Weekly Volcano Blogs: Walkie Talkie Blog

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January 12, 2015 at 1:21pm

Nerd Alert! Blackhat, lap dancing, Seven Swords Guild ...

Set within the world of global cybercrime, Legendary’s Blackhat follows a furloughed convict and his American and Chinese partners as they hunt a high-level cybercrime network from Chicago to Los Angeles to Hong Kong to Jakarta.

Penetrating your firewall, this is Nerd Alert, the Weekly Volcano's recurring events calendar devoted to all things nerdy. I myself am a Star Wars fan, mathlete, and spelling bee champion of long standing, so trust me: I grok whereof I speak.

FRIDAY, JAN. 16

Blackhat, directed by Michael Mann of Miami Vice, Heat, and Collateral fame, stars Thor (I mean Chris Hemsworth) as the hottest computer hacker in world history. When this guy arrives on screen, my wife begins purring. It's unseemly. Hemsworth plays the leader of an international team of cyber-crimefighters - so have at thee, Kim Jong-un!

Now that your spouse is all hot and bothered over a shirtless Australian playing a 1337 hax0r, maybe this'd be a good time to visit Beyond Vertical in Fife. The premier pole-dancing emporium offers a ladies-only workshop on the art of lap dancing for fun and, presumably, profit. The event is called "Fifty Shades of Seduction," so if you break it down, that's a mere half-dollar per shade. Last I checked, a proper lap dance runs about ... Wait. Never mind. I wouldn't know. Forget I said anything. What's a lap dance?

FIFTY SHADES OF SEDUCTION, 6:30 p.m. Friday, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Beyond Vertical, 2412 Pacific Hwy. E., Fife, $25, 888.549.4166

If, on the other hand, you have kids, you'll be over in the PG-rated wing of the cineplex, glumly schlepping into Paddington. It's the charming, tea-and-crumpetful tale of an Andean bear cub that talks like Colin Firth. Would you believe me if I told you established critics are raving about Paddington? No? Well, I'm serious. Not that it matters - you'd be seeing it anyway. At least this time, your kids won't have awful taste in movies.

SATURDAY, JAN. 17

Imagine this. Suppose you're walking down a dark alley one night when some goon jumps out and demands your cash and phone. Like most of us, you're an easy target, because you have to nothing to protect yourself other than your questionable wits and two fists that wouldn't intimidate a Jack Russell terrier. Now, imagine whipping around instead as you draw a damn longsword. Yeah. Do I have your full attention now? 'Cause you sure as hell have your assailant's! Muggers think twice before tangling with a meter-long, double-edged blade of steel justice. That's why the Seven Swords Guild in Lakewood isn't just some loose coalition of dudes that geek out over "Historical European Martial Arts." No, sir! They're incredibly badass dudes who belong to the Brotherhood of the Cruciform Sword! Are you ready to test your mettle against their, uh, metal? Then hie thee to their weekend longsword demonstration and tournament, knave. They provide the mask and blade; you bring the agile wrist of a champion.

BEGINNERS' LONGSWORD TOURNAMENT, 10 a.m. Saturday, Seven Swords Guild, 2321 104th St. Ct. S, Lakewood, free to spectators, 253.278.7550

MONDAY, JAN. 19

Now that Neil deGrasse Tyson has settled for a late-night talk show hosting gig on NatGeo, a channel probably some of us get, it behooves us all to learn as much as we can about the vast and amazing solar neighborhood in which we reside. Interplanet Janet retired to the Oort cloud decades ago, so it falls on enthusiastic science geeks like Olympia Family Theater to keep us up to speed. That's why OFT continues its series of morning edutainments for preschoolers by staging a fast-paced (45 min.) episode devoted to the eight major planets. Remember, "trans-Neptunian object" Pluto no longer makes the A-list; like Dr. Tyson, the frigid rock has been relegated to the solar outskirts.

THE SOLAR SYSTEM, 10:30 a.m. Monday (and Saturday, Jan. 24), Olympia Family Theater, 612 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, $5, 360.570.1638

TUESDAY, JAN. 20

Speaking of swords and entertainment that gets my wife excited, Saturday the 17th brings the onset of season two of The Musketeers on BBC America. I don't watch the show, but in this incarnation, apparently, they're covered in milk chocolate and filled with rich, fluffy nougat. But what really revs my better half's engine is the start of season six (the final go-round, we're told) of Justified Tuesday. Timothy Olyphant and his huge, swinging Stetson bring the man-candy; Elmore Leonard's the inspiration for much of the dialogue; and Walter Goggins provides the suave Kentucky verbosity of career slicko Boyd Crowder. It truly is an amazing show. Patton Oswalt enjoys it so much he wangled his way into a recurring guest role. I like it so much I'm willing to overlook my wife humping the couch when Timothy Olyphant doffs his chapeau.

Until next week, may the Force be with you, may the odds be ever in your favor, and may your opponent forget to use Thibault to cancel your Capo Ferro (unless, of course, you've studied your Agrippa). En garde!

January 2, 2015 at 7:49am

5 Things To Do Today: Puyallup Home & Garden Show, Sea Of Misinformation, Jay Hollingsworth, Smart People ...

Celebrate flower power at the Puyallup Home & Garden Show Jan. 2-4.

FRIDAY, JAN. 2 2015 >>>

1. It's winter (duh!) and Green Thumbs have a bad case of Seasonal Affective Disorder. For these folks, artificial won't do; it's just a countdown to spring. Ah, but there are a few plants that flourish indoors during the cold months to keep Green Thumbs smiling - and they're not plastic. Green thumbs hanging out at the Puyallup Home & Garden Show from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. know which plants flourish indoors. The show will feature garden displays and vendors with opportunities to shop at participating nurseries. Green Thumbs will dig lectures given by Certified Sustainable Landscape Professional Bill Peregrine. The show will also feature exhibitors demonstrating the latest in home remolding, building, decorating and improvement techniques. It's all here, from windows to doors, bathrooms to kitchens, decks to roofing and furniture to spas. Northwest leading experts will be presenting home ideas for 2015. If Green Thumbs are mad about keeping up with the Joneses, then this congregation of home and garden exhibitors will inflame their covetous inclinations.

2. Formed by Ryan Giffin in support of his original material written for both studio and the stage, Sea Of Misinformation - a 2012 Seattle Wave Radio Jammin' Challenge Top 4 finalist - will celebrate the release of their second album, North Star, at 7 p.m. in Louie G's Pizza.

3. The innovative genre-bending double bassist Ethan Jodziewicz and award-winning Appalachian fiddler and singer Tatiana Hargreaves will present passionate and virtuosic acoustic music at 8 p.m. in Traditions Café.

4. Jay Hollingsworth is one "big dude" (those are his words, as are "I'm six-eight. I weigh right around twoooo much") who tells some big-ass jokes. He was born in Portland, moved from Seattle to Los Angeles and happily refers to himself as "Big Irish." He's a fixture on podcasts including Doug (Benson) Loves Movies and his own HollingsWorthless. Louie Anderson calls him "a great joke writer," and I agree. Catch his show at 8 and 10:30 p.m. at the Tacoma Comedy Club.

5. Tonight's "Smart People" DJ dance party, organized by Tacoma's Mr. Melanin and hosted by Gallery of Ambition's Neon Dion, features Mr. Melanin, DJ Midnight Mike and DJ SlimRock spinning R&B, electronica, indie rock, house and disco in an improved setting of coolness. Dancing is awesome, but you'll catch yourself gazing at the turntable skills. It's OK. It really begins at 9:55 p.m. at The New Frontier Lounge.

LINK: Friday, Jan. 2 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

July 26, 2014 at 11:16am

Night Moves: Color Me Badd, Shai, Toyboat Toyboat Toyboat, Eric Tollefson Band, Campfire Cassettes, Mad Mardigan ...

Shake It Off

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

B Sharp Coffee House Tacoma - Downtown. The Linda Myers Band. All Ages. 8 pm.

Bob's Java Jive Tacoma - Central. Toyboat Toyboat Toyboat, Power Skeleton, Trueno, Tummler and Solomon, Rexx 8 pm. $5.

