GOING BIG >>>

There isn't a shortage of Thai restaurants in the South Sound, especially in Olympia. Choosing from quality options, you must factor in a key ingredient - ambiance.

Every place has a different vibe and The Lemon Grass Restaurant in downtown Olympia offers a lovely ambiance for a business lunch or family dining on one side of th erestaurant and a little bit of swagger for date night or cocktails on the other. It's not often an establishment can feel like two different places from one section to the next.

Lemon Grass prepares traditional Thai cuisine with bonus specialties such as an apple curry or their Lemon Grass Garden - a stir-fried dish with choice of protein amidst fruit and veggies swimming in a garlic sauce. Lemon Grass has moderate prices, lovely presentations and a full bar.

For you Lemon Grass Heads, the news of new Lemon Grass in Lacey isn't news. I'm sure you're marking it off a calendar in some sort of Advent calendar countdown system. Visions of the former giant Ruby Tuesday building converting into another Lemon Grass dances in your head.  

This news might pop a vision or two. The original opening date of mid-December has been scraped for sometime in mid-January.

THE LEMONGRASS RESTAURANT
212 FOURTH AVE. W., OLYMPIA, 360.705.1832
5801 CAPITOL BLVD. SE, TUMWATER, 360.705.0055
8125 QUINAULT DR. NE, LACEY

BOOK RELEASE >>>

What story were you told about how babies are born?

This is the question local author Rebecca McCarthy posted on her Facebook page to facilitate a conversation about sex. 

"Out of the mother's tummy, I was puzzled how I got there."

"From a seed of some type."

"The cabbage patch."

"Mom and dad rolled around naked and tickled each other."

"The stork."

These are some of the answers, and a few of the many reasons McCarthy wrote her new book, Writing the Diaphragm Blues & other Sexual Cacophonies. 

McCarthy has organized an online launch party for her book Wednesday, Dec. 12 at noon. Yes, 12-12-12 at 12 p.m. The online launch includes a Google hangout, live streamline from Youtube and Facebook.

There are no barriers on who can be there," she says. "From Mississippi to Japan, all areas can participate."

Choosing to do an online launch is significant to McCarthy because she feels like it's a safe place for people to say what they want. 

"To use social media at that moment in time is important," she says. "We're usually talked at, or we react. It allows woman to talk about these things without feeling unabashed. It's a resource."

The book rolls humor, playwriting, sophistication and science into an accessible book for everyone.

"You can't speak for all woman," says McCarthy, "but can speak about your own experiences and open the door for other woman to speak about theirs."

Rebecca McCarthy is a writer, educator, artist and roller derby skater with Tacoma's Toxic 253 League. She holds a PhD in Comparative Studies from Florida Atlantic University. Her published works include the influential Origins of the Magdalene Laundries: An Analytical History (2010), which traces women's plight in the laundries from the Middle Ages to modernity.

You can also add author of a compelling perspective on modern sexuality.

A FACEBOOK GROUP TO JOIN >>>

Mian Carvin is a painter and a writer and a filmmaker from Olympia. She lives on a farm just out of town with goats and chickens and cats and her life partner of many years. Her abstract paintings, which I happen to like very much, have been displayed at Matter Gallery in Olympia; although there are none shown on Matter's website at the present time. What can be found there is a nice little statement about her paintings:

"I began painting as a means of distraction during an emotionally difficult period in my life.  Before long, it became a form of meditation.  When I paint now, it is more like a dance.

"All my work is done using recycled wood upon which I layer various types of paints (also recycled), as well as oil pastels.  I do a lot of sanding and priming with clear shellac.  This method allows the painting to present itself to me.  I prefer not to title most of my images, leaving the viewer to see them without preconceptions."

But I didn't set out to write about her painting. I set out to write about how Carvin is an out and proud queer woman and she celebrates queer artists. She has made a great little short film called This is What QUEER looks like. It consists of lots and lots of queer folks - lesbians, gays, transgender, bi-sexual, genderqueer, the whole alphabet soup of queerness, saying, each in their own delightful way, "This is what queer (or lesbian, gay, etc.) looks like." The film played at the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival and recently was screened at Capitol Theatre in Olympia. You can see the final theatrical version at http://youtu.be/LAUkKNVLgVM or at FINAL THEATRICAL RELEASE VERSION : this* is what QUEER looks like. Full disclosure: I make a brief appearance in the film.

Carvin's latest project is posting bios and photos of queer artists on Facebook. She has created a Facebook group called queer artists + their art. Anyone can go to the group page for information or to join. In order to see the images, you need to join the group.

She uses a broad definition of artist to include visual and performing artists, writers, filmmakers. You'll find information on many artists you may have never heard of as well as many famous artists whom you may have never known were queer. Frida Kahlo, for instance, who was married to a man but loved to cross dress and had affairs with other women - most notably Josephine Baker, as depicted in the film Frida.

For other examples go to the group on FB and scroll down. You'll see choreographer Alvin Ailey, painters Frances Bacon and Jasper Johns, composer Steven Sondheim, singer Bessie Smith, actor Raymond Burr of "Perry Mason" fame, and many more along with some terrific photos.

Check out all the queer artists. It will be fun and educational.

LINK: Other Facebook pages to follow for updates on the arts

TUESDAY, DEC. 11 2012 >>>

1. The seven monsters (they're not people, they're monsters in costumes, just go with it) that make up Everything Is Terrible are taking their holiday DVD and live show across the country, including an 8 p.m. show at Le Voyeur in Olympia. EIT chops up a millennium's worth of VHS memories of misplaced sentimentalities, fist fights over toys for tots, erotic Santas, Nazi elves, and an endless parade of singing kids, smashes it all together and creates a narrative.

2. Tasteless holiday sweaters, holiday alco-beverages, 7 Seas beer and reindeer wings are on the docket tonight at The Crown Bar in Tacoma. Well, that's several parts fun, funny, ironic, unironic, and balls-sweet. Schweddy balls-sweet. Ahem. Well, friggin' look it up; there are prizes involved.

3. Buried deep down in the very core of most people's hearts is the passion to perform. Doesn't everyone secretly want to dress in 1960s get-up, strap on a ukulele, and do Tiny Tim covers? No? Maybe that's just us. The hard part (besides mustering up the courage to show the world our undeniable talent) is finding a comfortable, acceptable and supportive audience. That's were Metronome Coffee enters the picture. Every Tuesday night from 7-10 p.m. the modern coffee house close to the University of Puget Sound presents an open mic hosted by Andy Wambem, bassist of A Leaf. The talent at the Tacoma School of the Arts regularly attends. Coffee, beer are wine are served.

4. The Tacoma Community College Jazz Band presents a variety of jazz favorites at 7:30 p.m. inside the TCC Auditorium. It's a free show.

5. Social Studies and Visiting Nurses perform an 8 p.m. all-ages show at Northern in downtown Olympia.

LINK: Tuesday, Dec. 11 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WE SCENE IT >>>

There are many upsetting things about the Christmas and New Year's season -increased credit card debt, unresolved decades-long family pain, the spiritual vacuum at the core of our culture, trying to get into the spirit of things and on and on.

Thankfully, the South Sound music scene is still raging during the holiday season to keep us sane.

The Weekly Volcano dropped in on a few shows this past weekend, including two benefits.

First, Tacomans Najamonique Todd and Del Brown hosted their second Sound Icons show, this time focusing on the music of Jeff Buckley. Friday night at The New Frontier Lounge, Alex Tapia, Kurt Lindsay, Todd and Brown's band Wait In The Fire and Not From Brooklyn did Buckley right. Check out more photos and video from the show here.

Early Saturday evening, Kim Archer took to the Weekly Volcano's Electric Salchow Stage, performing for the ice skaters at the Franciscan Polar Plaza. See the photos and watch the videos of her performance here.

Later Saturday night, the Weekly Volcano dropped in on the Casey Heath benefit at McCoy's Tavern in downtown Tacoma. Click here for a brief backstory on Heath's tragic death. We snapped a few photos at the benefit as you can see above.

Last, we dropped in on the Euphoria Marie Sorensen Sunday night at The New Frontier Lounge. Bands played, henna ink got squeezed, fortunes were told and swag was auctioned off to benefit Sorensen, who was struck by a truck while crossing the street in October. To see more photos from the benefit, and to learn how to contribute, click here.

Hope everyone had an awesome weekend.

LINK: Live music headed our way this week

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MONDAY, DEC. 10 2012 >>>

1. Indie folk rockers Farewell to the Woods started out as four people singing a song written the night before in a cold garage. After nearly two years of practicing, writing and scrapping new tunes, and adding/losing members the band has expanded to an eight piece and will perform at 9 p.m. with Punch Drunk Heart at The Eastside Club Tavern in Olympia.

