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February 26, 2014 at 7:38am

5 Things To Do Today: J.A. Jance chat, glass artist Erich Woll, co-existing with coyotes and more ...

J.A. Jance / photo credit: Mary Ann Halpin Studios

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26 2014 >>>

1. The descriptor "New York Times Bestselling Author" isn't exactly what it used to be. James Patterson literally craps bestsellers. Then again, if becoming a bestselling author was easy we'd probably do it ... you know ... instead of pounding out sentences late into the night for little to no recognition here in our Volcano-issue cubicle in Building 3 at Northwest Military Headquarters. Author J.A. Jance has published like a gazillion mystery and crime novels. She's a legitimate New York Times Bestselling Author, not to mention a half-time Seattleite. Jance's newest book in the Ali Reynolds series - Moving Target - was released Feb. 18. Jance will speak and sign books at the University Place Library at 7 p.m. Free tickets to the event are available from the library in advance.

2. Seattle-based artist Erich Woll will be working in the Museum of Glass Hot Shop as a visiting artist from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The residency was awarded to Woll as part of his Juror's Choice prize, which he received for his piece "How Often Do You Get Burned" at the 2013 Red Hot Auction and Gala. Currently designing another piece for Bellevue Arts Museum, Woll will hang all week in the Hot Shop to continue working on the project, entitled "Mistakes Will Be Made."

3. The folks at Pour At Four wine bar in Tacoma's Proctor District dig Powers Winery in Kennewick. Apparently the wines pour well across the board and are priced favorably. Drop by between 5:30 and 8 p.m. for complimentary tastes.

4. One of our favorite Far Side cartoons, by Gary Larson, depicts a pair of grizzled cowboys sitting around a campfire at dusk. One is handing the other a cup. The caption reads, "More cappuccino, Raoul?" Yes, times are changing. We have to co-exist with coyotes. How? Good news: The city of Gig Harbor, along with West Sound Wildlife Shelter, will host a presentation to discuss co-existing with coyotes, offering fun facts about coyotes and information about living in safety and harmony with these intelligent animals from 6-8 p.m. in the Gig Harbor Civic Center.

5. Larry Wayne Gatlin is an American country music singer/songwriter. He is perhaps best known for teaming up with his brothers Steve and Rudy in the late 1970s, becoming one of country music's most successful acts of the 1970s and 1980s. Hear a little history when the trio performs at 7 p.m. at the Little Creek Casino in Shelton.

LINK: Wednesday, Feb. 26 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area


February 6, 2014 at 8:59am

5 Things To Do Today: Green Drinks, toga-clad Romans speaking Japanese, Fight Club and more ...

South Sound chapter of Surfrider will be under Tacoma Cabana's thatched roof tonight.

THURSDAY, FEB. 6 2014 >>>

1. Green Drinks welcomes you to meet new people and discuss environmental issues over happy hour. Happy hour for environmentalists. It's a beautiful thing. Green Drinks Tacoma rides into the Tacoma Cabana at 6 p.m. That's right, brah, and the folks from the South Sound chapter of Surfrider will be under the thatched roof to give an overview of what they are up to, including their efforts to work with the Tacoma City Council to adopt a reusable bag initiative that would include a ban on single-use plastic bags.

2. Puyallup Gallery Three will host an artist reception for watercolorist and multi-media artist Renee' Healy as well as a healing arts event featuring internationally renowned reiki master, Norma Jean Young, Tara Tremlett and Charles Klennert from Ahimsa Hypnotherapy and Healing, Denise Coyle from True Heart Counseling, Kathy Leale from doTERRA, seated massage from Salon DaVinci Medi Spa, acupuncture from William Leigh, medical aesthetician for eyebrow wax and tints and others from 5-8 p.m.

Flip on any food or travel network and most likely chefs are battling mano a mano in a duel to the death - or at least through dessert. NetShed No. 9 - the Gig Harbor waterfront creative breakfast and lunch destination opened by Thad Lyman and Katie Doherty, the husband-wife team behind Brix 25 - will launch its version of a chef battle at 6:30 p.m. They call it Fight Club, and the judges are you.

The 12th annual Sister Cities International Film Festival kicks off at 6:15 p.m. in the Tahoma Room at Commencement Hall on the University of Puget Sound campus. The city of Tacoma's Sister Cities program pulls together movies from each of its sister countries and offers nights of all things cultural - for free. Tonight's film, Thermae Romae, is based on a popular Japanese manga series. Marrying a sci-fi hook to a costume-epic look, the script tracks the time travels of a lowly architect in the Rome of Emperor Hadrian. Lucius designs bathhouses, until he slips through an aquatic wormhole into present-day Tokyo, marvels at the wonders of Jacuzzi technology, then wormholes back to put his newfound knowledge to practical use. Toga-clad Romans speaking Japanese!

5. Brian James is an accomplished singer/songwriter and instrumentalist who was hired in 2008 as the head staff writer at Sure-Fire Music Publishing in Nashville where he wrote hit songs for four years, before starting his own publishing/management company, Brick Hit House Music. He wrote the theme song for the Discovery Channel's American Farmer, as well as for Taylor Hicks, Donny Anderson and Tonya Kennedy. Catch him at 8 p.m. at The Swiss.

LINK: Thursday, Feb. 6 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

February 1, 2014 at 8:36am

5 Things To Do Today: Candle Lit Show, Olympia Intuitive Arts Fair, Tapmaster, Wimps, "My Brother Kissed Mark Zuckerberg" ...

Star Anna headlines the Candle Lit Show tonight at Immanuel Presbyterian Church. Photo courtesy of Facebook

SATURDAY, FEB. 1 2014 >>>

1. What began as a collective of people working to make a sustainable venue out of the old brick-and-mortar warehouse down on Court C has transformed into a production company that specializes in bringing unique shows to unusual places. In this regard, the Warehouse has been an unequivocal success. Helmed by Adam Ydstie, Katie Lowery and Doug Stoeckicht, the Warehouse has grown in such a way that the mere mention of its name dredges up an association - you know what someone means when they say there's a Warehouse show coming up. And there is a Warehouse show coming up ... tonight at 8 p.m. when Star Anna, Josiah Johnson with Carleigh Aikins, and Bryan John Appleby gather inside the Immanuel Presbyterian Church for the "Candle Lit Show." Read Rev. Adam McKinney's interview with Doug Stoeckicht for the scoop on what the Warehouse has in store for the new year, including the Candle Lit Show Feb. 1.

2. Every time we have our tarot read the Nine of Swords always turns up. It's the charming picture of a woman in bed; there are nine swords hung on the wall behind her and she is sobbing. Coincidence? Or a chilling presentiment from the other side? To find out, we will stop by the Olympia Intuitive Arts Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Urban Onion to chat with energy healers, clairvoyants counselors, tarot readers, astrologists - anybody, just so that woman stops her damn crying.

3. Bars aren't just for getting drunk anymore. These days, South Sound pubs offer more activities than a cruise ship. Tides Tavern wants to make it crystal clear its 11th annual Tapmaster program isn't about chugging yards of beer then taking a flying leap off the dock into the harbor. Instead, the popular watering hole in Gig Harbor wants you to enjoy its 16 taps through the month of February. Get to know each beer. Ask the beers questions. Ask the bartenders questions. If by happenstance you drink all 16 beers in the 28 days, the Tides will give you a nifty T-shirt and add your name to the wall of fame. No big whoop.

4. My Brother Kissed Mark Zuckerberg is a one-man play featuring writer-performer Peter Serko.  A true story, the production tells the tale of Peter's younger brother David's life and eventual death from AIDS at age 32. By incorporating voices and memories from those closest to David, the show paints an audiovisual, multilayered portrait of a stricken hero, the vibrant New York scene he inhabited, and the epidemic that failed to defeat either one. Catch it at 7 p.m. at the Dukesbay Theater, 508 S. Sixth Ave., in Tacoma.

5. Wimps play gloriously giddy punk music that comes in 2-minute fits and starts - and that giddiness landed their song, "Repeat," on a recent episode of This American Life. Grave Babies, signees to Hardly Art, make moody post-punk that provokes as much as it envelops in gauzy noise. The two bands join Full Moon Radio and Wild Berries at 8 p.m. at the Jive. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's interview with Java Jive booker Brandon Rowley and Rachel Ratner of the Wimps in the Music & Culture section.

LINK: Saturday, Feb. 1 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area


January 29, 2014 at 8:24am

5 Things To Do Today: Galerie Fotoland show, artist reception, science fair prep, hip-hop and more ...

Erica Keeling's photography is on display at The Evergreen State College's Galerie Fotoland in the Daniel J. Evans Library Lobby.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 29 21014 >>>

1. Evergreen State College photography alumni Erica Keeling and Paul Elliott have a show this winter in the college's Galerie Fotoland (Daniel J. Evans Library Lobby, 1st floor). Though both working with the traditional tools of color film and medium-format cameras, they follow different paths in concept and in subject choices. Keeling's days are filled with antiquated glamour, boundless curiosity and quiet humor. Elliott captures moments that are telling of character - mostly during the summer months following his graduation.

2. Photographer Gregg M. Erickson spent two years visiting some of the most remote spots in the American west in search of perfect conditions for photographing the Milky Way galaxy. In addition to capturing the Milky Way and the night sky details city dwellers normally can't see, his photos demonstrate how ambient "light pollution" from cities and towns reach even the most remote locations. Check out his work at the Tacoma Community College Gig Harbor Campus during an artist reception from 4-6 p.m.

3. Before you and your child end up in the hospital after your school science fair project goes awry, considering attending the Pierce County Library's Science Fair Success lecture at 7 p.m. in the University Place Pierce County Library. The event offers tips and tricks for making a top-notch science fair project, provides library resources, and demonstrates a few successful experiments.

4. Landon Wordswell, Tim Hoke and Mostafa, and C-LeGz will be traveling back to Olympia at 7 p.m. for an all-ages hip-hop show at Northern.

5. Lyon Pride continues its Hempfest Tryouts Wednesday night series at Jazzbones with bands Shade Of Memories, Digital Chemistry, Fallen Kings and Riot In Rhythm at 7:30 p.m.

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


January 27, 2014 at 7:18pm

The first rule of NetShed No. 9's Fight Club is: You better make that call quick

Flip on any food or travel network and most likely chefs are battling mano a mano in a duel to the death - or at least through dessert.

NetShed No. 9 - the Gig Harbor waterfront creative breakfast and lunch destination opened by Thad Lyman and Katie Doherty, the husband-wife team behind Brix 25 - will launch its version of a chef battle in February. They call it Fight Club, and the judges are you.

According to Fight Club hype, "While the chefs' battle, you are the judges; determining the fate of these culinary contenders. Enjoy three course of food from each chef, and the camaraderie of fellow judges as you rate the chef's on their skill, ingenuity, and flavors. You will be rooting for a winner and cheering for the losers. Cooking is a passion for these chefs, and they are chomping at the bit to show off their expertise and skill."

Tickets are $42 per person, and very limited due to the joint's size. Beer and wine will be served, so hire a babysitter to watch over your kids' fight club at home.

FIGHT CLUB, 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6, NetShed No. 9, 3313 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, $42, 253.858.7175

Filed under: Food & Drink, Gig Harbor,

January 20, 2014 at 10:31am

Eat This Now: Crispy Baja Fish Tacos

Moctezuma's: They make a fish taco like a champion. Photo credit: Jackie Fender

Before the Weekly Volcano hosts its Tournament of Burgers this coming March, let's look back at the rag's first food tournament, the 2010 Tournament of Tacos. The tournament shell-shocked Tacoma when 64 taco-slinging joints battled to determine who was the Big Kahuna. It was like March Madness, only with more indigestion.

It seems a no brainer that Tacoma would have a deep and passionate love affair with the taco. I mean c'mon, it's in the title itself we are TACOmans.

After more than two weeks of voting the Volcano readers picked the most popular taco producer in the greater Tacoma area: Moctezuma's.

Moctezuma's has been a long time favorite of mine for many reasons ... one of which is its Crispy Baja Fish Tacos dish ($13.99).

First, these soft shell beauties are made with flour tortillas instead of corn. XX beer battered, meaty mahi mahi is fried to crispy perfection then topped with crisp cabbage, spicy pico di gaillo and topped with a drizzle of crema. It pairs perfectly with one of its margaritas, although difficult to devour when accompanied by a side of Mexican rice and your choice of pinto, black or refried beans - especially if you nosh on copious amounts of chips and salsa served beforehand.

Seriously, you need to eat these tacos now.

Moctezuma's serves these tacos at its two locations: one in Tacoma's south end and the other just across the bridge in Gig Harbor.

MOCTEZUMA'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 1p.m. Friday and Saturday, 4102 S. 56th St., Tacoma and 4628 Point Fosdick Dr. NW, Gig Harbor

Filed under: Food & Drink, Gig Harbor, Tacoma,

January 18, 2014 at 12:24pm

Words & Photos: Steve Stefanowicz and Stephanie Anne Johnson in a tent

Steve Stefonwicz and Stephanie Anne Johnson perform AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long" in a tent at The Hub in Gig Harbor. Photo credit: Pappi Swarner

It only took moments to lose a sense of context. Less than five minutes into Steve Stefanowicz's set last night at The Hub in Gig Harbor, any normal sense of time and place had already started to melt away. No, it wasn't because of too much Harmon beer - that surreal and otherworldly feel came from the sobering scope and scale of Stefanowicz's guitar performance, the fact the show was held outside in a tent and the packed crowd of 40- and 50-year-olds came to party. Oh, and Stephanie Anne Johnson joined in and belted it out as if it was her last performance.

Every element of the show fit, whether it was the 1,000 selfie shots I witnessed, the impromptu dance performances, people loosing their shit when Johnson sang "You Shook Me All Night Long," or standing in an elbow-to-elbow crowd near the stage to watch Stefanowicz channel Jimmy Page. It was a night of amazing classic rock covers.

It all lent for the kind of feel one would expect from a great New Year's Eve party.

The Hub has, indeed, pitched a tent on its side patio. With the ability to raise and lower side flaps, 10 tall heat lamps, a wood stove and chimeneas, donning short sleeve 12th Man jerseys works. Hub co-owner Pat Nagle says the all-ages tent will stay, even in the summer to provide shade. Since it only spans half the patio, and the side flaps can be removed, it will work. Expect regular outdoor concerts year-round at The Hub.

Johnson announced she, Stefanowicz and a few other friends would perform an hour before kickoff in the Stadium's beer garden at Sunday's Seahawks game. Consider the video below - which I shot while jarred multiple times - a preview for Sunday's performance.

Filed under: Gig Harbor, Music, Video Hot Spot,

January 17, 2014 at 8:00am

5 Things To Do Today: "Mod Musical," MLK celebration, "Awake and Sing!", Stephanie Anne Johnson and more ...

The music of Dusty Springfield will be front and center tonight during Tacoma Musical Playhouse's "Shout!".

FRIDAY, JAN. 17 2014 >>>

1. Betty Friedan, Anne Moody, Helen Reddy, National Organization for Women and ... Gloria Steinem. Having spent many fervent hours of our childhood reading the words and following the actions of these women and listening to Dusty Springfield, Petula Clark, and Cilla Black the Weekly Volcano will be in familiar territory at the Tacoma Musical Playhouse when the theater company stages Shout! The Mod Musical at 7 p.m. Shout! will chronicle the liberation of women through the '60s and '70s through the unforgettable music of the time.

2. Bates Technical College will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at its annual celebration 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the college's Downtown Tacoma Campus Auditorium. The community is invited to reflect on Dr. King's memorable march and historic "I Have a Dream" speech with the city's Mayor Marilyn Strickland, Dr. Dexter Gordon, and local musical guest, Jerusalem's Gate. For more MLK Day events, click here.

3. Clifford Odets' Tony award-winning play Awake and Sing! continues the Broadway Center's Free For All yearlong celebration at 7:30 p.m. in the Center's Studio II. The drama, first produced in 1935, is set in Depression-era Bronx and tells of the Berger family's struggle to survive in abject poverty. The free performance features eight area actors reading nine characters in this very tightly crafted and instantly engrossing three-act family drama.

4. The Hub in Gig Harbor hosts another winter concert under its event tent at 7:30 p.m. Tonight features the awesome talent of Stephanie Anne Johnson and Steve Stefanowicz.

5. Said in the growliest voice ever: "METALTOPIA 2014 IS ABOUT TO MELT YOUR FACE OFF." Yes, it's true boys and girls, five of the northwest's most badass metal bands are converging in one place - the magical Track House in Olympia, where bands play, beers flow and miracles happen. Black metal, doom metal, experimental metal - you name it - is covered in one night of metal mayhem, beginning at 8 p.m.

LINK: Friday, Jan. 17 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area


January 14, 2014 at 8:16am

5 Things To Do Today: Classical guitarist Michael Partington, "People of a Feather," secret envelopes, Victory Open Mic and more ...

Praised by "Classical Guitar Magazine" for his "lyricism, intensity and clear technical command," Michael Partington will perform in Old Town Tacoma tonight.

TUESDAY, JAN. 14 2014 >>>

1. You're exchanging trail mix recipes at 7 p.m. with the Mountaineers Club folks when this mellow, Spanish transcendental lullaby creeps through the club's doorway and swirls around your soul. Instantly, thoughts of Madrid at midnight lighten your spirits. You drop your pen and waterproof notepad, and like a zombie saunter out the door and float into the neighboring Slavonian Hall. Award-winning British classical guitarist Michael Partington strums his acoustic guitar, showcasing his innate rhythmic understanding and sense for tonal color to form some of the most memorable phrasing you have ever heard on the guitar. You slip away into another world. After an hour, you re-enter this world. You wander back to the Mountaineers, but your head is in the clouds capping Mount Teide. You've been Partingtoned, as they say.

2. Imagine this scenario: You're happy. You have everything you could really need or want and if things continued this way for the rest of your days, you'd call it a pretty good life. Then, early one morning, you wake up to discover a hydroelectric dam in front of your house. It's big, it's loud and it's totally unwelcome, (like Roseanne Barr, only made of concrete). Every aspect of your life is negatively impacted by this thing. Running low on groceries? Good luck getting to the store; the dam's blocking your car in. Want to do a little gardening or mow the lawn? Your yard's flooded. Need to feed your pets? You haven't seen Genghis Dog or Chairman Meow in days. God only knows what happened to them. That's essentially the situation with which the Inuit people of Canada's Hudson Bay live as documented in the film People of a Feather screening at 2 and 6:55 p.m. in The Grand Cinema.

3. Oh, who doesn't love secrets? From now until Feb. 14 Brix 25 in Gig Harbor is having a secret envelope giveaway. Every time you dine in the fine-dining restaurant, you will receive an envelope. Don't tear it open! Upon your return visit between Feb. 15-April 15, the restaurant staff will tear open the envelop at the end of you meal to discover your discount. Prizes vary from $15 gift cards to $500 in value.

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. from 7-10 p.m. 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.

5. The Place Isn't So Bad and Walter & Perry rock Le Voyeur at 9 p.m.

LINK: Tuesday, Jan. 14 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area


January 11, 2014 at 8:36am

5 Things To do Today: "Vee Dub" exhibit, typewriter chat, sax chamber music, Mitch Reems benefit and more ...

Right on.

SATURDAY, JAN. 11 2014 >>>

1. More weed has been smoked, more babies have been conceived, and more fun has been had in the Volkswagen Bus than perhaps any vehicle ever made. When people see the Bus, it's almost impossible not to smile. It brings them back to a simpler time of no-worries partying. Lemay - America's Car Museum's cool and groovy "Vee Dub: Bohemian Beauties" exhibit opens today. Beginning at 10 a.m., you may gawk at classic bohemian beauties and, no doubt, hear an endless stream of VW stories from fellow museumgoers.

Read more...

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