LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

2 Mile House Olympia - Westside. Blues Bentley Band Sunday Jam. 5-8 pm. NC.

Jake's on 4th Olympia - downtown. Nail This benefit show for Rusty Nails featuring Dirty Malkovich, Jeremy Serwer, Hellbelly, Glass Elevator, The Hard Way and Full Moon Radio. 6:30 p.m. $5.

• This Sunday, June 2, make your way over to Jake's on 4th for a community fundraiser for Siobhan, aka Rusty Nails, who has been in recovery since a March 27 hit and run accident in downtown Oly. She sustained many broken bones and has been undergoing many life-altering surgeries, including having part of her leg amputated. Dirty Malkovich, Jeremy Serwer, Hellbelly, Glass Elevator, The Hard Way and Full Moon Radio will be performing to help cover the cost of extensive medical bills and ongoing care. What an incredible lineup and community spirit to serve this woman, who has been described by friends as a "bad ass, beautiful creature loved by so many of us all over the place." All donations will go directly to Siobhan's recovery costs. - Nikki McCoy

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Back To Beale Street Blues Competition, with Blue Mud, Bob McCluskey, Arthur Migliazza, Delta 88's, Randy Oxford Band, Blues Country Sheriff, The Crazy Texas Gypsies, Cody Rentas Band. 4 pm. $10.

• It's become tradition in our area - a yearly blues-blowout local music fans look forward to for the quality it draws. And, like clockwork, it's back. From 4-10 p.m. at Jazzbones, the preliminary contest of this year's South Sound Blues Association sponsored Back to Beale Street 2013 Blues Competition goes down, offering a chance for competitors to earn their way to the heralded International Blues Challenge in Memphis in early 2014. Three solo and duo acts will battle it out in front of a panel of judges, as will seven bands. Included in the musical goodness will be the Randy Oxford Band, Delta 88's, Crazy Texas Gypsies, Arthur Migliazza, the Cody Rentas Band and many others. The top four bands will advance to the finals, to be held during the 4th of July Freedom Fair and Air Show on the Duke's Chowder House Blues Stage. - Weekly Volcano
  

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Reid Urban. All Ages. 7 pm.

Louie G's Pizza Fife. 6th Annual Fish Food Benefit Concert Main Stage, with Audentia, Champagne Sunday, Nolan Garrett, Rikk Beatty Band, Tin Man, Kim Archer and Rafael Tranquilino, Mr. Von, Late September Dogs. All Ages. 3 pm. $10 suggested donation.

• Beginning at 3 p.m. South Sounders have the opportunity to do two great things thanks to collaboration between Maurice the Fish Records and Fish Food Banks of Pierce County. The product of their concerted efforts is the Fish Food Benefit Concert, which will be held at Louie G's Pizzeria in Fife. The benefit show will feature 12 bands, including special guest Lynn Sorensen of Bad Company and now Spike and the Impalers. Other performers will include Audentia, Champagne Sunday, Nolan Garrett, Rikk Beatty Band, Tin Man, Kim Archer and Rafael Tranquilino, Mr. Von, Late September Dogs, Heidi Vladyka, Dave Hannon and James Coates. Read Rockford Rowley's full feature on the Fish Food Benefit Concert in his column, The Rockford Files.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Bluegrass Sundays. 4 pm.

Pierce College Puyallup. Pierce College Jazz Expo with Thomas Marriott Sextet (Tribute to Art Blakey), Greta Matassa Quartet, McTuff, Pierce College Jazz Ensemble and Pete Christlieb Quartet. Musicians of all abilities and ages, as well as non-musicians, may attend the workshops. 1-10 pm. $10 at the door.

• Underneath this respectable, suburban veneer lies a seething hotbed of decadence; behind a curtain of boring hides an orgiastic cacophony of richness. It's called jazz. If Bobble Tiki were to count awesome Northwest jazz musicians on one hand, Greta Matassa would land on his index finger. She headlines the Pierce College Jazz Expo Sunday. Bobble Tiki's other fingers contain the other performers of the night - Thomas Marriot Sextet (tribute to Art Blakey), McTuff, Pierce College Jazz Ensemble and Pete Christlieb Quartet - plus a bunch of boogers. It's a full day thing. From 1-5:30 p.m. the Pierce College Jazz Expo will host "clinics" by the performing musicians, with concert scheduled from 2:30-8:30 p.m. Clinics will go on simultaneously with performances, so plan accordingly. Musicians of all abilities and ages, as well as non-musicians, may attend the workshops. Musicians are welcome to bring their instruments to the clinic because some clinicians may ask students to participate. Read Bobble Tiki's full feature on the Pierce College Jazz Expo here.
  

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Rich Wetzel's Groovin' Higher Orchestra. 5-8 pm.

LINK: More live music tonight in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, JUNE 2 2013 >>>

1. It's become tradition in our area - a yearly blues-blowout local music fans look forward to for the quality it draws. And, like clockwork, it's back. From 4-10 p.m. at Jazzbones, the preliminary contest of this year's South Sound Blues Association sponsored Back to Beale Street 2013 Blues Competition goes down, offering a chance for competitors to earn their way to the heralded International Blues Challenge in Memphis in early 2014. Three solo and duo acts will battle it out in front of a panel of judges, as will seven bands. Included in the musical goodness will be the Randy Oxford Band, Delta 88's, Crazy Texas Gypsies, Arthur Migliazza, the Cody Rentas Band and many others. The top four bands will advance to the finals, to be held during the 4th of July Freedom Fair and Air Show on the Duke's Chowder House Blues Stage.

2. The Mother Earth News Fair returns to the Puyallup Fairgrounds with Ed Begley Jr. in tow. The green activist will present a talk on energy conservation followed by a question-and-answer session at 1:30 p.m. When Begley isn't chatting up renewable energy and St. Elsewhere, the family-oriented sustainable lifestyle event will feature more than 240 hands-on workshops and demonstrations from experts from the leading authorities on renewable energy, small-scale agriculture, gardening, green building, small-scale livestock, green transportation and natural health from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

3. Nothing says good times like family fun and a whole crapload of pirate references. By the look of things, that's exactly what's in store for those headed to the 2013 Maritime Gig Festival in Gig Harbor. Expect wholesome treats, car show, fishing stuff, music and more in downtown Gig Harbor, along Harborview Drive, between Pioneer and Rosedale, and along the waterfront near Jerisich Dock and Skansie Brother's Park.

4. NASCAR lovers and car enthusiasts near and far, rev up your engines because there's a special event motoring into town that can't be missed. LeMay - America's Car Museum in downtown Tacoma is honored to play host to the "Legends of Motorsports: The NASCAR Story Exhibit." Be one of the first to get in on the action from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to the exhibit opening today, the museum offers an extended celebration with live entertainment from the Kim Archer Band, free commemorative posters to the first 500 entrants and racing simulators available for a small fee to get a unique NASCAR experience. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase. Read Kim Thompson's full feature on "Legends of Motorsports: The NASCAR Story Exhibit" on our blog Walkie Talkie.

5. Beginning at 3 p.m. South Sounders have the opportunity to do two great things thanks to collaboration between Maurice the Fish Records and Fish Food Banks of Pierce County. The product of their concerted efforts is the Fish Food Benefit Concert, which will be held at Louie G's Pizzeria in Fife. The benefit show will feature 12 bands, including special guest Lynn Sorensen of Bad Company and now Spike and the Impalers. Other performers will include Audentia, Champagne Sunday, Nolan Garrett, Rikk Beatty Band, Tin Man, Kim Archer and Rafael Tranquilino, Mr. Von, Late September Dogs, Heidi Vladyka, Dave Hannon and James Coates. Read Rockford Rowley's full feature on the Fish Food Benefit Concert in his column, The Rockford Files.

LINK: Sunday, June 2 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THURSDAY, MAY 9 2013 >>>

This summer Music and Art in Wright Park will, once again, shake the lawn bowlers at Wright Park in Tacoma's Stadium District. What began in 1993 as an awesome outdoor rock concert is still an awesome outdoor rock concert, only now with more art. Last year 2,500 lounged in the sun and soaked up Girl Trouble, Humble Cub, Walking Papers, The Plastards, The Jilly Rizzo and many other bands. There's no reason this summer's MAWP won't be equally awesome, unless there's no money in the bank. Unlike most summer outdoor rock concerts, there are no advance tickets for MAWP. The whole dang thing is free. However, like most worthy events, it's expensive. Therefore, festival producers will host a spaghetti feast and the musical stylings of the Original Rich Bundy and special guests from 4-8 p.m. at Louie G's Pizzeria. It's a family friendly, slurp fest. 

2. New York Times bestselling author Margaret Stohl, co-author of the Beautiful Creatures series, will discuss her new novel, Icons, which tells the story of four very special teens who could be humanity's only hope after Earth is taken over by aliens at 7 p.m. inside the University Place Library. She will be joined on the YA Icons Tour with local favorite Marissa Meyer, author of Cinder and Scarlet, Leigh Bardugo, author of the Grisha Trilogy and Kimberly Derting, author of the Body Finder novels.

3. The Oly Mountain Boys will perform at 8 p.m. inside the historic Spar Cafe in Olympia. The band proclaims its mission is to "reinvigorate the bluegrass genre by bringing the original bluegrass sound of the 1950s to a new generation of fans." We believe them, especially after taking a listen to the passion guitarist Chris Rutledge, mandolin player Derek McSwain, banjo player Tye Menser, bassist Phil Post and fiddle player Josh Grice get down with.

4. You could learn swing's Africanist cousin, blues dancing, at 9 p.m. inside the Olympia Eagles Ballroom. Blues dancing derives from the so-called "Black vernacular" of Southern dance styles and includes such moves as the Lindy and the irresistibly named "Funky Butt." Worst case scenario: you have two left feet but get to listen to Nina Simone.

5. The Engine House No. 9 is housed in a firehouse built in 1907 and still retains some of original firefighting artifacts. Purchased by the X Group, the force behind Asado and Masa, there's new excitement with better food, a whiskey bar, more craft beer from head brewer Shane Johns and a shuffleboard in the side room. Rev. Colin hosts karaoke two nights a week, including tonight at 9 p.m. He possesses a wealth of oddball musical knowledge and a disarming ease for calling everyone "baby."

LINK: Thursday, May 9 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

4th Ave Ale House Olympia - Downtown. Halcion Halo, Blacstahl, Deborah Page. 9 pm.

Bob's Java Jive Tacoma - Central. SleepyPilot, Psycho 78 & Devil On A Leash. 9 pm. $.

C.I. Shenanigans Tacoma - Northend. KC Brakes presents pop folk rock night. All Ages. 7-10 pm. NC.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Kareem Kandi Band. 9 pm. NC.

Harmon Tap Room Tacoma - Stadium District. Half Of Infinity. 9 pm.

Live Room Sumner. Innocent Bystander, The Informal Gentlemen, I for Eye, Front Seat Fiasco, Destination Unknown, and Cosmic Avenue. All Ages. Doors 6:30 pm. $8 adv, $12 at door.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Leroy Bell & His Only Friends. 8 pm. $15.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. The Chain, Fridge Scum. All Ages. 6 pm.

The Lochs Tacoma - Downtown. Jobe Himself demo release show with Poorsport, Omega Moo, DJ Reign. 9 pm. $5.

• Oh yeah, I almost forgot about The Loch's. You know the place - the old Hell's Kitchen in downtown Tacoma. Well, here's a good reminder that this venue is still cranking out shows. This Saturday, enjoy some quality, melt your face punk rock with a Jobe Himself demo release show with Poorsport, Omega Moo and DJ Reign. - NM

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. Clear The Chaos, Fistful Of Dollars. All Ages. 8 pm.

Morso Wine Bar Gig Harbor. Anais Mitchell, Jefferson Hamer, 8 pm. $25.

• To ask if you have been paying attention to Michael ONeill's Americana Series at Morso Wine Bar in Gig Harbor would be a bit reckless, since the concerts regularly sell out. But have you been paying attention?! Tommy Tutone, Peter Case, Grant Peeples, Susan Gibson, Jaime Wyatt, Ian Moore, the Bobs, Lucy Kaplansky, Steve Poltz ... the list goes on. Saturday, ONeill hosts Vermont-born songwriter Anaïs Mitchell who has been pushing the conventional parameters of modern folk with her epic, allegorical themes and, most recently, lush, impressionistic arrangements. She's touring behind her new release, Young Man in America, which has enough raw-nerved, psychedelic balladry to rattle your Cabernet glass. - Ron Swarner
  

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Olsen Brothers Present: A Night Of Sights & Sounds: Red Hex & Ich Hunger, plus Ace Tone Fuzzmaster. 9 pm.

• For weeks, now, I've been trying to shake the images of Ich Hunger from my brain. Made by local filmmaker Isaac Olsen, Ich Hunger is a German expressionist freakout concerning a "creature boy" who lives in the forests of Germany and eats people. Saturday, as if Ich Hunger wasn't visually and aurally stimulating enough, the film will be screened along with musical accompaniment by the onslaught of local garage-rockers Red Hex (featuring Isaac's brother, Sam Olsen), as well as original electronic music. Afterward, the melted brains of the audience will be invited to disco dance. It'll be an experiment in (slightly) ordered chaos. How far can your ears and eyes be stretched, and when that breaking point is reached, will you ever really be the same? Wear a helmet to this one, dear reader. - Rev. Adam McKinney
  

Olympia Ballroom Olympia - Downtown. Olympia Acoustic Festival. 1 pm to 1 am.