2. Conductor Dr. Paul Schultz presents a preview of the Northwest Repertory Singers Dec. 15 and 16 concerts today at 3 p.m. inside the Frank Tobey Jones Retirement Community.  The repertoire of traditional carols and favorite songs of the season includes music by Stephen Paulus, John Rutter and Donna Gartman Schultz. 

3. The moths are on to something. Lights are awesome. Especially holiday lights. Make today the day you check out Zoolights and Fantasy Lights - both South Sound institutions.

4. The fourth Powder Pow-Wow Mountain Film Party - a benefit for the Alpental Backcountry Avalanche Rescue K9 (BARK) Program - will be held at 6 p.m. inside Tides Tavern in Gig Harbor. See new snow ski/board film from Teton Gravity Research. Meet the Alpental BARK dogs. Buy raffle tickets to support them. Win some prizes. Drink some beer.

5. Blenis Ely will fill The Swiss with blues beginning at 8 p.m.

LINK: Monday, Dec. 10 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area.

SATURDAY, DEC. 8 2012 >>>

1. Imagine soulful music of yesterday being forcibly pumped out of Janis Joplin's larynx and then lathered with the silkiest velvet, and you've a pretty good idea of the kind of groove Kim Archer can make. Archer has a strong, emotional voice, a robust musical sense and a willingness to work outside the tightly proscribed boundaries of the genre. Tonight, from 7-9 p.m. you may ice skate to Archer's heavy soul and groove when she performs at the Weekly Volcano's electric Salchow Stage inside the ice rink at the Franciscan Polar Plaza. They'll be dancing on the ice tonight.

2. Christmas shopping can be fun — especially when you dress up the shopping environment like a Victorian English town, make it feel authentic with roving, costumed entertainers, town criers and carolers, and fill it with beautiful handmade gift items and scrumptious food. You’ll get all that at the Dickens Festival at Stadium, a period-piece shopping experience in Tacoma’s Stadium District from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dickens Festival at Stadium concludes with the Dickens Ball inside the Titus Will Showroom. From 6-9:30 p.m. The Fat Tones will fill the dealership with rockin' blues.

3. To inject a little spirit and a lot of youth in our veins, the Weekly Volcano is headed to the Freighthouse Square Saturday for its annual Family Holiday Event featuring $5 Santa photos, holiday craft bazaar, Lego display, carolers, DIY craft tables, Winter Wonderland Model Train exhibit and more for noon to 4 p.m.

4. This holiday season, step away from the shopping madness at the malls and try something different - a shopping tour brought to you by Tacoma ART BUS and Go Local Tacoma. Today's bus tour is hosted by Tacoma City Councilmember and president of the Tacoma Urban League Victoria Woodards. The tour boards at Tacoma Art Museum between 3:30 and 3:55 p.m. and leaves at 4. Tickets are $10 via Brown Paper Tickets, or $20 if you want a swag bag. Again, you'll get the passport and must shop at five participating businesses to enter the raffle. Since you'll have wheels for this tour, businesses are as far-flung as Sixth Avenue, the Dome District and South Tacoma Way.

5. Downtown Olympia was rocked Monday night by the senseless murder of one of its own, Casey Heath. Tonight at 9 p.m. inside McCoy's Tavern, Heath's longtime friends are throwing a benefit to help with the funeral costs, but more importantly, bring together the Downtown Olympia Community to remember a dear friend. The Resident Kings, Little Red Car Wreck and The Have At Its join McCoy's staples AKA & The Heart Hurt Goods and DJ Slimrock for an incredible night of music. There will be a suggested donation of $5 (but any amount, more or less, is welcome) and no one will be turned away at the door.

PLUS: The Hilltop Artists Holiday Glass Sale and Duck The Malls in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: Saturday, Dec. 8 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

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

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

4th Ave Ale House Olympia - Downtown. December In Red, Stillstand, Oriya. 9 pm.

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

Dwell Hole house concert Central Tacoma. Black Pussy, Ancient Warlocks, I Like Science, Zabrana Bastard, Sok And The Faggots. All Ages. 7 pm. $5.