  • One of the things that tends to deter me from music with the "experimental" label is that it too frequently has a tendency to spiral out into free jazz journeys with no end in sight. My roots are too entrenched in pop construction for me to have much patience for 20-minute explorations. Toyboat Toyboat Toyboat never feel like they're noodling. Their avant-pop ditties are high on unorthodox instrumentation and off-the-wall ideas, but it all feels like it's in its right place. Of particular interest is the inclusion of a member who plays the Quintron, which is a rare synthesizer that functions off of exposure to light. It's propulsive, screwy music that lets things get experimental while always reassuring you that a sure, crazy hand is behind it all. - Rev. Adam McKinney

Dawson's Bar and Grill Tacoma - South. Tacoma Jazz & Blues Festival Dawson's Stage, featuring Keith Klawitter Jazz Alliance, Steve Stefanowicz, Palmer Junction, The Randy Oxford Band, Junkyard Jane. 2 pm.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Eric Tollefson Band. 9:30 pm. NC.

The Gig Spot Gig Harbor. Mystery Machines, Suite Clarity, The Orange Version. All Ages. 7 pm.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Color Me Badd, with Mycle Wastman, William Jordan. 8 pm. $25.

Jezebels Olympia - Downtown. Shai. 9 pm. $20.

  • Grab a date; Saturday's show at Jezebels will be historic. Early 1990s R&B harmonizers Shai rolls into Olympia. Not only does this show mark a significant visit from the platinum-selling crooners, but also a going-away party of sorts, as Jezebels - formerly The Mint and Barcode - will be shutting its doors after a decade on Fourth Avenue. Jezebels has been a part of the bedrock for hip-hop, rap and other urban shows, most popularly known for its famous dollar wells Wednesday nights, that left all competition in the surrounding 20 miles floundering and confused about what to do. Reportedly the venue will re-open as a live rock music venue, and rock a party that will surely be memorable with Shai singing and DJ Drastic spinning. And the number of live hip-hop venues continues to dwindle. - Jose Gutierrez

Louie G's Pizza Fife. Midstokke, Blue Helix, Late September Dogs, Jason Kertson & The Immortals. All Ages. 5 pm.

Maxwell's Restaurant + Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. The Kareem Kandi Band. All Ages. 8 pm. NC.

Metronome Coffee Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Campfire Cassettes, Todd N Todd, Patrick Galactic 7 pm. NC.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Mad Mardigan, Old Man Wizard, Shake It Off, Jugs of Blood. 9 pm. $5.

South 56th Street Tacoma. Tacoma Jazz & Blues Festival Main Stage, featuring Little Bill & The Blue Notes, Junkyard Jane, Vicci Martinez, The Randy Oxford Band, Rich Wetzel's Groovin Higher Orchestra, Mike Vax, Jiggs Whigham. All Ages. 1:30 pm.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. The Echo Devils. 8 pm.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Tacoma Jazz & Blues Festival Stonegate Stage, with Lance Buller Trio, Mitch Reems Combo, Lynda Myers Band. 2 pm.

Tacoma Dance Studio Tacoma. Tacoma Jazz & Blues Festival Dance Studio Stage, featuring Kevin England Jazz Collective, Carole Kapeliela Jazz Trio, Malo Castro, Clave Con Jazz. All Ages. 2 pm.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Tacoma Jazz & Blues Festival Stonegate Stage, with Lance Buller Trio, Mitch Reems Combo, Lynda Myers Band. 2 pm.

LINK: More live music Saturday, July 26 in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

July 25, 2014 at 7:46am

5 Things To Do Today: Campfire Cassettes, Heritage Distilling, Friday at the Fort, Missionary Position ...

Jonathan Buchanan and Todd Daniels will bring music and fun to Le Voyeur tonight.

FRIDAY, JULY 25 2014 >>>

1. Campfire Cassettes was started by Jonathan Buchanan as a way of getting pesky songs out of his head. Sometimes he performs with a full band, but the tour he's on finds him performing solo, with an assist from his tourmate, Todd N Todd (AKA Todd Daniels). The first song on the Los Angeles-based Campfire Cassettes' upcoming LP, GOSLEBROCK, features this line: "My sister Mary got everything. She got a brand new horse when she was 17. My sister Mary got everything. When I was 17, I got an STD." It's this sort of downer self-deprecation and outer bitterness that defines Campfire Cassettes It'd be depressing if it weren't so hilarious. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on Campfire Cassettes in the Music and Culture section, then catch Buchanan and Daniels at 6 p.m. in Le Voyeur.

