SUNDAY, APRIL 14 2013 >>>

1. Sadie and the Blue-Eyed Devils specialize in reviving the sounds of Dust Bowl-era music. In addition to the folk, bluegrass, and country trappings that come with this musical era, Sadie and the gang incorporate elements of less-frequent touchstones like ragtime and bossa nova. Catch the band 10 10 p.m. inside Le Voyeur in downtown Olympia.

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 p.m., the Grand will screen The First Grader, a heartwarming ture story about a Kenyan farmer who goes to school for the first time at the age of 84.

3. The playful, imaginative, and meaningful work of local children's and young adult authors from the Seattle7Writers will be highlighted every Sunday through May 5 at the Tacoma Art Museum. At 2 p.m. the authors will discuss where ideas come from and how art informs their writing in realms from the visual to the verbal and more. At 3:30 p.m. the writer will lead a hands-on art making workshop. Today, author Kit Bakke will discuss her middle grade novel Dot to Dot, a story about the healing powers of books and travel. In her art activity participants will map their own personal journeys using words and cut paper.

4. The second leg of Olympia Restaurant Week kicks off today. 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.

5. Little Bill Engelhart is soul on wheels. He’s also probably one of the most inspirational musicians that you’re likely to meet in person. He grew up on Hilltop Tacoma and learned rock ’n’ roll by playing rhythm and blues with the black musicians’ downtown, which was unusual for a young white kid at the time. He formed a band with some of his teenage friends and had a national hit when he was just 19 titled “I’m in Love with an Angel." These days, Little Bill & the Blue Notes play all over the South Sound - from destination Harley Davidson to Johnny's Dock. But they always make time for the Spar in Old Town, and the quintessential Tacoma restaurant's Sunday Night Blues. Little Bill and the Blue Notes will stop in again at 7 p.m., making it the perfect time for you to drop in.

PLUS: Check out the event recommendations in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: Sunday, April 14 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT (AND TODAY) IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Cork! A Wine Bar Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Champagne Sunday. 8 pm.

Cutters Point Coffee Downtown Tacoma Tacoma - Downtown. Gray Sky Blues Music Festival, with Malcolm Clark, Alyx Phippen. All Ages. 12:30 pm.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Mighty High Tour Kickoff. 9:30 pm. NC.

Harmon Brewery and Eatery Tacoma - Downtown. Gray Sky Blues Music Festival, with Mary McPage & The Assassins, The Chase Walker Band, The Crazy Texas Gypsies, Alice Stuart & The Formerlys. 12 pm.

Harmon Tap Room Tacoma - Stadium District. The Flying Tortugas, William Thomas Anderson. 9 pm.

Read more...

SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY >>>

The biggest show this weekend is not until Sunday, so you might actually get to spend some time at home with your family this weekend. Sunday is a busy one though. You can start off the day by hitting the Northwest MC League Graffiti Garage Cyphers. These are now at 1:30 p.m., free and all-ages. It is very organic down there on Tacoma's Antique Row. Sometimes people battle, sometimes they freestyle, sometimes there are beats, sometimes there is not. Whoever heads down there gets to create the scene for that day.

Sunday night is Shut the Stage Down 4. This is E-Dawg's fourth installment of his monster hip-hop show blowouts. This one is also at 88 Keys in Seattle starting at 9 p.m. Presale tickets are $10, $20 at the door, and a $35 V.I.P. option that includes food. There are many talented artists on the bill, as E-Dawg always packs them in; but look out for Tacoma area artists J.U.I., Johnny Solo, TDF, Kept See, Hill B and D.J. Iceman. These shows are really more like an event than a normal hip-hop show. They are crowded, and people seem to be dressed up a bit more than a normal raggedy hip-hop night. Leave it up to E-Dawg to get people out in their best fits. See ya'll there!

SATURDAY, APRIL 13 2013 >>>

2. Spring Zing is a festival of performances put on by the Associated Students of the University of Puget Sound and the Proctor District merchants. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Proctor District expect free horse drawn carriages rides, four food trucks and at least two main stage performances including LeRoy Bell and his Only Friends, as well as the awesome Proctor Farmers Market.

3. Months and months of rain. Bad traffic. A high suicide rate. The not-so-subtle odor of pulp hanging in the air. With all of this, is it much of a surprise that Tacoma spawns some damn fine blues? "Some of the best blues artists in the country come from the Pacific Northwest," says Gary Grape, the president of the South Sound Blues Association. "We hope to show some of them to the people of Tacoma." Show they shall. The Gray Sky Blues Music Festival once again graces downtown Tacoma. The festival features over a dozen different acts playing at multiple venues. Attendees can grab a beer at one club and eat a sandwich another, all while listening to some of the best blues in the around. Read Timothy Grisham's full feature on today's festival in ithe Weekly Volcano's Music section.

4. Ordinarily, writing a short play takes weeks or even months. As it moves into production, everyone from the cast to the director to the guy who delivers sandwiches has editorial input. What began with a clear authorial vision might veer off in any number of unexpected directions. The Double Shot Festival of Overnight Plays takes a different approach: it hands its writers a theme, about which they compose a 10-minute play over a single night. Then, at 8 the next morning, these scripts are passed to a director and cast of stock actors to be performed that very night, fully memorized, at 7:30. The festival rehearses and first performs at 7:30 p.m., followed by a matinée tomorrow at 2. The shows are hosted by Capital Playhouse. More than 50 local actors and directors are taking part in the festival. Read Christian Carvajal's full feature on The Double Shot Festival of Overnight plays in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

5. At 9 p.m., KAOS 89.3 FM celebrates their big 4-0 at the Olympia Ballroom with AfroMassive and Kasata Sound, two groups that will get into your bones with their funk, jazz and rhythm. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on KAOS FM in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

PLUS: Check out the event recommendations in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: Saturday, April 13 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FRIDAY, APRIL 12 2013 >>>

1. On the off chance you've never seen the movie Reservoir Dogs, here's the gist: a crime boss named Joe Cabot and his adult son, "Nice Guy Eddie," hire six thugs under pseudonyms to pull a diamond heist. The heist, which we never see, goes utterly sideways, and the thieves reassemble at their hideout to ascertain what went wrong. They decide there's a snitch among them, guns are drawn, guns are fired and it all gets rather bloodily Jacobean. Theater Artists Olympia Director Pug Bujeaud stages the screenplay with no intermission. Performances alternate between all-male and all-female casts. The female cast hits Olympia's Midnight Sun Performance Space at 7:30 p.m. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of Reservoir Dogs in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

2. The Gray Sky Blues Music Festival will invade downtown Tacoma tomorrow after the Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade. For those who anxious to dive into the blues should hit Uncle Thurm's BBQ joint in Tacoma's Lincoln District at 6 p.m. A special pre-festival performance by young L.A. blues band The Chase Walker Band will go down.

3. The Tacoma Rainiers opens their home season at 7 p.m. with a game against the Salt Lake Bees, complete with fireworks. That's fine and dandy, but the big news is Rainiers officially welcomed The Hub as the club's exclusive in-stadium pizza provider. Dubbed “Pie On The Fly,” the signature Artisan-style pizzas The Hub perfected at their neighborhood pub in the Stadium District will take up residence on the first-base side of the Cheney Stadium concourse today. Play ball!

4. The University of Puget Sound's Adelphian and Dorian singers will, er, sing African-American spirituals, including Moses Hogan's "The Battle of Jericho," at 7:30 p.m. inside Schneebeck Concert Hall.

5. Singer-songwriter Elizabeth Hummel and her rock folk band will perform a fundraising concert for the Washington Toxics Coalition at 7:30 in the Olympia Ballroom. Hummel is no stranger to bringing current issues and politics into her music when the cause moves her. In 2002 she organized "Open Stage for Peace" in Olympia to give artists a stage to share poems and songs in response to the threat of war.

LINK: Friday, April 12 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

TUESDAY, APRIL 9 2013 >>>

1. When fine-art photographer Eric Schwartz set out to photograph people with tattoos, he didn't expect to find a detailed history underneath the artwork. After a chance meeting with California tattoo legend Edward "Chuco" Caballero at a national tattoo show, the story for Schwartz's first film, Tattoo Nation, began to reveal itself - the documentary profiles some of the biggest artists and tattoo recipients to come out of the early Los Angeles-based, Chicano black-and-grey tattoo scene. The film screens at 1:45, 7 and 9 p.m. at The Grand Cinema.

2. Twenty five percent of Washington state children live in food insecure households. At 6:30 p.m. inside the Wheelock Student Center Rotunda, executive director and founder of Hilltop Urban Gardens Dean Jackson, executive director of FISH Food Banks Beth Elliot, folks from Canyon Little Mother Earth Farm and the Emergency Food Networks and sustainability manager of city of Tacoma Kristi Lynett will discuss this problem and other hunger issues.

3. This might be hard to believe, but you can't go see The Beatles live anymore, unless you have some sort of resurrection or time traveling technology. If you do have said technology and are using to see The Beatles, you've got some problems, so let Red Wind Casino help you out. It hosts Beatles tribute band British Export at 8 p.m. Go scream your head off.

4. GOAT, Overboard and IDefy will rock Malarkey's Pool & Brew at 8 p.m. as a benefit for Puget Sound Pizza bartender Theresa Pino who has been out of work due to health issues.

5. Cosmonauts share time equally in mind-melting squalls of Doors-esque acid rock and bursts of sweet, jumpy garage pop confection. It would be more than advisable to bring some earplugs for the band's show with The Garden Of Burgers at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier Lounge.

PLUS: It's Olympia Restaurant Week! enjoy three-course dinners at fancy restaurants for only $25.

LINK: Tuesday, April 9 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

MONDAY, APRIL 8 2013 >>>

1. Cosmonauts share time equally in mind-melting squalls of Doors-esque acid rock and bursts of sweet, jumpy garage pop confection. It would be more than advisable to bring some earplugs for the band's show with The Garden Of Burgers at 9 p.m. inside Le Voyeur.

2. The fascinating thing about Michael Johnson's new sculptural installation at Kittredge Gallery is that you can see it from many perspectives, literally and metaphorically. The installation is in the smaller back gallery, and is opened from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Viewed through the double open doors from the larger front gallery it can be taken in in a single, all-encompassing glance, and from this initial glance a viewer can gain various impressions and interpretations. Then walk into the gallery and take a closer look and you will see it in one or more entirely different lights. Finally - and you should do this only after thoroughly looking - read the explanation on the wall label to understand what you're looking at. Read Alec Clayton's full review of "You Are Here" in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

3. George Katsiaficas - author or editor of eleven books, including ones on the global uprising of 1968 and European social movements - together with Kathleen Cleaver, co-edited Liberation, Imagination and the Black Panther Party. The longtime activist for peace and justice will discuss his new book at 7 p.m. inside Orca Books in downtown Olympia.

4. Hot Club Sandwich will offer a fresh approach to the Parisian Hot Club style of Django Reinhardt at 8 p.m. inside The Royal Lounge in Olympia.

5. Every Monday night guitarist Rafael Tranquilino hosts an experimental jam at 9 p.m. inside Stonegate Pizza. Tonight's jam has an extra twist in that Tranquilino will be filming the event, so for goodness sakes comb your hair.

PLUS: It's Olympia Restaurant Week! enjoy three-course dinners at fancy restaurants for only $25.

LINK: Monday, April 8 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, APRIL 7 2013 >>>

South Sounders: Get ready to celebrate Thurston County's unique fine dining scene. Following in suit with its neighbors to the north, the inaugural Olympia Restaurant Week launches today and runs through April 18, Sundays-Thursdays. Ten Thurston County restaurants will be serving up special $25 three-course dinners, with some eateries offering a three-course lunch menu for $15.

Today is National Beer Day, apparently, and we're sure you were looking for an excuse to knock back a cold one. It's a shame it's not National Drink Beers day, but what can we do. The Harmon Tap Room (will celebrate with an all-day happy hour, Beer Olympics, beer trivia and offer Rajah's Imperial IPA and T-Town Blonde Shanty Ale, among other beers.

3. Saxophonist Kareem Kandi's sound derives from the classic, free, often enthusiastic tradition of Joshua Redman as filtered through Dexter Gordon and Sonny Stitt, all of whose shadows can be traced-Redman in Kandi's funky organicism, Gordon in his dynamic harmonics, Stitt in the intensity that coats his every note with a Gritty City finish. Kandi has been hanging with organist Delvon Lamarr and drummer Adam Kessler, which has added groovy innovation to Kandi's sound. Catch Kandi's trio from 3-6 p.m. at Uncle Thurm's Finger Lickin' Ribs & Chicken in Tacoma's Lincoln District.

On May 17, 1968, at the height of the Vietnam War, nine men and women entered a Selective Service office outside Baltimore. They removed military draft records, took them outside, and set them afire with napalm.The Catholic activists involved in this protest against the War included Daniel and Philip Berrigan; all were found guilt of destroying government property and sentenced to three years in jail. Dan Berrigan fled, and later turned himself in.The Berrigans and their colleagues went on to lives spent struggling against war, poverty, and injustice. This will be retold theough a public reading of The Trial of the Catonsville Nine at 7:30 p.m. inside Last Word Books in Olympia.

Danny Bonaduce, the morning disc jockey on KZOK, will host a live comedy show at 8 p.m. inside the Tacoma Comedy Club. He will introduce some of his favorite comics to Tacoma.

LINK: Sunday, April 7 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

All my 9-5ers need the weekend like H2O and food! Here's some stuff to do. ...

Tonight, there's a hip-hop show/dance from 6-9 p.m. at Tacoma Community College. It's $3 to get in. This event is hosted by the Black Student Union and it is a 17 and older party. Hip-hop artists Controversy the Misfit and C.H. of Clear Mind will be on deck. Controversy is one of the most hype live performers our area has, a natural at hosting events and getting the crowd involved. C.H.'s music has a streets meet The Most High vibe. C.H.'s style is pretty unique. He has a raspy yet emotional tone to his flow. He was born and raised in Washington D.C., and now lives in the Seattle/Tacoma area. His style has both coasts in it. It makes for a good listen. C.H. is now a national underground Hip-Hop artist, having connections on the East coast and the West coast.

Also Sunday the Graffiti Garage MC Cypher hosted by the NorthWest MC League is in full-effect at 1:30. This event is always free and all ages.

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Rain, hi 57, lo 48

Saturday: Rain, hi 55, lo 45

Sunday: Rain, hi 54, lo 45

>>> FRIDAY, APRIL 5: K RECORDS POP-UP SHOP

Friday, K Records is having an exclusive Pop-Up Shop with local favorite Kendl Winter performing live during First Friday at Flow & Function. Hype for the event reads, "The K crew will be selling limited K merchandise (things that sold out like crazy on our site) that evening, including the much sought after Beat Happening vinyl (back in print on LP for the first time in 10 years) and teeshirts. Kendl is amazing." To download her 2012 release The Mechanics of Hovering Flight, click here, orstream it in the shop. Winter, former front woman of The Blackberry Bushes, drops her third K release, It Can Be Done!, at the end of summer. - Nikki McCoy

• Flow & Function, 6 p.m., free, all-ages, 113 Fifth Ave., SW, Olympia,360.705.9729

Read more...

Comment On This Post