SUNDAY, FEB. 3 2013 >>>

1. Unlike other parties, which regularly occur in gathering places of all shapes and sizes, Super Bowl parties happen almost exclusively in the home. The television as a necessary party apparatus partially explains this phenomenon, though there’s never enough couch space, and Aunt Mary's Mexican layer dip always makes you feel strange later. Plus, no one has a television large enough to see around Phil’s fat head. Therefore, we suggest you leave it up to the professionals and ante up to a bar where testosterone swirls in the air, hoots and hollers fill the room and someone else makes the barbecue ribs and cocktails. Here's a list of some South Sound digs serving up specials during the big game.

2. The exhibition Andy Warhol's Flowers for Tacoma at Tacoma Art Museum will end next Sunday. Have you seen it? You should. Weekly Volcano arts critic Alec Clayton says if you thought you knew Warhol you may be in for a big surprise. There are many pieces in this show that I had never before seen, not even in reproduction. Read Clayton's full review of Andy Warhol's Flowers for Tacoma in the Visual Arts section at weeklyvolcano.com.

3. America’s Largest Antique & Collectibles Show will cram the Puyallup Fair & Events Center with 300 booths featuring antiques and collectibles up to 1970 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

4. Willian Hellman's The Children's Hour's daring, few-holds-barred script was a Broadway sensation in 1934 - so much so, in fact, that New York state authorities were willing to forgo a ban on one of its key themes. Two headmistresses who own and operate a private boarding school are accused of having "unlawful sexual conduct," with, as you might expect, disastrous effects on their lives. The catch is they're accused by a student, Mary Tilford, known to have a shaky regard for the truth. There's every reason to believe Mary's lying, and her rich, influential grandmother overreacting, until another student, Rosalie Wells, corroborates her story. The Lakewood Playhouse stages the last production of this show today at 2 p.m. Read Christian Carvajal's review of The Children's Hour in the Weekly Volcano's Arts Section.

5. Steve Cooley & The Dangerfields will fill Johnny's Dock Restaurant and Marina with rockin' blues beginning at 5 p.m.

LINK: Sunday, Feb. 3 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, JAN. 27 2013 >>>

1. Willian Hellman's The Children's Hour is a long play, close to three hours, and its first hour is depressingly boring. Yet it's easy to see how its daring, few-holds-barred script was a Broadway sensation in 1934 - so much so, in fact, that New York state authorities were willing to forgo a ban on one of its key themes. Two headmistresses who own and operate a private boarding school are accused of having "unlawful sexual conduct," with, as you might expect, disastrous effects on their lives. The catch is they're accused by a student, Mary Tilford, known to have a shaky regard for the truth. There's every reason to believe Mary's lying, and her rich, influential grandmother overreacting, until another student, Rosalie Wells, corroborates her story. The Lakewood Playhouse stages the production at 2 p.m. Afterward, Alec and Gabi Clayton from PFLAG Olympia will host a post-play discussion. Read Christian Carvajal's review of The Children's Hour in the Weekly Volcano's Arts Section.

2. A large percentage of people get married at some point during their lives. Some people, like Newt Gingrich for instance, do it several times. Hopefully soon it will be legal for gay folks to marry too. The fact is, weddings are a big part of our existence. All the more reason to check out the sixth annual South Sound Wedding Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Centralia's Great Wolf Lodge. Expect everything from wedding gown and tuxedo models to dancing demonstrations. Pro Tip: If you're South Sound Wedding Show date ditches you for one of the Great Wolf water slides, he's probably not the one. 

3. Everyone likes a good joke and being in on the joke is certainly better than BEING the joke. Well, usually. Certainly, people that take themselves too seriously are a drag and theater people who take themselves too seriously are often insufferable. Thankfully, Tacoma Musical Playhouse not only likes a good joke, with their latest production - The Musical of Musicals, the Musical! by Eric Rockwell and Joanne Bogart - they ARE the joke. TMP's cast embraces the self-deprecating lyrics and dialogue and camps it up for the audience. The production hits the stage at 2 p.m.

4. Best-selling author Darren Shan will read from and sign copies of his new book Zom-B Underground at 3 p.m. inside King's Books. After a zombie outbreak in the UK, B wakes up in a military complex with no memory of the last few months. B has to piece together the new world and find some allies. 

5. Traditions Cafe in Olympia hosts a benefit show for Out of the Woods Family Shelter featuring Back Porch Swing, appetizers, desserts and more at 7 p.m.

LINK: Sunday, Jan. 27 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

LET'S DO SOME SCROLLING >>>

Sunday morning, we'll be yelling at the top of our lunges, stuffing ourselves into a purple-hazed food coma and throwing adult temper tantrums during commercials, all in the name of cheering the Seahawks to a win Sunday against Atlanta, then on to the NFC Championship game.

Where to watch the game?

Good question. Ideally, the Weekly Volcano wants a combination of multiple televisions, good grub and drink specials. Good grub could be sacrificed.

We searched Facebook looking for Seahawk breakfast specials in the South Sound so you don't have to.

Burs in Lakewood

Cheers West in University Place

Farrelli's Pizza Tacoma

Johnny's At Fife

Masa on Sixth Avenue

Pints & Quarts Pub in Lacey

O'Blarney's Irish Pub in Olympia

The Office in downtown Tacoma

The Ram on Tacoma's Ruston Way and South Hill Puyallup

The Red Hot on Sixth Avenue

Spring Lake Cafe

The Swiss in downtown Tacoma

Topside Bar and Grill in Steilacoom

Varsity Grill in downtown Tacoma

Where else?

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Foggy morning followed by party sunny, hi 37, lo 26

Saturday: Cloudy and cold, hi 37, lo 25

Sunday: Partly sunny and cold, hi 35, lo 22

>>> FRIDAY, JAN. 11: WRITING ON WRITING

Have you almost completed that novel? Or has it been done for a while, tucked in a file, waiting the next step? Or maybe you just want to learn more about writing and publishing. Take advantage of Olympia Timberland Library's Writers on Writing event Friday. Geared toward adults and teens, the presentation will highlight local authors of young adult novels, Megan Bostic, Helen Landalf, Kim Derting,and Jennifer Shaw Wolf. In a panel presentation the authors will talk about their novels, the writing process and their path to publication. - Nikki McCoy

• Timberland Regional Libraryn, 6:30 p.m., free, 313 Eighth Ave. SE, Olympia, 360.352.0595

>>> FRIDAY, JAN. 11: PAMELA REED AT THE BLUE MOUSE

In Kindergarten Cop, Hollywood's Lord of the Abs Ah-nold Schwarzenegger played a typical '80s movie super cop turned dedicated educator of precocious scamps - including a tumor-forewarning death-obsessive and a genitalia expert. Between the opening and closing credits, detective John Kimble saved a school and a family from a ponytailed drug dealer, and ffell in love with a woman and a new profession. But what happened to Kimble's partner Phoebe O'Hara? She got food poisoning, groaned through most of the movie, saved the day then delivered the best one-liner of the flick, "You're not so tough without your car, are you?" Did O'Hara remain a detective? Did she ever marry the guy in the girly robe? You can ask her Friday, or rather the actress that played her, Pamela Reed. The Tacoma native will host a screening of Kindergarten Cop to raise funds for a full acoustic upgrade to the Blue Mouse Theatre's auditorium.

• Blue Mouse Theatre, 7 p.m.,2611 N. Proctor, Tacoma, 253.752.9500

>>> FRIDAY, JAN. 11: WRIST WRITERS READ

Wrist Magazine provides an outlet for the literary minds of Tacoma, for self-expression and for writers to seek true connection to the masses. Friday night, the magazine will host its first ever literary event, which will take place at Metronome Coffee. Readers will include Nick Stokes, Melissa Thayer, Vince Genna, Darryl Small - local actor in the film Rockabye Deadman that premiered late last year at Washington State History Museum - Titus Burley and Weekly Volcano's own Joshua Swainston. — Kristin Kendle

Metronome Coffee, 7 p.m., no cover, 3518 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.301.2375

>>> FRIDAY, JAN. 11-SUNDAY, JAN. 13: THE CHILDREN'S HOUR

In an age of increased physical, mental and now cyber bullying, sometimes leading to extreme consequences, Lakewood Playhouse's presentation of The Children's Hour comes at an apropos time in society. When a malicious youngster starts a rumor about two women teachers who run a school for girls, things get beyond the realm of control as the girl sticks by her story, causing tragedy for everyone involved. This four-weekend run opens Friday night. PARENTAL ADVISORY: This production contains mature themes including: discussion of bullying, homosexuality and suicide. Parental discretion is strongly suggested. — NM

• Lakewood Playhouse, through Feb. 3, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $18-$24, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd. SW,  Lakewood, 253.588.0042

>>> SATURDAY, JAN. 12: COVEN, DEMON DOGS

The back bar at McCoy's will surely be busy this Saturday as every leather clad, gravelly-voiced, long-haired or bald-headed hesher in Olympia will be scrunched near the stage - spilling bears and throwing horns - to witness thrash metal legends Coven and old school metal lords Demon Dogs rage the night away. John Boyce, bartender, booker and sound guy at McCoy's, talks about the last time Demon Dogs played, "It was awesome, just crazy energy - they're ferocious." And about Demon Dog's infamous drummer Jerry Ziegler Boyce states, "It's the most demanding thing I've seen him do." If you've ever seen Ziegler in action, then you know Boyce's words hold weight, and you'll be there Saturday night. - NM

• McCoy's, 9 p.m., $4, 418 Fourth Ave, Olympia, 360.352.0696

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
I'm seeing The Children's Hour at Lakewood Playhouse and helping out with a directors' Q&A. I'd also like to catch Zero Dark Thirty to complete my Oscar movie assault.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
With any luck, I'll make it out to the Tacoma Comedy Club to see Kyle Kinane. No joke, guys. He's super funny.

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
I'm going to see The Children's Hour at Lakewood Playhouse. Sunday, I'll be watching the Seahawks game before going to a PFLAG meeting.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
Making happy hour even happier is my goal today, by garnishing every drink with a sprinkle of magical love dust (just my way of putting forth good vibes, it's not roofies). Saturday is Full Moon Radio, The Hard Way and Glass Elevator at the 4th Ave Tav. where they will garnish every song with a sprinkle of magical love dust. I'm just feeling the love this weekend. Sunday, every 12th man in town is going to spread the love, too. Go Hawks!

TIMOTHY GRISHAM Music Writer
I am losing my mind. Also playing in Porland, Olympia and Seattle all in
three days over the weekend.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Photog About Town
I'll b seeing The Children's Hour at Lakewood Plyahouse. Sometime this weekend I'll catch the flick Lincoln. In between, I'll be working on my book, Legendary Locals of Lakewood.

ROCKFORD ROWLEY All-Ages Music Columnist
Saturday night I'm following Tacoma band THE FAME RIOT up to Seattle, as they have a show at The Crocodile opening for Ben Union. If you read my article about THE FAME RIOT, you know this will be a worthwhile show. And though the venue is outside our beloved Tacoma music community, the performers are Tacoma bands through and through.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

THE MORNING AFTER >>>

Huzzah! You've almost made it. You've almost survived another year. New Year's Day arrives Tuesday. You just have to get pass New Year's Eve with its night of kissing strangers, knocking over tables and next day hangover when you're feeling like a Mac truck full of manure has run you down. The only fer-sure hangover cure in the world is -drum roll, Maestro, for the kids watching TV - abstinence. Yup. Horrible, awful, abstinence. We here at the Weekly Volcano know better than to advocate such silliness. The only real cure is the infamous hangover breakfast.

Dedicated servers and bartenders will be open for business New Year's morning to fill your belly and get you back to normalcy.

Tacoma staple Shakabrah Java serves up the goods like home fries, flavorful scrambles such as tofu and self-service piping hot cups of Joe. It opens at 9 a.m. for your breakfast needs. 2618 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2787

Dirty Oscar's isn't usually open for breakfast on weekdays but is making an exception specifically to cure your New Year hangover. Nosh on breakfast staples with Chef Aaron's flair such as elk hash and Captain Crunch French toast perfectly paired with moonshine breakfast cocktails from noon to 4 p.m. 2309 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.0588

Greasy spoon perfection can be found at Marcia's Silver Spoon Cafe. This little gem (literally it's a small place) is easily missed while zipping down South Tacoma Way, but not oft forgotten once you've dined. Open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Marcia's will be providing relief for that raging headache with healthy portions of hotcakes and more. Cold hard cash is only accepted. 2601 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.472.0157

Old Milwaukee Cafe on Sixth Avenue is unassuming, tucked into a corner building just daring you to drive on by. But don't do it! Each pancake takes up an entire plate and is just as much huckleberry as it is pancake, which just about made me bow down to worship this breakfast concoction. 3102 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.761.2602

Auntee B's in Puyallup looks and feels like a small town diner with its comfortable atmosphere and grub. It will be open bright and early at 6 a.m. - wakey wakey eggs and bacey. 213 N. Meridian, Puyallup, 253.435.8833

Burs in Lakewood is popular with the "older folks." The seasoned partiers know gravy is a cure all for your hangover symptoms. The S.O.S. is the word. 6151 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, 253.588.4844

Carrs Restaurant & Bar is your best option if you seek monstrous-sized portions for your first meal of the year. The Lakewood joint serves Jolly Green Giant portions and damn tasty to boot. 11006 Bridgeport Way SW, Lakewood, 253.584.4622

Happy New Year you crazy kids.

LONG-ASS MOVIES THIS WEEKEND >>>

It's been nine long years since the Lord of the Rings trilogy wrapped up. Nine, precious! But no longer will you have to suffer in darkness, far from all things Middle Earth. No, precious, things will now change. An entirely new trilogy based on The Hobbit will hit movie screens Dec. 14, and word on the nerd streets is that these movies carry the torch well - with higher frame rates and better CGI.

To help you rekindle your LotR flame, many theater chains are putting on a marathon of all three movies Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9. Some theaters are showing extended versions, but all feature a special intro by director Peter Jackson. If you haven't done the math, this marathon goes more than nine hours for the theatrical release version and more than 11 hours for the extended versions.

Count on busting out your catheter or adult diaper.

Saturday, Dec. 8

• Galaxy Narrows: 10 a.m., $20, 2208 Mildred St. W., Tacoma, 10 a.m., $20
• Galaxy Gig Harbor: 10 a.m., 2 and 7 p.m., $20, 4649 Point Fosdick Dr. NW, Gig Harbor
• Regal Lakewood 15: 11:15 a.m., $30 via Fandango, 2410 84th St. S., Lakewood
• Regal Longston Place Stadium 14: 11:15 a.m., $30 via Fandango, 13317 Meridian St. E., Puyallup
• Regal Martin Village Stadium 16 and IMAX: $30 via Fandango, 5400 E. Martin Way, Lacey
• AMC Loews Lakewood Towne Center 12 (extended versions): 10 a.m., $25, 5721 Main St. SW, Lakewood

Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9

• Century Olympia (extended versions): 11 a.m., $25, 625 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Olympia

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Yesterday's comments of the day come from Becky Knold and Maureen Murphy who give thumbs up to Alec Clayton's review of Bob's Koch's show at the Pierce College Gallery in Lakewood.

Becky writes,

Ever since I first saw Bob Koch's paintings at an Arts Olympia meeting a couple years back, I've been a fan. They are such whimsical, curiously odd, more-than-slightly-distorted images of people whom we must all feel we've known in our own life. They capture the gesture and the character of people involved in life and interactions. The combination of drawn and painted lines, the overlapping and building up of a history of strokes make me feel that I understand how the artist worked his way through. It's not about "perfection", but about getting the feel of the moment portrayed. Great Job, Robert Koch, and thanks for the excellent review by Alec Clayton.

Maureen writes,

I have been a big fan of Bob Koch's new work this past year. I have purchased four of the paintings called "four on a couch." When I look at his work I feel like an active participant in the scene or sometimes just wish I were there. His energetic and loose drawings over paint that looks like pastel, have a wonderfully intimate sense.
I have a good time viewing and hanging Bob Koch's mostly playful, and sometimes sad paintings. Bob Koch is incredibly in tune with humanity.

Barring any new Movember drunken people donning mustaches photos, the Weekly Volcano is going to use the holiday as an excuse to take a rare day off. So, please people, for our sake, dig out that ol' music box that plays "Born Free," open a new doughnut shop or start your own Pacific Avenue Streetscape Project.

And we totally want photos of your family's fight to the death over who has the damn Tupperware. The Weekly Volcano knows every year someone brings Tupperware to collect leftovers and every effing year it disappears.

We'll all see you back here tomorrow for 5 Things To Do, The Weekend Hustle and other glorious posts.

Remember: baste often.

LINK: Movies

TUESDAY, NOV. 13, 2012 >>>

1. The Swiss Pub and science are synonymous. OK, so maybe they're not quite synonymous, but they do go together quite well - the "Tacoma Science Café" at the Swiss proves it. Tonight, U.S. Geological Survey's Chris Magirl, Ph.D., will discuss the causes of floods and approaches to reduce the threats of flooding in our communities. The dicussion and beer begin at 6:30 p.m.

2. Today is International Chowder Day. Yahoo! In celebration of said day Duke’s Chowder House on the Ruston waterfront will hand out free small bowls of chowder during operating hours.

3. Several Tuskegee Airmen will drop by the annual meeting of the Lakewood Historical Society to share stories. The celebration begins at 7 p.m. inside St Mary's Episcopal Church next to the Lakewood Library.

4. Maria Sampen, Tim Christie and David Requiro will perform the music of Zoltan Kodaly, Gordon Jacob and J.S. Bach as part of the Classical Tuesdays In Old Town series. The trio hit the chairs at 7 p.m. inside the Slavonian Hall.

5. Get your groove on tonight in Parkland. DJ spins during "$2 Tuesdays" at Lady Luck Cowgirl Up, offering Top 40 action plus $2 wells and drafts. The good times start at 9 p.m. Or, if you're looking for something more, peruse the Volcano's extensive live local music listings here. 

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

FRIDAY, NOV. 9, 2012 >>>

1. Who really knows jack about Zen? Apparently the Second City Chamber does. Tonight it presents "Zen Pathways," a concert featuring meditative musical landscapes by Claude Debussy, Sophia Gubaidulina, Alan Hovhaness and Michio Miyagi at the Tacoma Art Museum. Some have scoffed at Zen. But don't be fooled! There's something going on here, something powerful and clandestine. You must infiltrate the center and report back with all Second City Chamber's secrets. You must tell us of all its inner machinations. We are trusting you with this reconnaissance mission - just you. 7:30 p.m., $10-$27, Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.TUNE

2. Mozart's The Magic Flute is a perennial favorite that lacks the depth of Mozart's collaborations with librettist da Ponte, but it is hard to resist the broadly drawn characters and brilliant writing. A great beginner opera, especially for mature children. Check it out tonight inside Lagerquist Concert Hall. 8 p.m., 8 p.m., $5-$15, Pacific Lutheran University, Parkland, 253.535.7411

3. Shakespeare was totally punk rock. Almost four centuries before rock and roll was invented, he was writing about sex and drugs. He messed around with gender roles long before David Bowie and Iggy Pop; he didn't shy away from discussing how horrible and violent society could be; he thumbed his nose at the establishment by weaving coded messages about the rebel Catholic underground and making fun of the upper class. Tonight, the Lakewood Playhouse presents Shakespeare's tale of love, lies, gender-bending bouts of mistaken identity and mustaches that is Twelfth Night. The Playhouse warns there will be audience participation, romance and occurrences of bawdiness. Yes! 8 p.m., $18-$24, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd. SW, Lakewood, 253.588.0042

4. Former Saturday Night Live funnyman Tim Meadows has stayed busy lately on Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office and The Daily Show and brings his standup act to the Tacoma Comedy Club tonight. 8 and 10:30 p.m., $20, 933 Market St., Tacoma, 253.282.7203

5. The Kim Archer Band will fill Jazzbones with R&B and blues beginning at 7:30 p.m. $7-$10, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169

LINK: Friday, Nov. 9 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area