2. Heritage Distilling Company has just announced the release of their Batch No 12 line of spirits. Batch 12 will include a vodka, bourbon and rye whisky all produced and bottled at its Gig Harbor site. The salivating, booze-loving public can get their first sip at noon in the Tahoma Market in Fife. The first to buy two bottles will receive a T-shirt. The week following expect to see them pop up at Harbor Greens, IGA stores and other outlets.

3. Over the years, the Weekly Volcano has heard tales of an inexplicable summertime condition.  When the sun is shining, we're told, some people lose their appetites. They all have some ridiculous excuse. Some refuse to sweat and eat at the same time. Sissies. Others say they're too busy. Whatever. Still others pull out the old "it's swimsuit season" excuse. Foolish vanity. The best we can figure is that they all have heatstroke and aren't quite right in the head. After experimenting, we have reached an indisputable scientific conclusion - When the sun is shining, things just taste better. Prove our theory at the Friday at the Fort event inside the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum's fence from 6-9:30 p.m. Pampeana will serve their delicious empanadas, 7 Seas Brewing will be pouring pints full of goodness, Mikey's Weiner Trap hopefully means gourmet hot dogs, The Blend Café has the dessert tray while The Shy Boys rock your favorite hits.

4. Jeff Angell takes a night off from fronting the acclaimed Walking Papers band for a show with his other band, the soulful rock band The Missionary Position, for an 8 p.m. show with True Holland at Jazzbones.

5. Steel Creek American Whiskey Company hosts a Camo Party tonight. It's free cover before 11 p.m. for those who dress in camo gear. Also, $500 in cash and prizes will be awarded for the best male and female camo outfits at midnight. That's all the information we can find about the party tonight at the downtown Tacoma country bar. The remaining information seems to be hidden.

FRIDAY AT THE FORT, 6-9:30 p.m., Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, 6-9 Point Defiance Park, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma, $10-$12, FridayAtTheFort.org

LINK: Friday, July 25 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

July 5, 2014 at 9:06am

5 Things To Do Today: Ben Union, South Sound BBQ Festival, Hellgate, Spamalot ...

Ben Union plays solo tonight at The Spar in Old Town Tacoma. Photo courtesy of Facebook

SATURDAY, JULY 5 2014 >>>

1. He's not the new king of pop yet, but Ben Union makes a pretty good Adam Levine. Union frames his prodigious and rock solid talent - soulful vocals, a danceable funk groove, irresistible pop hooks - with passion and showmanship. Imagine the music of Maroon 5 and Train being forced occasionally through the Red Hot Chili Peppers backbeat, grabbing Fred Hammond's soul and then pumped out Levine's larynx, and you have a pretty good idea of the kind of sound Ben Union and his band can produce. While most of Union's songs don't stray too far from the characteristic blend of funk and soulful rock, some of his best moments are the more mellow tunes, such as "Angeles" - which will most likely be front and center at 8 p.m. as Union will perform solo at The Spar in Old Town Tacoma.

2. The craft of blacksmithing is waning, even as the art of wrought iron is on the rise, working its way into art schools. But it's the craft-its usefulness, its dignity and its allure should draw you to Fort Nisqually's Crafts of the Past - Blacksmithing demonstration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ray Baker trained with the NorthWest Blacksmith Association and has participated in workshops with master smiths from Colonial Williamsburg. He has mentored several budding blacksmiths at the Fort, where he has been volunteering for 15 years.

3. Who doesn't like meat off the grill? Well, vegetarians we suppose, but still. Barbecue is pretty damn popular. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. the LAcey Chamber of Commerce looks to jump all over this fact with the South Sound BBQ Festival, which returns to Huntamer Park. Admission is free, and yes - the chicken wing eating contest is back.

