WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2010 >>>

1. DJs Sticky J and dAb spin house, techno, trance and remixes during SAX on Sixth's Surreal Ultra Lounge's "I Heart House" night beginning at 9 p.m.

2. Gleaming objects of desire, cars reinforce our ideals of independence and freedom. In our consumer stupor, we neglect the serious threats they pose to our cities and environment. The evolution of transportation from an inspirational entity to a social and environmental burden is no more evident than in Detroit, Mich. Documentarian Aaron Woolf presents this transit history in his compelling film, Beyond the Motor City, at 7 p.m. inside Lecture Hall 3 on The Evergreen State College campus.

3. Professional pole dancing icon and international champion Pantera presents a famous highly athletic routine and answer questions about her experiences in the pole dancing world at 8 p.m. inside Poledello at 708 Broadway, Suite 201, in Tacoma.

4. Jamie Laval and Zac Leger perform an all-ages concert at 8 p.m. inside Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art in Olympia.

5. Kamel Toe Bar and Grill's Jam Night features members of Kashmir, Soul Stripper and special guests beginning at 9 p.m. Kamel Toe has stripper poles, swings and couches for your enjoyment.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

MONDAY, MAY 24, 2010 >>>

1. The Barefoot Collective hosts another 8@8 where eight local artists receive a maximum of 8 minutes to test drive their works in progress followed by feedback from the audience. It takes place at 8 p.m. inside Tacoma City Ballet Studio B in the Merlino Arts Center.

2. The 36th Annual Student Art Exhibition shows from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Pierce College Fine Arts Gallery in Lakewood.

3. As part of the State Capital Museum's Spring Lecture Series: Stories of Washington Women and Settlers, Patricia Larson and Sandra Nisbet reprise their performances as the Co-Respondents from noon to 1 p.m. The Co-Respondents performed, researched, and created programs based on women’s history and literature, and performed all over Washington and the U.S. for several years during the 1970s and 1980s.

4. Jay Mabin and Pound 4 Pound fill The Swiss with blues beginning at 8 p.m.

5. Jason Diamond spins reggae every Monday night at 9 p.m. inside O'Malley's Irish Pub in Tacoma.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2010 >>>

1. DJs dAb and Suga Jones will spin new wave, '80s, funk, pop and club classics during Beat Box at the Tempest Lounge beginning at 9:30 p.m. Don't be an airhead and miss this bad party.

2. Bike-to-Work Week continues today with a bike fashion show and picnic from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wright Park. The first 75 bicycle-riding attendees to the picnic will receive a free box lunch from Marlene's Marketplace.

3. Adventure cyclist Willie Weir tells his tale of his five-month journey through post apartheid South Africa at 6 p.m. inside Tacoma Mountaineers Club.

4. PLOP - or the Performance Laboratory for Objects and Puppets - brings the world of innovative puppetry and object theater to downtown Olympia's Northern space at 8 p.m.

5. Hot off his win at the Bay Area Black Comedy Competition Nate Jackson will perform at 8:30 p.m. at the Comedy Underground inside the Big Whisky Saloon in downtown Tacoma.

LINK: New movies open today

THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2010 >>>

1. The Brotherhood Lounge in Olympia hosts "Love to Love You Baby," disco and soul music spun by DJs Shannon Action Slacks and Christine beginning at 7 p.m.

2. The sad, drooping vegetable season is over. Bring on the local farmers markets! Specifically, bring on the Broadway Farmers Market, which opens for the season today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year marks 20 years of the Broadway Farmers Market. In a town like Tacoma this is quite an accomplishment - and certainly one worth purchasing some delicious, fresh, local produce over. Rain or shine, the friendly vibe, faces, and (Volcano sponsored) music featuring the Oly Mountain Boys of the Broadway Farmers Market returns this week. You should do the same - on your bike, of course.

3. The 2nd Annual Multicultural Fair and Fashion "Dances of the World" Show features music, dance and fashion from Eastern Europe, Asia, Mexico, Latin America, and the Middle East from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the College Center on the Pierce College Puyallup campus.

4. The brand spanking new Tacoma theater company Gold From Straw stages its first play, Doubt: A Parable, at 8 p.m. inside the Mecca Building. And we reviewed it here!

