC. 3: THE CASH FLOW SHOW III

This year marks Cash Flow Show III, but the package is as tight as ever. Local artists you know and love, slinging a bounty of artistic goodness priced at $25 or less, will set up shop and give you an even better-than-normal excuse to skip the malls: Help Grit City's creative types enjoy a holiday season that includes more than pocket lint and Top Ramen. Because, you know, you're supporting their work with actual money. It's a win-win.

• Mad Hat Tea Company, 1130 Commerce St., Tacoma, 253.441.2111

>>> SATURDAY, DEC. 4: DOXOLOGY

The Revolution is coming. No, I'm not talking about when anarchy takes control, the roads devolve into some sort of Mad Max scenario and R.R. Anderson finally gets the recognition he deserves; rather, I'm talking about Doxology's new record, The Revolution, which the band will officially celebrate the release of Saturday at Jazzbones. Always, ALWAYS a crowd pleaser, there's simply no reason Doxology's brand of ear-friendly, modern, new school pop rock shouldn't steal the show and carry the night. Put simply, Doxology, led by frontman Luke McPherson, is the kind of band the ultra-cool may not have the balls to endorse, but there's no doubt the band has mastered its craft and has all the tools necessary to sweat up the dance floor. Expect a lot of bodies, and a lot of new tunes from a band Tacoma has shown definite affection for in the past. 

• Jazzbones, with Roman Holiday, 8 p.m., $10-$12, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169

>>> SATURDAY, DEC.4-SUNDAY, DEC. 5: SOUNDS OF THE SEASON

Fight as you may, it's officially "the season." Kids are already sitting on various Santa laps at malls across the country, and A Christmas Story is probably already re-running on TBS. The Tacoma Symphony Orchestra and Chorus will spend Saturday and Sunday at the Pantages Theater doling out "beloved" seasonal music, a few "familiar classics" and a maxed-out credit card full of sing-along enjoyment for the whole family. Here's one holiday favorite undeserving of a bah humbug.

• Pantages Theater, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, $24-$77, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.5890

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

MATT DRISCOLL Editor (aka - the guy to blame)
So much to do, so little time ... We've got a birthday party for a four year old to attend Saturday afternoon - which jibes nicely with the Apple Cup, let me tell you what. The parents at our fancy preschool just don't give football the respect it deserves. After that, we'll Christmas tree hunt, purchase pallets of stuff at Costco, run to Fife so I can buy cigarettes, write letters to Santa, avoid the malls, and generally lay low - in no particular order. Sunday evening I'll be stopping by the Northwest Convergence Zone Podcast to catch up with Darrell Fortune and the gang once again - my monthly appearance on the show to pimp the Cup Check column.

RON SWARNER Publisher
Friday night I'll hangout with tattoo types at the Blue Mouse Theatre getting loaded on rum punch and learning about the life of Sailor Jerry, the aesthetic vanguard who valued and embraced the mastery of Japanese tattooing. Saturday, after I wrestle with outdoor Christmas lights, the Lovely Kate and I will check out Kim Archer at Maxwell's Speakeasy, then head over to the Girl Trouble Christmas Show at the New Frontier to see how the holiday season is treating KP's physique. I hope the band will hurl Wig Out magazines into the crowd. Sunday, I'll drop by the Friends of the Holidays show at The Swiss.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Features Writer
Friday, I'll probably be seeing Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry at the Blue Mouse. It is advertised as being 21+, which I hope means that there will be lots of rum available. Afterward, I'll hustle (pun!) on down to the New Frontier for the Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside show. She was a definite highlight at Squeak & Squawk, so I'm excited to see her again. As for the rest of the weekend, I can assure you that booze will be involved.

NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
This Saturday my baby boy is turning five! Lots of craziness going down at Chuck E Cheeses. Cake, pizza, creepy mechanical rock show, and the newest edition - a booth where the birthday kid can try and catch as many flying tickets as possible. If I survive the birthday bash, Sunday promises an adult shindig worth celebrating! My work X-mas party - where fancy clothes, family style Italian dinner, red wine and secret Santas all come together in a glorious gathering of love and mayhem. Cheers!

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
After my first 3 days of post maternity-leave work I'll be attending the Beautiful Angle holiday party/fundraiser at King's books on Friday night. Then I plan to sit with my son by the fire, drink cider and bask in the glow of Christmas tree lights. Also on the docket is a nap, shopping for our annual Christmas tree ornaments and pretending I'm just a wee more exciting.

JENNIFER JOHNSON: Lifestyle/Leisure Writer
A Christmas Carol at ACT Theatre in Seattle Friday. Saturday morning I'm taking advantage of free admission for Bank of America account holders day at Tacoma Art Museum followed by violin holiday concert and Festival of the Nativity that night. Sunday I'll go back to TAM for a little bit of Winterfest before heading to church.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
Well, Weekly Volcano, I'm glad you asked.  I have two rehearsals for TLT's Frost/Nixon this week, as I'm playing Bob Zelnick.  Friday is my girlfriend's office Christmas party, so I plan to behave myself (at least more than her boss).  Saturday I'm seeing Blood Relations in the Midnight Sun, and Sunday afternoon it's off to OLT for Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Meat Market Correspondent
I will be out and about with the kiddos with a possible trip to the Blue Mouse Theater Saturday to see "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole."

STEPH DEROSA Columnist
I am so busy this weekend that there is a possibility my head will explode.  Friday night Kate Swarner and I will be prepping gingerbread houses on Joint Base Lewis-McChord for the Children's Museum of Tacoma's annual Gingerbread Jamboree.  Saturday Kate and I will return bright and early with our friend Lindsey to JBLM for a day full of frosting, candy, and glorious gingerbread house decorating with families who have loved ones out of the country for the holidays.  Saturday evening we will attend yet another birthday party (I should buy stock in Barbies), and Sunday my family will be attending the original Gingerbread Jamboree at Hotel Murano without me because I will be workin' at my favorite beer store, 99 Bottles!  I'm hoping to annoy my new 99 Bottles co-workers by overusing the beer phrase "brew-ha-ha".  Let's see how long it takes.

ALEC CLAYTON: Columnist
Going to see "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" at Lakewood Playhouse.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

ALMOST AN APOLOGY >>>

There are critics who love the snarky comment more than anything. They'd rather fire a witty barb at an actor or artist than see a good play or art exhibit. I don't do that. Or I rarely do. If anything I'm usually overly nice, but once in a while I give in to the temptation to nail someone, and when I do I hear it from readers.

I can praise everyone and never hear from anyone, but let me fail to mention somebody's grandchild who had a no-name part in some ensemble bit and I get emails asking why I slighted him.

Recently I called the painters Bev Doolittle and Thomas Kincade super slick commercial schmucks and a reader rightly called me on it. I shouldn't be so nasty. That was totally unnecessary and out of character for me, but it felt good. Some folks beg for derision.

I would not be so critical of unknown local artists who were struggling to gain acceptance in the art world. If they showed promise but were not yet ready for primetime I'd criticize them in the manner of a helpful professor. If they were really, really bad I just wouldn't review them at all. But so-called artists who gain widespread popularity and make a lot of money by creating pictures that are slick, commercial and gimmicky, and which appeal to cheap sentiment and are masterfully marketed, should be called out. They muddy the waters of art.

The public is easily duped. Show them enough of that stuff and they begin to believe that's what real art is. Why bother to go to a museum and see the real masters and maybe have to stretch their minds and open their hearts in order to grasp and begin to appreciate what may be new and off-putting to them when they can go to that gallery in the mall and pick up a lovely landscape that looks like the Christmas cards that enchanted them in their childhood? Never mind that it's mass produced.

It's easy to like gimmicky or sentimental art. It's much harder to like a Frances Bacon or a Pablo Picasso or even a Caravaggio. Those demand long and careful study. But the rewards are much greater for those willing to put in the effort. The commercial exploitation of stuff that's easy to like inhibits people's ability to learn to like the truly worthy art. They listen to Bob Denver instead of Bob Dylan, to Lawrence Welk instead of Beethoven. They read cheap romances rather than Shakespeare and Faulkner.

So what? Let ‘em read and look at and listen to what they like and the lovers of Shakespeare and Beethoven and Caravaggio can read and look at and listen to what they like. That sounds logical enough, but the commercialization of lesser art stifles greater art. The next generation's Faulkner can't even get his book published and the next generation's Caravaggio can't even get a gallery show because the purveyors of art are so busy making money off the likes of Doolittle and Kincade that they won't take a chance on the next generation's budding geniuses.

That's why I sometimes get snarkier than perhaps I should. But I try to save it for the ones who are laughing all the way to the bank.

MONDAY, NOV. 29 >>>

1. Marcus Walker, a well-known member of the community and the managing artistic director at Lakewood Playhouse, was recently diagnosed with cancer - more specifically malignant metastatic melanoma, which he describes in a letter to friends and Lakewood Playhouse patrons as a "very virulent form" of cancer. Tonight, banking on the fact that laughter is the best medicine, a benefit roast of Walker will be held at Urban Grace Church in Tacoma. All proceeds will go to Lakewood Playhouse to help in this time of need.

