WE BROUGHT OUR CAMERAS >>>

Around 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, Tacoma artist James Grayson Sinding dumped hundreds of hand-painted wooden words, refrigerator-magnet-style, onto the plaza in an installation he calls Words. This public art installation opening was in conjunction with the Tacoma Art Museum's "Free Summer Community Festival: Best of the Northwest" in which colorful chalk was also dropped on the Plaza. See Words here.

The 15th annual Proctor Arts Fest featured sidewalk sales, an art show, more than 100 arts vendors, live music and family fun galore on a partly sunny Aug. 6 day in Tacoma's Proctor District. Artwork and events were featured up and down North Proctor and 26th Street. Photographer Steve Dunkelberger and Pappi Swarner and his crappy camera documented the event here.

While the pre-69 traditional hotrod and custom car show yesterday around The New Frontier Lounge was bitchin' cool it was the Rebel Riot Pinup Contest that drew many of the eyes. Hosted by The Pinup Angles and Miss Kitty Baby, ladies in swimsuits strutted around the warm summer day in vintage or vintage-inspired suits representing 1940s-1960s. Photographer Steve Dunkelberger was on the scene.

LINK: Upload your photos to our Flickr group

TAKE ME BACK HOME YEAH >>>

I grew up in a small Oregon rural town reared among an extended family of Bularian immigrants who fished for a living, who drank Oly out of cans and drove Chevy pickups that were bashed in from sideswiping trees. I lost my virginity by walking a wooded trail behind my house to visit a sweet gal who lived in a propped doublewide and whose aunt drove my school bus. My favorite smell is musty motorboat, and I think making fart sounds with my hands is hilarious.

I felt right at home last night at the Backstage Bar & Grill when owners Joy Hutt and Stephen Tippins tied the knot during their White Trash Mondays theme night. Complete with 40-ounce beers and all things fishnet, it was awesome. Weekly Volcano photographer Steve Dunkelberger was in the house, too.

Newlyweds Joy Hutt and Stephen Tippins

Bridesmaid Bre Holstine and newly weds Joy Hutt and Stephen Tippins

The wedding party

Channal Waters and Bre Holstine

Karaoke with dancing

LINK: More photos of the night

YEE-HAW! >>>

In our weekly editorial meeting at the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters, it was brought to us bloggers' attention that evidence has been found of a hidden genome, somewhere in the phalanges, that causes forefingers to click a mouse whenever the words "First Peek" or "Bra" appear. It's bizarre, but we thought let's mash them together and see if the universe implodes upon itself!

Want to?

Here's a first peek at the new Buck Wild Saloon on the edge of Parkland that encourages women to donate their bras for the joint's rafters. Buck Wild Saloon hosts live country, classic and modern rock in a country and western-theme environment. They offer dude food, dancing girls, pool tables, a mechanical bull, food and military discounts.

[Buck Wild Saloon, 11401 Steele St. S., Tacoma, 253.537.0801]

SPARKED >>>

Retired South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu told thousands of young people in the Tacoma Dome Friday night that they are needed to carry out God's plans for the world and make their communities a better place to live. More than 15,000 youngsters and adults came to hear Tutu's message.

Tutu, 79, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his nonviolent efforts to end apartheid in South Africa, headlined a two-hour program celebrating hope with rockin' performances by Washington High School Step Team, Crystal Aikin, Ben Union, Quest Crew, The Morgan Family YMCA Dance Company performed and other local singers and dancers – all orchestrated by The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation.

Weekly Volcano photographer Steve Dunkelberger was in the house.

LINK: More Be The Spark photos in the Photo Hot Spot

WE GOT OFF OUR ASSES >>>

The week includes images from Micro Mondays with DJ Melodica at Magoo's Annex, STINK - Cheese and Meats opening Thursday, Third Thursday Artwalk in downtown Tacoma, the Artifakt show Friday at Hell's Kitchen, the Weekly Volcano Summer Guide photo shoot at Owens Beach Saturday, Dockyard Derby Dames Allstars battle with Canada Saturday, Baby Gramps at Bob's Java Jive Saturday and Gritty City Sirens burlesque show Saturday at Stonegate Pizza.

LINK: More photos from Monday night at Magoo's

LINK: More photos from Artifakt at Hell's Kitchen (NSFW)

LINK: More photos from Saturday's Dockyard Derby Dames bout

LINK: More photos from Baby Gramps show

WISH YOU THE BEST SEAN! >>>

Magoo's Annex and Eatery in Tacoma's Northend neighborhood is taking back Monday nights with DJ Melodica working his vinyl collection loaded with New Wave, post punk, early electronica and garage. Magoo's slices its micro brew price to $2.75 a pint.

Last Monday, the University of Puget Sound hangout collided with Sean Alexander's farewell gathering. It was the perfect storm.

LINK: More photos from last Monday at Magoo's

LET'S LOOK AT PHOTOS >>>

Tacomas pop/rock band Not From Brooklyn joined a powerful bill at The New Frontier Lounge last night that included Santee, PWRFL Power and Blank Fortunes. Weekly Volcano photographer Steve Dunkelberger snapped a few shots during Not From Brooklyn's set. Enjoy >>>

LINK: What's going down tonight

WEEKLY VOLCANO FLICKR GROUP >>>

Jim Oliver, or jimoliverphotography on Flickr, posted a beautiful shot of a morning high tide at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge on the Weekly Volcano Flickr Group. 

LINK: Upload your photos on the Weekly Volcano Flickr Group

SEASON FIVE OPENER >>>

Last night inside the Pierce College Health Ed. Center, Tacoma's roller derby league - the Dockyard Derby Dames - opened its fifth season with fierce battles. It was a sold out bout that had some of the closes scores on record. The Femme Fianna would pull away from the Marauding Mollys with incredible moves and strategy, only to have the gap diminished. In the end, the Fianna edged the Mollys 138 to 125. And how many times was Femme Fianna's Snickerbrutal in the penalty box?

The Trampires and Hellbound Homewreckers match was just brutal - the floor was littered with bodies. After around five minutes of tally, and tally again, the season four champions The Trampires bit the Homewreckers by one point, 145 to 144.

Here are a few photos from last night's bout.

Check out more photos in our Photo Hot Spot.

LINK: Upcoming DyDD bouts

PHOTO HOT SPOT >>>

Tacoma photographer Jim Oliver posted this photo, Next Door to Leroy's and One Flight Up, on the Weekly Volcano's Flickr Group. This amazing shot is "straight out of the camera," according to Oliver.

LINK: Join the Weekly Volcano Flickr Group

LINK: Weekly Volcano Photo Hot Spot