5. The folks behind this summer's Urban Art Festival host another benefit show at 9:30 p.m. inside The Swiss featuring a raffle and music by Blanco Bronco, the Revengers, Blame it on the Girl and the JB Quartet.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2010 >>>

1. The Vinyl Tribe DJs hosts a "Funky Cat Hat Party" featuring dubstep and house music beginning at 10 p.m. inside the Speakeasy Arts Cooperative.

2. Local artists and chalkheads will gather in Frost Park and Ninth and Commerce in downtown Tacoma at noon and draw works of art with chalk for an hour. As always, chalk will be available for free.

3. King's Books hosts another Distinguished Writer Series featuring poet Tony Barnstone at 7 p.m. followed by an open mic.

4. Israel Horovitz's Six Hotels, currently making its West Coast premiere at Harlequin Productions in Olympia at 8 p.m., is a disparate collection of one-act plays.  If this anthology has any single uniting theme, it's the exposure of clandestine desires, motivations and major malfunctions. Read a full review here.

5. Flamenco song and dance is - pretty much - sexier than you'll ever be (even if you grow your hair out like Antonio Banderas). It's a bummer. Luckily, like an un-sexy sponge, you can sop up the sexy sweat Flamenco exudes and use it to your advantage. Flamenco Arte Y Paz will hit The Vault in Olympia at 8 p.m.

LINK: New movies open today

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2010 >>>

1. The "Latino poet of his generation," Martin Espada will be at Philip Hall on the UWT campus around 6:40 p.m. as part of the "Arts and Empowerment Series."  A fitting umbrella to bring such a renowned writer to T-town under, Espada has published 17 books and been a finalist for the Pulitzer. Sponsored by H.O.P.E. Network, Latino Students Organization, and Tahoma West - UWT's literary journal - the reading and book-signing event will also feature Speak Your Soul poet Robert Lashley and Tahoma West poets, Star Angelina Murray and Therese Ferreria-Douglas.

2. The Scrabble Rousers will push the wood from 6:30-9 p.m. inside King's Books. Entrance fee is $10 per person with proceeds benefiting the Tacoma Community House Student Scholarship Fund.

3. Join HealthForce Nutritional educator Doug Walsh as he discusses the five-week raw food-cleansing program he recommends for safe, effective detoxification and cell enhancement at 7 p.m. inside Marlene's Market & Deli in Federal Way.

4. The Mix in downtown Tacoma celebrates its second year in business with a ‘70s Disco Party tonight featuring DJ Xade, drink specials and prize giveaways.

5. From the Sea will unleash their Here Come the Wolves EP at 8 p.m. inside Hell's Kitchen.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

MONDAY, MAY 3, 2010 >>>

1. The Stacy Jones Bands sings the blues at 8 p.m. inside The Swiss.

2. Mike McGuire of the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum lectures on "Hardly a Scapegrace: A Closer Look at the Life of Joseph Heath, HBC Tenant Farmer and Frontiersman" at noon inside the State Capital Museum.

3. Tacoma Art Supply is showing paintings and sculptures by a wonderfully authentic outsider artist Tyrone Patkoski from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

4. Learn piercing, filing, stamping, hammering, riveting, soldering and simple stone setting with copper, brass and silver on a jewelry scale from 2-5 p.m. at the Tacoma Metal Arts Center.

5. DJ Jason Diamond and friends spin reggae at 9 p.m. inside O'Malley's Irish Pub.

LINK: Movie showtimes in the South Sound

FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2010 >>>

1. Retrograde is a party and you're invited. More importantly, it's a fundraiser to support Tacoma's Sixth Annual Urban Art Festival at People's Park on June 27.  Totally sponsored, clothed and designed LOCALLY, Retrograde will feature a sensational lineup showcasing some of Tacoma's best musical artists, along with newcomers and out-of-towners. The stars will be: Battersea, Paris Spleen, Hotels, Basemint and the Nightgowns. For your $10 donation, you will receive a free drink ticket (two if you dress retro), five swinging bands, a dozen dancing go-go dancers - the whole freaking circus - all beginning at 9 p.m. inside the Speakeasy Arts Cooperative.

2. Platinum Reign - the online store for distribution of independently produced media such as music tracks, albums, films, books and apparel - hosts its grand opening party featuring food, drinks, music and a photobooth (!) from 6-9 p.m. at 1517 Fawcett Ave. in Tacoma.

3. Free Ya Mind is back for its regular spoken word poetry and open mic on the last Friday inside Bostwick Tully's on the corner of Ninth and Broadway from 7-9 p.m. The featured artist will be Elaine Nabua.

4. Ocean Groove's DJ posse – which includes Donald Glaude – will spin beginning at 9 p.m. inside The Swiss.

5. Gender Smash - the open mic night for trans/queer folks and allies - will showcase music, dance, spoken word, performance art, comedy, drag, improv, theater, sing-alongs, jam sessions, interactive games, rants, circus acts, and silly human tricks beginning at 10 p.m. inside Le Voyeur in Olympia.

LINK: New movies open today

MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2010 >>>

1. They've impersonated Dow Chemical execs on BBC, and posed as Exxon representatives at oil conferences. And tonight at 7 p.m., Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno — better known as "The Yes Men" – will be at the Capitol Theater in person.

2. Childhood End's Gallery in Olympia has a new show featuring Alfred Currier's oil paintings, Kristen Etmund's woodblock prints, Lisa Sweet's oil paintings and prints, and ceramics by John Benn, Colleen Gallagher, John Haris, Chris Knapp, Susan Lochner and Reid Ozaki - from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

3. The 16-piece jazz swing band S.R.O. performs from 7-9 p.m. inside the Imperial Dragon restaurant on sixth avenue.

4. Hip Bone plays The Swiss at 8 p.m.

5. DJ Jason Diamond and friends spin roots reggae beginning at 9 p.m. inside O'Malley's Irish Pub.

LINK: Movie showtimes in the South Sound

RETURN TO EDEN >>>

Do the mid-workweek doldrums have you down? Sounds like dance-party time to us.

Head over to Jazzbones tonight for Black Ice Booking's "Return To Eden." Vinyl Tribe DJs DefCon1 and Bennienugs will spin the gritty South London-style street rhythms known as dubstep, as well as house music.

"My plan is always rough going into the evening," explains DefCon1, AKA Damon Kaiser. "Typically it only starts with what song I want to play first, or a few that I want to get out there and heard. I'll go from there because it depends on the vibe. I've always thought of it as going where the dance floor wants to go."

A special live hip-hop appearance by Faraca from Tacoma will be wedged between the two DJs.

Sounds like the perfect "welcome back from spring beak" night out. Who really cares if you have poli sci at 8 a.m.?

[Jazzbones, Wednesday, April 21, 9 p.m., $5, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

Bonus

The following are DefCon1's records he would take with him if banished to a deserted island:

"Throw" - Paperclip People: '90s classic hard house track with an amazing vocal. It's featured on my Northern Lights mix.

"Mother Earth" - Dubtribe: '90s underground SF trance stomper with a message that never gets old.

"Super Stylin'" - Bassnectar: Reggae drenched dubstep is an understatement.

"Dum Dumz" - Blackheart: Eerily intelligent dubstep - a good example of what my "sound" is.

"Marshall Bass Stacks" - Mochipet: Dubstep that captures the old rave feel sans over obnoxious synth lines.

"Deepest Fear" - Search and Destroy: Atmospheric and spacey - a dubstep journey via jazzy grooves.

"Gone Too Far" - Dre Skull feat. Sizzla: Is it progressive or is it dubstep? I have no clue, and I love that. It's also on my Northern Lights mix.

"Skin" - Bassnectar: It's trip-hop. I respect the variety, and the rap + groove is ace. It's featured on my Eastern Philosophy mix.

"A Go Go (Boozoo Bajou Mix)" - Trüby Trio: Great fusion of acid jazz and chill. Fun song and lots of cowbell! It's also featured on my Eastern Philosophy mix.

"Hallucifruge/Trancendental Funk Bump" - Freaky Chakra: I'm not cheating if they're both on the same 12" single. Probably my all time favorite SF trance record next to the 2x12" Hardkiss - Delusions of Granduer LP. It's featured on my Southern Comforts mix.