THE POLLS ARE NOW OPEN >>>

Spring is in the air.

This means lust is in the air - and in the pages of the Weekly Volcano.

Once again, the Volcano is unleashing The Sexy Issue, giving one and all the chance to gaze at the sexiest people in the South Sound - as voted on by all of you, our dear readers.

Our annual celebration of the flesh, The Sex Issue is the Weekly Volcano's way of showcasing the South Sound's sexiest denizens - and by denizens we don't mean celebrities; we're talking about regular dudes and dudettes who just happen to look sexy as hell. Not just cliché sex appeal, of no relation to AXE Deodorant Body Spray campaigns, and certainly much more than mere looks, the Volcano Sexy Issue attempts to answer simple question: What defines sexiness in the South Sound?

This year, we are asking you to nominate the person who makes you all hot and bothered in the following categories: Bartender, Barista, Delivery Person, Real Estate Agent, Athlete, Servicemember, Drummer, Tattoo Artist and Mom.

On Thursday, June 2, the Weekly Volcano will publish The Sexy Issue, immortalizing the sexy, chosen few forever.

Help us find them.

Voting ends May 12 - so help the Weekly Volcano find the South Sound's hottest citizens. Vote today!

Vote for the South Sound's sexiest people (please include where they work):

SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011 >>>

1. The best time to enjoy Cicada's New Orleans meets Northwest awesome food is when master pianist Joe Baque, bassist Steve Luceno and percussionist Michael Olson fill the room with Latin jazz - like at 8 p.m. tonight.

2. Prom: It was a night of teenage majesty with shiny tuxedo shoes and (hopefully) a hidden flask full of Popov's Vodka and Tahitian Treat to take the edge off - how else could you muster up the confidence to seductively grind your date during " I Wanna Sex U Up"? However, for the women, prom is all about the dress. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., prom and party dresses, along with accessories, shoes and jewelry, will be featured at the "It's All About The Dress" sale in store space adjacent to Tacoma Goodwill's North Tacoma Store, 5401 Sixth Ave. in the Sixth Avenue Place shopping center.

3. Indiana Jones with the rousing fanfare, the bullwhip, and, yes, the fedora will hit The Grand Cinema's screen at 10:30 p.m. More specifically, Click! TV presents Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull for free to the first 100 people through the door, which opens at 10 a.m.

4. Those naughty Renegade Calendar Girls will participate in a photo shoot at Ink Spot Tattoo at 52^nd and South Tacoma Way beginning at noon. Maybe you can sneak your smile into a shot - next to their cleavage. Maybe you'll get thrown out the door. Either way, EXCITING!

5. The dedication of the Harry P. Cain Promenade in downtown Tacoma between the Murano Hotel and the Tacoma Convention Center went down yesterday. Today, at 2 p.m., Author C. Mark Smith speaks about conservative-libertarian philosophy of Sen. Harry P. Cain inside the Tacoma Public Library's Main downtown branch. Only 34 in 1940 when he was first elected mayor of Tacoma, Cain's unpredictable and sometimes contradictory politics followed him to the U.S. Senate, the Subversive Activities Control Board during the Eisenhower Administration, and finally, even to the Miami-Dade County Commission in his adopted Florida.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Concerts go on sale today

LINK: Wine tastings!

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2011 >>>

1. Spring is upon us. Thankfully. However, all those snowy and rainy days has left us with one big muddy mess. The folks over at Metro parks are donning huge smiles this morning as their inaugural Titlow Trails Mud Run 5K kicks off at noon. Race day check-in begins at 11 a.m. at the picnic shelter near Titlow Lodge. Hurry!

2. The NCAA Basketball Tournament teams you picked in your office pool have all been defeated. You feel like rocking back and forth while wrapped in a blanket. Snap out of it! Head on down to the Washington State History Museum before 5 p.m. and discover what happens to those wrapped in blankets in the Wrapped! The Search for the Essential Mummy exhibit.

3. Several business owners and local creative types will present their finest offerings of gallery art, painted furnishings and handcrafts, vintage clothing and jewelry, baked goods and floral arrangements, clothing, handbags and accessories from noon to 4 p.m. as part of the Spring Fling at the Flying Monkey Mercantile on Sixth Avenue.

4. The Floating World at Pacific Lutheran University is a profoundly ambitious stage presentation that lasts almost three hours and passes through every emotion from lust to rage to ennui. Read our full review here. Pound some energy drinks and take it in beginning at 2 p.m.

5. Broken Trail will be hosting the Lady Luck Cowgirl Up jam session in Parkland beginning at 4 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

SUNDAY, FEB. 20, 2011 >>>

1. DJ Defcon1 spins industrial, Goth, punk and alternative music at Hell's Kitchen's Sunday Sermon beginning at 9 p.m.

2. It's Kids 'n' Critters weekend at Northwest Trek. From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. special nature-themed arts and crafts, trailside encounters and a detective game will hit the massive animal park.

3. Wedding Walk Tacoma expo promises to introduce prospective brides, grooms, wedding attendants and their families and friends to the Gritty City as a one-stop shopping destination for the Big Day from noon to 6 p.m. at downtown businesses and museums along Pacific Avenue from South 15th to South 21st streets. They'll be treated to top-notch food and beverages while touring the city's most beautiful places to get married. More than 60 vendors will present their best desserts, services, hors d'oeuvres, fashion, signature cocktails and more, all in an effort to drum up business as wedding season approaches.

4. This stage adaptation of Chaim Potok's 1972 classic My Name Is Asher Lev makes its Pacific Northwest debut in a collaboration between Lakewood Playhouse and the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts at the Theatre on the Square at 3 and 7:30 p.m. inside the Theatre on the Square. Directed by Marcus Walker, Lakewood Playhouse's managing artistic director, it's the story of a gifted young artist torn between his Hasidic Jewish faith and his passion to paint the truth.

5. Local country band Broken Trail will be hosting Parkland's Lady Luck Cowgirl Up jam beginning at 4 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

BANDITO BETTY LOU WHO LEAP OF THE DAY >>>

"Step aside Sonja Silver! I'm the mutha elfing Foursquare Holiday Mayor of your Sonja Clothes To Live In store now!" screamed Bandito Betty Lou Who – our very happy friend who leaps for us on Spew. "The ample play of my cotton jumpsuit is perfect for sudden movement, and the rubber soles of my Chucks grip surfaces well, whether I'm darting past your Gritty Tacoman T-shirts or taking over your shop with moves like ... THIS!"

Read more...

AWESOME VIBE >>>

Organized by Jada Moon Gridley, Tacoma's indie craft show Gritty City Gift Fair is a rarity of the holiday season. Of a manageable size and offering local handmades and gifts - faux taxidermy, buttons, paintings, handmade soaps, reclaimed wood, ceramics, clothing, glass jewelry, metal works, folk art, imports and more, all chosen thoughtfully accompanied with music and cocktails on three floors inside the Speakeasy Arts Cooperative. There's even a live webcam here.

Day two of the Gritty City Gift Fair opens today at 1 p.m. and runs until 8 p.m. The Weekly Volcano dropped in on the event yesterday to snap a few photos.

Jada Moon Gridley

Manticore Stencil Art

Manticore Stencil Art

Laura Pintos hand-painted glass jewelry

Laura Pintos hand-painted glass jewelry

Uncommon Wear

Uncommon Wear

Kristina Vanous fine artist and fantasy illustrator

Street artist Kenji Fullmer

Western Neon and Sasha Tepper-Stewart glass art

Western Neon

Deviant Decor

Deviant Decor

Rochelle Wells/Lithium Love Buttons

DJ Lulu Spice and guitarist Bub Pratt

These are only a few of the artists and crafters participating in the Gritty City Gift Fair. Even if you're not in the mood to shop, drop by for the music, cocktails and cool vibe.