• Yeah mofos! It's a rock party at the Dwell Hole, or, Chuck's Home for Wayward Babes. With Black Pussy, Sok and the Faggots, Ancient Warlocks, I Like Science and Zebrana Bastards, expect beer pounding, head banging dance offs and good ole fashion Tacoma fun. Black Pussy, with its fuzzy, psychedelic, weed/shoegazer ways, pairs nicely with the stoner rock licks of Ancient Warlocks and the hilarious punk antics of Sok and the Faggots - that sings Come on baby let me shit on your chest/you know girl my shit is the best in the song, "Shitty Titties." Not to mention, the undoubted awesomeness of the other two bands. Grab a cab, ride your bike or hitchhike your ass to this show. it's not to be missed. — Nikki McCoy
  

Immanuel Presbyterian Church Tacoma - Northend. BARE Tacoma - Holiday offers an entirely a cappella evening featuring Shenandoah Davis, Sean Nelson (of Harvey Danger), Tacoma School of the Arts choir, Luke Stevens, Goldfinch, Colin Reynolds, Elk & Boar, Hannalee, Eternal Fair and others singing by candlelight. All Ages. 8 pm. $16.

• Perhaps when you think of a cappella you think of Sweet Adelines and old men wearing bashers. This is not the case when it comes to BARE Tacoma - Holiday, an a cappella performance Friday night at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church. Instead, you will hear 12 performers ranging from Tacoma School of Arts students to Northwest indie favorites such as Shenandoah Davis, Noah Gunderson, Sean Nelson (of Harvey Danger), Luke Stevens, Goldfinch, Colin Reynolds, Elk & Boar, Hannalee, Eternal Fair and others. Each artist will bust out a holiday song or two, as well as share their own songs and covers. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature of BARE TAcoma - Holidays, with interviews, on the Weekly Volcano's blog, Spew.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. The Stacy Jones Band. 8 pm. $5.

The Loch's Tacoma - Downtown. Winter Lyrical Fushion with Young Kal, Tha Committee, Tr3y Ent., Second Family, Po Boxx, Island Trybe with J-Sway. 8 pm. $5.

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. Jonny Smokes, Black Diamond, Scarecrow Messiah. All Ages. 7 pm.

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

Medi's Pizza & Pasta Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Shogun Barbie, The Trasholes, Special Explosion. All Ages. 8 pm.

• Tacoma garage rock band Shogun Barbie will unleash its debut EP, Medium, through the medium of pizza. Shogun Barbie, a rising star in the local scene, will be accompanied by fellow rockers The Trasholes - a young fuzz rock duo from Gig Harbor with strong influences from legendary punk groups such as Iggy and The Stooges and Black Flag - and Special Explosion, a contestant in 2011's battle of the bands Soundoff. These bands have a large set of music on their various websites to sample, and each one is well worth the listen. Entry is free and CDs will be handed out free of charge. Throughout the show Medi's will serve select Italian food and drinks, as well as keeping the bar open to those 21 and older, as the bands burn down the fine establishment with their unbearable levels of rock. Come out and support these three young and talented groups, and perhaps pick up a free EP as well. - Sean Contris

Mud Bay Coffee Company Olympia - Westside. You Are OK All-Ages Party, with Simon The Leper, The Deceptives, Horse Bodies. All Ages. 8 pm. $3.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Jeff Buckley Tribute Show & Holiday Toy Drive. 8 pm.

• On a night in May, 1997, Jeff Buckley went nightswimming in the Wolf River; his body was found a week later. Three years prior to his untimely death, Buckley released Grace, a towering monument to a truly eccentric talent who had the potential to find legendary status divorced of the sad association of a man passing before his time. Grace's title track is a fierce and delicate anthem that sounds like nothing that came before or would come after (to say nothing of his famous and masterful cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah"). The task of covering the inimitable is one that will face Kurt Lindsay, RowHouse and Not From Brooklyn as they assemble to pay tribute to Buckley. This tribute night also doubles as a toy drive, so bring in a toy to get free admission. — Rev. Adam McKinney
  

Northern Pacific Coffee Co. Tacoma - Parkland. Camille Bloom. 8 pm. $8-$12.

• You may have heard one or two of her tracks on a TV show, or seen her in one of her numerous tours, but Friday, Dec. 7 you have the rare opportunity to see the singer/songwriter Camille Bloom in a very intimate setting, and from the trajectory of her career, this may be a rare opportunity. Read Timothy Grisham's interview with Camille Bloom regarding her new album and touring life in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

The Olympia Ballroom Olympia - Downtown. Battle At The Ballroom, featuring Bucharest Drinking Team vs. Erev Rav. All Ages. 9 pm. $8-$10.

Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma - Downtown. Psychedelic Shadow Show. 9 pm.