4. Louie G's Pizza takes its rock as seriously as its oversize pies. Restaurateur Louis Galarza installed professional-grade light and sound equipment, then threw his doors open to the types of bands you may not expect with your meatball calzone. At 6 p.m. he's hosting Montana's heavy-metal trio Hellgate as part of the all-ages Killhate Tour, a fist-pumping demonstration against police brutality and hate crimes everywhere. That's right, Hellgate shreds with a conscience. Guitarist and lead vocalist Joel Floyd West snarls through such retro rockers as "Dear Me" and "Death of Faith" with clarity and conviction, while Scott Daniels' crunching bass lines supply the perfect counterpoint. Also: fried pickle spears. Rawk!

5. Lakewood Playhouse never seems to disappoint and their most recent production is no exception. People who don't like Monty Python humor, also known as fuddy duddies, might want to skip it but for everyone else, Spamalot (books and lyrics by Eric Idle) will have them laughing, whistling and singing even after the show. Director John Munn's brilliant cast and crew could not have done a better job. Read Joann Varnell's full review of Spamalot in the Music & Culture section, then catch the show at 8 p.m.

LINK: Saturday, July 5 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

June 28, 2014 at 1:27pm

Night Moves: Wei Zhongle, Mosquito Hawk, CFA, Cottonwood Cutups, Stay Grounded, Shake It Off, Diamond Experience ...

Retrospecter

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

B Sharp Coffee House Tacoma - Downtown. The Cottonwood Cutups and The Rusty Cleavers. 8 pm. $5.

Bob's Java Jive Tacoma - Central. Fruit Juice, The Bugs, Retrospecter, the Echo Echo Echoes, 8 pm. $5.

Cork! A Wine Bar Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Cody Raymond. 8:30 pm. NC.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Stay Grounded. 9:30 pm. NC.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Kalimba: The Spirit Of Earth, Wind & Fire. 8 pm. $20.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Scout's Honor, Slugjob, Polyan, Wei Zhongle. 9 pm.

  • I wonder if the people in Wei Zhongle know how to pronounce their band name, or if it's just a guessing game every time. Listening to their music, it certainly seems like they'd be cagy if you asked. Describing their music as "nu trance" -which, frankly, I do not approve of - the sounds of Wei Zhongle are hard to pin down. The Illinois trio frame their repetitious instrumental experimentations in a way that's precise to the point of abstraction. Utilizing a clarinet's trill as the analog version of a glitchy techno melody, they build songs that have the unsettling quality of electronic music, while still planting one foot in the flesh-and-blood world. They're a nightmare chamber act, concocting dizzying mood pieces that are as rich in texture as they are off-putting in their shifting structures. - Rev. Adam McKinney

Louie G's Pizza Fife. Mechanism, Boneshaker, Garden Of Eden, Gebular. All Ages. 7 pm.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Music and Art in Wright Park Benefit, with CFA, Ex Gods, Infinite Flux. Plus record release for MAWP compilation. 9 pm.

Northern Olympia - Downtown. 20th Annual Experimental Music Festival, with Mark Hosler, Impulsive Machinations, Arrington De Dionyso, Ton Trio II, Chaostic Magic, Giant Worm. All Ages. 7 pm. $10.

O'Malley's Irish Pub Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Birthday Bash featuring Shake It Off, Raptor Tractor, Regional Faction, Mad Mardigan. 8 pm. NC.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. The Diamond Experience (Neil Diamond tribute). 8 pm.

Track House Olympia - Downtown. Mosquito Hawk, Ancient Warlocks, Sioux, Holy Grove, Shadows, 8:30 pm. $3.

  • To see Mosquito Hawk in person is to see the workings of four dedicated rockers, each bringing a stage presence that engages more than just your ears. Watch as Jerry Zeigler pile-drives his drums, float off with John Merithew as he noodles a guitar solo into your being, catch the rocker stance and bass manipulation of Sean McCoy, and just try and look away when Olivia Love dances and croons into the mic, "Don't try to love me ... just fucking suck on my tongue." Now put that intimate arrangement in a punk rock living room with four other bands, including Seattle fuzz-masters Ancient Warlocks, add the sweet sweat of a summer night, and see how that treats you. You can thank me later. - Nikki McCoy

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. Kat Eggleston. All Ages. 8 pm. $10-$15.

LINK: More live music Saturday, June 28 in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

June 27, 2014 at 12:33pm

Night Moves: Elliott Sharp, Michael Powers, The Cloves, Cody Beebe & The Crooks, Maia Santell, American Wrecking Company ...

