MONDAY, JUNE 24 2013 >>>

1. Tonight is Name That Tune night at Le Voyeur in downtown Olympia. The bar tries to create a fun party vibe by offering up brain teasing beats and a chance to win great prizes. Trivia Newton John returns (hello 2005!) along with Gary Keys, and Wylie Van Wenger, What's to expect? Head's up play with questions and clues about songs from yesterday, and today, with an added emphasis on TODAY! Also, a "finish the line" a karaoke style contest featuring the pipes of Wylie Van Wenger and a special guest appearance by Jerry Seinfeld.

2. John F. Kennedy, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Paul Newman. Cool, cool cats. And these cool cats wouldn't suckle off the Wednesday night $1 PBR special. They went for top shelf. Single malt. They went classy. The best of the best. Fortunately for us cool cats in training, Asado of Tacoma has a weeknight happy hour that keeps the classy cocktails at a reasonable price. Every weeknight from 2:30-6 p.m. Asado offers $2 off any of the specialty cocktails and wine, as well as $3 selected food items. Not to mention $1.50 off draft beer. Because even the classiest of us crave some hops from time to time.

3. Standup comedy hasn't evolved much since the glory days of ventriloquist and puppet. Every so often, there's a Gallagher smashing watermelons or a musical funnyman like Jack Black, but for the most part, comedy is a dude on a stage with a microphone, plodding through a joke-punchline-new-joke routine. You're funny. You need to change the course of comedy forever. At 8 p.m. the Grit City Comedy Club opens its stage to the public for a comedy open mic. Explore the space. Head for space.

4. Steve Cooley & The Dangerfields will fill The Swiss with rockin' blues beginning at 8 p.m.

5. Every Monday at 9 p.m. Jazzbones is packed to the brim with college kids. Party types. The type that wear tight shirts and trucker hats. Throngs of Chad Fratguys and Sarah Sororitysisters swarm the bar, line up for the bathroom and dance to the Rockaraoke - live band karaoke. The Rockaraoke band is skilled, too. Expect $2 PBR drafts, $3 Sinfire shots, $4 Smirnoff flavor vodka bombs.

LINK: Monday, June 24 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12 2013 >>>

1. Word Nerds! Scrabble is back at King's Books. Chill. You're good with words. Seriously. Get it together! This is Scrabble Rabble at 6:30 p.m. inside King's, remember? The Tacoma bookstore's Scrabble Rabble tournament will allow participants to establish their own skill levels and compete with others for glory. The Weekly Volcano has always enjoyed hanging onto the "Q," where it hangs there on our rack like some ultimate weapon of destruction, waiting for that all-enabling "U" tile to unleash its point-mongering wrath upon our opponents. Anyway, if your job sucks or you have a strange rash, join the tournament and those problems will, if only for a few hours, ease back into the recesses of your mind. Oh, and read Kristin Kendle's feature on Scrabble Rabble on the Weekly Volcano's blog Spew.

2. Since its introduction in 1894, the motorcycle has spawned a variety of cultures and uses. As basic transportation, as leisure activity or as a die-hard lifestyle, millions of people have a love affair with Choppers, Crotch Rockets, Thumpers and all things two-wheeled. The action-packed exhibit "Let's Ride! Motocycling The Northwest at the Washington State History Museum is a celebration of the region's never-waning motorcycle culture - will include interactive exhibits, videos and impressive displays of machines from 1906 to the 21st century. Check it out from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. Wednesday night is always good for getting quizzical in the South Sound. The Harmon Brewery hosts Trivia Night with Gordon Adams, Doyle's Public House offers Knowledge Night team trivia with awesome prizes, and out at the Steilacoom Pub and Grill Steilacoom catch "Trivia with Dave." Find all the info you need right here.

4. Saxophonist Kareem 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 at 7 p.m. for another Wednesday open jam session.

5.There may be no better venue in Olympia to belt out the hits as the China Clipper on Fourth Avenue, which hosts Late Night Karaoke every Wednesday for the hard-drinking, hard-singing crowd. You should see this spectacle.

LINK: Wednesday, June 12 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

TUESDAY, JUNE 11 2013 >>>

1. Folksy, folk-writing folk hero John Denver - born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. - died Oct. 12, 1997, when the experimental plane he was flying crashed into Monterey Bay off the coast of California. Tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Red Wind Casino, fans both casual (which way to the slots?) and rabid (dude, "Rocky Mountain High"!) will cheer on Ted Vigil - born Ted Vigil - as he pays tribute to Denver - both visually and musically.

2. Fans of all things Instagram, Vine, Twitter and more should gather at the Social Media Club Tacoma, a free organization that brings together diverse groups of people to learn and share about social media. The event will offer locals a chance to network and discuss social media while enjoying drinks and food from the Harmon Tap Room. The sharing starts at 5:30 p.m.

3. Proctor District's wine connoisseurs at Pour at Four will be Touring the Rhone Valley June 11. Toward the tail end of their tour series, Pour at Four will be journeying to France's Rhone Valley. Not only is the tasting complimentary, but it is teeming with loads of vino knowledge. Tasting runs 5:20-8 p.m.

4. There are trivia competitions all around the South Sound on a Tuesday night, where you can unleash your inner Ken Jennings. And while you won't approach Jennings-like earnings, you can win some cool stuff, ranging from gift certificates, to concert or sports tickets, to a VHS copy of All of Me, the film starring Lily Tomlin and Steve Martin. Sweet! Two of our favorite Tuesday night trivia are at Fish Tale Brew Pub in Olympia and Farrelli's Wood-Fire Pizza in Tacoma, both start at 8 p.m.

5. Hailing from Olympia, White Wards serves up the meanest sound-fights that the Capitol City has ever swallowed. Sonically they land somewhere between Tar Babies and Devoid of Faith. Catch them at 10 p.m. with Condominium, Negative Press and Coprot at Le Voyeur.

LINK: Tuesday, June 11 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5 2013 >>>

1. The Tallhouse Arts Consortium aerialists, whose Facebook profile states, "Farting rhinestones since... ah, we can't even remember," will delight audiences with its strong and sturdy flips, flying and artistic trapeze for the last time this season at 8 p.m. in The Brotherhood Lounge. The group brings in interesting songs, unique performances, flirty fun and guest trapeze artists - all for free. They do happily pass around a hat at the end of the show. Tipping is strongly encouraged. "I think what I love most is about the Tallhouse Arts Consortium is that it takes a good bar environment and turns it upside down. It's not a bar anymore; it's a circus," says Pit Kwiesinski, owner of The Brotherhood." Be on the lookout for a bearded lady.

2. The South Puget Sound Community College Concert Choir and the Puget Sound Community Choir will present their spring concert, A Salute to America, featuring songs celebrating America at 7 p.m. in the Minnaert Center. Selections will include choral arrangements of American folk songs, show tunes, and classics form the 1940s. Te concert is free.

3. Pub trivia nights can either ignite the party or stifle the mood. McNamara's Pub & Eatery in DuPont does everything possible to avoid being a major buzz kill. Every Wednesday McNamara's Pub starts team trivia at 7 p.m. Irish-inspired food helps trivia players stock up on brainpower before the trivia starts. Beer and drink specials happen at trivia intermission. Because everyone knows a good buzz makes trivia that much easier. What's the capital of Kazakhstan? Take a drink and think.

4. Jay Gandhi and Ravi Albright bust out some awesoem world beats at 7:30 p.m. in Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art in downtown Olympia.

5. The Crazy Texas Gypsies - one of the finalists in the Back to Beale Street blues competition - rock the blues at 8 p.m. in Dawson's Bar & Grill.

LINK: Wednesday, June 5 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

TUESDAY, JUNE 4 2013 >>>

1. About a decade ago, Cody ChesnuTT expanded the language of bedroom pop albums with his Headphone Masterpiece, a 36-track album that showed the breadth of one man's peccadilloes in an environment where he was fully able to explore every fleeting notion. Lo-fi R&B, folk creepers, a capella chants, experimental asides - nothing was off the table, and this freedom managed to telegraph the mixing and matching of genres that would eventually leave the venue of bedroom recordings and become the norm in independent music. But, to bring it back to 2013, there's a certain nobility in upholding the traditions of bedroom pop, which is something Plant Parenthood does quite well. Sam Petschulat formed Plant Parenthood as a solo recording project, as you do. Catch Plant Parenthood with Generifus at 10 p.m. in Le Voyeur. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on Plant Parenthood in Northwest Military's Music & Culture section.

