MONDAY, AUG. 1, 2011 >>>

1. Mondays mean it's "Open Stage" night at O'Malley's on Sixth Avenue in Tacoma, hosted by Seven's Revenge.

2. Drop in on Micro Monday with DJ Melodica at Magoo's Annex and expand your musical horizons and knowledge.

3. Of course, we're predictable ... but you start talking about an event simply billed as "Drunken Poetry" and you've got our attention. See the magic of "Drunken Poetry" yourself tonight at Last Word Books in Oly.

4. Margy Pepper will perform tonight at Northern in Olympia. Support a great all ages venue while you can.

5. Get down with some beer pong at Steilacoom Pub and Grill ... because nothing says Monday night like beer pong.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2011 >>>

1. If one needs proof that the minds behind local nonprofit Tacoma Community House are sharp, they need look no further than Scrabble Rousers, a growing Tacoma tradition held on the fourth Wednesday of every month that was created and designed to help raise funds and awareness for Tacoma Community House's mission - providing "education, employment, multilingual services, and advocacy for refugees, immigrants, and English speaking adults and youth." At 6:30 p.m., Scrabble Rousers will present a "Clowns vs. Mimes"-style Scrabble throwdown, inviting players of all ages and skill levels to break out their face paint an drubber noses at King's Book's. It'll be totally worth it just to see King's Books' owner sweet pea emcee without saying a word. Honk!

2. Hot colors in bold abstract configurations are the order of the day at B2 Fine Art Gallery/Studio in Hot Fusion: Explorations into Abstraction, which you can see from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hot Fusion, part one of a two-part show, is currently on display and features works by Todd Clark, Yvette Neumann, Judy Hintz Cox and Scott J. Morgan. To read Alec Clayton's full review, click here.

3. Nashville singer Katie Armiger drops in on The Music in the Park outdoor concert series at 7 p.m. at Sylvester Park. No doubt Sam The Cat Man will enjoy her modern country tunes.

4. Since October, experimental filmmaker Devon Damonte has been curating Northern Flickers - a monthly film series at the Northern space in downtown Olympia. Tonight at 7 p.m., from the animation faculty at Dartmouth, Jodie Mack drops in on the Flickers with her "Sing It Out Loud" tour featuring bushels of magnificent motion graphics, plus original songs performed live, in harmony, with cello. In addition, the Crackpot Crafters debut the group film, The Artifacts Of Life, with a multitudinous menagerie of once-living stuff, stuck onto 16mm film, and reanimated, cast aloft on wings of light.

5. The Sammy Steele Band adds some alt-country to Lady Luck's Cowgirl Up's Military Appreciation Night every Wednesday beginning at 8 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: OMG tomorrow's the party of the century!

TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011 >>>

1. The DJ Switch and drummer Wiggles battle it out with hip-hop, house and Top 40 tunes every Tuesday night at the Backstage Bar & Grill. Seventy-five cent beers bring you into the battle.

2. Abracadabra! Hocus-pocus! Rama-lama-ding-dong! Local magician Jeff Evans will teach kids important lessons at 11 a.m. inside the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch. We're not going to guarantee you scantily clad assistants, but audience participation is enforced, so keep an eye on your watch - there's a fine line between David Copperfield and a pickpocket.

3. In the Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch show Scott Hillstrand and Ryan Simpson risk life and limb for a boatload of Alaskan King that will end up piled high at Red Lobster's weekly crab fest. Of course the guys got paid. Where are they spending their money? At the Varsity Grill from 5-10 p.m. that's where. OK, the Discovery Channel probably has their back, but you can spend your hard-earned cash to hang with the fellas, throw back a few drinks and stare at the Jager girls. Bonus: The VG will screen a new episode of the Catch.

4. Chat up dragons and orcs while rolling multisided dice from 7-11 p.m. tonight at the Northern Pacific Coffee Co. If you don't know what that means you have no business being there.

5. The Never Never have the boy and girl vocals meet over a bed of guitars dynamic down pat. Check out the band's sweet harmonies with a classic alternative rock sensibility with Fifty Up North at 8 p.m. inside The New Frontier Lounge.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Just a few days until the Super Best of Tacoma party!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011 >>>

1. The Sammy Steele Band adds some alt-country to Lady Luck's Cowgirl Up's Military Appreciation Night every Wednesday.

2. If you haven't had a chance to yet, or perhaps you simply need another go at it, today would be a dandy day to catch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. Volcano movie reviewer Rev. Adam McKinney has already come out in favor of the final Potter flick.

3. Deathbed Confessions will rock Hell's Kitchen tonight. Speaking of things that inspire devil horns, have you had a chance to check out Jason McKibbin's new punk & metal column, "The Damage Report"? 

4. Boom. It's open-mic time once again at Northern Pacific Coffee Company in Parkland.

5. It's funk and soul night at The Royal Lounge in Olympia with Best of Olympia 2011 readers' pick for "Best Band," The Brown Edition.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight in the South Sound

TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 2011 >>>

1. Lookout! Modern day crooner Chris Anderson performs tonight at the Red Wind Casino. You could lose money, and your heart ...

2. Tonight is a huge night for trivia around the South Sound. Drinking and question answering can be had at the Swiss, Farelli's in Tacoma and Sumner, Paddy Coyne's, the Hub ... and the list goes on. Or, the Midland Tavern (Lil' Vic's) in Tacoma offers "Crazy Vegas Barstool Bingo" - which has to be awesome, right?