2. The power of social media can be leveraged by artists. Today a workshop discussing this fact will be held at Tacoma Art Place. Grow your fan base. Grow your business. Increase your exposure. The free workshop will cover it all. Hopefully you RSVP'd.

3. The Mix hosts Barstool Bingo with prizes beginning at 9 p.m. Get your butt down there.

4. Dance party, yo! Tonight at the New Frontier Lounge with DJ Tanner & DJ Dark Skars. Starts at 9 p.m. Be there or be square.

5. Community and West African drumming and dance go together like, well ... we don't know yet. Tonight we'll get a chance to find out. What we do know for sure is when there's a community oriented, all-are-welcome West African drumming and dance event at the Loft on Cherry in Olympia it's probably a pretty good way to spend your Monday evening. Lucky for us, all skill levels are welcome. Runs 7:30-9 p.m.

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.

TIME FOR A VISIT TO PIERCE COLLEGE IN LAKEWOOD >>>

The press release said, "Internationally acclaimed painter Chris Terry will be the featured artist at the Pierce College Fort Steilacoom Fine Arts Gallery."

My first reaction when I read that was, "Yeah, right. Probably some super slick commercial shmuck like Bev Doolittle or Thomas Kinkade."

Then I looked Terry up on the Internet and was surprised to discover he's a damn fine painter.

Serious contemporary still life painting is something of an oxymoron. With the exception of George Morandi and some pop-style still life painters like Janet Fish nobody does that anymore. So I was pleasantly surprised to see Terry's paintings. His still life paintings are serious, somber, and beautifully composed with soft colors and lighting that set a wonderful mood. He is a worthy successor to Morandi, and he carries on a revered tradition without being old fashioned.
 
Terry has taught painting and drawing at Utah State University for more than 20 years and has won numerous awards, including the Utah Visual Artist Fellowship and a Western States Art Federation/National Endowment for the Arts fellowship. He has twice received a Fulbright Fellowship for Teaching and Research in Germany and was named a visiting artist in 2000 at the American Academy in Rome.
  
The Fine Arts Gallery is located at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, 9401 Farwest Drive SW, Lakewood. It's an often overlooked gallery but well worth visiting, especially during the run of this show. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon Friday. The show continues through Dec. 10.

THE BIRTH OF PUNK ISLAM >>>

A documentary about punk rock and the active practice of Islam? Sounds messy, if not completely impossible, no?

Well, as Taqwacore: The Birth of Punk Islam - a film by written and directed by Omar Majeed - shows us, it does get messy, but anything is possible. Based on a book of the same name, written by Michael Muhammad Knight and now taught in some universities as a "Catcher in the Rye for young Muslims," - Taqwacore: The Birth of Punk Islam screens tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Capitol Theater. For more information on the Olympia Film Festival, go here.

For a sneak peak at Taqwacore, check the trailer below ...

THURSDAY, NOV. 18>>>

1. Just when you thought the farmers market season had faded to an end, the Tacoma Farmers Market and Multicare Health System come to the rescue with an official Pre-Thanksgiving Farmers Market this Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. at South Fourth and I Street in Tacoma. According to hype, 15 vendors will be dealing in most of the tasty, fresh, local stuff you've come to expect from the Tacoma Farmers Market, while live performers dabble in folk and bluegrass action.

2. It's the one-year anniversary of Tacoma Metal Arts Center - and they're having a party! Everyone is invited to catch jewelry demonstrations, munch on food, sip beverages, and revel at all the goodness Tacoma Metal Arts Center has to offer. Expect hands-on activities from 4-7 p.m., and an artist reception from 5-8 p.m.

3. Like a good throttling to kick off your weekend? Start tonight at Hell's Kitchen - where Tacoma punks the Americommies will no doubt engage in all sorts of blasphemy ... to the delight of all in attendance.

4. The Tacoma Weavers Guild is celebrating 75 years of existence this year - something you're aware of if you've recently visited the downtown Tacoma Public Library's Handforth Gallery - where "The Art of Weaving" is currently on display, or the library's Northwest Room, where there's a historical display to commemorate the Guild's impressive achievement. Tonight, as part of Art Walk, there's an opening reception for both displays. Expect weavers aplenty.

5. That reminds us! Let us not forget it's Third Thursday Art Walk today in Tacoma. There are numerous sights to see and experiences to be had throughout the City of Destiny this evening. In case you're new at this, here's a decent place to start.