MONDAY, NOV 5, 2012 >>>

1. Flamenco song and dance is - pretty much - sexier than you'll ever be (even if you grow your hair out like Antonio Banderas). It's a bummer. Luckily, like an un-sexy sponge, you can sop up the sexy sweat Flamenco exudes and use it to your advantage. Flamenco Casa Patas will hit the Washington Center in Olympia tonight. Direct from Madrid, Spain, the show promises a thrilling adventure with new lead dancer Karen Lugo, dancer Jose Maldonado and their eclectic instruments and voices. Be free. 8 p.m., $21-$32, Washington Center, 512 Washington St., Olympia, 360.753.8586

2. The stretch of Pacific Avenue from Seventh to 17^th streets in downtown Tacoma will finally receive a makeover thanks to nearly $4 million in state and federal public works grants that arrived this summer, bringing the total to $8.3 million to add new sidewalks, street lighting, paving, shared roadway bicycle markings (sharrows), green stormwater infrastructure including 14 new rain gardens and new landscaping. All the players in the project will gather at 9:30 a.m. for a groundbreaking ceremony to kickoff construction of the Pacific Avenue Streetscape Project. 9:30 a.m., Fireman's Park, 803 A St., Tacoma

3. You know what makes a kick ass happy hour more kick ass? When Kim Archer performs during it. Known for her raw, powerhouse performances and personable interaction with her audiences, Archer will make $5 wells that much better. 4 p.m., no cover, Salty's at Redondo Beach, 28201 Redondo Beach Drive. S., Des Moines, 253.946.0636

4. The Northwest Repertory Singers will be practicing for its Strike the Harp, Ring the Bells, Sound the Oboe Christmas concert, which will be staged in the middle of December. And when the NWS practices, it goes big and invites the public. It's never too early for traditional carols and favorite songs of the season. OK, maybe it is, but whatever. 7-9:30 p.m., free, Mason Methodist Church, 2710 N. Madison, Tacoma

5. The S.R.O. Swing Band, described as a "16-piece jazz band playing music from the ‘30s and ‘40s, will perform an all-ages show tonight at the Imperial Dragon. 7 p.m., no cover, Imperial Dragon, 6805 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.565.5477

LINK: Monday, Nov. 5 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FOOD NETWORK VS THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

There's been some excitement buzzing around the South this week about a certain 1967 Chevy Camaro SS Convertible cruising through Tacoma, Puyallup and Olympia. Not because it's a sexy hue of red and hot, but rather it sports the license plate FLVRTWN.

Wait.

Guy Fieri - champion of season two's Next Food Network Star, and host of the Food Network series Guy's Big Bite AND the ever-popular Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives - has been known to appear in one such vehicle.

Yup.

Fieri and the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives crew spent the last week interviewing, eating and hugging the South Sound.

Nearly two months ago Chef Charlie McManus learned Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives was interest in the neighborhood pub he and his partner, Jacqueline Plattner, transformed from a beloved breakfast joint then semi-beloved steak joint into their street-food slinging, buttermilk fried chicken cookin', craft cocktail pouring Crown Bar on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue.

Then nothing. Nil. Not a peep from food-centric producers. The word out of food central was as dark as the paint on the Murray Morgan Bridge.

TGIFood Channel. Word came the preceding Friday the show's crew would be arriving Sunday, Oct. 28. McManus and his fellow chef spent that Sunday in the kitchen preparing dishes for close-up shots; Monday, producers filmed crowd responses while long-time cheerful Crown employees Chelsea and Kevin darted between cameras; Fieri dropped Thursday sharing his humor, appetite and amped-up rasp of a voice with McManus and crew.

After the Crown Bar, the cast and crew jumped into the convertible and drove down the street to Dirty Oscar's.

Though almost neighbors, both "dive"(?) bars prove that approachable ambiance and comfort does not equate to having to serve up traditional bar grub. As a matter of fact both establishments use adventurous ingredients and unconventional flair to make dishes anything but what one expects from bar bites.

