MATT DRISCOLL: EVANGELICALS CLOSE OUT SQUEAK AND SQUAWK >>>

As Squeak and Squawk Music Festival co-creator Sean Alexander told me last week, his brand new musical vision â€" which has taken over The Helm Gallery and The New Frontier for the last five days â€" has a few simple goals.

“The purpose of Squeak and Squawk is to provide the local area with five days of solid and diverse programming. I would really hope to see some new faces appear during the festival,” says Alexander. “Also, we want to see people have fun and get all dorky about music.”

Seems valiant, no? Of course it does.

But it takes more than asking nicely to draw Tacoma’s music loving masses out of the woodwork. Luckily, the minds behind Squeak and Squawk don’t appear to have just fallen off the proverbial turnip truck. Along with a solid amount of word-of-mouth buzz they’ve been able to generate about their fledgling Tacoma festival, they also put together a lineup that’s been fucking amazing.

Proof of that fact is abundant, as anyone perusing the impressive list of acts that have played Squeak and Squawk can see. But it’s exceptionally clear when looking at Squeak and Squawk’s final show, at The New Frontier tonight, which will feature Oklahoma’s Evangelicals along with Portland’s Parenthetical Girls and Tacoma’s Friskey.

Hot damn. Now that’s a show.

If you’re not familiar with Evangelicals, which would make some sense considering the band hails from Norman, Okla., and has never played Tacoma before, prepare to be pleasantly surprised â€" if not completely blown away. A mix of bizarre artistry and envelope-pushing song writing â€" which often earns the band comparisons to another Norman band, the Flaming Lips â€" Evangelicals have more than a few things going for them. The indie buzz generated by the band’s two albums, ’06’s So Gone and this year’s The Evening Descends, is a good starting point for those intrigued.

Seeing the band’s performance tonight at the New Frontier should be even better.

“It does matter and it doesn’t matter,” says Evangelicals leader, Josh Jones, of the kind words the press has written about his band. “On a personal level, it doesn’t really matter. I don’t really pay much attention to that stuff.”

“Part of it is the package. Anyone who tells you it’s not is lying,” says Jones of the overall aesthetic of his explicitly artistic band. “I don’t want people to feel ripped off.”

Something tells me, at the New Frontier tonight, that won’t be a problem. But you can be the judge.

[The New Frontier, Evangelicals, Parenthetical Girls, Why I Must be Careful, Friskey, Monday, Oct. 20, 9 p.m. doors, $8, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, www.myspace.com/squeakandsquawkfestival]

Photo courtesy of Myspace

KEN SWARNER: APPLE SQUEEZE >>>

The sleepy little town of Steilacoom religiously ushers in the fall with a good old-fashioned apple pummeling. Known as the Steilacoom Apple Squeeze, the event runs downtown (you can’t miss it â€" look for the Sound) today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s a celebration of the apple including 20 presses squeezing cider, apple products for sale and much more.

LINK: Steilacoom Apple Squeeze
LINK: Best of Tacoma Eats/Drinks
LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

JAKE DE PAUL: BEER >>>

Beer! Lederhosen! Beer! Bratwurst! Beer! Yodeling! Beer! Yo-Yo Man! Beer! Oktoberfest Northwest has all of these fine things, but, most importantly, it has beer.

The official opening ceremony and Tapping of the Oktoberfest Firkin by the 2008 Festmaster will take place Friday, Oct. 3 at 6:20 p.m.  Incoming 2008 Festmaster Greg Meier will toast the entire crowd and then swing a mallet into the firkin (a large wooden keg), causing the Firkin of Oktoberfest beer to pour out to signify the official beginning of the 2008 Oktoberfest Northwest.  Although, beer will be served starting at 11 a.m. Friday.

Other event highlights include a large Biergarten entertainment hall with national and international German bands and entertainers, authentic German cuisine, the German Corner gift section, the Miss Oktoberfest Northwest Swing Girl and the Hammerschlagen Tournament.

And don’t forget to wash all that German food down with … well, you know, beer!

[Puyallup Fairgrounds, Oct. 3-4 11 a.m. to midnight, Oct. 5 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., free Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., $8 after 3 p.m., $8 Saturday, $4 Sunday, inside the Americraft ShowPlex, Ninth and Meridian, Puyallup, 425.283.5050]

CARMEN JONES: HUHNTANZ >>>

While patiently waiting in line to order my goodbye lunch with the most amazing engineers and construction managers that I'll ever work with, I picked up a flyer about an event that I thought you should know about.

From 6 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 3, Katie Downs will be celebrating Oktoberfest with their favorite musician Gary Hausam, and they'll be featuring bratwurst, German potato salad, German sausage chowder and pretzels with stone ground mustard.

I'm thinking about seeing if those engineers and construction managers will go back to do the chicken dance with me.

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

STEPH DEROSA: MONDAY MADNESS >>>

Do the schools even give away “fair days” anymore? I heard all the Western Washington kids used to get a day off of school to go to the fair. Down in Texas we got a day off to go to the rodeo, but not before we had “western wear week” all week. It’s surprising how one 8-year-old can own so many plaid shirts and cowboy hats when you live in Houston. Who the hell cares about Washington school’s “fair day” regulations anyway?  I took my mini-me to the Puyallup Fair Monday, and it was well worth the call to CPS I’m sure her teacher made.*

Every parking spot in every lot is a fund-raiser. Whether it’s raising money to go to a church, a PTA, or some Puyallup alcoholic’s beer fund â€" your hard earned money is dropped into the hands of some dude waving a small orange flag. And you’ll pay, no matter how much it hurts. I thought it would be a good idea if Mr. DeRosa just dropped us off, but that served to be quite a challenge as well. Traffic was horrendous.

Remember, even though your kindergartener (or younger) may get a free fair ticket from school, 5-year-olds still get in for free. So it’s best you take your free ticket and scalp that shit. Soccer moms pay big bucks for that stuff. I kid, I kid â€" give it away like I did. Either way, I made a soccer mom very happy.

Inside those pearly farm gates lies Krusty Pups, scones, and household appliance demonstrations farther than the eye can see. All three of these things are a “must” if you’re going to do the Puyallup Fair right. Forget the Jenny Craig diet for just one day â€" that Krusty Pup is worth every calorie. Hell, I even heard somewhere that prisoners are willing to be somebody’s bitch for a day in order to score a Krusty Pup and scone. I know I would.

Another sizzling score for fairgoers yesterday was “Monday Madness.” Get this: All rides were just ONE ticket. That’s right, I said ONE ticket. So instead of sinking the normal four bucks on a sketchy ride, you are only spending ONE! Let the pukefest begin!

The best part of the Puyallup Fair (along with the cheap fair rides and unbelievably tasty fair food) was the sun. Dammit, it was hot, sunny, blue skies, and a perfect fair day. We had a blast, wore our shoes thin, and soaked up some rays. I may bitch and moan about prices and parking, but the Puyallup Fair is not something you can miss and still live with yourself, especially if you have a child. Make the Puyallup Fair a memory â€" not just for your kids, but also for your family as a whole.

*Just kidding, my daughter received a day off school to go to the fair. I’m not as terrible of a mom as most might think.

[Puyallup Fairgrounds, Through Sept. 21, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., $8-$10, Ninth and Meridian, Puyallup, 253.841.5045]

MATT DRISCOLL: HERE I GO AGAIN >>>

Today, the Point Defiance Music Festival will engulf the area of 51st and Pearl Street in Ruston, and the Weekly Volcano will have its very own stage. Coming to that stage, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., will be Starstruck, GE5, Jonny Smokes, 2112 (a freakin’ Rush Tribute band of all things), the Hard Way, Sons of Ivan, the Drug Purse, the Elephants and Jon Auer of the Posies.

Starting with Sons of Ivan, I’ll be the awkward dude with the microphone introducing the bands. If you saw my less than inspiring performance introducing the Helio Sequence at Showcase Tacoma (which can be explained with the mathematical equation: booze + nerves = botched introduction), you know this feat will represent a “getting back on the horse” moment for me.

That’s my fighter spirit, yo!

Why am I getting back on the horse after a horrible experience doing something I’ll probably never be very comfortable with? It’s a worthy question, but one that can be answered succinctly.

Because this show is worth it. Saying nothing of the bands set to play between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., an afternoon lineup that includes Sons of Ivan, the Drug Purse, the Elephants and Jon Auer is a lineup not to be missed. If I can help introduce bands like that to a crowd at the Point Defiance Music Festival, I’d be dumb not to take advantage. Plus, maybe some of the Drug Purse’s indie sex appeal or the Elephants’ humble genius will rub off on me?

Read the full story here.

LINK: ViVA South Sound arts and entertainment calendar
LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

Photo of The Drug Purse by Andy Roulston/MySpace

BRAD ALLEN: DO THE PUYALLUP >>>

Despite my well-deserved reputation as a globetrotter and travel cognoscente, I have yet to attend the running of the bulls in Spain. The closest I’ve come was the time I ordered a Quarter Pounder with cheese (in my defense, it was before reading Fast Food Nation), then ran on the treadmill for an hour because I felt so bloated from wolfing it down.

Thankfully, there are more appropriate ways to celebrate the running of the bulls â€" even in Puyallup. The Puyallup Fair kicks off Friday with its annual Western Rodeo Parade down Meridian Street. A herd of cattle, equestrian drill teams, draft horse hitches, military marching bands, great musical entertainment, royalty, and cowboys on horseback will make their way down Meridian. All this and no pesky goring and maiming. Nice.