The Royal Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Legalize My Smile Party with Elbow Coulee and The DaveBenSamTrio. 9 pm. $5.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Rafael Tranquilino. 9 pm.

Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe Tacoma - Eastside. Tex, Piko Panda. 10 pm. NC.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. Dana Lyons. All Ages. 8 pm. $5-$12.

LINK: Friday, Dec. 7 live music and DJs in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Rain, hi 45, lo 36

Saturday: Chance of rain, hi 43, lo 39

Sunday: Chance of rain, hi 48, lo 41

>>> FRIDAY, DEC. 7: LEGALIZE MY SMILE PARTY

Hey, in case you've been hiding in a closet, weed is now legal! Hooray! Friday, The Royal in Olympia is celebrating Washington's new found freedom with a Legalize My Smile Party at 9 p.m.  The party features up and comers Elbow Coulee and The DaveBenSamTrio, busting out their space funk and dance rock. Pay $5 at the door and a world of irie smiles will greet you. Make sure you bust out your finest Zig-Zags and Cush, roll up some love, smoke it like there's no tomorrow and dance your ass off in celebration. For info on how much you can posses and other details of this fresh law, check out local lawyer advice in our South Sound Sidekick column. — Nikki McCoy

• The Royal Lounge, 9 p.m., $5, 311 Capitol Way N., Olympia, 360.705.0760

>>> SATURDAY, DEC. 8: HILLTOP ARTISTS HOLIDAY GLASS SALE

Tacoma is filled with local shops, galleries and antique stores where you can take your holiday shopping local - but the Hilltop Artists Holiday Glass Sale is at a whole ‘nother level. Not only can you shop locally, but you can support an important youth program, a program that produces sweet talent at that, and you can find fantastic artwork at the most reasonable prices in town. The sale will feature everything from flame-worked beads to paperweights to vases. Prices range from under a dollar for beads, to $15 to $25 for vases or cups, to $150 for vases. Large, wavy bowls can be as high as $375, but look into how much Chihuly charges to understand just how much of a deal this is.

• Jason Lee Middle School, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 602 N. Sprague, Tacoma, 253.571.7670
  

>>> SATURDAY, DEC. 8: DUCK THE MALLS

Duck The Malls sounds fun on paper. If nothing else, this holiday sale to benefit the Olympia Film Society cuts out so much of the guesswork and crap of going to a regular flea market: With just the freaks on board selling their Yaz CDs, hipster bicycles and Ronald McDonald drinking glasses, you're sure to be steering clear of screaming babies and the scary men selling kicker boxes and enormous knives. Meanwhile, you may finally pick up that home-tattooing manual you've always wanted, along with that Boss phaser pedal whatshisname uses. You know there's going to be that moment where somebody runs into her ex, who's behind a table selling everything she ever gave him. Read Nikki McCoy's feature on this year's Duck The Malls in the Weekly Volcano's Style section. — Weekly Volcano

• Capitol Theater, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 206 Fifth Ave., Olympia, 360.754.6670
  

>>> SUNDAY DEC. 9: LET IT SNOW COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

Sugar and spice and everything free is the song for Sunday's Let It Snow community festival, a merry, merry tradition that's ho-ho-hosted every year by the Tacoma Art Museum. The free community event lights up at 10 a.m. and includes dance performances and festive music. While the entertainment fills the main floor, free craft projects will be offered upstairs. Create a pop-up holiday card for family and friends, or buy something cool in the gift shop. Everything the Tacoma Art Museum envisioned this holiday season comes to fruition Sunday.

• Tacoma Art Museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free admission, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4258

>>> SUNDAY DEC. 9: EUPHORIA MARIE SORENSEN BENEFIT

Musicians and the community will come together at The New Frontier Lounge to show support for Euphoria Marie Sorensen, who was hit by a truck Oct. 29. She remains hospitalized in serious condition and suffered several injuries including many broken ribs and a broken arm and had to have her right lung removed. The benefit show will help cover the extensive hospital costs and will provide support for community members affected by the accident. Sorensen is a mother, an artist and a good friend to many. A Leaf, Death By Stars, Looking For Lizards, Deborah Page and DJ Melodica will play their hearts out, providing healing and hope for the community. Local businesses and individuals are also contributing to the cause, offering items for a raffle and silent auction. Word has it the event will be taped so Sorensen can enjoy the music and love too. — NM

• The New Frontier Lounge, 4 p.m., suggested donation of $5, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253. 572.4020

