SUNDAY, SEPT. 4, 2011 >>>

1. When it comes to finding live blues in Tacoma, there's rarely a better bet than Sunday night at the Spar in Old Town. This week, the Spar welcomes national touring blues act the Avey Brothers, best known near the Illinois-Iowa border but becoming a well known name in blues thanks to tireless touring and strong performances at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Doling out classics and originals, the Avey Brothers remind is the blues is anything but dead.

2. Josiah & Sam Bogle drop some music on today's South Tacoma Farmers Market, which kicks off at 11 a,m. and runs to 3 p.m. in the Heritage Bank parking lot at S. 56^th and Washington Street.

3. Jazzbones is all about the ‘90s. Earlier this week the club welcomed Marcy Playground. Tonight, check out the "Foam Fest II" featuring DJ J-Fresh.

4. Make today the day you check out the Woven Stories: Native American Basketry of the Pacific Northwestexhibit at the Harbor History Museum in Gig Harbor.

5. Drop in on the weekly all-ages community drum circle at Ted Brown Music in Tacoma today, from 6:30 - 8 p.m. Those interested can bring their own drum or borrow one at the event.

LINK: Arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight in the South Sound

I WANT MORSO >>>

Disregard those stories that America is counting calories and those sworn statements that thin tastes better. The truth is, when it comes to calories, what really counts is the taste of those sinful creations ... go ahead and indulge; those sins can be confessed and penance served later.

I enjoyed one of the better cheesecakes in this area Sunday afternoon at Morso Wine Bar. Kicking back in the sun with a lovely Mercer 2009 Dead Canyon Ranch Cabernet, I topped off the weekend with its crème brulee cheesecake - a creamy delight. The Gig Harbor restaurant - with an awesome view - rotates its cheesecake creations every week or so, sometimes matching special events. It must have been National Awesome Crème Brulee Day Sunday.

What's Morso's secret?

"We use multiple types of cheese to keep it lighter, and use more of a cookie style crust than a thin cracker style crust," explains Morso owner Steve Lynn.

I just called Morso. The crème brulee cheesecake is on the dessert tray tonight. It must be National Awesome Crème Brulee Week.

[Morso Wine Bar, opens 4 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, noon Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, 9014 Peacock Hill Ave., at the head of the bay, Gig Harbor, 253.530.3463]

THURSDAY, AUG. 25, 2011 >>>

1. We've long held the notion that going out on the weekends just ain't what it used to be. All of your favorite bars are packed with people you don't know/like/understand; RV traffic is infuriating, and on and on.  Whatever.  It's "Anything Goes" every Thursday night at Chopstix on Sixth Avenue. Dueling piano players perform before lovely chiquitas grinding to Whitesnake, Sinatra, Beyonce and others while tossing back $4 specials, beginning at 9 p.m. What's going on Friday morning and afternoon that's so important, anyway? 

2. When your car starts looking like it's been crapped on by a big brown bear, you take it to Brown Bear Car Wash to get it all cleaned up. Today, in celebration of its 54th anniversary, the Seattle-based company will wash your ride for free.

3. From the tandem-riding Doublemint girls of the '60s to the insufferable Olsens, identical twins twins have always been fun. Another set of identical twins are making the scene, or rather scenery. Identical twins Don and Ron Snowden have their unidentical art on display through Sept. 30 at the Gig Harbor Civic Center. Don does watercolors, pen and ink and even instant coffee. Ron does watercolors too, concentrating on scenery. A reception for the TwinArt show runs from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Center. Get in on the drawing to win a painting from Don and Ron, or Ron or Don.  

4. Do drunken debauchery, sexual innuendo and '80s game shows describe your ideal Thursday night? Yup, us too. Beginning at 8 p.m. the Northern Pacific Coffee Co. will shove comedians Pat Stayblack and Vanna Fight in front of a wheel for a night of Real Misfortune. 

5. The Swiss in downtown Tacoma host a Maurice The Fish Records Showcase beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight in the South Sound

LAST 10 >>>

Need more ideas for local dining experiences? Here are a few restaurants the Weekly Volcano has reviewed lately - in no particular order - to whet your appetite.