Gladiators Eat Fire

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

502 Downtown Tacoma - Downtown. Michael Powers Birthday Celebration, with Carl Ratcliffe, DJ Hitman. 9 pm. $10.

  • Northwest jazz guitarist Michael Powers is a musician's musician whose work has continually progressed far beyond the standard jazz genre. Born in New York and raised in the San Francisco Bay area, Powers took up the guitar to strengthen his wrist after a skateboard accident.  After graduating from Berkeley High at 15, he relocated to the Emerald City where he continued his musical explorations playing everything from jazz, blues, rock and pop. Powers kept his fingers limber by sitting in with some of the finest musicians in the city.  He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of fine arts in composition and performance in 1982 from Seattle's prestigious Cornish College of the Arts. While some of his influences came from Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, Charlie Parker, George Benson, Stanley Jordan, and Miles Davis, he has successfully developed his own unique touch.  Powers, celebrating a birthday, will perform with Carl Ratcliffe's fusion jazz band at the 502 Downtown bar. DJ Hitman spins at 11 p.m. - Weekly Volcano

Anthem Tacoma - Downtown. Downtown Music Crawl with The Cloves. 9-9:45 pm.

B Sharp Coffee House Tacoma - Downtown. Patti Allen & Zolton. All Ages. 8 pm.

Bleach Tacoma - Downtown. Downtown Music Crawl with Wheelies. 6:30-7:15 pm.

The Gig Spot Gig Harbor. Brandon Pratt. All Ages. 8 pm.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Cody Beebe & The Crooks, Whiskey N Rye, Letters From Traffic. 8 pm. $10.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Captain Algebra. All ages. 8 pm.

Louie G's Pizza Fife. American Wrecking Company. All Ages. 5 pm.

Maxwell's Restaurant + Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. Lance Buller Combo. 7 pm.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Gladiators Eat Fire, Death By Stars, the Lion in Winter. 9 pm. $5.

Northern Olympia - Downtown. 20th Annual Experimental Music Festival, with Elliott Sharp, Joe Trump, Peter Randlette, Dead Air Fresheners, Jennifer Robin, KnotPineBox, JD Helwig, Big Tom The Lithuanian. All Ages. 7 pm. $10.  

Uncle Thurm's Soul Food Tacoma - Lincoln District. Maia Santell & House Blend. All Ages. 7:30 pm. NC.

urbanXchange Tacoma - Downtown. Downtown Music Crawl with Novel Nature. 7:45-8:30 pm.

LINK: More live music Friday, June 27 in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

June 22, 2014 at 8:22am

5 Things To Do Today: FISH Food Benefit Concert, Pride Parade, Tacoma History Hike, Dayclub ...

Champagne Sunday will rock for FISH today.

SUNDAY, JUNE 22 2014 >>>

1. It's like money in dog years. For FISH Food Banks of Pierce County, every dollar raised has seven times the buying power. Based on this math, last year's Maurice The Fish Records benefit concert brought in nearly $50,000 to help feed the hungry. This year's FISH Food Benefit Concert has eight bands taking the stage at the all-ages, family friendly 3-7 p.m. show at Louie G's in Fife. Musical artists span many genres and include: James Coates, Champagne Sunday, Vividal, Moss Brothers, The Approach, Tin Man, Nolan Garrett and Strangely Alright. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on the FISH Food Benefit Concert in the Music & Culture section.

2. Capital City Pride began under the aegis of Rainbow Center Olympia. Back then, the festival drew a few hundred people. Now as many as 10,000 celebrants converge on a two-day extravaganza that marks the climax of a very busy year for the organization. Today marks day two of the fabulous celebration with The Pride Parade at noon followed by another full day of music. There will be information and food booths in the park, a marvelous kids' area with activities provided by the Hands On Children's Museum, lots of speechifying and, of course, drag performances.