• Saturday, a new celebration hits the area - the Olympia Acoustic Festival. The event, held at the increasingly popular Olympia Ballroom, is sponsored by KAOS and features local vendors such as Tamale Fusion and La Dee Dee Da Jewelry. And, of course, a regional line up of many great acoustic acts, including Olympia bands Erev Rav, The Pine Hearts, Oly Mountain Boys and Oly singer-songwriters Gabriel Wolf Child, Jonah Tolchin, Paul Mauer as well as musicians from Seattle and Portland such as Aaron English, Impossible Bird and others. "Anyone who comes will have their ears filled by a potpourri of really talented musicians," says Jabi Shriki, co-coordinator of the event. Sounds awesome. - NM
  

The Red Room Tacoma - Downtown. Alarms. All Ages. 7 pm.

Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma - Downtown. Man Shower for Eddie Flores featuring bands Trees Without Leaves and Stay Grounded. 5:30 pm.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. Tatoosh. 9 pm.

Tacoma Cabana and Rum Bar Tacoma - Downtown. Big Huge with vocalist Kayla Snell. All ages until 10 pm. All Ages. 8 pm. NC.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Killing Dove. 9 pm.

LINK: More live music tonight in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Ben Moore's Olympia - Downtown. Sour Owl. 9 pm. NC.

• Ooh! Another free show! This time at Ben Moore's in Olympia - a few-and-far-between music venue that's known more for its Best $3.75 Fish and Chips than hosting a show. But, Saturday, you can enjoy a live set from Sour Owl in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. Rock, pop, jazz, fusion, whatever you want to call Sour Owl's sound, just know that it's sweet. - Nikki McCoy
  

C.I. Shenanigans Tacoma - Northend. KC Brakes presents pop folk rock night. All Ages. 7-10 pm. NC.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. The Flat 5. 9:30 pm.

Harmon Tap Room Tacoma - Stadium District. St. Patrick's Day In A Tent: James Coates and Fleur Jack. 8:30 pm. $5. Inside: Halcion Halo, High Noon Horizon, Lund Bros., Blacstahl. 8 pm. $5.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. The Family Affair Tour, with E. Pruit Band, Klyntel, Brandon Willis. 8 pm. $10.

Le Voyeur Olympia - downtown. The Saturday Giant, Bent, Unnatural Balance. 10 pm. NC.

• There's a spot in my musical life that has been left dormant since the days of Bright Eyes and Death Cab For Cutie - these sensitive indie bands that constructed perfectly poppy songs that somehow managed to sum up how I felt as a lost, confused young man. I didn't know what girls were all about. I didn't know what it meant to be crushed by a day-to-day job. These artists did their part to tell me. At some point, though, I passed them by. I didn't need someone to tell me how hard relationships were, or what dicks bosses could be. I knew all that. Listening to The Saturday Giant - a one-man project of Philip Cogley - I'm brought back to those confusing days of heart-felt indie rock. Come to think of it, girls are still a little confounding. - Rev. Adam McKinney
  

Little Creek Casino Shelton. 2nd Annual Spring Fest, with Clint & The Eastwoods, Humptulips, Ready Or Not. 6 pm. $5-$25.

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. Leona X, American Wrecking Company, Mechanism, Step Daddy. All Ages. 8 pm.

McCoy's Tavern Olympia - Downtown. AKA & The Heart Hurt Goods, The Funk Agency. 9 pm. $3.

• If you've seen AKA and The Heart Hurt Goods perform, you've seen how much the band loves its art. You can see it in the band member's fist pumps and facial expressions; in their hip shakes and smiles and in the way they administer their music, be it through a microphone, keyboard, guitar or turn table. Catch the group before it rakes its new album on tour at 9 p.m. inside McCoy's in downtown Olympia. - NM
  

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Wheelies. 8 pm.

Northern Olympia - Downtown. Dear Rabbit, Mythologies, Generifus, Pilots. All Ages. 8 pm. $5.

• Look, I'm going to level with you: Live performances are where it's at. This is the thing that I'm trying to persuade you to do. To see live shows. What sounds more fun to you: some chillwave band that will allow you to contact the douchiest and most reposed part of your subconscious, or this carnival freakshow that will bring you out of your dumb, useless shell and make you drink quantities of liquor of which you are unfamiliar and dance your dumb brains out? The answer must be obvious, but I'll tell you anyway that Dear Rabbit has the sleazy accordion and weirdo swaying energy to make your Saturday self finally open up and be somebody for once in your dance-less life. It's the least you can do to make yourself a complete and freaky person. - Rev. AM
  

Oakhouse Restaurant & Bar Lakewood. Dine & Dance with Renaissance Jazz. 7 pm. $10.

Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma - Downtown. Zero Down Blues. 9 pm.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. Too Many Cooks, featuring Steve Stefanowicz. 9 pm.

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

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Hot & Bothered, Bleed Together, Seventh Silence. 9 pm.

LINK: More live music tonight in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

4th Ave Ale House Olympia - Downtown. Horse Bodies CD Release Party, with Elbow Coulee, I Like Science. 9 pm. $5.

• Horse Bodies is celebrating its CD release at the 4th Ave Tav. With Elbow Coulee and I Like Science, the show will certainly entertain. Horse Bodies have been jamming for more than five years and continue to clippity-clop its way into the ears and music libraries of South Sound rock hounds. - Nikki McCoy
  

Ben Moore's Cafe Olympia - Downtown. Chung Antique, Tired Joke, SSRIs, Clayface. 9:30 pm. $5.

C.I. Shenanigans Tacoma - Northend. KC Brakes presents pop folk rock night. All Ages. 7-10 pm. NC.

Columbia City Theater Seattle. Bodybox, True Holland, In Cahoots. 7:30 pm. $8 pre show $10 at door.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Eddie Spaghetti, Metal Marty. 9 pm.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Hells Belles (AC/DC tribute). All Ages. 5 pm. Hells Belles (AC/DC tribute), The Graceland Five. 21+. 9 pm.

• Hell's Belles returns to Jazzbones Saturday, where last November they blasted Bobble Tiki's eardrums and raised the Jazzbones' temperature to hell-like heat with its all-female brand of chugging, riffing rock. The all-female AC/DC tribute band gets 'em in the door, but guitarist Adrian Connor (Angus incarnate with more energy!) and singer Amber Saxon from Australia (belting Bon and Brian with Tina Turner sass) keeps 'em coming back.  The onstage exuberance shown by these gals could pummel a brick wall into submission. Whether strutting, swaying, or the most important of all true r'n'r rituals, soloing, Hell's Belles makes it known that it came to shake things up. It's classic cock-rock without the, uh, receding hairline. - Bobble Tiki
  

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Full Moon Radio Anniversary Party, with The Deep Wile, The Have At Its. 9 pm.

• I've made it no secret that I'm a fan of the 2013 Best of Olympia Best New Band Full Moon Radio. Saturday night they will host a free EP release and one-year anniversary party at Le Voyeur. Copies of the new EP, Drop Off, will be available, and auditions for a roadie are still open for when the ladies head off on tour in March. Catch 'em with The Deep Wile and The Have At Its for a night of luscious rock 'n' roll. - NM

The Loch's Tacoma - Downtown. Fresh Blends Reblended. DJs Reign and Iceman, Auraswon, Lofton and Beans & Rize. 9 pm. $5-$10.

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. The Saints Of Damnation, Riot In Rhythm, Tyranny Theory, Degree Of Disorder. All Ages. 8 pm.

Magoo's Annex Tacoma - Northend. Taxi Driver. Farewell show for Ricky German featuring Najamonique on vocals. 8:30 pm. NC.

McCoy's Tavern Olympia - Downtown. Pet Products, Fitz of Depression. 9 pm.

Morso Wine Bar Gig Harbor. Americana Music Series, featuring Kevin Fisher. 8 pm. $25.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Santee Record Release Show. 8 pm.

Northern Olympia - Downtown. Grand Jury Resisters Benefit, with Sharkpact, Dogjaw, The Chain, Box, Prank War, MXL JXN, We Play Quiet. All Ages. 4 pm. $5-$100.

The Olympia Ballroom Olympia - Downtown. Balkan Brass Massive Meets Klezmer Funk! Orkestar Zirkonium of Seattle vs. Erev Rav of Olympia. All Ages. 8:30 pm. $10/$8 student.

• The 2013 Best of Olympia Best Band winner Erev Rav performs Saturday night in downtown Oly. Erev Rav pulls together with Seattle's great Orkestar Zirkonium, a brass-and-drum band, for an unforgettable night of perfectly executed dance and rhythm. With Erev Rav weighing in at seven members, and Orkestar Zirkonium with 13, the layers of instruments, the influences of sound, and the personal style of each musician heard, will surely touch each listener's soul. - NM

Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma - Downtown. Accidental Heroes. 9 pm.

The Royal Lounge Olympia - Downtown. DBST, Funk Agency. 7 pm. Pass Out VIP Party, with JRoc, QParris, Yung Zakk, Zikki Carr. 10 pm.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. The Bog Hoppers. 8 pm.

Track House Olympia - Downtown. Mos Generator, Black Pussy. 8 pm.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. ABATE Benefit Soup Cook-Off, with MPB Band. 9 pm.

Waterstreet Cafe Olympia - Downtown. The New York Trio Plus One. 9:30 pm. NC.

LINK: More live music Saturday, Feb. 23 in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

GO LOCAL LOVERS >>>

Sure Valentine's Day has become a "Hallmark Holiday," but it's also a time of year when the imagination is the limit to the range of seductive attire, playthings and, of course, food available to woo your loved one. No, I'm not talking about the intimate kind; I'm talking sweets. This year, skip the checkout line at the grocery store and grab sweet treats from local businesses that put a little extra love in their recipes. Not to say that prepackaged goodies can't be sweet and yummy, but it certainly indicates that the big day may have slipped your mind. Here are five local ideas that will win over your lovva:

Celebrity Cake Studio

Voted "Best Cakes in Western Washington" by Evening Magazine, Celebrity Cake Studio is home to decadent delights. Be on the lookout for a delightful, heart-shaped New York cheesecake covered with a layer of chocolate ganache for Valentine's Day. Rich, chocolate and heart shaped, could you ask for more? 314 E. 26th St., Tacoma

Affairs Chocolates and Desserts

This one is a no-brainer. Affairs Chocolates and Desserts serves splendid baked goods of all shapes and sizes. If you're looking to surprise the kids, or have a Valentine-themed shindig, a heart-shaped cake will feed the masses in such flavors as red velvet, coconut cream and chocolate raspberry. Don't want to go big, but want big flavor? Owner Gay Landry makes decadent, sweet truffle balls of goodness packaged in a lovely little box. Chocolate ignites the brain to release endorphins that improve your mood. 2811 Bridgeport Way W., University Place

Black Door Wine Company

I am a firm believer that wine speaks the language of love. The Black Door Wine Company down the street from Tacoma's Proctor District is home (literally in a home) to a variety of vinos sure to elevate the romantic ambiance. Since I'm focusing on the sweet treats, I'd recommend their dessert wines. Champagnes and ports are also excellent ways to initiate or finalize your candlelit dinner. 3906 N. 34th St., Tacoma

Almond Roca

Made in Tacoma since 1923, Brown & Haley'smouth-watering ButterCrunch Almond Roca elegantly wrapped in gold foil is a favorite around the world. These little logs of goodness may not be heart shaped, but you outline a heart with the candy on your bed. Rather than searching local grocery store aisles, go to the source. Brown and Haley offers two outlets loaded with tins of the classic Almond Roca or its sister sweets Cashew Roca and Mocha Roca. 110 E. 26th St., Tacoma or 2105 Frank Albert Road, Fife

Sugar

Sugar, a wee little candy shop in the Proctor District, is overflowing with Valentine's Day sweets. Cheeky, kiddie Valentine candy will ignite visions of elementary school puppy love, not to mention its boxed truffles, heart shaped lollipops, Blow Pops and variety of candies in pinks, reds and whites. 3901 N. 27th St., Tacoma

Have a favorite sweet treat? Share in the comments

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

C.I. Shenanigans Tacoma - Northend. KC Brakes presents pop folk rock night. All Ages. 7-10 pm. NC.

Cryptatropa Bar Olympia - Downtown. Dark Disco, with Philip Grass, Citymouth, Jffry Dhmr, Komakatt. 10 pm. NC.

Harmon Tap Room Tacoma - Stadium District. Bog Hoppers, Stoned Evergreen Travellers. 9 pm.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Glass Elevator, Alex's Hand, Tri-Anglr. 9 pm.

Live Room Sumner. Oaklawn, Fall City, Just Cuz, Audentia. All Ages. 8 pm.

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. Champagne Sunday, The Frosted Hearts, Dave Hannon, Torre. All Ages. 8 pm.

• With a rotating cast of contributors and performers over the past seven years, the core of Champagne Sunday is the creative brain of Jessi and Jared Fredeen. Jessi's huge, soulful vocals could star on Broadway, on tour with Garbage or in your church choir. Her voice - which draws comparison to Chrissie Hynde and Ani Difranco - ranges from a hushed lullaby to a soaring celebratory wail. Jared, armed with a James Taylor-ish voice, David Gilmore guitar skills and a passion for raw music, can rock star pose when Jessi goes big, then float on a cloud when she takes it into the ethereal edges. As the duo's recent release Heaven Knows proves, you can add Champagne Sunday to any bill, and it works. Unless you are the others bands on the bill, then you'll have to go to work. - Ron Swarner
  

Lucky Eagle Casino Rochester. Randy Linder. 9 pm. NC.

Morso Wine Bar Gig Harbor. Steve Kim Quartet. 8 pm. $8.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District.Wes Sp8, Stewie Crockett, Jarrod Paul Bramson and Emily Madden. 9 pm.

• Wes Sp8 (aka Wes Speight, natch) strikes me as a ravenous consumer of pop music. Though he nonchalantly identifies himself as a singer-songwriter, he seems eager to experiment with just what the term means. From song to song, he tests out different personas of the classic singer-songwriter - whether showing off the swagger and oppressive distance of a Jim Morrison, the chilly command of an Ian Curtis, or the rough, masculine soul of Greg Dulli. As a singer, Speight possesses a soulful voice, which he bends and distorts to fit whatever effect he's going for. Though he plays with a band, it's hard to say if he'll be going solo this evening. The night is dedicated to singer-songwriters, including members of Trees Without Leaves and the delightful solvents. It'll be interesting to see which Wes Sp8 ends up emerging. - Rev. Adam McKinney
  

The Olympia Ballroom Olympia - Downtown. The Polyrhythmics, AKA, The Heart Hurt Goods. All Ages. 9 pm. $10.

Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma - Downtown. Ghost 211. 9 pm.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. Reggae Night. 8 pm.

Swing Wine Bar & Cafe Olympia - Westside. Vince Brown, Greg Ruby. 8 pm.

Tacoma Tea Room Tacoma - Downtown. Grand Opening Party with Shogun Barbie, Shebear and Thee Samedi. All-Ages. 6:30 pm.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Skinny White Samoans. 9 pm.

Vinum Tacoma - Downtown. Lil Ripp and guests. 9 pm.

LINK: More live music tonight in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Amocat Cafe Tacoma - Triangle District. Tacomapocalypse 3: Staying Alive. Live electronic music by Gibson Starkweather and Technophobic Android. All Ages. 5 pm.

C.I. Shenanigans Tacoma - Northend. KC Brakes presents pop folk rock night. All Ages. 7-10 pm. NC.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Travis Barker, Stripe Valley Sway. 9 pm.

Harmon Tap Room Tacoma - Stadium District. In Cahoots, Two Cities. 9 pm.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. T-Town Aces. 8 pm.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Sam Russell. 9 pm.

• It might be hard for me to judge Sam Russell objectively (like I do with all other music, clearly) because he just hits such a sweet spot for me. His laconic baritone immediately brings to mind the National's Matt Berninger, but the swooning country that surrounds his voice suddenly calls to mind Lambchop, those Nashville kings of delirious, delicate alt-country that evaporates like so many dew drops crawling down the face of a mason jar of lemonade. Lord. I can't manage to take in Sam Russell's music without collapsing in repose, a drunken smile spreading over my beet-red face, as visions of whiskey and hazy delusions flash behind my eyelids. That could be just me (it might literally be just me), but I'm not objecting. - Rev. Adam McKinney
  

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. Ranchero, Ancient Warlocks, CFA, Curse of the North. All Ages. 8 pm. $5.

Lucky Eagle Casino Rochester. Randy Linder. 9 pm. NC.

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

The Royal Lounge Olympia - Downtown. The Kareem Kandi Band. 9 pm. $5.

Spar Cafe Olympia - Downtown. Vince Brown. 8 pm. NC.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. John Leonard. 6:30 pm.

Uncle Thurm's Finger Licken Ribs & Chicken Tacoma - Lincoln District. G Street Jazz Series, featuring Urban Rhapsody. All Ages. 7 pm.

Urban Onion Restaurant and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Listener, Simon The Leper, Poor Folks Live Well. All Ages. 8 pm. $10.

• Listener has a raw honesty that's as sweet and salty as the South Sound, spewed in the form of grisly rhymes and resonating, dreamy instrumentals, spiked by outbursts of blissful confusion and clarity. Simon the Leper compliments Listener, bringing its own honest outbursts, but much louder and much fuzzier, with a nod to northwest garage, edged by an unusual energy that can be distracting at points, but welcoming in a side show attraction kind of way. - Nikki McCoy
  

LINK: More live music tonight in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

The Acme Grub Cage Tacoma - Downtown. Mos Generator, C.F.A. 7:30 pm. $5.

• About to tear off to tour Europe, self-proclaimed "'70's rock preservationists" Mos Generator will give us a glimpse into its rock 'n' roll fantasy Saturday with C.F.A. at The Acme Grub Cage. Making 20 stops across 11 countries, Mos Generator - together with doom metal band Saint Vitus - will share its riff-laden, Sabbath-induced rock with the world. - Nikki McCoy
  

Capitol Theater Olympia - Downtown. Big Business. All Ages. 9:30 pm. $8-$10.

• Big Business is about business. The band - comprised of members from Karp, Murder City Devils and 400 Blows - is busy. It's in the heat of its Northwest tour. Jared Warren and Coady Willis split their time performing with the Melvins, and running their own label in L.A. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on Big Business in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

Charlie's Sports Bar & Grill Olympia - downtown. Trees and Timber, The All Night Sunshine Band. 9 pm.

C.I. Shenanigans Tacoma - Northend. KC Brakes presents pop folk rock night. All Ages. 7-10 pm. NC.

Classic Winemakers Olympia - Downtown. KAOS Benefit and wine tasting with Jenny Jenkins and Elbow Coulee. 7:30-10 pm. $5.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Ethan Tucker Band. 9 pm. NC.

Harmon Tap Room Tacoma - Stadium District. Kim Archer, 7's Revenge. 9 pm. $5.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Randy Hansen's Tribute To Jimi Hendrix. 8 pm.

Kitzel's Crazy Delicious Deli Olympia - Downtown. Music Is The Bridge. 6:30-9 pm.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Twerk It Circuit Part III, with LaFraicheur, RJ.Nil, Sly Cooper. 9 pm. $5.

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. Oaklawn, The Rikk Beatty Band, Late September Dogs. All Ages. 8 pm.

Lucky Eagle Casino Rochester. Broken Trail. 9 pm. NC.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. People Under The Sun, Not From Brooklyn, The Harvey Girls. 9 pm. $5.

• James Jenkins is a singer/songwriter who's been on the scene in Tacoma for quite some time. Whether in his own band (Mama Loves Daddy), or as former keyboardist in Umber Sleeping (now known as I Like Science), Jenkins has been known for creating music that nods to '60s and '70s psych, but cuts a path all its own. His latest project, People Under the Sun, is his most daring to date. Bringing more or less a metric ton of vintage synthesizers with them to every performance, People Under the Sun access the kind of carnival-psych of people like Syd Barrett, while still dipping into the sort of analog synth-rock of bands like the Buggles and Thomas Dolby. The result is heavily orchestrated pop music that only looks easy. — Rev. Adam McKinney
  

Northern Pacific Coffee Co. Tacoma - Parkland. The Frosted Hearts, Stripe Valley Sway, The North Oakes Project. All Ages. 8 pm.

Oldschool Pizzeria Olympia - Downtown. Popular Culture, Cairo Pythian, Chrome Windows, Uwe 60D, DJ Geniefactory. All Ages. 10 pm. $5 suggested donation.

The Olympia Ballroom Olympia - Downtown. Hip-Hop For The Homeless Benefit Weekend, with Afrok & The Movement, Speaker Minds, XP, Motamouth Jones, 206 Zulu, Free Ya Mind, Heretic, DJ Berry, DJ Iceman, DJ Slimrock, DJ Seabefore, hosted by DJ Luvva J, Formula Boogie. All Ages. 5 pm. $5 & donation of clean clothing, blankets, jackets.

Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma - Downtown. Champagne Sunday. 9 pm.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. Red. 9 pm.

The Royal Lounge Olympia - Downtown. E-40, with Cool Nutz, Cauze N Efekt, Motamouth Jones, Free whiskey, Sky Hatter, Mr. Twist, DJ Contagious. 7 pm. $25.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Blues Cousins. 8 pm.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. Uncle Bonsai, The Righteous Mothers. 16+, 5 and 8 pm. $30-$60.

• Uncle Bonsai is the real deal. Filed most often under "folk" the original trio of Ashley O'Keeffe, Andrew Ratshin and Arni Adler made more than 200 original songs and toured like mad before taking an extended hiatus beginning in the very late 1980s. Then, in March 2008, the Bonsai came back. Maybe it was a change in the air, or maybe the world called for more beautifully weird storytellers to join the chorus. Whatever. The angelic voice of local legend Patrice O'Neill replaced O'Keeffe and the Zappa meets Peter, Paul and Mary crossbred was back. Saturday, Uncle Bonsai teams with feisty The Righteous Mothersfor two shows at Traditions Fair Trade and Cafe in Olympia. All proceeds go to providing free therapy for sexually abused children and their families at Monarch Children's Justice and Advocacy Center. - Weekly Volcano
  

Westside Tavern Olympia - Westside. One-Year Anniversary Bash featuring Vaughn Johannes. 8 pm. NC.

LINK: More live music tonight in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area