[Pioneer Park, 9 a.m., free, Meridian Street, downtown Puyallup]

LINK: ViVA South Sound arts and entertainment calendar
LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

MATT DRISCOLL: SWARNER GAVE ME HIS NOTES >>>

While I was checking out Neko Case's stellar performance at Memorial Stadium, my talented and always well dressed boss Ron Swarner was taking in Tacoma's own Vicci Martinez on the Starbucks Stage.  While - believe it or not - Swarner had to blow this joint for a godforsaken barbecue in Carnation of all places, he was nice enough to leave me his notes from the Vicci Martinez action.

According to Swarner, Martinez's performance was everything T-Town has come to expect from our short but uber-talented songstress. Bare feet. Energy. And a lot of "jam."

"This show felt awesome," said Darin Watkins, drummer for the Vicci Martinez band. "I hope it sounded OK out there. It felt good back here."

While Martinez's mom and sister watched Vicci do her thing from the comfort of the grass, a packed in crowd got as close as they could to the action - which proved perfect for a sunnier than expected afternoon.

LINK: Bumbershoot photos in the Photo Hot Spot

SUZY STUMP: 5 THINGS TO DO TODAY >>>

10 A.M.: The Pierce County Fair offers animal competitions, carnival rides, kids activities, FFA demonstrations, live entertainment, tons of fair food, and enough vendor exhibits to restock your entire ranch home. Starting today through Sunday, take some time to take part in one of this region’s most historical events. Get going to Graham.

10 A.M.: If all you plan to do this today is sit on your rear end at one wienie roast after another, spitting watermelon seeds in the grass and contemplating a beer, here's one event you'll be missing: The 11th Annual Street Fair & Classic Car Show, a good, old-fashioned street fair in Historic Fern Hill, featuring, er, a street fair and classic cars. Head toward 84th and Park Avenue.

4:15-9:10 P.M.: Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson is a documentary about the hell-raising journalist who stood stride the 70s, staggered through the 80s, crawled through the 90s, and killed himself in 2005. Catch it at The Grand Cinema.

6 P.M.: Hot off yesterday’s Showcase Tacoma gig, Kareem Kandi Band visits Engine House No. 9 tonight. The Tacoma-based sax player â€"along with guitarist Mason Hargrove and crew, performs a style of jazz that incorporates blues, funk and rock. Kandi, who lists his influences from such renowned jazz greats as Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, and John Coltrane, plays in a free-style manner that sounds improvised.

7 P.M.: Melding styles between country, folk and rock, Cassandra Robertson’s music is accessible and borders on contemporary â€" but not in a bad way. The Oregon-raised singer/songwriter is subtly political as her self-penned ballads call for social change. A self-proclaimed tree hugger, she is dedicated to writing about environmental issues. Catch her at The Mandolin Café tonight.

LINK: Viva South Sound arts and entertainment calendar
LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

SUZY STUMP: 5 THINGS TO DO TODAY >>>>

10 A.M.: The Pierce County Fair offers animal competitions, carnival rides, kids activities, FFA demonstrations, live entertainment, tons of fair food, and enough vendor exhibits to restock your entire ranch home. Starting today through Sunday, take some time to take part in one of this region's most historical events. Get going to Graham.

10 A.M.: Today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ken's Tires (9601 Gravelly Lake Dr. S.W. in Lakewood) the Hot Hut Girls, who have helped make topless women with tape on their nipples making mochas a topic of discussion and debate for all of the South Sound, will hold a benefit car wash for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

11 A.M.: This year's Showcase Tacoma offering of Tacoma talent reaches a nice, quiet critical mass. We offer as introductory evidence Fulcrum Gallery's topographical miniature golf course made from recycled junk; or seemingly random light-pole cozies by local devil-knitters; or the cardboard whale to be crafted by folks from the Helm; or the Weekly Volcano's Lava Tube; the requisite beaded jewelry kiosks; or the all-day, communal chalk drawing; or the Team Unicorn Records label showcase; or go see Deborah Page Ã," range, rhythm, presence, tone, a little funk; all happening in and around Tollefson Plaza in downtown Tacoma.

3 P.M.: Surf on over to the Sharon McGavick Conference Center and let the Asia Pacific Cultural Center transform you to a tropical paradise. Their annual Polynesian Luau celebrates through Polynesian music, food, dance and a beer garden.

7 P.M.: Seattle rock band Truce and Tacoma's hardcore quintet Sirens In the Sky close the book on Tacoma Public Library's last all-ages Rock The Books concert series for the summer tonight at the Tacoma Public Library.

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight
LINK: Viva South Sound arts and entertainment calendar