3. If you are looking for a quiz that calls for more than sitting on a stool with a pint of beer, or if you have killer knowledge of Tacoma history that you feel compelled to show off, then this trivia game is for you. Today you can test your local authority against other history buffs. The Tacoma History Hike is a high-suspense, high-speed scavenger hunt that begins at the Washington State History Museum and leads you to a variety of checkpoints within a 1.5-mile radius, allowing you to walk, run, skip or bike the course. Each checkpoint provides the answer to a question of Tacoma-related historical trivia. Collect as many as you can in the time allotted, and return to the museum for music, awards, goody bags and admission. There is still walk-up registration at 12:30 p.m. with the race at 2 p.m.

4. The Social Bar and Grill's patio is a lovely spot to while away a weekend afternoon, sipping cocktails and old world red wine and watch condo residents walk their dogs. Come Sunday afternoon, resident DJ Mr. Melanin and rotating guests spin an eclectic and extremely tasteful selection of lounge, bossa nova and electro soul music 2-6 p.m. This triple threat of delicious happy hour specials, sun and hip tunes is known as Tacoma's only daytime summer party, "Dayclub."

5. Seattle film director Megan Griffiths' latest film, Lucky Them, stars Toni Collette as a Seattle rock journalist who is ordered by her magazine's editor, played by Oliver Platt, to search for a long lost rock god who also happens to be her ex-boyfriend. In the story she teams up with an eccentric amateur documentary filmmaker played by Thomas Haden Church.  Read Jared Lovrak's review of Lucky Them in our Music & Culture section, and then chat with Griffiths after the 2 and 4:20 p.m. screenings at The Grand Cinema.

BONUS: Don't get stuck watching the World Cup games cornered in some dingy bar with a 10-year-old TV and '80s classic hits on the radio. Doyle's Public House's giant tent with two huge TVs (and a bar) will make it feel like you're along the Amazon watching the games (minus the Piranhas). USA takes on Portugal today at 3 p.m.      

LINK: Sunday, June 22 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

June 21, 2014 at 9:34am

Night Moves: Kareem Kandi Band, Brifest, Frightwig, Kim Archer Band, Oly Mountain Boys, Klover Jane, The Thermals ...

Big Eyes

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

B Sharp Coffee House Tacoma - Downtown. The Kareem Kandi Band. All Ages. 7:30 pm. NC.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Brifest 2014, featuring Nolan Garrett, Rafael Tranquilino, Gabe McPherson, Paul Sawtelle, Champagne Sunday, Robin Moxey, Pig Snout, Kim Archer, Torre, EarthMother, Hunnywell, Resisting Ordinary. All Ages until 10:30 pm. All Ages. 3:30 pm. $10.

Live Room Sumner. Speakerbox, Nyles Davis, Young Kim, Gage Edwards Music, The Kid, Wood Pushers, Most Hated, Black Diamond Crew, Tr3-L. All Ages. 6:30 pm. $10-$14.

Louie G's Pizza Fife. Klover Jane, Jason Kertson, Riot In Rhythm. All Ages. 8 pm.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. The Thermals, Big Eyes, Wheelies. 9 pm.

Northern Olympia - Downtown. Frightwig, It's OK, Rocknho. All Ages. 8 pm.

  • The bill for this show at the Northern is uncommonly stacked. In addition to featuring the feminist punk luminaries of Frightwig on tour for the first time since 1995 (!), they're bringing with them Robert Hecker's post-Redd Kross project, It's OK!. It's an embarrassment of riches, in case you hadn't caught on. Even though the shadow of Redd Kross would naturally loom over any band that Robert Hecker might form, It's OK! do a good job of following in those footsteps - as they have since 1992 - while slyly subverting expectations. Melody and the power of a well-tuned song are clearly very important things to Hecker. Bursts of power pop give way to tender folk ditties before eventually circling back to the sort of angsty, blistering punk that made a name of Hecker to begin with. - Rev. Adam McKinney

Red Bicycle Bistro and Sushi Bar Vashon. Bill Brown & The Kingbees. All Ages. 8:30 pm. NC.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. Oly Mountain Boys. 8 pm.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Real Time. 9 pm.

Sylvester Park Olympia - Downtown. Capital City Pride, featuring Aaron Fury's Dancehouse, Xavier Toscano, Kimber Lee, The Kim Archer Band, Miss Tina Turntable, Paris Original, TUSH!, Gregory Conn, JLINE, Jeremiah Clark, Jake Powell & Urban Onion Faces. All Ages. 11 am. NC.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum. All Ages. 8 pm. $15-$20.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Equest Riders Benefit, with Sublimed, Fallen Kings, Generation Unknown. 8 pm.

Waterstreet Cafe Olympia - Downtown. Jim "King Greasy" Pribbenow, with Mike Japp, Osama Afifi, Michael Olson. 9 pm. NC.

LINK: More live music Saturday, June 21 in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

June 7, 2014 at 11:34am

Night Moves: Ty Elwin, Gunslinger, Chastity Belt, Kareem Kandi, Q Dot, Coolio, Metal Show and more ...

Gunslinger

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

B Sharp Coffee House Tacoma - Downtown. Ty Elwin. All Ages. 8 pm.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Coolio, The Staxx Brothers, Xperience, Mr. Von. 8 pm. $15.

  • Tonight, you might want to "slide, slide, slippity slide" to Sixth Avenue as hip-hop luminary Coolio makes the party go sideways. "New booties" will call him a one-hit wonder, which is false and, as Chris Rock would say, "IGNINT." Coolio's hip-hop heritage is rooted in authentic LA hip-hop with the likes of Low Profile, WC & The Maad Circle and many others who respected him during the era of "County Line" and "Mama I'm In Love With A Gangsta" and, of course, the WC & The Maad Circle classic, "You Don't Work, You Don't Eat." These are his credits prior to the "Fantastic Voyage" and "Gangsta's Paradise." Thirty million records sold later ... Coolio is OG as they come and his talent on the microphone and charts speaks for itself. - Jose Gutierrez

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Darkmysticwoods, Gunslinger, Incanus. All Ages. 7 pm. Chastity Belt, Broken Water, Judson Claiborne. 9 pm.

  • Taking a smoke break with my co-worker in the alley behind the bar, we de-stressed from our shift and speculated the amount of tips we may have made. Just as we were about to go back in and finish our busy Olympia Arts Walk shift, we caught a sound barreling down Fourth Avenue and into our ear holes. It was a Judas Priest cover being rocked to a T. "Hell Patrol" was executed with the precision of skilled guitarists and grounded by the hands of a pure bassist. Momentum was driven with pounding drums and it was all topped with vocals that are well tuned, one where you can tell the singer belts it out in the shower, car and every chance they get because it's what her loves. We continued to listen. The rest of their set rocked originals in the same vein of classic metal. "Wow, that was awesome," said my co-worker. "Yeah, that's Gunslinger, my brother-in-law's band," I said. "They totally rule." - Nikki McCoy
  • No Regerts, the recent (and hilariously titled) album from Chastity Belt, is a quietly brilliant and important document of feminism and sexual insight, disguised as remarkably surefooted indie rock. With lyrics that vacillate from the winking to the serious - though always trenchantly well-observed - Chastity Belt build solid, simple punk-leaning songs that serves the ideas on the table, without the music or the words ever coming into conflict. Musically, no boundaries are necessarily being pushed, but everything comes across energetic and effortless. Their most thrilling moment comes in "James Dean," with its bracing stop-start dynamics, and wailing proclamations like, "You're a slut! I'm a whore! We've fucked everyone before!" There's a real effort, all through No Regerts, to call hypocrites out on their bullshit, and to hopefully move toward a more even playing field. - Rev. Adam McKinney

Louie G's Pizza Fife. Jar Of Flies (Alice In Chains tribute), Outshined (Soundgarden tribute). All Ages. 5 pm.

Maxwell's Restaurant + Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. The Kareem Kandi Band. 8 pm. NC.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Young Evils, Deep Creep, Show & Tell. 9 pm. $5.

Rock & Roll Lodge and Steakhouse Tacoma - Eastside. The Logan Foundation Benefit Show featuring Stupid Juice Crew, Pooji Tran, Q Dot, A King and others. All Ages. 7 pm. $5.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. The Groovetramps. 8 pm.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. Magical Strings. All Ages. 8 pm. $10-$15.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Uncle Sam's Epic Two-Day Metal Show. 7 pm.

LINK: More live music Saturday, June 7 in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Filed under: Music, Fife, Olympia, Tacoma, Spanaway,

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