Zara set to dazzle: First bite at downtown Tacoma's new Mediterranean spot By Jennifer Johnson

Vacation in your backyard: Express Cuisine on Vashon Island isn't the Chinese drive-thru joint it sounds like By Jake and Jason de Paul

Peppercorn Bistro & Bar: Unexpected goodness in Federal Way By Jennifer Johnson

Spew: First in at Marrow By Jennifer Johnson

Karma will get you: Satisfying your Northern Indian food cravings in Puyallup By Jake and Jason de Paul

Spew: Time to get Social By Jennifer Johnson

No surprises: Puyallup's Comfort Food Cafe does healthy with a smile By Jake and Jason de Paul

Doted on: Jennifer Johnson and Jason de Paul share a meal at JW Restaurant in Gig Harbor By Jennifer Johnson and Jason de Paul

Food Carts: Lunch in Oly just got better By Brett Cihon

Spew: Left's Burger Shack is a win By Jennifer Johnson

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

TUESDAY, AUG. 16, 2011 >>>

1. Watching good movies that you've never seen before and that you otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity to see in the area is fun. The Grand Cinema in Tacoma is hip this fact - and it's just one of the reason's the indie film house's new Tuesday Film Series is such a kickass idea. The plan is to offer an awesome film (new or classic) every Tuesday for a year, with two screenings each Tuesday - afternoon and evening. This week catch Certified Copy.

2. Wanna see dude's dressed like Elvis? Who doesn't? Lucky for everyone "The King's Memorial featuring Danny Vernon's Illusions of Elvis" goes down tonight at Emerald Queen Casino.

3. Catch the Fun Addicts at Skansie Brothers Park tonight at 6 p.m., part of the Gig Harbor Summer Sounds at Skansie Park series.

4. Drop in on live, traditional Irish music tonight at O'Blarney's on the edge of Olympia. It goes by the heading Irish Sessions, and it happens every Wednesday at the green-tinted watering hole.

5. Like to drink? Think you know stuff? Test your skills tonight at Paddy Coyne's when Quizmaster Holland Hume leads the troops through Geeks Who Drink Quiz Night. The fun starts at 8 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight!

YOU GOTTA EAT >>>           

Forget all the pious exhortations to eat local, organic and seasonal. Forget the wonderment of watching the offerings change from tender lettuce and spinach to the corn, eggplants and tomatoes of full summer, and then the September apples, pears and hard-shelled squashes that push us into an orgy of freezing, canning and storage. Forget the coming together of the community, where farmers offer growing tips and exchange recipes. Nope, the main reason why we visit the South Sound farmers markets:

Lunch.

Weekly Volcano food critic Jennifer Johnson wrote about her lunch experiences at the following farmers markets:

Sundays: South Tacoma Farmers Market

Tuesdays: Sixth Avenue Farmers Market

Thursdays: Downtown Tacoma Farmers Market

Saturdays: Federal Way Farmers Market

Saturdays: Gig Harbor Farmers Market

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

SUNDAY, AUG. 14, 2011 >>>

1. Marked by Gothic manors, copious blood, busty wenches and color-drenched Gothics, Hammer Films set the vibe for British horror throughout the '60s. We're not sure what Hammer films the Tacoma Cult Movie Club will screen at 7 p.m. inside The Acme Grub Cage, but we pray its the mind-janglingly strange The Lost Continent, the only movie to locate the hidden linkage between the Spanish Inquisition, busty Christian women, man-eating weeds and Freud's "vagina dentata."

2. Journey back to the year 1855 when the Fur Brigades from east of the Cascades camped at Fort Nisqually. More 100 volunteers will recreate the arrival of the 1855 fur brigades to this Hudson's Bay Company post from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum at Point Defiance Park.

3. Paradise Theatre in Gig Harbor stages Cinderella at 3 p.m. As Weekly Volcano theater critic Christian Carvajal drove up to Paradise's rustic lot, a dozen junior "princesses" in ball gowns greeted him with squeals and enthusiastic waves. It was the perfect introduction to Fantasyland. He was charmed to see several young audience members in gowns as well. It's a story that encourages cosplay. To read Christiab Carvajal's review of Cinderella, click here.

4. Irish purist Noel Hill performs at 7 p.m. inside the Capitol Theater in Olympia.

5. After numerous format, manager and cuisine changes, the Gruv Lounge on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue has gone gay, which is the best idea for this spot this rag has heard yet. It's now MetroGruv with the same large dance floor, two VIP rooms with karaoke, stage and lounge area, but it's now gay-friendly. Burlesque takes over on Wednesdays. Thursdays offer karaoke with lasers and smoke. Friday and Saturday are clubs nights, with Omar spinning Friday. Today marks the grand re-opening week featuring the jazz funk sound of the Farko Collective at 8 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Many all-day happy hours

TUESDAY, AUG. 9, 2011 >>>

1. The celery plant has a long history of being all things to all people. It has been used to embalm King Tut, decorate Greek athletes, flavor Italian meatballs, a conduit for spray cheese and, most of all, stirring sticks for Bloody Marys. Come see the 6th Avenue Farmers Market take of the plant during its "Celerybration" theme day from 3-7 p.m. Country Jim will perform.

2. Traditionally, a cupcake is a small cake baked in a cup-shaped mold. In today's cupcake culture, the trademark features are quite distinctive. Consisting of moist cake, delectable icing, and some sort of eye-catching embellishment, these desserts are designed to captivate all ages. The two-month-old Burning Cupcakes on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue hosts a free kids day beginning at 11 a.m. Under the title Hungry Caterpillar, kids may do a craft, listen to a book read and decorate a cupcake.

3. We have news: Goldfish Tavern on Pearl Street offers $1 PBR every Tuesday. That's right, every Tuesday citizens wake out of their mid-week funk to the alluring call of $1 oat sodas. Then - and only then - the Goldfish ceases to exist as an average, middle-of-the-week pub and becomes a bustling hub of beer drinkers and party seekers. We can hear the cries from here: Rejoice all around, beer is only $1. Screw the Tuesday blues. Rejoice, Rejoice!

4. The Tacoma Food Co-op has signed a lease and agreement to take possession of the Neighborhood Market at Sixth and Junett Aug. 19 with doors opening Aug. 26. There is still much to do. Discover how awesome local, sustainable and fresh can be at the Co-op's coffee talk from 6-8 p.m. at the Greener Bean in Fircrest.

5. Acoustic folk and country female singer Ali Marcus will perform from 6:30-8 p.m. at Skansie Brothers Park on Gig Harbor's waterfront. Bring your lawn chair and picnic or give Brix 25 for delicious grub delivered to your seat.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight!

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 3, 2011 >>>

1. Mighty High will lay down some reggae at Jazzbones tonight. Mid-week jam band action is so your style.

2.  The Steilacoom Summer Concert Series continues this evening at Pioneer Park, featuring Danny Vernon's "Illusions of Elvis." The fun is free, all ages and starts at 6:30 p.m.

3. Thanks to the Washington State History Museum kids have the chance to learn about the Oregon Trail this morning at Garfield Book Company. It's just one of many cool events at Garfield Book Company this summer.

4. Sometimes a little goofiness is just what the doctor ordered. Chalet Bowl in Tacoma's famed Proctor District has you covered with Wacky Wednesday - featuring all-you-can-bowl for two hours, lots of clean fun, and a mighty-fine mid-week cheap date opportunity.

5. The sun is out and it's time once again in Gig Harbor for the appropriately named Gig Harbor Green Farmers Market. Find info here.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight!

TUESDAY, AUG. 2, 2011 >>>

1. We'll be talking about Northern in Olympia a lot this week, as the completely awesome all-ages venue is scheduled to close after this coming weekend - with a reopening in a new space planned for September. Look for a cover story by Brett Cihon and Nikki Talotta coming this Thursday. Until then, check out Tara Jane O'Neil, Nikaido Kazumi and Mount Eerie tonight at Northern and celebrate all the space has to offer.

2. Perry Acker will be a part of the Ted Brown Music Outreach Guitar Clinic tonight at Jazzbones. The band has a lot of buzz right now - see why. Also, see if they show up driving a Ford Fiesta.

3. The Karpeles Manuscript Museum next to Wright Park in Tacoma is something of a hidden gem. Most have never dropped in on the amazing collection of original manuscripts housed in the ornate aging structure. That can change today. Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Karpeles Manuscript Museum is showing a collection of Sigmund Freud's manuscripts through Aug. 31.

4. In Gig Harbor it's time once again for Summer Sounds at Skansie Brothers Park, this evening with Swing Reunion Orchestra.

5.On South Tacoma Way, the Rafael Tranquilino Band's "rockin' blues" have become a Stonegate Pizza staple.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight!