Frequently, fashion shows are all about, well, fashion.

The way the Point Defiance Zoo Society did it for the Fashion Tea Saturday at the Emerald Queen Casino, the subjects were fun and fashion, with the addendum to read “fund-raising.”

High points were plenty, from the Tom Jones opener “What’s New Pussycat” reinforcing the Purrrrfect theme, with a Tom Jones who looked suspiciously like Jack Black.  In a good way, as I dig JB and thing Tom is oogie.

More high points: the cake auction, with hot men in tuxes tempting the audience with dessert decadence.  Perhaps it was the heat of the men that drove bidding frenzy to over $300 for several cakes, which did indeed sound dreamy, especially when paired with a hot, topless man to serve it â€" but it was interesting to me that while cakes were hot, a few of the auctioned trips sold less quickly, despite the valiant attempts by Larry Stokes.

Stokes did manage to gain the Zoo at least $1,000 through two bidding splits, where the two highest bidders both won prizes.

I was teary-eyed by the generosity of many, when contributions were solicited to fund such things as school tours, walrus feedings, and outdoor ed programs, and I was awed to be in the presence of people so committed to helping sustain such an entity as the zoo, which brings so many great things to Tacoma.

As the event closed, though, I was stoked to see my boutiquin’ homies all representin’ for the 253, from Dame Lola (I suspect the Nordstrom intro was erroneously placed before the lovely lantern-sleeved Miguelina blouse, yellow dress, and tunic top that I recognized from the shop, whereas I did not recognize the evening gowns shown under the shop’s name) â€" to the hot styles from Red Line, Rocky & Coco’s, Tiki Lounge, Cake, Bloom, and other local shops that brought heat wrapped in style to the runway.

And as the grand finale?

How fun to see Rusty George, whose company designed the event’s graphics, himself (attired beguilingly in a fabulous bridal gown courtesy of the Wedding Bell) with his incendiary fiancée, attired beguilingly in a tux.

Rad, is all I can say. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler

There was a surprise eleventh act when the Ten Tiny Dances hit the (tiny, natch!) stage at Jazzbones on Saturday.

Kate Monthy of MLK Ballet and Mary Mabry of the Tacoma Dance Collective matched like physiques and physical skill together to bring a black and white, white and black extension of one-ness to the (diminutive) stage; this happened a little past midway through an evening where tap and sax, tantric sex, working class love by the train tracks, and relationships in a media age (with afro wig!) were explored, alongside themes of collaboration and communication.

I particularly liked that my seat was, thanks to the KAke and Ms. Jennifer Johnson, Jazzbones GM extraordinaire, kick-ass and front row.

There, I could focus on the feet.

No, really.

Alexa Folsom-Hill mentioned “the Life of a Dancer” at the last MOVE!, and I’ve been pondering the point.

Talking to Mike Barber, Portland-ite and founder of Ten Tiny Dances, the point came closer to home: en route to Tacoma, the group had a vehicle break down, and they had to deal with rental car hassles, stress, and mayhem.

They persevered, to bring their version of accessible dance to out fine town, and eventually arrived.

And then, driving the “life of a dancer” point home with a hammer, the Ten Tiny Dances showed bare-footed dancing in all it’s calloused, bent-toed, strong glory.  These feet stretch, reach, and express the way many of us would like our bodies and faces to, while showing that the road to becoming strong and expressive is not a smooth one.

On a big stage, en pointe, you never get a chance to see the true story.

In the round, on a four foot stage, where dialogue and music meld intriguingly with a discipline that’s frequently airbrushed, the stories unfold in intimate, intriguing, affecting ways.

And it’s a world-rocking thing. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler

On my birthday, I revel in my own self-indulgence. I organize and announce my own birthday party, usually at a spacious bar with plenty of cheap drinks, invite any friend within a 100-mile radius and then kick back and enjoy a drunken evening with my closest associates. That’s what a birthday is supposed to be about.

Tonight, the Tacoma Art Museum throws a surprise 100th birthday party for Frida Kahlo because Kahlo can't throw it herself. She's dead.

Check it here. â€" Suzy Stump

While it looks like the purveyors of one of our esteemed art parties is fading from the scene, another is busily at work creating their next coup. 

I met up with the “Bitches that brought you Eyefull” (Leah told me to say that) and had a fun afternoon of photos and conversation.  Sounds like the MidSummer Soiree, which will come toward the end of July, will be another “don’t you dare miss it,” with an earthy-esoteric-exotic theme that includes at least one flight of Cirque du soleil-like flight (ahem, it’s a pun) of fancy.

Trust me on this, it’s going to be hella-cool.

Details will come your way as they become concrete. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler

Though we’ve often said that the most vehement environmentalists would best serve the Earth by killing themselves we nonetheless encourage a visit to local Earth Day celebrations first.

“Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in the human adventure.”

So states John McConnell’s original Earth Day proclamation.  Begun in 1970 during the March Equinox (March 20, 21), Earth Day is a worldwide yearly celebration and call to action in order to sustain the natural beauty and viability of our world.

At today's Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s Earth Day Party for the Planet you can watch a wild animal show, learn the ups and downs of rappelling and rock climbing, make your very own Mason bee house or navigate a salmon, and much more from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Do your part to save the planet by skipping your bath today and go play at the zoo.  We’ll see you there, right after a quick spray to the lawn with pesticide and a quick spray to our hair with Aquanet. â€" Suzy Stump

Just when you need a dose of mix-it-up dance, “MOVE!” comes along to save the day.

MLKBallet will bring “MOVE! A Contemporary Dance Series #4” to the Tacoma School of the Arts Theatre April 20 at 8 p.m. and April 21 at 2 and 8 p.m. Once again a dynamic evening of physical creative expression will rivet audiences compliments of the Pacific Lutheran University Dance, Performance Place Ensemble; excerpts of Ten Tiny Dances; and danielandsomesuperfriends.

When MLKBallet Executive Director Alexa Folsom-Hill was asked to name a single highlight of the evening, she didn’t miss a beat before responding, “We’ve invited back danielandsomesuperfriends.”

This Seattle troupe, whose strong technical ballet base melds with cutting-edge choreography, will present a new piece, “Poor Man’s Boogie.”

“They’re pretty amazing,” Folsom-Hill says.

As with the previous “MOVE!” shows, this installment raises funds to maintain MLKBallet’s tuition-free dance training program on Hilltop Tacoma. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler

[Tacoma School of the Arts, Friday, April 20 8 p.m., Saturday, April 21 2 and 8 p.m., $14, 1118 Commerce, Tacoma, 253.906.2190 or go to www.mlkballet.org/move.htm]

In her statement welcoming the crowd to the Head to Toe Hair and Fashion Extravaganza Saturday night at the Tacoma Elks Lodge, Judy Neal, owner if Valentino’s Hair and Wig Boutique mentioned Don Imus, and suggested, “I’m happy to be nappy.” It was an ironic moment, since the hair on show was all kinds of up-to-the-minute, ultra-chic artistry.

The vibe of the evening was decidedly upbeat and purpose-driven, with improvised live music setting a backdrop of excitement that blended one moment seamlessly into the next.  Pam Bowman and Quiana Davis, and the Royalty Dancers also lent to the very classy feel to the evening. The presence and appreciation of the pastors in presence was also a nice touch.

Some segments were skits, while others were dance numbers.  Sets were organized by salon, highlighting the talents of eight salons with several designers in each one.

Designers were promenaded and lauded with their styles, which included braids, updos, falls, extensions, innovative cuts, and amazingly creative combinations of these elements.

The Grand Finale featured a dance number. I was almost confused about the hair there â€" It was covered in intricate wraps, which I thought were the hair art.  I was, happily, wrong, and learned in the process that these kinds of wraps are recommended for helping care for some of these elaborate styles.

Stools were set up on stage, and stylist Heylina Wright emerged.  With energy and élan, she unwrapped the models’ heads and brushed out the styles she had previously created; two of my favorite styles actually belonged to a mother daughter pair, though the piece de resistance ponytail with fabulous flip front was also gorgeous.

It was a divine end to an inspired evening. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler

Sure, it seems like Dec. 31 is a long time from now.  Is there any reason to be thinking now about New Year’s and what’ll be happening in Tacoma?

Yes, according to Kala Dralle of Community and Economic Development for the City of Tacoma, the official “First Night” New Year’s Eve downtown Tacoma arts celebration is back on.  The debt has dwindled down.  There's a solid board in place.  They even have a MySpace page.

Keep an eye on this blog for updates. â€" Suzy Stump

When sweet pea said that yesterday's Wayzgoose at King's Books was a letterpress "O Come All Ye," I thought he was engaging in a bit of hyperbole.

But "All" seemed to attend, and seemed to enjoy themselves as heartily as I did.

The event was centered on letterpress, though the papermaking courtesy of L'Arche Farm & Gardens was a nice (if cold, in front of the shop on the early spring day) warm-up for the activities within.  Inside, Jessica Spring had a wee press set up where we received our first memento of the day, a roughly 6X6 card with the haiku "sweet emerald peas/nestling with their neighbors in/shiny spring condosâ".  It exemplifies what I love about letterpress.

Letterpress is art, plus so much more, made tangible and accessible. There is something for everyone, from decorator dilettante to art lover, color theorist, historian, mechanical engineer, graphic designer, or lover of literature.

Stylistically, finished works become something old-school modern, and can evoke the turn of the century, the sixteen hundreds, or 1950.

The wee one, aged 5 and a bit, created a work at the table set up by the School of Visual Arts folks, with a bright, bold heart, under which her somewhat eclectic selection of motifs – a phone, three stars, a car salesman, and her name, as well as an arrow, nuclear symbol and flower – blended quite nicely.  Together with Lance Kagey of Beautiful Angle, she created her own Beautiful Angle poster, inscribed with copy that made my heart sing: "Tell me a story around a small, neat fire, about the first time your soul rose upward, like smoke, about the first time mercy fell down like ashes upon your head."

Tragically, the posters were smudged slightly in my grubby little hands. I was saddened by the smudges until I re-thought them: the smudges identified these pieces as imperfectly ours as we involved ourselves in their moments of creation.

Those moments were made more fun by the crowd that surrounded us; there were people I recognized from frequent travels about the town, people I recognized from trips to the Tempest and beyond.

But today was different – I didn't have a glass of wine in my hand, I had my daughter's warm hand in mine.  We engaged in intelligent art with moms like Rosemary Ponnekanti and Amy McBride, seeing ballet mom friends and their kids, ballet teacher Kate and MLK cohort Alexa, and gaining inspiration from the cards, carvings, wood cuts, book art techniques, and promise of future book making classes offered by King's on April 14, 21, and 28.

Olympia Little Theatre's production of "When the World Was Green" kept it real by nabbing honors at Washington State Community Association Kaleidoscope in Walla Walla.

Director Tim Samland received the Best Director for a Drama award, while Dennis Rolly, (who played the Old Man) won Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Drama; Chad Carpenter, the stage manager and lighting designer received the award for Outstanding Lighting and technical director for the production, Paul Gisi, received the awards for Outstanding Set Innovation.

Olympia Little Theatre was also named 1st Runner-up for Best Show. â€" Steve Dunkelberger