>>> SUNDAY, DEC. 9: NO GOD, NO MASTER

No God, No Master benefit screening for Northwest Grand Jury Resistors is this Sunday at the Capitol Theater. The benefit is for the remaining Northwest imprisoned resistors: KteeO Olejnik and Matt Duran. The film is described as a "gritty but beautifully rendered period piece set in the early 20th century that is an eerie parallel to the war on political outsiders and immigrants that is going on today." This on-screen chapter out of American Anarchist history will have a Q and A via Skype with Director Terry Green and there will be an information table and additional speakers at the screening. The screening is sponsored by The Reef, where KteeO worked as a waitress. The two have been in custody for over two months. More information about the Grand Jury Resistors can be found here. — NM

• Capitol Theater, 7 p.m., suggested donation of $5-$15, 206 Fifth Ave., Olympia, 360.754.6670

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
This is an exciting weekend for me, as it marks one of my last before the end of the world. I'm joining a handful of Volcano staffers aka Quetzalcoatl worshipers on Saturday night to usher in the Dark Times with a decadent gourmet dinner and a variety of barely legal intoxicants. Save us, O might Itzamna!

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
Friday, I'll swing by the Jeff Buckley Tribute Show at the New Frontier. Saturday, I'm going to a super secret squirrel party. (Super secret if the others haven't already talked about it here.)

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
I'm throwing a big party in celebration of the publication of my new book, Return to Freedom, with a dramatic reading featuring four fabulous actors: Michael and Heather Christopher, Jennie Jenks and Christine Goode. That's Saturday afternoon. Friday night I'm going to see Olympia Family Theater's Wind in the Willows at SPSCC.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
Alright. Well what will be a strange, sad and exciting night Saturday I will be attending a Volcano end-of-the world party as well as a memorial benefit show for a dear friend. All I can be certain of is I'm going to be completely wasted. I apologize in advance and hope that Sunday is full of bed covers and no regrets.

JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
Today, I'll be teaching the Spoken-Word/Poetry class at D.A.S.H. and helping out with the Art of Hip-Hop Program. It goes down from 5 p.m. 'til we're done! Then I'll head to The Loch's and catch a heavy-hitting local line-up of hip-hop, with Island Trybe, Second Family, Po Boxx and Tha Committee. Saturday and Sunday I'll be helping my D.A.S.H. family with their production of Dream Girls. This is the last weekend of the show, so it's also yo last chance to see it and support D.A.S.H.!

JACKIE FENDER Food Writer
I'm already doing a happy dance in anticipation of the weekend's happenings. Saturday, I'll be on the big yellow bus helping guide the Shift your Shopping tours. And Sunday I will be getting all gussied up and attending PNB's Nutcracker, the first time I've had the pleasure to do so.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
Continuing with the Christmas spirit of the last two weekends, The 2 year old, husband and I will head back to Polar Plaza for our second round of ice skating.  Afterward the boy and I will ride a camel all while our good friend plays paparazzi for our Christmas photos. That evening we will head to Zoolights and then have friends over for dinner. I'll also be reviewing The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Lakewood Playhouse Sunday.

TIMOTHY GRISHAM Music Writer
It has been a very unbalanced week for the Olympia community; and frankly it has been hard to concentrate on anything beyond the immediate. With the stabbing death of a beloved local, the celebration of same-sex unions and legalized marijuana - this week has had its share of ups and downs for a lot of people in the South Puget Sound. I had originally planned on going to the King Tuff show, which I may still do. The band has the goods, and it is a great opportunity to see them in a small venue (Northern). I also promised my mother-in-law I'd take her to Zoolights!

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Photog About Town
I'll be heading down the the Dickens Festival in Stadium Saturday then Marie's benefit show on Sunday and then Tacoma Cult Film Club movie night at the Acme to round out the weekend.

NIC LEONARD Music Writer
A friend and local skateboard legend Casey Heath was murdered on Monday in olympia. This weekend I will be attending and playing benefit shows for his family at Le Voyeur and McCoys

ROCKFORD ROWLEY All-Ages Music Columnist
This weekend my friend and I are headed over to Cashmere, Wash. to visit some friends and attend a dessert party. We'll probably also visit Leavenworth, and enjoy the faux Bavarian town during its holiday season.

JENNI BOREN Features Writer
Why, I'm headed to LA this weekend for a trip that is 20 percent business, 80 percent karaoke-ing on a Saturday night with my old cronies.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar