TUESDAY, JULY 22 2014 >>>

1. A few years ago, Canadian filmmaker Brent Hodge was at dinner with friends when one of them, Ashleigh Ball, started talking about a curious side-effect of her job. Ball is the voice of Applejack, Rainbow Dash and other characters on the TV series My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Her biggest fans? Little girls ... and grown men. "Bronies" are mostly men who are fans of the show. They get their day in the sun in A Brony Tale, a documentary screening at 2 and 7 p.m. at The Grand Cinema.

2. Join film critic Robert Horton for a conversation about some of the wildest book-to-movie adaptations and how they can show us something new at 6:30 p.m. in the Olympia Timberland Library. Horton will touch on some notably creative adaptations. How did The Tempest become Forbidden Planet? How did Jane Eyre turn into I Walked with a Zombie? And how on earth did the Coen Brothers take Homer's Odyssey and come up with O Brother, Where Art Thou? See how a wild adaptation cannot only illuminate the original, even when we barely recognize it, but also teach us about being open to the unexpected.

3. The Beatniks, Seattle's most famous cover band ('60s-'80s) will perform an outside concert at Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor beginning at 6:30 p.m.

4. Every Tuesday night at Stonegate Pizza on South Tacoma Way Leanne Trevalyan hosts an acoustic open mic at 8 p.m.

5. The Washington Center hosts the legendary Joan Baez for an evening encompassing five decades of music. Baez, a fixture of the 1960s folk and protest movements as well as concert companion to Bob Dylan, remains a musical force of nature whose influence is incalculable. Her earliest recordings fed traditional ballads into the rock vernacular with appeal extending far beyond folk music. She takes the stage at 8 p.m.

LINK: Tuesday, July 22 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, JULY 20 2014 >>>

1. If you think you've been hot the past two weeks, think about how hot those guys in the food trucks must be. The high temp should only reach 70 today so no one should complain about the heat at the Food Truck Festival from noon to 5 p.m. at Wright Park. Metro Parks called out to food trucks, and they've answered en masse. Today will mark the one-day, free event featuring trucks and mobile businesses and live entertainment. Schedule businesses driving trucks to the park include Masa, Asado, It's Greek To Me, Lizzie Lou's Comfort Food, Celebrity Cake Studio, Lumpia World, Josefina's Taco Truck Pampeana empanadas, Budha Bear Bagels and others.

2. If you've got a girlfriend, you probably know what season it is: the free outdoor festival season. You've probably hit just about every free music-in-the-park event, free drum circle and free farmers market since April. Well, this weekend prepare for a trip over the bridge, for the annual Gig Harbor Summer Arts Festival, where 122 artists (plus the obligatory vendors), live music and family activities will take over Judson Street in downtown Gig Harbor from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Go ahead, get your face painted.

3. The sun is hiding today after what felt like a 10-year summer. Head inside today to catch some local theater today. 

4. The Social Bar and Grill's patio is a lovely spot to while away a weekend afternoon, sipping cocktails and old world red wine and watching condo residents walk their dogs. Come Sunday afternoon, resident DJ Mr. Melanin and rotating guests spin an eclectic and extremely tasteful selection of lounge, bossa nova and electro soul music 2-6 p.m. This triple threat of delicious happy hour specials, sun and hip tunes is known as Tacoma's only daytime summer party, "Dayclub."

5. What might have come across as a bit of cheeky, gimmickry with the Cave Singers, has coalesced into an easy and natural product. Combining members of punk bands such as Pretty Girls Make Graves and Murder City Devils into a folk-rock band (right at the apex of Seattle's neo-folk inundation, mind you) surely must have struck some as a stunt, but the band's seventh year on the scene shows them settling into a welcome groove. Their tour finds them breezing through The New Frontier with No Grave for a rare Sunday 8 p.m. show, so it'd behoove you to catch them.

LINK: Sunday, July 20 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SATURDAY, JULY 19 2014 >>>

1. From its birth in the 1970s, the post-punk genre evolved as many of the all-time greats of the genre appeared. Into the '80s, bands like the Fall, Public Image Ltd., Wire and Suicide continued to innovate. The term "darkwave" came from back in the 1980s, and was one of the terms used to describe the Golden Age bands, as well as dark electronica acts such as Gary Numan and Depeche Mode. Now the new wave is discovering the art of the original New Wave, and even some of the surviving masters are making returns to resurrect the genre. It's an exciting time for post-punk fans. At 8 p.m. in Le Voyeur, post-punk and darkwave collide when three dark post-punk bands take the stage: Happy Noose, Shadowhouse and the Mercenaries. Bonus: Vern Rumsey, former bassist of Unwound/Blonde Redhead, will perform as Red Rumsey.

2. Often we try to bring you fun activities at a reasonable price. But it doesn't get any better than FREE! Of course most of the time, free isn't exactly free, that is just the sugar-coated packaging the really expensive activities come in. The 30th Annual Gig Harbor Summer Arts Festival is one of them. It's pretty cool, and if you can abstain from buying anything, you might come out scotch free - unless you have a girlfriend. But ... what can be more romantic than taking a stroll along the beautiful Gig Harbor waterfront, hand-in-hand with your better-half, taking in beautiful art by 122 area artists and craftspeople from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. You will see painters, potters, jewelry designers, fabric artists, woodworkers, photographers and, of course, pastels and watercolors.

3. LeMay - America's Car Museum hosts an exclusive summer event for lovers of the grill, both the one that adorns your wheels and the ones you cook over fire with in their Smokin' Hot RibFest 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dive into barbecue ribs and other meat delights while enjoying discounted admission into the museum. Attendees get to vote for the best vendor book and best ribs with a percentage of proceeds benefiting Rescue Mission of Tacoma. Need something to wash down all that meaty goodness? Imbibe in cocktails from Heritage Distilling Company and Ginkgo Forest Winery.  Meals are $10 and tastes in the garden are $3. Vroom, Vroom, YUM.

4. Narrows Brewing will host a one-year anniversary party titled "Breakers Ball" from 6-11 p.m. Stephanie Anne Johnson will perform. Local food trucks and vendors will be on site. Read Pappi Swarner's interview with Narrows' head brewer Joe Walts in the New Beer Column.

5. Ant and the Cold 102's gang will brings their real blues, blistering guitars and wailing harmonicas to Doyle's Public House at 9:30 p.m. 

LINK: Saturday, July 19 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Moving a little slow today? My guess it's because of all the dancing you did yesterday.

Day one of 253 Weekend, at least that's what I'm calling it, is in the books. Too many events and activities to enjoy in the 253; I witnessed a few. Somebody stole toilet paper from one of the Out in the Park port-o-potties! I don't even want to think about the karmic payback the thief incurred for that one.

The music? Awesome. From a marching band playing the "Star-Spangled Banner" followed by Steve Stefanowicz cranking Jimi Hendrix's version opening the Tacoma Old Town Rhythm and Blues Festival to Stephanie Anne Johnson getting her freak flag on at Out in the Park to the raucous one-two punch of C-Leb & the Kettle Black and Perry Acker moving the entire population of Gig Harbor at the 7 Seas Brewing anniversary party, it was an epic day.

Below are a few snapshot from the Old Town Rhythm and Blues Festival, Out in the Park, Harmon Brewing's putt-putt golf tournament and 7 Seas Brewing's fifth anniversary bash. I left the camera at home during The Mix's street party because of ... you know ... dancing.

Tell us what you saw, tell us what you heard yesterday. Tell us what you'll be ripping down doors to catch today.

SEE ALSO

Weekly Volcano photographer J.M. Simpson dropped by yesterday's Lakewood SummerFest

THURSDAY, JULY 10 2014 >>>

1. Since really wonderful summertime food comes off the grill, the idea that chilled white wine is a good general summer drink becomes nonsensical. More often, room-temperature red wine should be the libation of choice. The marriage of a delicately gamey grilled leg of lamb with a complex yet fruity Pinot Noir, or a perfectly charred hamburger, smothered in caramelized onions and chased by a robust, peppery Zinfandel: Well, isn't this what life is worth living for? Dorian Woodson from Cru Selections knows. He has the scoop on tasty summer reds, which he'll reveal 5-7 p.m. in the STINK Tank wine bar. For $5, you may taste five summer reds, enjoy summer snacks and chat up why sweet, cold and white should stay away from your grill.

2. The second Thursday of the month, the downtown Gig Harbor community skips floating around on their yachts to host a party. The galleries stay open late, artists hold demonstrations, refreshments are passed out and the music goes live from 5-8 p.m.

3. While Van Halen was telling everyone to "jump," brothers Kurt and Rob Widmer opened their brewery with $50,000. It was a slow start. In 1986, the Widmer Brothers introduced their Hefeweizen to America. The rest is history. In 2008, Widmer and Red Hook merged to form what would later be titled Craft Brew Alliance, the ninth largest brewer in the nation. The Copper Door hosts a Widmer Brothers Brewer's Night from 6-9 p.m. Meet the brewer, chat beer history and drink Citra Blonde, Upheaval IPA, Sason de Fleurs and "other secret squirrel beers."

4. We always enjoy a Big Dipper after tight harmonies. And thank the heavenly bodies, Pacific Lutheran University will, once again, make our dreams come true. The college hosts Jazz Under the Stars, an outdoor jazz concert series followed by rare public entry into their Keck Observatory. The series, a different band every Thursday through Aug. 14, kicks off tonight with four-piece Luigi LaCross in the Mary Baker Russell amphitheater from 7-9 p.m. Ah crap, the observatory is open only for the July 31, Aug. 7 and 14 shows. Well, we'll wish upon a star tonight that someone changes his or her mind.

5. Lakewood Playhouse never seems to disappoint and their most recent production is no exception. People who don't like Monty Python humor, also known as fuddy duddies, might want to skip it but for everyone else, Spamalot (books and lyrics by Eric Idle) will have them laughing, whistling and singing even after the show. Director John Munn's brilliant cast and crew could not have done a better job. Read Joann Varnell's full review of Spamalot in the Music & Culture section, then catch pay-what-you-can show at 8 p.m.

LINK: Thursday, July 10 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

MONDAY, JULY 7 2014 >>>

1. San Francisco duo Callow are inordinately preoccupied with mood. Everything they do is measured and drawn out, lending unbearable proportions of tension to every song they make. Composed of Red Moses on guitar and Sami Knowles on drums and keyboard, with both singing, Callow describe their music as "ghost western," which is about as apt as anything. While stopping just short of slowcore - that aching subgenre aimed at fetishists of melancholy - there is certainly no shortage of doom and gloom at work, here. The minimalism of the compositions highlights every sudden shriek or guitar stab, giving their songs the feel of a good, slow-burn horror movie. Catch Callow at 8 p.m. in Le Voyeur.

2. According to Kitsap CollaBEERation hype, the week of brewery pairings will "showcase the community spirit in liquid form. Kitsap Peninsula breweries were paired up two by two to create special collaborative beers. The breweries will then showcase the creations each day of the week leading up to the Bremerton Summer BeerFest. A limited amount will be available at the Fest as well at each brewery's booth." Today, Sound Brewery taproom and 7 Seas Brewing taproom feature their Crossover Cask collaboration.

3. Speaking of 7 Seas Brewing, five days before it throws its five-year anniversary bash, Gig Harbor's 7 Seas Brewing will take over the ParkWay Tavern's taps, beginning at 5 p.m.

4. Online Tacoma magazine Post Defiance wants you to SHUT IT in the Hotel Murano's lobby. Grab a book and read in silence from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Turn off the cellphone!

5. Guitarist Steve Cooley grew up in Chico, Calif., making a name for himself in the Cream-influenced band Gunge in 1967. The trippy band with blues riffs opened for the Grateful Dead at a Chico fairgrounds in November of 1968. Although Gunge was short lived, Cooley went on to share the stage with such notables as  Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robert Cray, Little Charlie and the Nightcats and Tower of Power. After relocating to Tacoma in 1991, he formed the Steve Cooley Blues Bands, which turned heads and landed them a nomination for Best New Blues Band from the Washington Blues Society in 1995. Today, Cooley leads the blues band The Dangerfields, which includes popular keyboardist Johnny Burgess, Rich Nesbitt on bass and Tom Williams on drums. Catch the band at The Swiss' Monday blues night at 8 p.m. 

LINK: Monday, July 7 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, JULY 6 2014 >>>

1. Sunday, July 6, Museum of Glass will celebrate its 12th birthday with a party FROM noon to 5 p.m. The Museum has entertained more than 2 million visitors, hosted more than 350 artists and has shown 86 exhibitions and displays since opening in 2002. Numerology states a birthday on the 6th of the month adds a tone of responsibility, helpfulness and understanding to one's natural inclinations. This is a number associated with strong sense of responsibility, artistic, a nurturing disposition and community oriented - with a strong degree of concern for others. Those born on the sixth are more apt to be open and honest with everyone, and more caring about family, too. Makes sense since MOG cares about family so deeply; it's family-friendly party on July 6 will be free for those 12 and younger with free cupcakes, balloon art, chalk art and cookies. That said, if your kid knocks over a piece of glass, MOG will dub your family's number 86.

2. Two great American loves will unite for the fourth time as part of the Gig Harbor Wings and Wheels show at the Tacoma Narrows Airport. The event, which is hosted by the Tacoma Events Commission, runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and feature bi-plane rides, cool cars and aircraft, live music and the Smoke 'N' Thunder Jet Dragster making a 300 mph run down the runway, plus three hours of aerial demonstrations and displays, featuring warbirds and aerobatic airplanes.

3. Operation Ward 57 depends solely on donations to operate their project for wounded soldiers and amputees. Uncle Sam's American Bar and Grill hosts a motorcycle run to benefit Operation Ward 57. There will be a motorcycle run leaving Uncle Sam's Amphitheater at approx. 1 p.m. This run will stop at Lawless Harley Davidson, Destination HD and NW Harley Davidson and returns back to Uncle Sam's for a concert with Commander Cody and His New Planet Airmen plus The Razorback Riders at 6 p.m. Price to join the ride is $15. These funds will support the concert benefit and includes admission to the show.

4. The Social Bar and Grill's patio is a lovely spot to while away a weekend afternoon, sipping cocktails and old world red wine and watching condo residents walk their dogs. Come Sunday afternoon, resident DJ Mr. Melanin and rotating guests spin an eclectic and extremely tasteful selection of lounge, bossa nova and electro soul music 2-6 p.m. This triple threat of delicious happy hour specials, sun and hip tunes is known as Tacoma's only daytime summer party, "Dayclub."

5. Around the mid-'00s, a cavalcade of bands arrived on the scene as blissed-out purveyors of art-pop - off-kilter melodies and shifting time signatures giving nods to progressive rock, without going so far as to approach the uncommercial. Groups such as Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear and Local Natives are on the frontline of this movement of musical geeks, and Talk of Shamans fit right in with that new wave. The San Francisco trio bounces back and forth from bouncy, yelping indie rock and world music-indebted pitter-patter. Catch the band with Globelamp and Union Pacific at 10 p.m. in Le Voyeur.

LINK: Sunday, July 6 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

TUESDAY, JULY 1 2014 >>>

1. This year's foreign-language Oscar submission from Germany Zwei Leben casts Norwegian legend Liv Ullmann and German star Juliane Koehler as a mother and daughter in Norway whose relationship and extended family are shaken to the core by revelations brought about by the fall of the Berlin Wall. But when a lawyer asks the tow to witness in a trial against the Norwegian state on behalf of the war children, there's resistance. Gradually, a web of concealments and secrets is unveiled. Catch the film at 2:30 and 6:45 p.m. at The Grand Cinema.

2. The USA has done what everyone thought impossible, advancing to the second round (the knockout stage) of the World Cup and giving us more excuses to hit bars on weekdays - as if we needed any. USA now takes on Belgium at 1 p.m. in a match that's win or go home. So throw on that stinky red, white, and blue shirt you superstitiously haven't washed in two weeks and consider this a month long 4th of July celebration. 

3. Westside Olympia is happening, but that's not news to those who live up on the hill. If you want proof, drop by the Tuesday West Olympia Farmers Market from 4-7 p.m. In addition to an awesome selection of local vendors, this season features live music, raffles and special events. Drop by for fresh produce, baked goods, pastured poultry and meats, flowers, veggie starts and crafts.

4. The Washington Army National Guard's 133rd Army Band, which is comprised of more than 40 citizen-soldiers, is in summer mode, which means free outdoor concerts loaded with patriotic tunes. The 133rd Army Band was organized and recognized in the Washington Army National Guard in 1924 as the Band Section Battery of the 146th Field Artillery. Over the years it has been re-designated many times, standing proud today as the 133rd Army Band. Load up the low rising chairs, blankets and kids in the family truckster and head toward Skansie Brothers Park and catch the band from 5-8 p.m. with beautiful Gig Harbor in the background.

5. Minneapolis trio Web of Sunsets brings their off-center country hymns to Le Voyeur at 9 p.m.

LINK: Tuesday, July 1 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, JUNE 8 2014 >>>

1. You mooned Bus #37 outside Oakbrook Elementary School in 1978. You depantsed Sid at Lakes High School in 1981. You streaked down Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma in 1983. You skinny-dipped at Owen Beach in 1985. You went to law school in 1988. You have had a life-full of truth or dare games. May we suggest the Stand-up Truth or Dare game at 8 p.m. in the Tacoma Comedy Club. Jubal Flagg hosts five comedians who will perform stand-up, then spin the Wheel of Terror to find out their fate. The other comedians get to come up with questions and challenges, and the audience gets to decide what they have to do. It should be old school for you.

2. The huge Maritime Gig Festival in Gig Harbor continues. Today's activities include the traditional Blessing of the Fleet at 1 p.m. and the popular Wheel's on the Water Car Show from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Gig Harbor Farmers Market will also be featured at the Gig from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

3. Two worthy stage shows wrap it up this afternoon. Olympia Family Theater continues to make amazingly high quality family theater with 3 Tales with 8 Tails, a phenomenally fun show that has the actors singing, dancing and puppeteering. Catch its last show at 1 p.m. Tacoma Musical Playhouse presents its last La Cage aux Folles at 2 p.m.

4. Tacoma is a working-class town and the only success weekly music showcases in this town center around working-class music - blues. Today, Tacoma's blues musicians go to work. The Northwest's "Swampabilly" blues band Junkyard Jane play B Sharp Coffee House's 2 p.m. blues show. Tim Hall and his crew hosts the weekly Sunday night blues jam at 8 p.m. in Dawson's Bar and Grill. Legendary guitarist Jerry Miller is tonight's Sunday night blues concert series performer at 7 p.m. in The Spar in Old Town Tacoma. Across town in Spanaway, Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill hosts its Sunday Blues Jam at 7 p.m.

5. The popular Jazz LIVE at Marine View concert series wraps up today, taking the summer months off. Oh, but it is going out strong. The Mel Brown B3 Organ Group out of Portland will go off at 5 p.m. inside the Marine View Church. Mel Brown has been described as the "quintessential jazz drummer" of the day. Louis Pain is Portland's Boss of the B3.

LINK: Sunday, June 8 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SATURDAY, JUNE 7 2014 >>>

1. Deep Creep is a band that unites at the populated intersection of the Murder City Devils, Pretty Girls Make Graves, the Cave Singers and Cute Lepers. Deep Creep favor the stompy rock of the '70s, while also branching out into unique areas of their own devising.  Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on Deep Creep in the Music & Culture section, then catch the band with Young Evils and Show & Tell at 8 p.m. in The New Frontier Lounge.

2. 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 2014 Maritime Gig Festival in Gig Harbor. Expect wholesome treats such as a 8 a.m. Kiwanis pancake feed, 9 a.m. fun run, a "Yo Ho Harbor Grande Parade," Steve Stefanowicz and other musicians, and what's billed as the "Round Rock Contest." We have no idea what a "Round Rock Contest" is, but it sounds AWESOME! The festival stretches all weekend in downtown Gig Harbor, along Harborview Drive, between Pioneer and Rosedale, and along the waterfront near Jerisich Dock and Skansie Brother's Park.

3. Frank Janzen makes prints using smoke, Dionne Haroutounian combines print media and collage in ways that are almost indefinable, and Janet Marcavage creates sparkling optical prints using traditional media. These are but a few of the new and exciting works by Northwest printmakers to be seen in the new exhibition "Ink This! - Print Arts in the Northwest" at Tacoma Art Museum. Read Alec Clayton full preview of "INK THIS" in the Music & Culture section, then check out the show, which opens today at 10 a.m.

4. Like your furniture to be eco-friendly, stylish, and full of character? Moss + Mineral - the downtown Tacoma design store with a mid-century modern vibe - present clean-lined, eco-inspired furnishings and other works as part of "Natural Spectacle: Art + Eco-Furnishings," a group show opening from 1-6 p.m. According to pre-show hype, "Carlos Taylor-Swanson, head of the famed Madera woodworking studio, breaks out with a new vision of green furnishings; while birdloft designers Jeff Libby and Adrienne Wicks innovate with new, streamlined architectural designs. Holly Senn pays nature homage with her fascinating wasp nest forms sculpted from the pages of discarded books." Also include in the show are works by photographer Harriet McNamara and ceramics artist Claudia Riedener.

5. Logan, 16, took his life in December 2013. The tragedy of his death was, as you can imagine, devastating for his family and friends. Logan's mother, Amy, created the Logan Foundation, to promote active involvement in the lives of youth in the community and to raise awareness and provide connection to prevent the epidemic tide of teen suicide. A benefit concert for the foundation will kick off at 7 p.m. in the Rock N Roll Lodge in Tacoma. Hip-hop artists Stupid Juice Crew, Pooji Tran, Q Dot, A King and others will bring it for a $5 cover. Worthy on so many levels.

LINK: Saturday, June 7 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area