Chef Aaron Grissom of Dirty Oscar's tells me of Fieri that the guy has a sense of humor. Boys will be boys after all and jesterly behavior is expected in a kitchen. Fieri was no exception. If you've every viewed the show Fieri's playfulness and exuberance is not merely showmanship.

After Dirty Oscar's, Fieri headed toward Puyallup to Crockett's Public House for pub style nibbles. Crockett's posted photos on Facebook of its Diners, Drive Ins and Dives entrees - including its signature Public House Meatballs.

After a stint at Tacoma's Bruno's European Cafe for authentic German cuisine, the convertible drove south for visits with Fish Tale Brew Pub and Darby's Café in downtown Olympia.  At Darby's someone may have overheard some talk about Oysters Creole, though one of its many vegan delights as a feature wouldn't surprise me. The tiny café has quite the selection for the non-meat eaters.

Word on the street is the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives crew whooped it up once filming finished. Apparently some South Sound fans died and went to Food Network groupie heaven.

During all of the filming and noshing Fieri made time to do some good by making an appearance at Saint Martin's Gala, held in Lacey's Saint Martin's University, where he hosted a black tie auction with proceeds benefiting student's scholarship funds. Fieri also met with soldiers and culinary specialists at Madigan Army Medical Center.

Though no date has been announced you can expect the show to be featured in the spring with a start of a new Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives season.

Pappi Swarner contributed to this story.

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Key Peninsula Civic Center Vaughn. Bottom Line Duo, featuring Spencer & Traci Hoveskeland. All Ages. 8 pm. $10-$15.

Red Lion Hotel Olympia. The Russ Hubley Trio. 8 pm.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Ben Union, Whiskey Syndicate, Res Deus. 8 pm. $7-$10.

Cryptatropa Bar Olympia - Downtown. Dark Disco, with Ghost Feet, DJ Genie Factory, DJ Komakatt, DJ Hobess, DJ Wetdik. 10 pm. donations.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Fabulous Downey Brothers, Glass Elevator. 9 pm.

Harmon Tap Room Tacoma - Stadium District. Hillbilly Jesus. 9 pm.

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. Maurice The Fish Presents: The Frosted Hearts, The Vaudeville Gallows, Stripe Valley Sway, North Oaks Project, Jeff Ross. All Ages. 8 pm.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Moss Brothers, Taist of Iron. 9 pm.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. SweetKiss Momma. 9 pm.

The Lochs Tacoma - Downtown. Vattnet Viskar. All Ages. 7 pm. $8.

C.I. Shenanigans Tacoma - Northend. KC Brakes. 7-10 pm.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Doc Hollywood's Delorean Music Release Party, with Hollywood Kill Krew, Double B, Hopped Up Metaforesters, George Dopez, Visualnoize. 9 pm. NC.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. Correo Aereo. All Ages. 8 pm. $10-$15.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. Stay Grounded reggae. 8 pm.

What else?

LINK: More live music and DJs Nov. 3 in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

IN THEIR WORDS >>>

This past winter a spambot out of China infiltrated the Weekly Volcano's calendar system filling it with love gone wrong, genuine college degrees, the Hon. Sid Dooku III and odd verb placement.

It was a nightmare.

Webmaster Zack, hopped up on beef noodle soup and shaojiu in some sort of method coding zone, killed the Chinese threat and restore the public's ability to enter its own events into our calendar system.

Shrieks of joy could be heard from Calendar Kate's office in Wing C at Weekly Volcano World Headquarters.

The public responded, clicking our calendar button and adding its South Sound events, which load into our online calendars as well as exporting to our print product.

Last night, as the people of China walk the streets in daylight, Olympia musician Pythias Braswell logged into our system and posted two shows he'll be partaking in over the next week: a house show tomorrow night and a gig at Northern Nov. 8. Braswell took full advantage of the opportunity, adding a flavor to his posts only those who love alien lasers could.

Come see the Amazing Thing at the Guest House this Sunday!

Joe Fletcher will magically exorcise graveyard blues using only a railroad spike and a handful of brick dust! Pythias will operate Alien Language to Channel the Memories of a Vagabond! Jonah will lightning-afy your face with his Guitar Hands! Caitlin will hypnotize woodland creatures with her voice! Let's build a fire folks, with you there staring into it, and you there and you there and that person!

Sounds like something to see.

GUEST HOUSE, SUNDAY, NOV. 4, 8 P.M., $3-$5, THE GUEST HOUSE, 1121 FOURTH AVE. W., OLYMPIA           

FRIDAY, NOV. 2, 2012 >>>

1. Hip-hop/funk group Nappy Roots brings its Kentucky-fried soul and funk to Jazzbones behind the new mixtape, Sh!t's Beautiful. "We wanted to make a project that's able to promote our upcoming releases, as well as introduce the world to the individuals who make up the collective known as Nappy Roots," member Skinny Deville told AllHipHop.com. "We try to make the best music possible and hit as many cities as we can, and without the fans' support, none of that would be possible." With DJ Victor Menegaux, 8 p.m., $10-$15, Jazzbones, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169

2. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Kareem Kandi got an early start playing the saxophone, picking it up at age 11 while attending Washington Hoyt Elementary. Today, Kandi divides his time teaching jazz improvisation as an artist in residence at The Tacoma School of the Arts, directing the award winning student jazz ensemble at Pierce College, conducting master classes and workshops at schools around the Puget Sound area and maintaining a full load of private students. Oh, he also plays a mean sax in joints around the South Sound, such as tonight at Uncle Thurm's. Joining Kandi will David Deacon-Joyner on piano, Clipper Anderson on bass and Mark Ivester on drums. 7 p.m., no cover, Uncle Thurm's Finger Licken Ribs & Chicken, 3709 S. G St., Tacoma, 253.475.1881

3. A winter storm of ski and snowboard video premiere parties will pummel the South Sound over the next two months, as local theaters roll out the white carpet for local/national/international filmmakers.  Tonight, Northwest Snowboards hosts a Winter Video Premiere at the Capitol Theater in Olympia. Expect locally made skate and snowboard videos along with nationally acclaimed snowboard videos, plus killer raffle prizes like snowboards, skateboards, gear and more. 7 p.m., $7-$8, bar for 21+, Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave., Olympia, 360.754.6670

4. "Nightmare scenarios of the End may turn out to be a dramatic device intended to awaken people to deeper levels of awareness as life reaches not a final end, but a vital edge of revelation rippling with new discoveries and surprising insights." Nice. Author and mythologist Michael Meade wrote those words in his book, Why the World Doesn't End: Tales of Renewal in Times of Loss. Discover what other tidbits Meade might drop on the world tonight at the Epworth-Lesourd Methodist Church. Proceeds support at-risk youth and multicultural projects. 7 p.m., free, $12, 710 S. Anderson St., Tacoma.

5. Tacoma Opera will open season with Mozart's comedy Cosi fan tutte tonight at the Rialto Theater. This production will mark Tacoma Opera's new general director's first full season as head of the company and will also mark his Tacoma Opera debut as stage director of Cosi fan tutte. The Tacoma Symphony Orchestra provides the soundtrack. 8 p.m., $25-$66, Rialto Theater, 310 S. Ninth, Tacoma, 253.591.5894

LINK: Friday, Nov. 2 arts and events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Yesterday's comment of the day comes from Great Job who is a little upset over a summer hire at the Olympia Film Society, an organization set on mending fences.

Great Job writes,

Well, they did a great job fixing the situation, because in July they hired Thom Mayes. If anyone had taken the time to check the Lincoln Theatre's 990, a nonprofit's tax return that you can find for free at GuideStar.com, you'd see that Thom left the Lincoln Theatre as their executive director, $50,000 in debt. Debt they did not have prior to Thom's appointment to the organization. Since then, he's jumped positions a few times in a few years, and his background in administration, outside of being an artist, consists of telemarketing for the Seattle opera. I'm not sure why arts organizations are so set to fail. There are so many good, strong, solid people out there and yet, they continue to hire people with little relevant experience, shaky job records and those who leave organizations in worse financial positions than they were found. So, great luck OFS--you'll need it!

SATURDAY NIGHT IS ALL RIGHT FOR MOONWALKING >>>

"Living the Dream," is an event that benefits South Sound Parent to Parent and Up With Down Syndrome Support Group, both local nonprofit organizations that support individuals and their families with disabilities.

Saturday night a full-on Michael Jackson memory performance will happen at the 1230 Room in Olympia. The MJ performance will be put on by Rhythm Fire School of Music and Performance featuring 19 performers - ranging from a 7-year-old singer to adults - all "living the dream."

The spear header for the event, and I might say star of the show is Dylan Kuehl, a 29-year-old drummer living with Down's syndrome. His mother, Terri Rose, is the events planner and she tells me that Kuehl has been playing drums since he was 3.

"He's been very passionate about playing Michael Jackson. He wanted a whole show. He was relentless about it," adds Rose.

The school, which usually only does a few song performances, finally gave in, and granted the students permission to do 16 songs, with rotating performers.

Kuehl will be lead drummer, but there will also be keyboards, trumpets, electric violin and other instruments.

"It's going to be rich," Rose says, with a smile in her voice.

Ethan Tucker will fill the gaps with reggae and folk tunes.

The event also features a Michael Jackson costume and dance contest with $100 going out to the winners.

Kuehl is also an international award-winning artist. If you bring three cans of food, you score an original Kuehl. You could also win fused glass jewelry by Kuehl as part of a raffle.

[1230 Room, Michael Jackson Memory Band with Ethan Tucker, Saturday, Nov. 3, 6-10 p.m., all ages, $10, 111 Washington St., Olympia]

THURSDAY, NOV. 1-7, 2012 >>>

In this week's issue, Kristin Kendle chats with Shannon Patten, owner of Legendary Doughnuts, the innovative doughnut shop opening this week on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue. Kendle discovered that the buttercream base used in many of the fillings and frostings is made with - drum roll - real butter! The joint crafts the craziest makes and models, including the Captain Jack Sparrow doughnut.

Art at Work: Tacoma's Arts Month kicks off tonight at the Tacoma Art Museum. It's a collective of events and exhibits packaged into one exciting month by the Tacoma Arts Commission. Some of these happenings take place year-round, others are Art at Work specific, but all of them invite the public out to see why Tacoma is such an amazingly artsy community.

"Our fall menu has some fun new items, like the Happy Hour Bottle Caps - spicy breaded deep-fried jalapeños with umami mayo - really spicy - really delicious if you like things hot like I do," says Gordon Naccarato. "Also my Chef Jessica came up with an Asian-style red curry Dungeness crab-dip served with won tons that is a fun take on that Northwest staple." That's right, we grabbed the scoop on Pacific Grill's fall menu.

The Stacy Jones Band will play Jazzbones Sunday, along with six other artists and bands as part of the "Back to Beale Street Blues" benefit for the South Sound Blues Association, to send its "band of the year" winners - House of Bourbon and Blues Redemption - to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn. in January. Nikki McCoy falls in love with Jones's voice.  

McCoy also met a woman who was beautiful, intelligent, confident and creative. She has a PhD, she is a successful photographer and she is a world-traveler. She is also a visual voice for the people of Olympia. Her name is Jan Lewis, and she just completed Olympia Portrait Project, an 80-page photo essay book capturing the tapestry of people who work, visit or live in Olympia.

PLUS: Alec Clayton reviews landscapes at Childhood's End Gallery

PLUS: Josh Rizeberg has the scoop on the local Blue Nose Music label

THURSDAY, NOV. 1, 2012 >>>

1. Enrique Iglesias and Marc Anthony have their place in society ... and that place is at the bottom of a deep lake with concrete shoes tied to their feet. If you want to hear some real, authentic Latin-American music, pop into Schneebeck Concert Hall tonight to see Eddie Palmieri, one of the influential pianists and founding fathers of Latin jazz. Hailing from Puerto Rico, Palmieri has had a career spanning five decades that's included recording projects with legendary percussionist Tito Puente and other salsa greats. Known for his richly textured arrangements and intense percussive style, Palmieri (along with renowned percussionist Jose Madera and the University of Puget Sound Jazz Band) will be heating up the stage. 7:30 p.m., $5-$11, Schneebeck Concert Hall, 1500 N. Warner, Tacoma, 253.879.3100

2. Taller-than-average Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist makes his way back to King's Books for his annual Signed Books and Wine Auction, put on by People for Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. The shindig goes down from 5-7 p.m. and features wines and signed books from Maria Semple, Garth Stein, Molly Ringwald, Bret Easton Ellis, Ann Rule and, of course, Lindquist. 5-7 p.m., $25 suggested donation, King's Books, 218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.8801

3. Interested in stopping Coal Export facilities in Tacoma and our state? Attend the coal-scoping workshop tonight at the University of Puget Sound. Host Elanor Hines of NW Straits Chapter leads a discussion on what you can do protect our waterfronts from the impacts of exporting dirty coal. 6-8 p.m., free, Wyatt Hall, Room 307, University of Puget Sound, 1500 N. Warner, 253.879.3100

4. The Tacoma Art Museum will be busier than street sweepers cleaning up candy wrappers. First, it's the weekly Thursdays Ignite night at TAM, which means chillin' with drinks and crafts. Second, The Bead Factory will be in the house leading a Dia de los Muertos bracelet workshop ($20-$30) at 6 p.m. Last, the Tacoma Arts Commission launches Art at Work Month with a party that includes free apps, artists butt slaps and the presentation of the prestigious AMOCAT Awards. 6-8:30 p.m., Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4258

5. Chinese acrobatics and martial arts have become a big deal onstage, from Cirque du Soleil shows to casino revues. Chi of Shaolin: The Tale of the Dragon features the Imperial Acrobats of China, a group formed by Las Vegas producer (and onetime acrobat) Yan Yan Shao. The show utilizes Gung Fu and Wushu martial arts, acrobatics, dance and music to tell a story. 7:30 p.m., $19-$56, Washington Center, 512 Washington St., Olympia, 360.753.8586

LINK: More Nov. 1 events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SCARY DAY, OCT. 31, 2012 >>>

1. The Northern had all their equipment stolen at the end of September. Please join the Brotherhood for a great show to help them recover from the loss: Full Moon Radio, Vex and Carolyn Mark will rock the house. 100 percent of door and 50 percent of bar sales after 9 p.m. to benefit Northern: Olympia All Ages Project. 9 p.m., $5 suggested donation, The Brotherhood Lounge, 311 Capitol Way N.

2. Bring out the little boils and ghouls for safe and sane trick-or-treating in downtown Sumner. The City even closes the street for the safety of the kids who will be celebrating along main street as they show off their costumes and receive treats from the merchants. 5 - 7 p.m., You can also trick-or-treat in the historic Proctor District of Tacoma from 4 - 6 p.m., and in downtown Olympia from 3 - 6 p.m.

3. Spend Halloween in the historical State Theater and experience the spooky tale of The Golem, written and performed by Daniel Flint and starring live music by Jupiter Rex. The Golem follows the story of Athanasius Pernath, a jeweler in Prague's Jewish ghetto in the late 19th century who is afflicted with a curious amnesia. When a strange man enters Pernath's life with a mysterious book, the jeweler begins his descent into a labyrinth of murder, madness, and plots of revenge and unrequited love that eventually bring him face to face with his own dark past and mortality. 8 p.m., $20, Harlequin Productions, State Theater, 202 4th Avenue East, Olympia, 360.786.0151.

4. The Spazmatics will provide a nerdy good time with 80's covers tonight at Jazzbones. Costume contest with $100 prize, drink specials and fun! 9 p.m. $7, Jazzbones, 2803 6th Ave, Tacoma, 253.396.9169.

5. Haunted Dance Night at the Deltan Club brings a costume contest, ghoulish go-go- dancers and entertainment. Ghoulish go-go dancers? Sold. 9 p.m., Deltan Club, 733 Commerce Street, Tacoma.
Tacoma.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South South