SATURDAY, APRIL 20 1013 >>>

1. In case this weekend already seems too hectic, allow us to complicate matters by quietly mentioning The Grand's historic first 24 Hour Movie Marathon, starting at 10 a.m. and wrapping one day and 20 flicks later. The ‘Thon features the cherished (Hitchcock!), the new (Ryan Gosling!), and a movie called Hands On A Hard Body (not what you think!). This exhausting vegging out supports a superb cause: helping The Grand turn its celluloid projectors into shiny (and industry-required) digital ones. Both 12- and 24-Hour Passes are still available at the box office or through grandcinema.com.

2. Drinking at noon? Why yes, Wingman Brewers' 2nd Anniversary Party, we'd be happy to. Imbibe on 10 taps, including some special brews just for the occasion? Of course we will. Settle into one of your many new seats and enjoy good company? Absolutely.

3. For events geared toward children, check out The Earth Day Extravaganza at the Tacoma Nature Center where families can celebrate wiggly worms, creepy crawlies and buzzing bees with fun activities that help teach about the earth and how we can all keep it healthy from noon to 4 p.m.

4. Enlarge your geo-wareness this weekend at the Capitol Theater's Environmental Film Festival (April 19-21). Sure, we must face a few inconvenient truths on the road to eco-lightenment - mankind's relationship with soil (Symphony of the Soil, April 20), our simultaneous buildup of harmful global waste (Trashed, April 21). But we also get to share in the stories of individuals and groups taking steps to reverse these trends in their own communities and lives. EFF may just inspire your metaphorical pants off - purchase tickets through olympiafilmsociety.org.

5. We need to get our hot little hands on the upcoming split 7-inch release by Mos Generator and Ancient Warlocks. If they can put all the power and straight fucking rock they pull at their live performances onto a little piece of vinyl, then we're sold. Both of these badass bands are playing The New Frontier at 9 p.m., along with C.F.A. and Furry Buddies. Yes, it's a record release party, and yes it's going to rule. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on Ancient Warlocks in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

LINK: Saturday, April 20 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

South Sound Sidekick series offers advice from experts living in the, well, South Sound. It posts every Friday. Today, Christopher Gray, graduate of the The Evergreen State College Audio in Media program and Tom Foote's Literary Journalism Program - and a current DJ at KAOS FM - has advice for finding your way around the audio editing program Audacity.

Christopher Gray writes,

First of all ... relax.  You're probably in a semi-dark room all ready, so you're off to a good start. You're probably working on less than the recommended dose of sleep for an average four-day period, have horrific soda breath and have the outward appearance of and the same methodical obsessive ennui as Ted Kaczynski. While this particular article is intended for the audio DIY'er using open-source Audacity, it really applies to anyone editing anything.  While some editing software can set you back upward of $800 and come with built-in locks that enable it pointless to try and use with other software platforms - I'm looking at you, M-Audio - they all share one attribute, the lovely "non-destructive" status.  What this means is that while you're into your 79th hour of editing the tastiest mix of that one golden, delicious track and you accidentally have hovered and highlighted the most blistering drum section and then, while moving to brush a harmless mosquito off the keyboard, you hit DELETE. Do not panic.  Resist the urge to scream and pull out fistfuls of hair ... simply click command z, and take one step back in the chain of actions you thought you just destroyed. 

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IT'S GOING DOWN DURING 4/20 WEEKEND >>>

Yo, it's the weekend - finally! Put away yo work clothes, get all yo favorite party supplies and meet me at the following places:

Saturday at the Track House in Olympia, Tacoma's celebrity, MCing, skateboarding extraordinaire Crazy Monk will perform. It's an early 6 p.m. show. The cover is $3.

There are many 4/20 shows Saturday - I have my eye on two. First, the Central Ave Pub in Kent hosts Lok Skywalker and Vic of Blue Nose Music. The doors open at 8 p.m.; show starts at 9. It's free! There's also big 4/20 party in Seattle at Studio 7. Tacoma's Sky Pilot opens for Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. This show is $25 advance and $30 at the door. It's all ages with the door at 7 and an 8 p.m.

Sunday start off by hitting the Graffiti Garage MC Cypher put on by the Northwest MC League. It's all-ages and starts at 1:30.

Sunday night at The New Frontier Lounge in Tacoma, Awall A.K.A. 2-Piece, Whikid Maticuless, Qui Vive and Crazy Monk hit it at 8:30 p.m. It's $5 to get in.

Perhaps the best show this weekend though is back in Kent at the Benchwarmer Sunday night. This bill features San Francisco's own Equipto, L'Roneous, Z-Man, Michael Marshall, The Bayliens with Beanz and Rize (conflict of interest) opening. The show starts at 9 p.m. Cover is $10 before 11 p.m., then $15 after.

FRIDAY, APRIL 19 2013 >>>

1. Before Tacoma's semi-longstanding, all-ages venue The Redroom closes its door for good April 27, Bleak Outlook Volume 1 will blow open doors and minds this weekend with a three-day fest that includes two kickin' shows at The Redroom and one at Fifth Dimension. It all begins at 7 p.m. when Transient, Sidetracked, Same Sex Dictator, Mahnhammer, Hirsute Corpse and Carrion Cathartid rock The Redroom.

2. At 7 p.m., the last day of the Greek & Roman Mythology exhibit at Tacoma Community College, Tacoma Poet Laureate Josie Emmons Turner, former TPL Tammy Robacker, Puget Sound Poetry Connection founder Connie Walle and a who's who of regional poets will add a poet's voice to the strong art show depicting strength of character, purpose and ideology to ancient myths by contemporary South Sound artists.

3. Crystal Mountain will hold an amateur film night at 7 p.m. inside the Snorting Elk Cellar. Visitors are encouraged to bring their short ski/snowboard films that are no longer than four minutes.

4. A cozy little romantic drama with touches of comedy, The Rainmaker still speaks to audiences after more than a half-century. Originating as a television play in 1953, Richard Nash's best-known work hit Broadway in 1954 and Hollywood two years later. There's even a musical version (110 in the Shade, which seemed like a good idea in 1963). Set on a Western cattle ranch during a drought, The Rainmaker remains a captive to its own pre-feminist, quaint, and rigidly defined-role times, when men roamed the range rounding up cattle and looking for romance (generally not at the same time), while women stayed home and did wifely things, such as cooking, cleaning, and burying themselves under the weight of society's expectations. See it all unfold at 8 p.m. when Lakewood Playhouse opens its version of the story for a run through May 12.

5. Drag show troupe New Queens on the Block has produced shows at the Urban Onion since September, dropping a themed show on Olympia every third Friday of the month. Tonight at 9 p.m., the troupe celebrates fashion and the "runway" at the Onion. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on New Queens on the Block.

LINK: Friday, April 19 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Rain, hi 54, lo 45

Saturday: Chance of rain, hi 52, lo 41

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, hi 55, lo 41

>>> FRIDAY, APRIL 19: SCEINCE!

Did you make it to the Weekly Volcano's 2013 Best of Olympia party? If so, then you had the chance to see Science! perform live on stage in between an entourage of scantily clad burlesque girls. Friday, the rising duo will perform a free set at The Pig Bar on Legion Way. Expect warmth and positive energy bouncing between their singer/songwriter performance and the cozy walls of one of the better small venues in town. Science! has a clean performance, their fingers whittling their guitars, carving out genuine jams and complex chords. The band has an easy-going vibe and leaves you wanting more. - Nikki McCoy

• Pig Bar, 8 p.m., no cover, Southbay Dickerson's BBQ, 619 Legion Way, Olympia, 360.943.6900

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THURSDAY, APRIL 18 2013 >>>

1. Local saxophonist Kareem Kandi presents a musical gift to the South Sound at 7 p.m. Get this: Boarding a plane in New York bound for the Puyallup campus of Pierce College are trumpeter Lew Soloff (Blood, Sweat & Tears, Gil Evans, Tito Puente, Manhattan Jazz Quintet), bassist Essiet Essiet (Horizon, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Blue Note All-Stars) and drummer Sylvia Cuenca (Joe Henderson, Clark Terry) for a concert/workshop next Thursday. Plus, the respected guitarist/educator Milo Petersen from Seattle's Cornish College of The Arts will be in the house too. Those who hold jazz dear to their hearts know this is the real deal - especially when these talents will perform, tell stories and teach through questions. Oh yea, it's freakin' free.

2. The Puyallup Spring Fair opens at 2 p.m. today for a four-day run. Organizers say that this year's edition, while shorter than its late summer edition, is crammed with more attractions than ever. For urbanites who need convincing, here's a handy checklist: Monster Trucks Friday, demolitions Saturday-Sunday, Aussie Kingdom, KMPS Showcase featuring American Young, KidZone, James Wesley, Fiesta Mexicana, garden show, rides, fried foods and more. Go ahead: Leave your laptop behind, shimmy into that old pair of Wranglers, pull on those dusty cowboy boots, slap on a 10-gallon hat and prepare to spend yourself a day - or four - at this year's wingding.

3. Today marks the last day of Olympia Restaurant Week. Check out the list of restaurants; or flip through the menus. Ten Thurston County restaurants will be serving up special $25 three-course dinners, with some eateries offering a three-course lunch menu for $15.

4. It's the third Thursday of the month. In Tacoma, that's means an extra emphasis on the arts. Tonight's quest for art will lead you directly to the steps of science. That's right, the University of Puget Sound and Tacoma Art Museum have teamed up to present an Art+Science Salon - an evening of artists and scientists hugging it out at 6 p.m. inside the Tacoma Art Museum. Tonight, guest eco-artist Jackie Brookner will lead a panel discussion on art and ecological issues.

5. Speaking of third Thursday, tonight is the Tacoma Art Mingle, which was formerly called the Third Thursday Artwalk. Whatever the name of the special night, it's still very hard to walk the damn thing. For the last two-plus years Tacoma has had the Art Bus to rely on - the creation of T-Town's own Angela Jossy, and pretty much the bestest idea there ever was. Each third Thursday the Art Bus shuttles riders from gallery to gallery, venue to venue accomplishing more than any one person could ever dream of on foot, and at the same time building a communal vibe that's worth its weight in gold. Tonight's Art Bus celebrity host Tacoma City Councilperson Ryan Mello will help guide you through such stops as FabLab, 253 Collective, Embellish Multispace Salon, Crescent Moon Gifts, Proctor Arts Gallery, Throwing Mud Gallery and Catwalk. Tickets are $10 regular admission and $20 for VIPs. VIPs get gift bags with items from lots of local businesses. The Bus pushes off from the Tacoma Art Museum at 6 p.m.

LINK: Thursday, April 18 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17 2013 >>>

1. Beginning at 5 p.m., Doyle's Public House's monthly St. Practice Party will be extra special as Doyle's celebrates its seventh anniversary, too. Owners Dave and Russ will tell stories, like the time they had the only ugly sweater contest in Tacoma and six people showed. Or the time they slept on the old church pews cause it was easier than driving home and back the next morning. Or the number of times they were told that they were doomed because no one wanted just import beers on draft and they needed PBR. Presents from Jameson will be doled out all day long. At 8 p.m. The Staxx Brothers will drop pounding rhythm, dynamic vocals and syncopated guitars - a combination of the Philadelphia Sound, Funkadelic and a little Southern rock - on the crowd of revelers.

2. The "Greek and Roman Mythology" exhibition at Tacoma Community College is outstanding. The operative word is strength - depicted strength of character, purpose and ideology; beauty and strength in the human body, and strong drawing and composition. There is also a lot of humor and wisdom in the way these contemporary South Sound artists react to ancient myths. The show ends Friday. Check it out from noon to 5 p.m. today. Read Alec Clayton's review of the "Greek & Roman Mythology" exhibition at Tacoma Community College in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

3. From 5:15 to 6:30 p.m., why not get up off your booty and commune with Tacoma on foot? Downtown On the Go is back with its Walk Tacoma events. Tonight, it walks in the name of public art. Participants will join Tacoma Arts Administrator Amy McBride for a 1.5 mile walking route in downtown Tacoma starting at the Hotel Murano. After the walk, participants are invited to attend a social event with food and drink specials at the Gallery located at BITE Restaurant in the Hotel Murano. There is no need to pre-register for the event, simply meet in front of the Murano.

4. Dead poets come to life in honor of National Poetry Month. A séance sponsored by the Olympia Poetry Network may feature William Stafford, Sara Teasdale, Ruth Stone, Wislawa Szymborska, Gerard Manley Hopkins and Robinson Jeffers at 6:30 p.m. inside Traditions Cafe. The audience will be invited to share their own favorite dead-poet poems during the open mic session.

5. Phasers on Hill and Poorsport will rock O'Malley's Irish Pub at 9 p.m.

LINK: Wednesday, April 17 arts and entertainemnt events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING >>>

Weekly Volcano recently reported that Rocket Records owner Steve Gaydich lost his lease to a Mixed Martial Arts Academy that moved in next door and will expand into his record store space. Gaydich's last day of business at the corner of Sixth and Proctor will be April 30.

Well, now we have some good news. Gaydich has just signed the lease for Rocket Record's new location at 3823 sixth Ave in Tacoma, just down the road from his current location. Opening day will be Saturday, June 1.

But I'm ahead of myself, before we can celebrate the new location, we have to celebrate Record Store Day - an industry-created "holiday" meant to draw attention to the endangered species of brick-and-mortar record stores. At Rocket Records it's a triple-whammy with Record Store Day finds, an in-store live performance and deeply discounted moving sale items - up to 40 percent off.

Heavy-hitters Mico De Noche, Valis and Argonaut will send Gaydich off with style. I'd like to see the MMA students when they hear Argonaut's "The Battle of Pig Hill" blaring through the wall.

Anyway, plenty of reasons to get down to Rocket Records this Saturday people. Just make sure you bring your friends, earplugs and cash.

Rocket Records, Saturday, April 20, 3 p.m., all ages, no cover, 3843 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.756.5186

LINK: Record Store Day in the South Sound

TUESDAY, APRIL 16 2013 >>>

1. Receiving a lot of hype and mostly deserving it, Savannah's Cusses dual-twist punk angst/frenzy and down and dirty southern rock like rosy, freshly-pierce nipples. Born star Angel Bond belts it and struts like product of a Siouxsie Sioux/Karen O/Mick Jagger three-way. This is a festival band, folks. Their explosive, crushing riffs and powerful, fiery vocals will knock the New Frontier sign off the wall at 9 p.m. The real stunner will be when Bond kicks the sign hitting the kid with tight pants in the front row ... and he won't take his eyes off her for a second.

2. The Diversity Film Festival begins today at The Grand Cinema with each film a meditation on the theme of cultural diversity. The concept began a few miles (and years) away from The Grand, at Tacoma Community College. Dr. Scott Earle, a TCC English and Humanities instructor since 1999, along with fellow teachers and staff, has hosted on-campus film screenings of this sort for some time. A suggestion was made to Earle and his colleagues in late 2010 to graduate their young program - let it leave the classroom and test its wings in the community. Today at 2 and 6:15 p.m., the Grand will screen Mosquita y Mari, A coming of age story that focuses on a tender friendship between two young Chicanas.

3. 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 and storytellers at Victory Music Open Mic from 7-10 p.m. inside 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.

4. We might not see the High Five'n White Guys or the Lame List, but a couple Almost Live! veterans will Billy Quan their way onto Tacoma Comedy Club's stage at 8 p.m. John Keister, who hosted and much of the writing the regional sketch comedy TV show from 1984 to 1999, will be joined by fellow "Almost Live!" star and well-known as a Seattle radio personality Pat Cashman, and Cashman's son, Chris, host of the game 1 vs. 100, for a "Gluten free evening of laughs and sneak previews of the TV show." The trio is producing The [206] - a new TV show shot in front of a live standing audience at Mighty Media Studios in a former fire station in Bellevue.

5. 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. In terms of food, Farrelli's pies are hand-tossed, firm but chewy with a flop at the tip. The Jack & John Pizza - Italian sausage, Provolone/mozzarella blend, green and black olives, green onions, artichoke hearts, mushrooms - is so yum! At Fish Tale, go for the ham and Brie. Loaded with deli ham, smothered in nutty melted Brie and nestled between two slices of grilled sourdough, this one takes the trophy with the inclusion of sliced granny smith apples and mellow horseradish.

LINK: Tuesday, April 16 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

MONDAY, APRIL 15 2013 >>>

1. 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. Every Monday 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.

2. The second leg of Olympia Restaurant Week is on. Celebrate Thurston County's unique fine dining scene. Following in suit with its neighbors to the north, the inaugural Olympia Restaurant Week is happening Sunday-Thursday. Ten Thurston County restaurants will be serving up special $25 three-course dinners, with some eateries offering a three-course lunch menu for $15. See the menues here.

3. Jazz saxophonist Kareem Kandi will be joined by Steven Bentley and Delvon Lamarr at 8 p.m. inside The Royal Lounge in Olympia.

4. The Crazy Texas Gypsies are a new blues band made up of seasoned veteran performers steeped in old school tradition, and updated modern lyrical sensibility and rhythmic foundation. Catch them at 8 p.m. inside The Swiss.

5. It's karaoke with a live band. Earn your rockstar status tonight during Rockaraoke at Jazzbones beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: Monday, April 15 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area