2. Since its introduction in 1894, the motorcycle has spawned a variety of cultures and uses. As basic transportation, as leisure activity or as a die-hard lifestyle, millions of people have a love affair with Choppers, Crotch Rockets, Thumpers and all things two-wheeled. The action-packed exhibit "Let's Ride! Motocycling The Northwest at the Washington State History Museum is a celebration of the region's never-waning motorcycle culture - will include interactive exhibits, videos and impressive displays of machines from 1906 to the 21st century. Check it out from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the city of Lakewood launches its second annual farmers market season. Running each week through mid-September, the Lakewood Farmers Market will provide the community with locally sourced fresh produce, baked and canned goodies and handmade gifts at City Hall.

4. If hearing the sound of your own cackling voice echoing off the walls of your shower stall has you craving the sound of something a bit more harmonious, check out the local songbirds at Victory Music Open Mic at the Antique Sandwich Co. It's guaranteed to be jam-packed with gorgeous sounds and humbling verses, as the South Sound's greatest up-and-coming acoustic musicians bare their souls impromptu-style. Performances start at 7 p.m., and if you're thinking that your shower-time ballads are ready for public consumption, you can sign up for your own moment in the, er, sun at 6.

5. There are trivia competitions all around the South Sound on a Tuesday night, where you can unleash your inner Ken Jennings. And while you won't approach Jennings-like earnings, you can win some cool stuff, ranging from gift certificates, to concert or sports tickets, to a VHS copy of All of Me, the film starring Lily Tomlin and Steve Martin. Sweet! Two of our favorite Tuesday night trivia are at Fish Tale Brew Pub in Olympia and Farrelli's Wood-Fire Pizza in Tacoma, both start at 8 p.m.

LINK: Tuesday, June 4 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29 2013 >>>

1. The Grand Cinema teaches science in a different way: First it secures a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation to pair films with lessons in science. Next, it invites notable figures from the world of science, technology and medicine to give introduction lessons using those long pointer sticks to tap the screen while nodding their heads. Each film is used as a jumping off point for the speaker to reveal current scientific research or technological advances, providing the perfect combination of entertainment and enlightenment - even for the most science-phobic culture vulture. Then, of course, everyone watches the film, paying close attention to key factor brought to light by the big brains before the screening. Science on Screen kicks off at 6:45 p.m. with Dr. Jim Gawel, professor of Environmental Engineering and Environmental Chemistry at the University of Washington Tacoma, who will discuss how the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens completely changed the ecosystem and chemistry of Spirit Lake. Afterward, he'll grab some popcorn and watch Alien with the audience. Read Pappi Swarner's full feature on Science on Screen in Northwest Military's Music & Culture section.

2. Pierce College Theatre blasts off on a rock-and-roll flight to Return to the Forbidden Planet, a family-friendly musical that tells the story of mad scientist Doctor Prospero who unknowingly jettisoned into space with his infant daughter, crashes into D’Illyria, the Forbidden Planet, and the adventure begins. The play features a 35-member cast of Pierce students and community members, a live band and professionally designed costumes - at 7 p.m. on its Fort Steilacoom campus.

3. Weekly Volcano readers voted the Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe the best bar in Tacoma. This was due in no small part to its well drink Wednesdays. Two dollar well drinks after 7 p.m. Are you kidding? That's, like, riding the train to funkytown for only eight bucks. Yes, please. The kitchen stays open to midnight. Choo, choooo!

4. Champagne Sunday brings its powerful, honest, edgy and refreshingly original rock music to Cork Wine Bar at 8 p.m.

5. Play bingo with those not just killing time before the Grim Reaper calls their number. At 9 p.m. in The New Frontier, bingo players are treated to a rather boisterous evening of number calling. The music rocks, the prizes are craptastic and there's something very satisfying about yelling, "It's not a tumor!" when B-9 is pulled from the hopper (Schwarzenegger anyone?).

LINK: Wednesday, May 29 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 2013 >>>

1. As the Defense Department shifts its military power and presence from a shrinking Middle East war zone to the vast Asia-Pacific region, it also is rebalancing its focus within the increasingly important region. From 4-6 p.m., the University of Washington Tacoma will host a symposium focusing on the United States' strategic rebalance toward Asia-Pacific. While it will be a moderated discussion with scheduled speakers, there will be time for open questions from the audience as well. Attendees will get to here commentary from Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, deputy commanding general, I Corps, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and Daniel Malarkey, deputy director, Washington State Department of Commerce, as well as high-ranking faculty from the UW. The event is free, but registration is required; click here to sign up.

