FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING >>>

There's a little mom and pop store on the corner of the Wildwood building in the South Capitol neighborhood - next to where Oly Coffee Roasters is opening a new cafe - that's catering to a variety of costumer needs.

Spud's Produce Market opened last August, specializing in, you guessed it, produce. Offering a wide variety of fruit and veggies at comparable to box store prices, and often cheaper, as well as a healthy selection of Johnson's meats, treats from San Francisco Street Bakery and a cold section with a few dairy products and a lot of good beer, Spud's knows what Olympians need.

They also know how to throw a good party.

This Thursday, Spud's invites you to attend their third cooking demo (including samples!) with Lacey Waltermeyer of Purely Balanced Personal Training and Nutritional Therapy, as well as a beer and wine tasting, with samples of four beers and four wines for just $1.

Fort George Brewery out of Astoria, Ore. will be featured as well as tastes from Lake Chelan Winery. Representatives will be on hand to answer questions and introduce flavors.

Spud's co-owner Dave Jekel will be playing host. He says past events have brought in 50-70 people. 

SPUD'S PRODUCE MARKET, THURSDAY, JAN 17, 5-7 P.M., $1, 2828 CAPITOL BLVD. S., OLYMPIA, 360.915.9763

GO LOCAL >>>

Tacoma's Three Bridges District could get a little fresher this week. A new neighborhood café and coffee shop - Café Brosseau ("Brew-So")- is set to open its doors Thursday, if the health department inspection goes well Wednesday.

"The community here has been incredibly supportive," say owners Christian Kelley and Donna Estes, mentioning that everyone from neighbors to St Patrick's School down the street have been asking when the café would open its doors.

The natives are restless and demand caffeine!

But make no mistake. Café Brosseau is about much more than caffeine. This little café - located in Dwell's old spot at 2716 N. 21st - aims to be all-local, all the time. Coffee will be by Tacoma roasting company Madrona, pastries are by Corina Bakery and sandwiches will be brought in from Proctor's Europa Bistro. There will even be local pickles by Lynnae's Gourmet Pickles to go with sandwiches and candies by Fingerprint Confections, located in Hilltop.

"Fresh, fresh, fresh. Local, local, local," says Estes in a chant that really should become the café's motto. It's rather catchy.

But the local connection keeps on going. Walk into the café and you'll immediately spot a counter with stools at the far end. The stools are from the recently closed Tempest Lounge. The counter top is a bowling alley lane from Paradise Lanes in Parkland. The café's name pay homage to local history. Brosseau is the last name of the twin brothers who built the building in the early 1900s.

"We're a neighborhood coffee shop, but it doesn't mean we wouldn't love to see commuters," says Kelley. "We're looking forward to great success in this neighborhood."

CAFE BROSSEAU, 2716 N. 21ST ST., TACOMA, 253.304.0087

WORTH THE DRIVE >>>

The band's name is LAKE. Might it be because its gentle indie-pop ripples with musical bubbliness?

The quintet hodgepodge of guys, girls, and groove on team K Records in Olympia has been added to the impressive Treefort Music Fest line-up held March 21-24 in Boise, Idaho. Besides the K Records cuties' retro synths and funky bass lines, you can catch the likes of Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Animal Collective, Dan Deacon, Youth Lagoon, Sage Francis, Theesatifaction and many others. See the Treefort Music Fest full line-up here.

FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING >>>

So two bands, five comedians and one radio host walk into a bar.What sounds like the start of a joke is really this Friday's Rocking Comedy Extravaganza at The Backstage Bar and Grill in Tacoma.

A string of comedians including Travis Simmons aka "The Big Funny," Justin Hayes, Greg Baldonado, Jeremy Whitman and Eric "Puddin" Lorentzen will start off the night followed by Hookerfist, a Tool tribute band, and local rockers C.F.A. The event is a NWCZ Radio sponsored listener's party, with on-air host Darrell Fortune playing emcee.

The Weekly Volcano caught up with C.F.A. vocalist/bassist Cody Foster for the lowdown on Friday's extravaganza.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: It's about time comedy and rock music melded in the South Sound. Don't you agree?

CODY FOSTER: It makes sense. People watch us and tell us we are funny. We don't find us to really be funny. We think of ourselves as more, well, challenged. But all three of us are comedian fans. So we are excited to get to watch comedians, then do a set. It will be very surreal. Never done that in the 27 years as musicians.

VOLCANO: Why do you think shows like this are important to Tacoma?

FOSTER: This is a great hybrid of entertainment. Who doesn't like to laugh and get rocked? The big deal comes from not having your eardrum pounded all night. There is definitely a place for that. We have been talking with Eric and Travis and if this goes well we will do something else.

VOLCANO: What can people expect from C.F.A?

FOSTER: The usual, dumb controlled chaos. Loud.

VOCLANO: Since we're talking comedy, I got a nerdy Star Wars joke for you: What temperature is it inside a Tauntaun? It's "Luke" warm! Aha ha!

FOSTER: That is F'n great! We will be using that one for sure.

VOCLANO: Do you have any good jokes or one-liners?

FOSTER: I don't think my rubber pants will fit you. Come on, the safe word can't be ouch! Better to ask forgiveness than permission.

VOLCANO: Nice. What would you say to somebody to get his or her butt out to the show?

FOSTER: I would start by letting everybody know that this is an independent show put together by comedian Eric Puddin Lorentzen. Which means a comedian picked the other comedians. The best booked shows start this way.

VOLCANO: Anything else you'd like to add?

Foster: Come down and get loose. We are filming for a video!

BACKSTAGE BAR AND GRILL, FRIDAY, JAN 18, 8 P.M., ALL AGES UNTIL 11 P.M., $9 AT BROWNPAPERTICKETS, 6409 6TH AVE, TACOMA, 253.564.0149.

LINK: Rocking Comedy Extravaganza on NWCZ Radio

The film The Mountain Runners first appeared at The Grand Cinema during its 2012 Tacoma Film Festival. The masses were pleased. The show sold out. Rave reviews amassed! Now, The Grand is bringing it back for two screenings on Tuesday, Jan. 15, as part of its Tuesday Film Series.

The film tells the story of what is thought to be the first adventure races in the United States - a contest of certain insanity, held from 1911 to 1913, pitting modified Model A cars against a train and runners up the slippery slopes of Mount Baker. Like I said, certain insanity.

"We think the film has a wide appeal because it tells the story of an amazing, true adventure here in Washington state that until now really had not been told," says Zach Powers, marketing director at The Grand. "It is a suspenseful story that pits local heroes against the elements and terrain."

The Mountain Runners is a locally produced film. Co-directors Todd Warger and Brian Young will be at both screenings at The Grand for post-show talks and question sessions.

THE GRAND CINEMA, TUESDAY, JAN. 15 2 AND 6:30 P.M., $4.50-$7, THE GRAND CINEMA, 606 S. FAWCETT, TACOMA, 253.593.4474

WELL, IT'S HELD IN TACOMA >>>

First things first: We adore wine events almost as much as we can't stand attending wine events. Wine events are A. educational; B. a good place for like-minded fellowship; C. tedious; D. bargains; or E. all of the above. Well, if the wine events we've attended over the years are any indication - and we're sure we've attended well over a hundred - the correct answer is E. Wine dinners, more often than not, are informative, good values and a great place to meet other food and wine enthusiasts like you.

Want to try one?

El Gaucho in downtown Tacoma will toast the New Year with its Taste of Tacoma wine event featuring nine Washington wineries paired with the fine-dining restaurant's tasty bites. Hello Tenderloin Diablo! The pours will be from bottles labeled Woodward Canyon, Long Shadows, Dusted Valley, Sparkman Cellars, Mark Ryan, Beresan, Cavu, Balboa and DeLille Cellars.

The event is a whopping $95 per person.

Bonus: El Gaucho is offering special room rates at Hotel Murano and round trip complimentary shuttle transportation.

EL GAUCHO, FRIDAY, JAN. 25, 7-10 A.M., $95, 2119 PACIFIC AVE., TACOMA, 253.272.1510

TWO GUYS AND TWO FILMS >>>

"Exploring Extreme Christianity Lands Two Locals a Spot in Hollywood."

Normally, it seems the opposite behavior is what draws headlines and brings people to one of the world's most notorious sin cities.

But, Hollywood is also know as a land of opportunity, and two locals - writer/director Stephen Riehl of Olympia and composer/sound designer Shawn Kelly of Tacoma - will be presenting their newest film, Upon This Rock, at Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood, Calif. for the NewFilmmakers LA showcase Tuesday, Jan. 15.

Upon This Rock is a nod to the duo's in-the-works feature length documentary The Stylite: a matter of faith, and is being shown in hopes to raise money for the continued traveling completing The Stylite will entail.

"The film as I envision it now will require four, two week trips to the Republic of Georgia," says Riehl.

The Republic of Georgia is where Upon This Rock was filmed and where The Stylite's main character resides.

The Stylite tells the story of Father Maxim, a monk in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, who hopes to live atop a 140-foot rock outcrop near the remote village of Katskhi. If he realizes his dream he will be the first stylite there in 600 years.

"About five years ago while reading a book about the history of Christianity I came across stylite asceticism," says Riehl. "For some reason I liked the idea of these hermits in remote areas that tried to disconnect from the world, but their act of such extreme asceticism actually brought pilgrims and the world back to them."

This attraction got Riehl's gears cranking, and he and long-time friend Kelly got to work on the two documentaries.

"My proudest moment in Upon This Rock is probably the time-lapse shot we captured of the sunrise on the pillar," says Riehl, "For three days, Temo Bardzimashvili - our director of photography - and I perched on the cliffs overlooking the pillar for three or four hours trying to capture the perfect sunrise. The last day was absolutely clear and the receding shadow sharp as a razor. I really like the effect and Shawn was able to create the perfect soundscape for the image."

LINK: The Stylite Facebook

TACOMA ARTS SCENE >>>

The Tacoma Art Walk is no more!

Wait! Don't panic. If you haven't yet heard, what was once Tacoma Art Walk is morphing into Tacoma Art Mingle - and the first Art Mingle hits Tacoma Thursday, Jan. 17. Many things are staying the same. You can still go get your art fix on the third Thursday of every month. Galleries and museums will still be out in force.

The monthly event has undergone a few key changes. First and foremost, this Mingle casts its definition of arts destinations wider than Art Walk did, beyond the museums and galleries downtown.

"We wanted to be more inclusive of what we call show spaces," says Gary Boone, B2 Fine Art Gallery owner and co-president of Tacoma Art Group, which heads up the Mingle. "These are basically opportunities for business that are not art-related to have an opportunity to show emerging artists, who are not showing in a museum or gallery. We wanted to broaden our approach, and bring to the table opportunities for our entire community."

Therefore, when you head out on third Thursdays, there will no longer be a few static locations to visit. Instead, each month will bring a new map, designed by local design students. Eventually, the map will be available in both a printed brochure as well as on Tacoma Art Group's website. This month, venues are listed online only.

The website also allows any business to sign up to host an Art Mingle event.

It's almost like Art at Work month, but every month!

FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING >>>

These are the eight best jazz shows in the South Sound this month.

Vitamin J Jazz Jam Session

Avid jazz fan and performer Ron Smith continues his Vitamin J Jazz Jam into the New Year. During the Seahawks game today at Traditions Café in downtown Olympia, pianist Brian Kinsella, bassist Steve Luceno and drummer Craig Cootsona provide the core for beginning to advanced level players and singers. 2:30 p.m.

Rich Wetzel's Groovin' Higher Orchestra

Rich Wetzel's Groovin' Higher Jazz Orchestra has been popping up in local bars and restaurants, introducing folks to jazz of years gone by, as well as a few current numbers. Lately, the big band has put more emphasis on the jazz-rock fusion, some hot Latin jazz and some big band rock tunes from Chuck Berry and James Brown. That said, Maynard Ferguson hovers above the band like Obi-Wan Kenobi. Wetzel and crew visit The Royal Lounge's Monday Jazz Series Jan. 7. 8 p.m.

Kareem Kandi Band

Saxophonist Kareem Kandi's sound alone is enough to clear the room of contenders. It is vast, big enough to house the entire Guinness Pint Club at Doyle's, the whole Tacoma School of the Arts music program and half the holdings of the Tacoma Art Museum's Warhol exhibit. Size is not per se of much value if it isn't personal, unique, sacrosanct. Kandi's sound is virtually unrelated to the roomy traditions of soul saxes, honking saxes or deep-chested boudoir ballad saxes. It derives from the classic, free, often enthusiastic tradition of Joshua Redman as filtered through Dexter Gordon and Sonny Stitt, all of whose shadows can be traced-Redman in Kandi's funky organicism, Gordon in his dynamic harmonics, Stitt in the intensity that coats his every note with a Gritty City finish. Kandi has been hanging with organist Delvon Lamarr and drummer Adam Kessler, which has added groovy innovation to Kandi's sound. The Kareem Kandi Band heads back to The Swiss Jan. 9 for another Wednesday open jam session. 7 p.m.

Vince Brown

Many associate the banjo with The Beverly Hillbillies - or rather, bluegrass pioneer Earl Scruggs strumming its theme song. Vince Brown certainly knows his way around a bluegrass banjo, but he also explores jazz with his banjo, which isn't a big leap from progressive bluegrass. Blending bluegrass, folk, jazz, and other genres, Brown is considered one of the South Sound's foremost banjo virtuosos. The upbeat Brown - who adds his talent to Hot Club Sandwich, Tune Stranglers, Greta Jane Quartet, and plays and teaches guitar, banjo and ukulele in Olympia - strums everything every Wednesday at Swing Wine Bar & Café. 6-8 p.m.

Lance Buller

Trumpeter/singer Lance Buller, who is a reincarnation of Louis Prima, transcends boundaries, transcends styles, is very honest and sincere as a musician and digs high-energy swing songs. He's a showman. Yet, he's all business. And his business is first-class jazz. Catch Buller and his band every Friday at Maxwell's Restaurant & Lounge. 7 p.m.

McTuff

Hammond organist Joe Doria and his veteran crew guitarist Andy Coe and drummer D'vonne Lewis - with regular guest saxophonist Skerik - cross the barriers of jazz with powerful keyboards, rhythmic drums, screaming sax and sometimes fuzz-distorted guitar. Improvisational and funky with a whole lotta swagger, the band's epic jams knock the mind into the far reaches of a 1970s version of space and then butt into an uncontrollable groove. The Seattle band drives down Marine View Drive for a stint at the "Jazz LIVE at Marine View" series Jan. 13. 5-7 p.m.

Steve Luceno

This Olympia Latin-American jazz progenitor has added his guitar talent to many a project over the last 40 years, including the beloved Ocho Pies as well as Obrador, Bert Wilson, John Stowell, Joe Baque and Dennis Hastings. Luceno is a bona fide master of his art form, and Washington Center deserves some Latin seasoning, which will not be in short supply Jan. 18 when Luceno, John Croarkin, Phil Lawson and Drew Gibbs enter the Black Box Cabaret Jazz Series. 8 p.m.

Climate Change

It wouldn't be wrong to call them a band of accomplished sidemen, but guitarist Tarik Bentlemsani (Brown Edition), guitarist Ariel Calabria (Rebirth), drummer Michael Olson (Ocho Pies) and vocalist Dennis Hastings sound unmistakably formidable as co-leaders in this feisty pop/jazz collective. Climate Change drops in on the Waterstreet Café's Late Night Series Jan. 25. 9:30 p.m.

LINK: 2013 Best of Olympia voting open

LOTS OF SHOWS >>>

The weekends come and go! It seems like every other day I'm sitting down at my computer and telling ya'll what to go do on the weekend. I like it when they come more than they go. Here are your instructions for the first weekend of 2013.

Tonight will have ya at The Loch's. The downtown Tacoma venue is fully up and running. Do not let the lack of a new sign out front deter you. The cheap drinks and quality sound system that you enjoyed when the spot housed Hell's Kitchen still exist. For $5, which is a steal on a Friday night, you can catch W.O.L.F. Gang (MC Coo Beanz and Joey Moody), J.U.I., Sic Ill, Gho$t Kapone, Cauze-n-Efekt, 36uh0! with D.J. Reign on the wheels and hosted by myself.

Tonight's show at The Loch's is an off-the-beaten-path sort of line up - full of top quality hip-hop, but not necessarily artists ya get to see on bills every weekend. J.U.I. is a veteran M.C. from Tacoma who could have put out the sleeper best album of the year in 2012. He has an intelligent, wordy, nerdy, stiff yet fonky-flow. There is no one else that even sounds remotely like J.U.I. in the rap game.

Cauze-n-Efekt and 36uh0! are two of the more promising and popular crews from Olympia. I believe this is their first Tacoma show, so come show some neighborly support for your down south brethren. It is a good chance to see some of the best that Olympia has to offer.

Also, many consider DJ Reign to be the best hip-hop D.J. in Tacoma. He is running things down at The Loch's. I know he has some good things ready for us in 2013. Come get reacquainted with Reign and acquainted with the new spot, Loch's. If this show goes well, there will be plenty of more hip-hop on Friday nights there. Perhaps in 2013, Tacoma hip-hop can move out of the Thursday realm and into the prime weekend spot for shows.

Saturday, also at The Loch's, is the young upstart outfit P.M.E. - Power Moves Entertainment - album-release party. The young, motivated Tom Hutch heads P.M.E. The album features Luni Coleone among others, so maybe the $10 entry fee will be worth it. Expect to see Controversy the Misfit, Gazmo the Gr8 and Abom. Controversy is one of the most hyped, animated performers Tacoma has to offer. Gazmo the Gr8 is a polished local M.C. who has ties to California. He puts out some of the better music in Tacoma. He is also big in the blogosphere. He has the potential to be one of the top M.C.'s in T-town.

Who was the first host of B.E.T.'s Rap City? If ya say Chris Thomas, then I know you are old school. He was the first host of the show, followed by Prince Dejour, Joe Clair, Big Lez, Big Tigger and the list goes on. Well, the first mayor of Rap City, Thomas is performing stand-up at the Temple Theatre Saturday night. Ticket information is at Ticketmaster or call 800.745.3000.

Sunday is actually the busiest day of the weekend for hip-hop. There is the Graffiti Garage cipher at 1 p.m. Then, that night at The Loch's is the MusiKKast Records and Entertainment Industry Showcase and Mixer. This consists of an artist showcase competition, model showcase and all-around networking extravaganza. Young Jay Weed is on the bill. The night is hosted by the statesmen-like 6-Deep the Messenger. There are all kinds of good prizes to be won, like free beats, mastering, promotional material and airplay. Go to http://musikkast.com/pnw-industry-mixer-competition/ to register.

LINK: What's The Word? hip-hop column