3. Drop in on the Tacoma Sixth Avenue Farmers Market from 3 - 7 p.m. This is a farmers market better suited for the late-sleepers - something we can totally get behind.

4. Tuesday always means comedy at Jazzbones, hosted by local laugh-man Ralph Porter. After the giggles, keep the party going at Jazzbones with DJ Omar.

5. Hey! Go Skate Tacoma!

LINK: South Sound Live Local Music Listings

LINK: Viva South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2011 >>>

1. If you need something to shake the mid-week doldrums, check into Wednesday Sessions at Jazzbones, tonight with Air Stream Safari. Or, if that's not your musical cup of tea, find the Volcano's extensive live local music listings here.

2. Tacoma's Classic Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of every month - which just so happens to be today. The action starts at 7 p.m. at King's Books, and this month's classic is Bound For Glory by Woody Guthrie.  Or, if you're looking for something else, browse the Volcano's comprehensive arts and entertainment calendar here.

3. It's Free Bingo Night at Applini's Clean and Sober Club in Puyallup. Who doesn't love free bingo?

4. Wednesday  night at Masa in Tacoma means College Night. According to the hype, "Your Girlfriend's Favorite DJ spins," and there's no cover for the ladies before 10 p.m.

5. Vote for Tacoma's best baristas, politicians, bloggers, bartenders and local businesses in the only 253 "Best Of" issue that matters. The Volcano's annual Best of Tacoma issue publishes July 28, and this year's readers' poll launched last week. Let your vote be heard now! Find all the details here.

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2011 >>>

1. Death By Steamship is playing the New Frontier Lounge in Tacoma tonight, a fine chance at some drunken art rock if ever there was one. Of course, you know that if you read Bobble Tiki's column this week.

2.Impressed by amazing voices? Venture out to Tacoma Community College tonight for a choral performance featuring the TCC Voices, TCC Singers and TCC Gospel Choir. The action starts at 7:30 p.m. Or, if that's not your musical cup of tea, check out the Volcano's extensive live local music listings for the South Sound here.

3. Every Tuesday at the State Capital Museum in Olympia writer Delores Nelson leads a memoir writing class. If you've always wanted to get your story on paper, this has the potential to be an invaluable tool. Or, perhaps if you're ambitions aren't as literary, find the Volcano's comprehensive South Sound arts and entertainment calendar here.

4. Tonight is a huge night for trivia around the South Sound. Drinking and question answering can be had at the Swiss, Farelli's in Tacoma and Sumner, Paddy Coyne's, the Hub ... and the list goes on.

5. Vote for Tacoma's best baristas, politicians, bloggers, bartenders and local businesses in the only 253 "Best Of" issue that matters. The Volcano's annual Best of Tacoma issue publishes July 28, and this year's readers' poll launched last week. Let your vote be heard now! Find all the details here.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011 >>>

1. That Mad Rad show you’ve heard so much about, with SOTA, Friday Knights, QDot and City Hall also on the bill, is tonight at Hell's Kitchen, yo. Find all the details here.

2. Have yet to check out the Gritty City Sirens Burlesque troupe? Tonight’s your night at Jazzbones. The show starts at 9 p.m. and there’s no cover.

3. Bingo! It’s free bingo night at Applini's Two Clean and Sober Club in Puyallup.

4. Catch Shotgun Red and The Moonshiners tonight at Golden West Restaurant and Lounge in Tacoma. Or, if that’s not your musical cup of tea, try browsing the Volcano’s extensive South Sound live local music calendar here.

5.The OMG! Teen Gaming Club meets tonight at the Lakewood Pierce County Library. There’s no doubt you’ll LOL if you go.  But, if gaming isn’t your thing, take a look at the Volcano’s comprehensive South Sound arts and events calendar here.

TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2011 >>>

1. Check out "Booze and Tattoo Tuesdays" at Gruv Lounge, tonight with Blacktop Demon. My how things have changed.

2. You've heard the hype. You've heard about the backlash. Now see it all for yourself tonight at the Harmon Tap Room during the bar's infamous Tuesday  night Goldfish races.

3. Check out the Joe Faker Band, with Allen Alto, tonight at O'Callahan's Pub & Grill in Key Penninsula. Or, if that's not your musical cup of tea, check out the Volcano's extensive South Sound live local music listings here.

4. Hey! They totally do comedy at the Royal Lounge in Olympia on Tuesday. And today is Tuesday! Hot damn! Find details here. Or, if you're searching for something more, check out the Volcano's arts and entertainment calendar here.

5. There's trivia all over town tonight, from Paddy Coyne's to Farelli's, and from team to individual. Find all the bar trivia info here.

IS IT CRUEL OR JUST FUN? >>>

Young professionals and college students gather to down microbrews while listening to bluesy classic rock.  In the backroom there are two eight-foot long sections of roof gutter filled with water.  Spray bottles are positioned at one end of the track.  A small tank of feeder fish waits on a bar nearby.  After a turbulent hiatus, tonight is the reinstatement of Harmon Tap Room's goldfish racing....

To read Joshua Swainston's full review of last night's goldfish racing at the Harmon Tap Room, including comments from PETA and Harmon owner Pat Nagle, click here.