2. For this month only, Stanley and Seafort's (115 E. 34th St., Tacoma) is offering a delectable deal. With any steak on the menu they will add a complimentary side of coconut prawns or a petite lobster tail with the simple mention of this offer.

3. Concoctors of all things hoppy, malty and brewtastic at Tacoma's own Harmon Brewery are taking over the ballgame. Cheney Stadium (2502 S. Tyler St., Tacoma) is hosting Harmon Brewery Night during the Rainiers' game May 22 beginning at 7 p.m. In exchange for a $7 reserve ticket you'll receive a $5 voucher for a pint of tasty Harmon beer. Sip on a Point Defiance, Mt Takhoma Blonde or a Black Tartan IPA. Anyone who has been to a fair share of baseball games knows a $5 ballpark brew is a steal. Get some.

4. Songwriter Mary Win will perform haunting original folk songs from 7-9 p.m. at Rhapsody In Bloom Florist & Cafe Latte.

5. Pub trivia nights can either ignite the party or stifle the mood. McNamara's Pub & Eatery in DuPont does everything possible to avoid being a major buzz kill. Every Wednesday McNamara's Pub starts team trivia at 7 p.m. Irish-inspired food helps trivia players stock up on brainpower before the trivia starts. Beer and drink specials happen at trivia intermission. Because everyone knows a good buzz makes trivia that much easier. What's the capital of Kazakhstan? Take a drink and think.

LINK: Wednesday, May 22 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15 2013 >>>

1. Why go on a beer run when you can participate in a beer walk. We don't know what that means, but we do know this: Downtown On the Go's Walk Tacoma tours are awesome, and at 5:15 p.m. local historian Michael Sullivan will lead the tour through Tacoma's Brewery District. For 45 minutes Sullivan will point out interesting buildings in the downtown Tacoma historic district, drop Tacoma historical facts and drink Tacoma beer with the group at the post walk party at Harmon Brewery & Eatery. The walk, sponsored by Union Bank, begins at the top of the University of Washington Tacoma stairs at South 19th and Jefferson then weaves through the district like a person drunk on beer.

2. Australian artist Nick Mount with American artist Richard Marquis will be inaugurating the 2013 Visiting Artists Summer Series in the Hot Shop at Museum of Glass today through Sunday, May 19. Since working amongst the pioneers of hot glass in Australia in the early 1970s, Mount has been one of that country's pre-eminent glass artists. His work combines virtuoso technique with a keen instinct for design. He has exhibited in Europe, South America, the United States and Japan and is recognised internationally for his exhibition work, commissions and teaching. He's kind of a big deal.

3. The "World War II" exhibit is on display at Karpeles Manuscript Museum housing the Japanese flag captured at the Battle of Okinawa and the navigator's flight log of the Enola Gay Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber at the time of its dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. It's open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

4. Held every Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Dorky's Arcade, Trivia for Dorks is a free, all-ages affair with such prizes as gift certificates to Dorky's. Sure, prizes are nice, but even better is dropping your win at your next round table D & D discussion. Teams can earn bonus points for correctly identifying the night's theme.

5. Little Wings, aka Kyle Field, is an instantly engaging performer. Whether it is huddled under a blanket softly singing to a small handful of listeners, or bellowing out his caterwaul warbled yelp in small theaters, there is a striking intimacy in his approach. At 8 p.m., Little Wings takes his roadshow to the "guesthouse" with guests Lee Baggett and Globelamp. It is a house show, so be polite, double check the Facebook invite for more information and most of all enjoy the experience.

LINK: Wednesday, May 15 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 2013 >>>

1. Erica Freas, Your Heart Breaks, Rae Spoon and Ivan Coyote perform at 8:30 p.m. inside the all-ages venue Northern in downtown Olympia. According to Weekly Volcano all-ages columnist Rockford Rowley, Freas' "delicate acoustic guitar and punk-yet-soothing vocals instantaneously impress. Upon further listening, her sophisticated songwriting and thoughtful, heartfelt lyrics also become apparent.

2. The Kareem Kandi jazz band is a talent-heavy bunch that stumps for the power of repertory while also planting a flag for originality. At least once a month it grabs a Wednesday at The Swiss for a night of open mic jazz. From 7-10 p.m. is such a night.

3. Word Nerds! Scrabble is back at King's Books! Chill. You're good with words. Seriously. Get it together! This is Scrabble Rabble at 6:30 p.m. inside King's, remember? It's all in good fun. Now piggyback off that free U to form QUAT - that's 14 points without the double-word score. Word!

4. Dorky's Bar Arcade in downtown Tacoma hosts Trivia for Dorks every Wednesday night at 8 p.m. Weekly Volcano scribe Krsitin kendle has the scoop here. 

5. Play bingo with those not just killing time before the Grim Reaper calls their number. Every Wednesday at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier, bingo players are treated to a rather boisterous evening of number-calling. The music rocks, the prizes are craptastic and there's something very satisfying about yelling "It's not a tumor!" when B-9 is pulled from the hopper (Schwarzenegger anyone?). Sessions are free with $2 margaritas during bingo. Every Wednesday night is also Taco Night with $1 beef, $1 black bean and $2 chicken in soft or crunchy shells.

LINK: Wednesday, May 8 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FRIDAY, APRIL 26 2013 >>>

1. Dropping Gems is a Pacific Northwest record label that specializes in various forms of electronica. Fittingly, in their showcase produced by NW Sounds and KUPS, Dropping Gems will be featuring several flavors of electronic music beginning at 7 p.m. isnide Oppenheimer Cafe on the University of Puget Sound campus. Most immediately appealing, perhaps, is Natasha Kmeto, whose soulful vocals liven and enrich her nominally snaky beats (and who, it must be noted has been gaining a very respectable following on YouTube with her song, "Pleasure Delay"). Ghost Feet favor disorienting glitches and ethereal field recordings, while filters hip-hop through liquid-smooth IDM. DJAO's ambient drone and Brownbear's beat-centric bombast round out what will be an eclectic night of dance and texture-based electronica. It'll all be no doubt rather heady and perfect accompaniment for any of a wide variety of interesting substances. Dancer's choice on that one. - Rev. Adam McKinney

2. As you all know, Olympia Arts Walk is this weekend, which means more art than you can shake a paintbrush at, tons of people crowding the streets in costume and character, and music at every venue. Friday evening, Full Moon Radio, Glass Elevator and The Hard Way will be rocking a free performance at 5 p.m. inside the Capitol Theater. Accompanying the indie rockers will be a debut screening of both Full Moon Radio and Glass Elevator's new music videos. Please do yourself a favor and take advantage of this special performance. It's not everyday you get to see local talent as good as these bands grab the stage at Capitol Theater for free. Plus, it's an early show, giving plenty of time for other Arts Walk activities - including the luminary procession, which will be right outside the theater's front door. - Nikki McCoy

3. Bring your "A" game and retro tennis apparel (optional) to the 4th annual 2013 AIASWW Wii Tennis Tournament at 5:30 p.m. inside BLRB architects in downtown Tacoma. Join Spaceworks Tacoma, friends and supporters for a fun night of Wii Tennis at the cool offices of BLRB. Spaceworks will appreciate your support through your entry fee (at the door) of $20 for players or $10 for spectators, which includes both food and drink.

4. Well, it's almost here. The end of the season. No more plays, no more dance recitals, no more spoken word standing on a cube, ever. OK, not ever. However, it will be one looonnng summer of American Idol reruns, we tell you what. How about one more, just for old time's sake? Pacific Lutheran University Dance Ensemble presents Dance 2013, a collection of dances in the style of jazz, modern, ballet and hip-hop at 7:30 p.m. inside Olson Auditorium. In all, the performance features nine student choreographers, 72 dancers and musicians and that dude working the lights. You might want to check those numbers. Aaahh, let's end the season by giving each other a big hug.

5. It's a weekend of anniversaries for one of the most popular pubs in Tacoma. The Swiss celebrates the 100th anniversary of the building it inhabits, 20 years of ownership by Jack McQuade and 10 years since Vicci Martinez first hopped up on its stage. By some sort of mathematical property, three anniversaries logically equates to three days of music. A diamond who shined even brighter after landing a spot on reality show The Voice local girl Vicci Martinez will anchor The Swiss' weekend events with a show tonight at 7 p.m. Read Nikki McCoy's feature on The Swiss' anniversary here.

LINK: Friday, April 26 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area