FOURTH OF JULY PREFUNK AT TEMPEST LOUNGE >>>

"It calms and moves the soul," says dj dAb of music.

A mainstay of the Tacoma eletronica music scene, dj dAb has done and seen it all, as he told Pappi Swarner over past couple of weeks.

Tonight, he's adding another notch to his DJ setup when DJs Chris Savenetti and Bilori Howard join him for a Fourth of July prefunk at the Tempest Lounge. The three will spin house music with a bang.

Rumor is Tempest co-owner Denise Tempest will dress up as the Statue of Liberty (that hasn't been confirmed).

indepenDANCE

Saturday, July 3, 9:30 p.m., 21+, no cover
Tempest Lounge, 913 Martin Luther King Junior Way, Tacoma
253.272.4904

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2010 >>>

1. Wednesdays seem to be the hottest night for the overeducated South Sound masses to prove their intellectual worth. And where do such brainiacs head? Glad you asked. Harmon Brewery and Eatery's 6 p.m. Trivia Night is hosted by Gordon Adams, Doyle's Public House Tacoma hosts Knowledge Night Team Trivia at 8 p.m., The Engine House No. 9 holds Quiz Night Trivia at 8 p.m., and Trivia Newton John commands the infamous 10 p.m. Trivia Night at Le Voyeur in Olympia. Did we miss any?

2. Original works of art by local artist Mindy Barker hang at The Hub from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

3. Today is the last day to vote in our 2010 Best of Tacoma Readers' Poll. You have a chance to win a dinner at El Gaucho and a night at the Hotel Murano.

4. This week Danno's Showcase at Jazzbones features the Moss Men and Hillbilly Jesus performing at 9 p.m.

5. Surreal Ultra Lounge hosts "I Heart House" with DJs Sticky J and dAb beginning at 9 pm.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

FRIDAY, JUNE 25 2010 >>>

1. The tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain welcome visitors for walk-on tours and three-hour public sails featuring cannon fire and hands-on learning from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Percival Landing in Olympia.

2. Until The Fat Lady Sings 2 drag benefit show for the AIDS Housing Association of Tacoma starts with a 6:30 p.m. VIP reception followed by the 8 p.m. show inside the Blue Mouse Theatre. This show will feature some of the best impersonators from the Northwest including Ms. Gay Vancouver, Diva Deveraux, Taylor Courtour, and Victoria Eyslie.

3. The Mark Olympia hosts an art reception for Olympia artist Nikki McClure, featuring acoustic sounds by Tony Alva and Big Nick of Los Riddimitos with sets in between by DJs Sweet Elite and Chet Cobra at 8 p.m.

4. "Miracle on 48th Street" show is actually guitarist Steve Stefanowicz performing at 8 p.m. inside the 48th Street Pub.

5. The Tempest Lounge hosts Vinonly - A Night of Wax featuring '90s house/electronic music played strictly on vinyl records at 9:30 p.m.

LINK: New movies open today

LINK: Concerts go on sale today

THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2010 >>>

1. The 2010 Soul of the City Tacoma Poet Laureate Tammy Robacker will give her premiere reading since winning the title at 7 p.m. inside  the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch. The free event will also include readings by former Soul of the City Poet Laureates Antonio Edwards and William Kupinse, as well as three of this year's 2010 Poet Laureate contest candidates, Brittany Short, Deborah Renee Crespo, and Pamela McCauley.

2. Author James Clarkson explains why Roswell and UFOs in general are anything but case closed at 6 p.m. inside Orca Books in Olympia.

3. Second City Chamber Series kicks off its summer concerts at Lakewold Gardens with Russian music by Rachmanoninov and Shostakovich played by Brittany Boulding (violin), Julian Schwarz (cello) and Natalya Ageyeva (piano) during a picnic at 7:30 p.m.

4. Dreams Jaded, Rip Spacer, The Chelsea Speed Party, and The Endeavors play Hell's Kitchen at 9 p.m.

5. J-Fresh mixes hip-hop and Top 40 videos during ladies night at 10 p.m. inside The Gamers Lounge on South Hill Puyallup.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2010 >>>

1. The Wings of Freedom Tour of the WWII Vintage Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Consolidated B-24 Liberator and North American P-51 Mustang are on display at Tacoma Narrows Airport in Gig Harbor from June 21 to June 23. The plays will be on displays 2-5 p.m. today; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 22 and 9 a.m. to noon June 23. Visitors may also take a 30-minute flight aboard these rare aircraft for a lot of money.

2. Voices of Light, an exhibition of letterpress prints by Jessica Spring and photographs by Victoria Bjorklund, opens today at the Tacoma Public Library's downtown Handforth Gallery from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. with a reception today at 6 p.m.

3. Seattle had its Pigs on Parade, Tacoma its Traveling Suitcases; now Ruston has added to the list by inviting 21 local artists to create masterpieces on Adirondack chairs, which will be on display on the median at 51^st and Winnifred streets. The event kicks off with a reception today from 5 to 7 p.m. on site.

4. Cold Shot performs a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan at 8 p.m. inside The Swiss.

5. The New Frontier Lounge hosts Grit Rock with DJ Darren Selector spinning local tunes from Big Wheel Stunt Show, Circle vs Square, The Drug Purse, The Fabulous Wailers, The Fucking Eagles, Kusikia, Mama Loves Daddy, Mono in VCF, Oh Voices, The Painkillers, The Variety Hour, The Ventures, and Waves and Radiation beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2010 >>>

1. Doyle's World Cup Jazz Thing featuring Cliff Colon's Motherfunkers, Kareem Kandi Trio, and All Night Yard Sale begins at 8 p.m. inside the Doyle's tent.

2. Local artists and community members create works of chalk art on the sidewalks and walls of Frost Park in downtown Tacoma during Episode 12, Season 3 of Frost Park Chalk Off running from noon to 1 p.m. Afterward, the world votes for the best chalk creation on Feed Tacoma.

3. The Tacoma Etsy Craft Party featuring handcrafted items from Etsy sellers, giveaways, prize drawings and cupcakes will be held from 3-6 p.m. at hello, cupcake.

4. Renowned theologians, religious scholars and advocates for social justice have shared their thoughts and experiences with participants in order to inspire awareness, challenge preconceived notions, and shed light upon the spiritual journey during the 28^th Annual Spiritual Life Institute "Religion and Violence" Symposium that ends today with a keynote address by Dr. Reza Aslan, associate professor from the University of California, Riverside. Aslan's topic will be "How To Win a Cosmic War" at 7:30 p.m. at Saint Martin's University.  

5. The Tempest Lounge presents Beat Box, a night of '80s New Wave, funk, pop and club classics by resident DJs dAb, Suga Jones and guests beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: New movies open today

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2010 >>>

1. A night of exceptional theater and music will join forces tonight inside Tacoma Musical Playhouse to benefit the Tacoma Area Coalition for Individuals with Disabilities (TACID) and Pierce County Homeless Connect. First, Tacoma playwright extraordinaire Nick Stokes presents his one-act play The Sound We Make about three homeless locals discussing their dignity on a park bench in Tacoma's Fireman's Park. Afterward, The Total Experience Gospel Choir featuring Pastor Pat Wright will blow the roof off TMP with joyful gospel and blues music. It all begins at 7:30 p.m.

2. Glass artist Davide Salvadore's new works show, In Miniatura, runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Traver Gallery in Tacoma.

3. The Kari Ehli Band, Voxxy Vallejo, and the Reaching perform at 8 p.m. inside Jazzbones.

4. The downtown Tacoma nightclub Surreal Ultra Lounge hosts "I Heart House (The Cabana Cronicles)" beginning at 9 p.m.

5. Kamel Toe Bar and Grill hosts another Wednesday night jam featuring members of Kashmir, Butafuko, Sub-Vinyl Jukebox, Soul Stripper, Wiskey Creek and others rocking at 9 p.m. while chicks work the stripper poles and swings. Seriously.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2010 >>>

1. The Doseywallips, Fine Slew, and JC & the CBS will perform beginning at 9 p.m. inside Bob's Java Jive.

2. Kéké Cribbs - best known for her glass and mixed media sculpture - will be hanging out in the Museum of Glass' Hot Shop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. experimenting with "hot printing" techniques, pursuing the sculptural and painting qualities of glass as a material.

3. LeMay – America's Car Museum will host a groundbreaking ceremony 
from 3-5 p.m. at the parking lot adjacent to the Tacoma Dome followed by an open house and party at Museum's headquarters at 3701 20th St. E. 
Fife.

4. The quarterly Ancient Victorys Open Mike, brings back some of the 3,000 acoustic music performers from open mikes run by Chris Lunn in this state and California from the 1965 through 1990, will be held from 7-10 p.m. at the Antique Sandwich Company.

5. The Brotherhood Lounge in downtown Olympia hosts "Love To Love You Baby" featuring DJs Shannon Action Slacks and Christine spinning disco and soul beginning at 7 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2010 >>>

1. Two giants of Sasquatch research will be at the Washington State History Museum hosting an audience discussion of all things Sasquatch beginning at 10:30 a.m. Dr. Jeffrey Meldrum and Robert Gimlin will be discussing their collected evidence, taking audience questions, and meeting with attendees. Aftward, tour the Giants in the Mountains: The Search for Sasquatch exhibit, which will close June 27.

2. The Tacoma Art Place will host a fundrasier art garage sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and tomorrow. Get in on the deals.

3. The Maritime Gig Festival will take over Harborview Drive in downtown Tacoma from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. -4:30 p.m. tomorrow. The parade starts at 10 a.m. today. Beware of boaters with sweaters draped around their necks.

4. The Museum of Glass hosts another History of Glass lecture today from 1-2 p.m. Renowned artist, teacher and historian Walter Lieberman will lecture on glass during the Art Deco age, 1920s-1940s.

5. Tempest Lounge will host the House Blend CD Release Party featuring DJs dAb, Sticky J and Bilori. Admission is free. Also, free promo CDs will be handed out.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2010 >>>

1. While you may never become America's Next Top Poet  - maybe you would enjoy checking out the monthly Speak Your Soul open mic - this month setting up shop at the event's new location, The Den @ urbanXchange. Held the first Friday of every month - tonight's Speak Your Soul poetry open mic will feature Speak Your Soul founder Zach Street, host 6 Deep the Messenger, and whoever signs up. The all-ages event begins at 8 p.m.

2. Downtown: On the Go! and partners will introduce five new Walk Tacoma downtown walking maps during a lunchtime walking event from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Waterfront Amphitheater on the waterfront side of the Museum of Glass and Albers Mill. Enjoy a healthy lunch (free for the first 50 pedestrians), music, a goodie bag full of giveaways, and a brief interpretive walk along one of the five new walking map routes.

3. The Harmon Tap Room's Grand Opening Party features live music (4-7 p.m.) and drink specials from 4-10 p.m.

4. When Olympia and public access television combine, well, the results can be downright spectacular - or, at the very least, pretty entertaining to watch when you're high. So is the story of Dance Oly Dance, the famed Thurston County TV (TCTV) show that features gyrating, Olympia absurdity at 8 p.m. Basically, TCTV invites people down to dance, DJ PhilosoBitch spins music, and captures what happens next on film - broadcasting it out to the masses via cable television. It's awesome.

5. Hell's Belles, The Day Brothers and Bug Girl play Hell's Kitchen beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: New movies open today