[Speakeasy Arts Cooperative, Saturday, Nov. 27, 1-8 p.m., no cover, 746 Broadway or 745 St. Helens, Tacoma]

BLACK FRIDAY, NOV. 26, 2010 >>>

1. Although the holidays are a time for joy and light, Weekly Volcano curmudgeon music columnist Bobble Tiki will spend hours trying, unsuccessfully, to string lights around his hut in some presentable fashion all day today. Bobble Tiki's fingers will grow raw and numbed as family members shout orders through a bullhorn.  This is Dante's second circle of Hell for Bobble Tiki. Typically, the Volcano staff will drive by Bobble Tiki's hut tonight, point and laugh. However, after his third eggnog, it's not safe. That's when we head to Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium's Zoolights exhbit. Billed as the Northwest's premier light display, ZooLights includes seas of dazzling lights and breathtaking displays of ice-skating puffins, a preying eagle, tiger cubs, the Narrows Bridges and the massive flame tree, among others. The lights pop on from 5-9 p.m.

2. Remember when you used to dress your dolls up and make them act out scenes from Footloose? There they were all lined up on the bed, and G.I. Joe with the kung fu grip was causing trouble and Barbie was fighting with Cabbage Patch while their passive-aggressive little stuffed animal children hid their eyes. Yep, you've always been strange. But the point of this is you're still a fan of physical agility and humor. Vashon circus/music duo Lelavision - the troupe that combines Cirque de Soleil and Stomp, and then adds its own unique vision for a humorous, musical, theatrical and dance performance unlike any other - returns to the Museum of Glass for family-friendly performances at 1 and 3 p.m. Catch their science meets musical dance with a Cabbage Patch in your pocket. Freak.

3. We love the holidays, but let's face it: shopping at this time of year can suck. Snagging your nails in a catfight over a cashmere scarf, ruining your skin in the moisture-sucking mall air, and growing monster knots of tension just to cross each gift off your list makes for a stressful season. Enter the Jada-Moon Gridley-created Gritty City Gift Fair, where local artists and crafters will offer their one-of-a-kind fairs for all at Speakeasy Arts Cooperative from 1-8 p.m.

4. Other, non-North American English-speaking countries know the film of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by an alternate title: The Worst Kids In The World. That should tell you about the quality of the characters in question, and the odds that the title will actually come true. The Herdman clan will be inside the Lakewood Playhouse at 8 p.m. to teach you all about the true spirit of Christmas by lying, cheating, stealing, smoking and other wholesome endeavors. It's a feel-good season of joy for everyone. Or something.

5. DJ Omar mash things up at the Gruv Lounge and Nightclub beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: It's Art at Work month!

LINK: New movies have opened

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 24, 2010 >>>

1. The Grand Cinema screens 127 Hours, the harrowing true story of Aron Ralston, a rock climber whose arm was pinned to a Utah canyon wall by a boulder, at 2, 4:30, 6:50 and 9:10 p.m. "In desperation he amputated his own arm to free himself. James Franco stars in Danny Boyle's film, which is gruesome but not QUITE too gruesome to watch. It's rather awesome what an entertaining and absorbing film Danny Boyle has made here. Yes, entertaining," says Roger Ebert, who gave the film four out of four stars.

2. For whatever reason, most of you (and us) will be up until the wee hours tonight getting hammered. Like, seriously obliterated. Because there's no way we want to wake up before the parade is over. Not this year, Philbin. There's no shortage of places that want our business, but one of the better pre-Thanksgiving bumps will be at the new Gruv Lounge and Nightclub. Local boys J-Fresh and dAb will spin during Gruv's '80s old-school night beginning at 9 p.m. It'll almost be enough to make you forget how much you hate spending time with your family.

3. You knew there was a reason to hold on to the Christmas-light-laden and obscenely geometric printed green-and-red sweater. You once thought even the one with reindeer had potential. Now it's time to explore your closets because, ladies and gentlemen, the bad holiday sweater contest is back at Doyle's Public House beginning at 7 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for individuals, couples and groups.

4. Have you ever seen a grown man draw? It's not always pretty. Sometimes, it's beautiful. Tacoma's CLAW - or Cartoonists League of Absurd Washingtonians - meets every fourth Wednesday of the month at the Amocat Café. While the CLAW meets often and mysteriously, this one is "open to the public" - when "non members can be brought and introduced to the group." Sound intriguing? Show up at 7:30 p.m. and see it live.

5. Vicci Martinez and Danny Barnes plan an 8 p.m. show at Jazzbones.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

WE SEE DEAD PEOPLE SELLING SKULLS >>>

Today you can see Death - no doubt nattily attired in his customary black robe, jazzed up with spiky shoulder pads and heavy Frankenstein boots - skulking around Hell's Kitchen in downtown Tacoma. Yes, Seattle's dark-themed marketplace Mourning Market will hole-up in the joint beginning at noon, and Death jumped out of a Mini Cooper parked by the curb, but most downtown denizens will figure, hey, maybe Hell's kitchen opened early today.

The live music venue transforms itself into the quintessential creepy crafts shop today, which most know isn't a big stretch. Around 25 vendors (none of them selling garlic) such as Devout Dolls, Madame Talbot's Victorian Lowbrow, Morbid Anatomy, VooDoo Doll Designs, Enchanted Corsets and Fine Apparel, Killer Décor, Rusty Door Photography and The Skull Shoppe will be selling creepy crafts and steampunk gadgets.

So get your Christmas shopping done early you freak.

Mourning Market

Sunday, Nov. 14, noon to 5 p.m., 21 and older
Hell's Kitchen, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
253.759.6003

FRIDAY, NOV. 5, 2010 >>>

1. While the Weekly Volcano loves shopping in a boutqiue as much as the next girl, there's nothing like the rush we get from uncovering a hidden treasure at a local fashion party. So after you've thumbed through Vogue, Nylon, Elle, or wherever you go for your style fix, check the Ethereal Showcase at 8:30 p.m. in Tacoma's Opera Alley (729 Court C). The evening centers around the launch of Athena Renee Artistry, a local female owned business that excels at makeup services. When you're not having your face done at Ethereal, you'll enjoy the MLK Ballet troupe, burlesque, a fashion show featuring six local designers - including Vixens, Halter Hotties and Lisa Fruichantie - and music spun by Flat Black, Broam and Trevor Dickson. The $55 price tag includes cocktails with proceeds benefiting MLK Ballet.

2. The conceit of this production of Titus Andronicus, Shakespeare's bloodiest and most incoherent of plays, is that Shakespeare In the Parking Lot Theatre Company doesn't present the play in a parking lot but rather an empty storefront as part of Spaceworks Tacoma. Titus All Rightus! Check it out at 8 p.m. at 913 Pacific Ave. in downtown Tacoma.

3. Picture shoppers dancing in the street, vendors humming a tune as they weigh their shiny apples and L&I agents stomping toward smelly fish stands, tapping their clipboards to the beat. Sound absurd? Don't be too quick to discount it; this shit's totally going down at 8 p.m. inside the Rialto Theater. Tacoma Opera presents Gaetano Donizetti's comic opera of love and love potions The Elixir of Love - a bright and colorful comedy for these dull, rainy days. The story concerns peasant boy Nemorino's abject helplessness after he is  love-struck by the rich (and seemingly unattainable) village girl, Adina. To make matters worse, the local army sergeant, Belcore, also has his sights on the lovely Adina, making Nemorino's quest seem ever more futile.

4. The strength of a play cannot rely on a good script alone. Likewise, good actors cannot make up for terrible writing. Thankfully, eleemosynary, hitting the Tacoma Little Theatre stage at 8 p.m., features a great script with a trio of delightfully talented actors bringing it to life. Written by Lee Blessing, eleemosynary alternates between narration and dialogue to tell the story of three generations of women. It is a smartly written script that covers the range of emotions and family experiences. Read a full review of the show here.

5. The formula looks something like this: One part gay-friendly Hilltop club staring its fifth anniversary right in the face; two parts tasty cocktails; three parts remixes, mashups and electro messes; one part back patio with heat lamps; one part soul music expert DJ Bobby Galaxy; one part DJ Broam hot off his Tacoma Arts Commission Amocat Award; one part DJ Chrome Diego; three parts sparkling clean bathrooms; one part awesome. The sum equals First Friday dance party at 9 p.m. inside the Tempest Lounge.

LINK: It's Art at Work month!

LINK: Concerts go on sale today

LINK: New movies open

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound