FRIDAY, APRIL 5 2013 >>>

1. In the days before adulthood consumed Steve Stefanowicz, the "Human Jukebox" would perform seven days a week. Blind at birth, proficient on the guitar at 15, performing solo and in his band Blind Ambition, Stefanowicz could be seen nightly through the '80s and '90s, performing any of the 1,000 songs he memorized. When not in a club, he was on stage with Lou Rawls, Sam Andrews' Holding Company, Blue Spark, Junkyard Jane, The Groovin' Higher Jazz Orchestra, jazz guitarist Michael Powers, Savoy Brown, Kansas and Elvin Bishop. The blues/rock singer and guitarist performs from 6-9 p.m. at The Hub's fifth anniversary party. Expect $5 signature drinks, $3 Harmon ales, $4 shot specials on the Drink Wheel and freakin' good music. 

2. Poetry is the most specific of art forms, and the best way to tap into its secrets is not through poetry, but through a poet. Tacomans have an opportunity to do just that at 6 p.m., thanks to Maria Gudaitis and former Tacoma Poet Laureate Tammy Robacker. The duo will host a Tacoma Poetry Month kickoff party where folks may hear poetry and hug poets, pick up a free copy of the Tacoma Poetry Month anthology and win poetry prizes - all inside Anthem Coffee.

3. The Europeans shared much in terms of history, food, and culture. But when it came to really important issues, such as life, love, and death, a broad creative gulf opened up. The musical masters in France, Italy, Germany, and England each had their own interpretations of these universal dramas. Soprano Dawn Padula and pianist Tanya Stambuk present an evening of European song about life, love and death: Composers from Alessandro Scarlatti to Henri Duparc, Richard Strauss and Ralph Vaughan Williams will set poetry by Rossetti, Baudelaire and more at 7:30 p.m. inside Schneebeck Hall on the campus of the University of Puget Sound.

4. Electric guitar virtuoso Jimmy Thackery brings his gritty blues-rock band, the Drivers, to Jazzbones at 8 p.m. No one puts the pedal to the metal better than this rocking blues band filling a wide musical gap left behind when the lionized and lamented Stevie Ray died. 

5. There are few things in the world as electric as the music of Aussie rock legends AC/DC. Except perhaps the songs that made them legends being murdered (hip-hop vernacular, kids. It means performed really, really well) by Hell's Belles. The Belles play all AC/DC all over the globe, from "High Voltage" to "Back in Black." Even Angus Young gives them props. The all-female cover band rocked the hell out of Tacoma last month with its AC/DC channeling, and this month it's taking it to the Capitol Theater in Olympia. The only reason this show is going to kick more ass than the Tacoma show is because Oly rock gods Mosquito Hawk will be opening at 9 p.m. 

LINK: Friday, April 5 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THURSDAY, APRIL 4 2013 >>>

1. EMA, aka Erika Anderson of defunct psych-folk outfit Gowns, is all about contradictions. She's lo-fi and blown-out, folk-minded but tentatively danceable, ethereal and explosively percussive. The reductive way to describe her music would be to say that it's experimental, but, well, dammit everything's experimental now. Catch her with Arrington de Dionyso's Malaikat Dan Singa and The Mother Ruckus at 9 p.m. inside the all-ages venue Northern.

2. The Bayview School of Cooking hosts two free classes on cooking with eggs. Barb Agee, a long-time instructor at BSC, will demonstrate how to make a hearty dish of Migas, Rosemary-Parmesan Popovers and more using ... eggs. Jump in at 9 a.m. or 1 p.m.

3. The Olympia Farmers Market opens today at 10 a.m. and produce vendors and artisans aren't the only ones preparing for the onslaught of strollers and tourists. Food vendors are busy stocking coolers and napkin holders in order to help happy shoppers make it through a trip to the market with tempting treats like soba, chowder, Belgian waffles and more. "It's cool - everyone is excited to be back open," says Matt Cummings, who runs the rock 'n' roll themed HeyDay Cafe with his family. "It's like a tribe down here." Read Nikki McCoy's full interview with Mike Cummings of HeyDay Cafe in the Weekly Volcano's Restaurants section.

4. As part of National Poetry Month, and specifically Tacoma Poetry Month, four acclaimed Northwest poets — Derek Sheffield, Arlene Kim, Marjorie Manwaring and Rebecca Hoogs — as well as host and TCC professor Allen Braden will read from new works at the crossroads of clarity and magic at 7 p.m. inside King's Books.

5. For generations, Southern prisons have been a key incubator of American music, from gospel, folk, and country to - mostly famously - the blues. Ben Harbert's film Follow Me Down: Portraits of Louisiana Prison Musicians explores music and culture focusing on the "serious, sad, and politically frustrating stories" of today's prison inmates, revealing the role music plays in personal expression, entertainment, escape and camaraderie behind bars. Catch it at 7 p.m. in Rausch Auditorium at the University of Puget Sound. The man behind Follow Me Down, Ben Harbert, will introduce the film and host a Q & A after the screening.

LINK: Thursday, April 4 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

TUESDAY, APRIL 2 2013 >>>

1. Dave Grohl is pissed that analog is dying and that everything's digital, so he made a documentary about legendary studio Sound City and its soundboard. Sound City was a recording studio in the Van Nuys district of LA that opened in 1969. A few years later, after the installation of a rare Neve recording board, the room became a magical place, spawning mega-selling albums by Fleetwood Mac (as well as the hit-making lineup of the band, with Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks), Pat Benatar, Rick Springfield (yeah, "Jessie's Girl" was done there), Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Ratt, Nevermind, Rage Against the Machine and many more. Yup, this is where Paul McCartney sings with a Cobain-less Nirvana. This flick is for fans of Josh Homme, Stevie Nicks, Trent Reznor and unpolished classic studio rock. See it at 1:45 and 6:45 p.m. inside The Grand Cinema.

2. The Fifth Annual Native American Heritage Art Exhibit has opened at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts Gallery. The exhibit, which runs through April 25, features a wide variety of works by local and regional Native American artists. These works include paintings, basketry, carved wood pieces and mixed media.

3. The latest show at Kittredge Gallery on the campus of the University of Puget Sound has Seattle painter Cable Griffith's video game-influenced paintings in the main gallery and an installation by sculptor and UPS art faculty member Michael Johnson in the back gallery. Griffith's paintings are abstract, stylized images based on imagery from early video games. Titled "Up-Up-Down-Down-Left-Right-Left-Right-B-A-Start," the show references directions in maps, games, cities and the countryside with schematic renderings of colorful streets, rivers and buildings - Pop Art renderings of the pathways taken by players like the Mario Brothers and PacMan. Griffith will be talking about my work to a group of UPS students at 4 p.m. if you want to grab a peek of him.

4. Quick! Tell us who played Violet Bickerstaff, Screech's love interest, on three episodes of the television show Saved by the Bell? If you said "Tori Spelling," then going to a trivia night might be for you. There are trivia competitions all around the South Sound on a Tuesday night, where you can unleash your inner Ken Jennings. And while you won't approach Jennings-like earnings, you can win some cool stuff, ranging from gift certificates, to concert or sports tickets, to a VHS copy of All of Me, the film starring Lily Tomlin and Steve Martin. Sweet! 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.

5. 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 at 7 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, poets, and storytellers bare their souls impromptu-style.

LINK: Tuesday, April 2 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING >>>

Few forgotten '90s alt-rock bands have reinvented themselves as successfully as Kara's Flowers - known these days as funky urban pop-soul outfit Maroon 5, a just-crazy-enough-to-work meld of Jamiroquai and Train.

Maroon 5 headlines the 2013 Honda Civic Tour with Kelly Clarkson and Rozzi Crane on the bus too. The tour rolls into the Gorge Amphitheatre Saturday, Sept. 28. Ticket prices haven't been announced, but they will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 6 through LiveNation.com, all Ticketmaster outlets and 800.745.3000.

MONDAY, APRIL 1 2013 >>>

1. If you love to dance, and enjoy long lunch breaks, head to Olympia for a "Dance-In" at the Capitol Building from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In support of Senate Bill 5613 - the bill that will repeal the Opportunity to Dance Tax - organizers ask those who love to dance to do it in front of the legislature. If you see Democratic Caucus Chair Karen Fraser (D-Olympia), and want her attention, we suggest you bust the dance moves in the video below.

2. The latest show at Kittredge Gallery on the campus of the University of Puget Sound has Seattle painter Cable Griffith's video game-influenced paintings in the main gallery and an installation by sculptor and UPS art faculty member Michael Johnson in the back gallery. Check them out from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read Alec Clayton's full review of the "Up-Up-Down-Down-Left-Right-Left-Right-B-A-Start" in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

3. Collins Memorial Library at the University of Puget Sound dedicates itself to protecting books, but from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. it will eat them at the University's seventh Edible Books Festival. What is an edible book? Duh. An edible book is made of food and inspired by literary titles, characters or authors - such as Lord of the Onion Rings. Be sure to drop by Collins on April Fool's Day and browse for a story you can really dig into. Bring canned food items for St. Leo's Food Connections.

4. Fast Times in Palestine is Pamela Olson's powerful, deeply moving account of life in Palestine - from house parties and barbecues to violence, trauma, and political tensions. Olson will drop by Orca Books at 7 p.m. to chat up the book and answer questions.

5. Do you like the music of John Coltrane, Sun Ra and Jimi Hendrix? Then you should dig The Joe Mailhot Jazz Unit at 8 p.m. inside The Royal Lounge in Olympia.

LINK: Monday, April 1 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 31 2013 >>>

For fans of Bruce Springsteen, the Replacements and the Pogues, their latter-day answer to those icons came in 2010 in the form of Titus Andronicus' epic, messy, passionate, over-the-top masterpiece, The Monitor. Similarly, fans of the Smiths, Tears for Fears and the Church may find solace in Merchandise's similarly epic and messy release, Children of Desire. Catch Merchandise with Love Interest, Cairo Pythian and Wet Hair at 8 p.m. inside Olympia's all-ages venue Northern.

2. The Gem Faire at the Tacoma Dome is a rather intriguing event. Quality gems, beads, crystals, minerals, findings and earth treasures will be available at wholesale prices. Yes, you can grab holiday project supplies, get personal treasures or simply browse and look at all the shiny, pretty, sparkly stuff. For the jewelry maker, there will also be tools, packaging supplies and millions of beads. Be sure to enter for a chance to win cool prizes at the Gem Faire with drawings every hour. The last time we witnessed a gem show it was at some hippy rainbow gathering event, and while that was pretty cool, this one is sure to be grander, and much more organized. It runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. As ostensible comedies go, The Philadelphia Story is only marginally funnier than Philadelphia. Barry drops dozens of 1930s references you'll need the glossary in the program to understand, but not many jokes. It's one of those plays where people take a magic narcotic that makes them blab secrets at each other, only to suffer that bizarre theater hangover that causes limping hours later. The first act introduces as many characters as Season One of Downton Abbey, only to waste several on a pointless subplot about the editor of a Fortune-esque magazine. People fall in love instantly, only to make more impulsive, unlikely reversals minutes later.

4. Coming off a smaller-scale, future-gen production, Next to Normal, the bombast of Oliver! represents a smart shift of programming for Capital Playhouse. We know what we want from a show like this, and thanks to director Colleen Powers and an obviously dedicated cast, we get almost all of it. The choreography is intricate and perfectly executed. The madrigal harmonies of "Who Will Buy?" come off beautifully. Sixth-grader Skyler Wyatt Zimmerman, last seen as, you guessed it, Gavroche, looks good in a newsboy cap. Bruce Haasl's set transforms quickly from a workhouse to a mansion to the heights of London Bridge. Oliver! hits the stage at 2 p.m. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of Oliver! in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

5. Harlequin Productions stages The Philadelphia Story at 2 p.m.. Linda Whitney not only directs with precision but offers, yet again, a truly beautiful set design - two, in fact. I can't say enough about Helen Harvester's lead performance. She captures the regal arm acting and Bryn Mawr drawl of Katharine Hepburn, for whom the role was written, without indulging in caricature. Same goes for Aaron Lamb, who has Jimmy Stewart's way of swallowing his lines without bounding around the stage like George Bailey from a Looney Tunes parody. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of The Phiadelphia Story in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

Where does Dad Cop hang out on Easter night? With Indian Taker, Casket and Northfolk at 7 p.m. inside the all-ages Red Room in Tacoma.

LINK: Sunday, March 31 arts and entertainmetn events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SATURDAY, MARCH 30 2013 >>>

1. When Oliver Doriss isn't blowing glass, teaching glassblowing or curating his gallery, Fulcrum, you can catch him under the needle as DJ Broam, usually accompanied by a dance floor full of wild sweaty abandon. At 8 p.m., he'll walk past the grass hut, the dude in the fez pouring Mai Tais, past the blowfish, around the corner, down the hall and into the new music room. At 9 p.m. he'll welcome the Tacoma Cabana crowd then knock their Hawaiian shirts off with the coolest mix of soul, funk, Latin and World Beat. Mahalo.

2. Not only is catching a Tacoma Rainiers game the quintessential American minor league baseball experience, but the renovated Cheney Stadium is still just plain awesome. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Rainiers will host a preseason party at said stadium. The party will give baseball fans, interested Tacomans and those craving free hot dogs a chance to hang at the stadium, purchase a new season ticket plan and take in the view from your exact seat, and watch kids run around like maniacs. Rhubarb, the Rainiers mascot reindeer and an undeniable party animal, will entertain the masses ... and run around like a maniac. 

3. In general, the citizens of Tacoma are not satisfied with a simple slice of cake and a sweet card for their birthdays. No, Tacomans like to through big bashes for birthdays. For instance, from 5-8 p.m. at The Swiss, Ida, Jocyln, Bobby, and Teri will celebrate their birthdays with comedian Mario Lorenz, fire by Flair, Roger the Balloon Buffoon and the musical styling of Voxxy Vallejo and The Fun Police. Drop by and give them a pinch to grow an inch and a sock to grow a block.

4. LeLe Restaurant - the Vietnamese and Thai restaurant in Gig Harbor - serves an amazing Swimming angel, a traditional Thai dish also called rama rama or swimming rama, featuring handfuls of fresh spinach leaves, thinly sliced carrots and mung bean sprouts are sautéed in a garlicky sauce of rice vinegar, soy sauce, a little sugar, red pepper flakes and more. A generous amount of sweet peanut sauce is piled on top. The only possible thing that would make this dish better if guitarist Rob Rigoni, accompanied with his ensemble Budapest West, filled the restaurant with a world-jazz sound that draws from jazz, '70s fusion and Hungarian soul. See you at 7 p.m.

5. Did you miss Derde Verde Wednesday at Le Voyeur? Catch the band at 9 p.m. with the equally awesome A Leaf at The New Frontier Lounge. Derde Verde's new EP, Let Me Be A Light, glows with the organic warmth of the band's indie-electronica, while possessing the mechanical propulsion of Krautrock bands like Neu!. If those names don't pique your interest, then we can't help you.

PLUS: Proctor Farmers Market in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: Saturday, March 30 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

C.I. Shenanigans Tacoma - Northend. KC Brakes presents pop folk rock night. All Ages. 7-10 pm. NC.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. The Walking Papers. 8 pm. $15.

• Pure blues rock 'n' roll, executed with the nimble fingers, creative minds and a sixth sense of boys who have been around the block, Walking Papers is headlining a nearly sold out show at Jazzbones Friday. A full European tour follows. Read Nikki McCoy's interview with Jeff Angell in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Palace Fiction. 9 pm.

Maxwell's Restaurant + Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. Lance Buller Combo. 7 pm.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Taxi Driver. 10 pm. NC.

Northern Olympia - Downtown. Lori Goldston, Marisa Anderson. All Ages. 9 pm.

The Olympia Ballroom Olympia. Hillstomp, Kendl Winter and the Summer Gold. 9 pm. $10.

• Hey kiddies, lace up your most comfortable shoes, coat your throat with some whiskey and get ready for some serious dancing and hollering 'cause Hillstomp is back in Olympia. The rowdy, washtub, bucket band, rock 'n' roll duo are taking over the Olympia Ballroom Friday for a night of old time enjoyment, with a funky twist. Andy Geertsen, voted best booker in Oly, who's throwing the show, describes Hillstomp's style: "When they play they bring an energy to the crowd that is infectious and reciprocated right back to them ... as if there was one communal heartbeat bouncing between fan and musician. It's like high energy therapy - when Hillstomp plays Oly it's not just another show it's an event." You heard the man, it's not just another show, so get down there and get some Hillstomp healing. - Nikki McCoy
  

Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma - Downtown. Whiskey and Roses. 8:30 pm.

The Swiss Tacoma - Downtown. DoctorfunK CD Release Party. 9 pm.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Hookerfist (Tool tribute). 9 pm.

Uncle Thurm's Finger Licken Ribs & Chicken Tacoma - Lincoln District. G Street Jazz Series featuring Kareem Kandi Band. 8-11 pm. NC.

Urban Onion Olympia - Downtown. Afrok's 30th Birthday Party. 8 pm. $5.

• Friday at the Urban Onion Lounge, Afrok and his band, The Movement, will lead a musical charge followed up by plenty of other organic hip-hop talent he's bringing out for his 30th birthday celebration. Afrok handpicked local rappers Akeem, MC Swamptiger and Sky Hatter - who just dropped a dope new video for his single "She's My Hip-Hop" - to perform at his historic event. In addition to the Olympia area rappers, Afrok also invited his friend and OG Seattle native Gabriel Teodros to be a part of the fun filled evening. Teodros has been a staple in the Seattle hip-hop scene since it first REALLY started bubbling in the early 2000s and has been putting in work since then, including the release of a new album last year, Colored People's Time Machine. Teodros is a very unique and talented individual that also happens to be a strong community organizer and overall, a very good, humble dude. Oh and kids, this show is all ages until 11 p.m. and ... (whisper voice) he's a good friend of Macklemore. Read Nic Leonard's full feature on Afrok's birthday bash in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

LINK: More live music tonight in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Thank the gods for the weekend, and there is definitely some stuff to do out there on this one. Here's the run-down. ...

Open mics are always a good way to start the night. They're usually early and cheap. After the open mic, there is still plenty of time to go do something else. Tonight at 7 p.m., the Colored Women's Club hosts its monthly Free Ya Mind open mic run by Stella Haioulani. Haioulani is basically the godqueen of open mics in Tacoma. Without her, there would not even be a spoken word poetry scene here. To feature or perform at this open mic, call 253.921.1160 or email freeyamind365@gmail.com.

Later tonight, go see Rubberband Sav, Slap Boys and more open for Oakland, Calif.'s, Keak Da Sneak in Kent at Jimmy T's Sports Bar and Grill. The tickets are $15 and the show starts at 9 p.m.

Moving onto Saturday ... The Breaklites has a free show at the University of Puget Sound. This show is all-ages, 9 p.m., at Club Rendezvous in the Sub next to the Cellar. The show is brought to you by 90.1 KUPS, which you all should be tuning into for the radio station's hip-hop shows.

Also on Saturday, is the third Fresh Blends Reblended. These 9 p.m. shows are at The Loch's in downtown Tacoma. Thankfully and smartly, DJ Reign has dropped the cover from a whopping $10 to a normal and sane $5. This bill features Todd Sykes, DJ Hanibal and others. Currently, Todd is killing ish with his new album with Ra Scion, where he handles all the production.

If ya want to hit the road Saturday, get out of town and head up to Seattle; go to the Vermillian Art Gallery at 9:30 p.m., where you can hear Influential Minds, Controversy, Tim-Me, DJ Skrewball and others. This show is also only $5.

Lastly, the Graffiti Garage MC Cypher is now at 1:30 p.m. along Tacoma's Antique Row. So, I'll see ya'll there!

LINK: Live music tonight in the South Sound

FRIDAY, MARCH 29 2013 >>>

1. They don't come with a much better pedigree than fiddler Mark O'Connor. Having started under the aegis of Stephane Grappelli and Texas legend Benny Thomasson, O'Connor has gone on to become one of Nashville's most sought-after musicians, and one of world renown. The Grammy award winning fiddler brings with him a fleet of fiddlers for a 7:30 p.m. performance at the Rialto Theater.

2. From 4 p.m. to close, 1022 South - the craft cocktail lounge in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood - will throw a party to celebrate its fourth anniversary and spring menu release. Patrons will be able to sip the new concoctions for $6 a pop, as well as taste new treats out of the kitchen. Read Pappi Swarner's story on the event here.

3. Awards given will include: Didn't Know You Could Do That, Best Off Stage Kiss, Best Tantrum - onstage or off, Best Wearing of a Costume, Best Paraphraser. Lucky Duck, Best Normal Scene with Unnecessary Sexual Overtones, Oh, were you in that show?, Best Ignoring of Direction, Best Grace Under Pressure, Best Acting Injury, Most Smooched, Best Range and Best "Silent" Performance (with no spoken lines)." The $20 ticket benefits the Lakewood Playhouse, where the 8 p.m. show is held.

4. At 8 and 10:30 p.m. inside The Royal Lounge, Rock Candy Burlesque presents "Icing on the Cake," a celebration of its first full year of tassels and tushes with a hard, sweet and sticky theme followed by a down and dirty dance party. Read Nikki McCoy's feature story on the Rock Candy Burlesque in the Weekly Volcano's Events section.

5. Stoner comic Ngaio Bealum, who got his start as a street performer at San Francisco's Pier 39, then smoked his way to ABC, MTV, BET and Comedy Central shows  - most recently on The Sarah Silverman Program - brings his hilarity to Tacoma Comedy Underground at 8:30 p.m. as a fundraiser for the Seattle Hempfest. Read Nikki McCoy's interview with Ngaio Bealum and their discussion about Tacoma, weed, writing, weed, cooking and weed in the Weekly Volcano's Bars & Clubs section.

LINK: Friday, March 29 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area