TUESDAY, AUG. 20, 2013 >>>

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. At 6:30 p.m. you may kick back with Archer's heavy soul and groove when she and her funky band performs outside at Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor. They'll be dancing on the lawn tonight.

2. Leave it to The Grand Cinema to fill this void with something fresh and inspiring for local movie lovers. Since 2010, the theater has built a tradition out of its annual "25 New Faces" festival. More than 30 original works made their way into a fest that found its genesis in the way, way back of 1998, the year Filmmaker Magazine published its very first "25 New Faces of Independent Film" list. The film contunes to roll today with a bunch of collected shorts from the talent screening at 1, 6:15 and 8:30 p.m. Read Christopher Wood's full feature on the fest here.

3. Tonight at The Brotherhood Lounge, voted "Best Bar" years after year in the Weekly Volcano's Best of Olympia issue, will give 50 percent of its happy hour sales from 4-7 p.m. to the Thurston County Food Bank. The Brotherhood is the best.

4. Randy Linder's tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival hits Red Wind Casino at 8 p.m.

5. Idaho hardcore band Bone Dance brings its extreme metal and a new self-titlked LP to The New Frontier Lounge for a 9 p.m. show of sludge and doom.

LINK: Tuesday, Aug. 20 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

It's 1977. You and a friend just busted some serious disco moves and you're taking a dance floor breather with a couple cool Chi-Chi drinks. You discuss your John Travolta moves, which leads into your love of Saturday Night Fever - and 30 minutes later the cocktail napkin has your Bill and Chucks Cinema plans in order: Find yourself an auditorium, some padded seats, put up a screen, buy a ton of popcorn - oh, and you'll need a projector, but nothing too highfalutin. The 35-millimeter film will be around forever, so that's a no-brainier.

(Cue flapping film reel sound)

Anyone hoping to open a small theater in 2013 has to deal with much tougher circumstances. Everything is digital now. And the digital equipment is expensive - ask the Blue Mouse Theatre, The Grand Cinema and the Olympia Film Society.

Traditions Fair Trade has offered to host a week of free musical performances encouraging audience members to contribute to the Olympia Film Society's digital campaign for the Capitol Theater. The musicians are donating their time. Special incentives are part of various contribution levels. Vegan sandwiches will be prepared.

Scheduled to perform are Hootenany (2 p.m. July 28), Choro Tomorrow (3 p.m. July 29), Joe Baque (3 p.m. July 30), Mucho Gusto (3 p.m. July 31), Red & Ruby (3 p.m. Aug. 1), Tarik Bentlemsani (2 p.m., Aug. 2), Dan Walker and Shannon DeLong (3 p.m. Aug. 3) and a Jazz Jam (2:30 p.m., Aug. 4).

Much has changed since 1977. Ask my hairline. Love for cinema hasn't. Help keep the Capitol Theater alive, and enjoy some awesome music.

TRADITIONS FAIR TRADE, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia, 360.705.2819

FRIDAY, JULY 26 2013 >>>

1. The opening, titular track of Old Age's latest release, Rain Won't Ever Come, begins with a ragged lead vocal surrounded on all sides by boozy oohs and la las. The track is slightly reminiscent of the Beatles' "Don't Let Me Down," all shaggy and full of feeling. Old Age have a way about them - a way of conveying that they have all of this feeling but not the right instruments for letting that feeling out. If they were a bunch of virtuosos, you know they'd prefer it, but they have what they have and in the meantime there's a whole lot of heartache to get out there. Just like "Rain Won't Ever Come" might suggest, Old Age are somewhat enamored of classic rock. There's a lot of attention paid to simple melodies and heartfelt deliveries. At times, Old Age begins to resemble that odd mixture of classic rock idolatry and '90s sensibilities that defined groups like Oasis.Catch them with Bandolier and the Nadines at 9 p.m. in The New Frontier Lounge. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on Old Age in Northwest Military's Music & Culture section.

2. Racing legend Mario Andretti will be in Puyallup from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to help celebrate the grand opening of a Firestone Complete Auto Care store. As a longtime test driver for Firestone, he helped develop the racing tire that led to many of his most notable achievements: victories in the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500, three Champ Car National Championships and the F1 World Championship. Andretti's partnership with the Firestone brand spans four decades. Andretti's partnership with you lasts two hours.

3. Who doesn't love goodies bags? Nine Lives Vintage Wears has moved to Tacoma's Antique Row and it's throwing a grand opening party from 5:30-8 p.m., which will include goodie bags for 25 lucky people.

4. Catch the awesome R&B powerhouse that is Kim Archer at 8 p.m. in Jazzbones.

5. Charge up your phones and start finger flexin' for textin', Olympia ... because tonight, Reefer Madness - with its depictions of wholesome teenagers driven to murder, suicide and really energetic piano playing - hits the big screen and the Capitol Theater will enable you - yes, you - to text your smartass commentary throughout the film, then have your texts instantly pop up onscreen! There has never been a night like this before, nor will there ever be one like it again. It will be glorious. The night to end all nights begins at 9 p.m.

LINK: Friday, July 26 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THURSDAY, JULY 25 2013 >>>

1. The Grand Cinema teaches science in a different way: First it secures a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation to pair films with lessons in science. Next, it invites notable figures from the world of science, technology and medicine to give introduction lessons using those long pointer sticks to tap the screen while nodding their heads. Each film is used as a jumping off point for the speaker to reveal current scientific research or technological advances, providing the perfect combination of entertainment and enlightenment - even for the most science-phobic culture vulture. Then, of course, everyone watches the film, paying close attention to key factor brought to light by the big brains before the screening. Science on Screen kicks ends its run at 6:45 p.m. with a screening of Obselidia, a bittersweet love story about a librarian who complies an encyclopedia of "obselete things," and tries to live his life surrounded by objects that technology has rendered extinct. Dr. Elizabeth Fortenbery, a sociology professor at Tacoma Community College, will discuss what can be lost when a language disappears.

2. Freddy Pink will play blues and clssic rock at 6:30 p.m. in Puyallup's Pioneer Park.

3. Pacific Lutheran University continues its 15 annual Jazz Under the Stars concert series tonight from 7-9 p.m. The series, a different band every Thursday through Aug. 15, features singer Stephanie Porter tonight.

4. The Kareem Kandi Band will fill the lobby of the Hotel Murano with jazz from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.

5. Cairo, Show + Tell and DJ Melodica entertain at 9 p.m. in The New Frontier Lounge.

LINK: Thursday, July 25 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24 2013 >>>

1. Film is called a medium, but mainstream filmmakers don't employ it in the manner of other artistic media like oils or clay. That's been left to art-film craftsmen like Devon Damonte, who's currently exhibiting handmade, camera-free movie film loops and related graphalia homages and maps to Olympia's historic "Marker Trees," The Hard Rubber Washi Company and others in his "What's the Rub?" show at Northern in downtown Olympia. Damonte and Ruth Hayes taught an animation class this summer at The Evergreen State College and the last day of class culminates with a handmade motion graphics show and party at 7 p.m. in Northern. Expect well-established avant-garde techniques like montage and fast-motion. Don't blink.

2. Pint Defiance hosts Bellingham brewery Boundary Bay for tastes and giggles. Founded in 1995, the brewery has become synonomous with its hometown, and continues to churn out awesome beers at a breakneck pace. From 5-7 p.m. raffle prizes, Imperial IPA, Single Hop Pale and more.

3. Continuing its tour of free area music in the park type summer events, this week the Volcano's girlfriend-activity Doppler highlights Tunes @ Tapps, a weekly musical gathering in Bonney Lake that happens every Wednesday through Aug. 28. At 6:30 p.m. Tunes @ Tapps welcomes The Coats, a vocal band born in front of the cinnamon rolls vendor at Seattle's famous Pike Place Market.

4. Vinum Lounge hosts a comedy show every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. According to our calendar, Reggie X, DD and Ms. Genesis Grizzly will add laughs to the joint at 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Ashyknlicks, and introducing DJ IC, expect a comedy show as interesting as the participants' names.

5. More than anything else, singer songwriter Jim Page is a walkin', singin' acerbic commentary on life.  His lyrical style resembles that of Arlo Guthrie or Bruce Springsteen; rock words trapped inside a folk singer's music. You can't ignore his direct style and compelling message.  Open your ears and mind at 7 p.m. when Page performs at A Rhapsody In Bloom on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue.

LINK: Wednesday, July 24 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

TUESDAY, JULY 23 2013 >>>

1. Coming from the mountain town of Bishop, Calif., the cello-and-banjo duo The Littlest Birds does well in capturing the sort of humbly catchy Dust Bowl-era folk that used to dominate lonely radio stations on long stretches of desolate country road. David Huebner's utilization of the cello is particularly inspired, capturing as it does both the sound and feel of the genre's requisite fiddle, while lending a certain depth that would have been lost without an upright bass or something similar. Catch themat 10 p.m. in Le Voyeur.

2. The film In The House centers on Germain (Fabrice Luchini), a high school literature teacher who regards his students as "barbarians" who can't write. But as he's grading papers one day, Germain reads the essay of a teenager named Claude (Ernst Umhauer), who captivates his instructor with a well-written piece about a classmate and his house: For a long time, Claude used to sit in the park across from the house, admiring it and its "holy family." He wants to see what life is like inside, so he befriends the classmate, Rapha (Bastien Ughetto), by offering to tutor him in math. Faced with this gifted and unusual pupil, the teacher rediscovers his enthusiasm for his work, but the boy's intrusion will unleash a series of uncontrollable events. The film screens at 1:40 and 6:55 p.m. at The Grand Cinema.

3. Add Victorian style to your correspondence by creating a steampunk greeting card with paper crafter Rachel Collins from 3-5 p.m. at the Summit Library.

4. The Beatniks, Seattle's most famous cover band ('60s-'80s) will perform an outside concert at Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor beginning at 6:30 p.m.

5. Every Tuesday night at Stonegate Pizza on South Tacoma Way Leanne Trevalyan hosts an acoustic open mic at 8 p.m.

LINK: Tuesday, July 23 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17 2013 >>>

1. For those with more savory-driven palates, dessert sometimes arrives as an afterthought - something sweet only enjoyed if there's room. But today, downtown Tacoma's collective sweet tooth pulls culinary confections front and center to indulge in a tour of the utmost decadent treat: the Sugar Walk. See the sweet side of Tacoma by joining Downtown On the Go for a 1.1 mile walk, sponsored by TWOKOI Japanese Cuisine, beginning in Tollefson Plaza at 17th and Pacific, and head to the Dome District, with a ride back on the Link. Participants will learn about Tacoma's rich history in candy making from historian and author Ron Magden. Along the route, participants will also be able to sample some of Tacoma's finest candies and baked goods. The walk event is free and there is no need to pre-register, simply show up at noon. 

2. While it's easy to quantify Oly as just a hippie, college town - that's only partially true. A large portion of the population is proudly blue-collar. The most amazing part of all of this is the two demographics - shoeless hippies and hardworking grunts - come together every year for Lakefair, meshing farmer tans with hacky sacks, and creating a fairly unique event disguised as just another summer festival. Think carnies, cotton candy, live music, volleyball, fireworks and all the usual trappings - Olympia style. It runs from noon to 10 p.m. around Capital Lake and Heritage Park, Fifth and Water Street, in downtown Olympia.

3. When William Friedkin submitted his controversial thriller Cruising to the MPAA in 1980, the board demanded that he cut 40 minutes of footage if he wanted to avoid an X rating. The director reluctantly snipped, the film was released with an R rating, and the rest, as some might say, was history. Enter James Franco and documentarian Travis Matthews, who've decided to recreate what they think said footage might have looked like - and the result, Interior: Leather Bar. Despite its billing, there's only 10 minutes or so of footage that takes place inside the bar, and if you're looking for gay porn, you'll find it here, at 6:45 p.m., in The Grand Cinema.

4. You've heard it many times: Practice makes perfect. Doyle's Public House in Tacoma's Stadium District lives by this adage. Every 17th of the month, the watering hole hosts St. Practice Day, a trail run at its annual, massive St. Patrick's Day party. It's a warm-up, if you will. Naturally, rebellious Celtic band Bog Hoppers will provide the soundtrack. Practice starts at 8 p.m. Don't be late or the coach will yell at you.

5. 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. The Kareem Kandi Band heads to Dawson's Bar & Grill's new Wednesday jazz night at 8 p.m. 

LINK: Wednesday, July 17 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

TUESDAY, JULY 16 2013 >>>

1. Tel Aviv may be Israel's gay-friendliest city, but in 2009 two people died during an armed attack on an LGBT youth center that remains unsolved. In response to the attack, which left 15 others injured, director Doran Eran and screenwriter Bill Ben Moshe wrote the emotionally wrenching family drama Melting Away that explores the heartbreak and defiance a gay teen experiences when his parents discover he's gay and kick him out of the house. Catch the film at 2 and 6:45 p.m. in The Grand Cinema.

2. Did you find The Kite Runner hard to put down? Did you find this story about the structure of society in Afghanistan as well as redemption and atonement within one family fascinating? Some people find is disturbing and frightening, which is why it's King's Books' July selection for its monthly Banned Book Club. This is a story about how two boys and two fathers define honor. Unfortunately the two main characters get it wrong and while they try their best, they live their lives dishonorably and dishonestly. Join the discussion at 7 p.m. in Doyle's Public House.

3. Remember last year when you joined the dance portion of Tacoma Buddhist Temple's Bon Odori festival? How you skirted around the circle as if your pants were on fire? Yea, disaster. You need to slow it down this year. In fact, you should attend the 7:30 p.m. dance lesson at the Temple. The Aug. 3 festival is fast approaching. This is the year you won't be laughed out of the sake garden.

4. Summer Sounds At Skansie continues with a 6:30 p.m. by the 133rd Army National Guard Band in Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor.

5. The Railflowers - the sister trio of Hannah, Beth and Ellen Knight - are perhaps the sweetest thing to happen to folk-music scene in quite some time. Catch them at 9 p.m. in Le Voyeur.

LINK: Tuesday, July 16 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SATURDAY, JULY 13 2013 >>>

1. The Tacoma Old Town Rhythm and Blues Festival, founded as the Tacoma Old Town Blues Festival in 1991 by Ted Brown and Mike Mitchell, will add more rhythm to the annual beloved blues festival. From 9:30 a.m. to midnight you'll find the festival back in Tacoma's Old Town Park on North 30th, with eight stages featuring about 22 musical acts, along with many vendors and food. Here's the Tacoma Old Town Rhythm and Blues Festival schedule.

2. Free stuff is good. Better yet, let's talk about free stuff for the entire family - Lakewood Summerfest 2013 at Fort Stialcoom Park. Tons of food, craft and nonprofit vendors will be on hand. (Read: more glass jewelry, organic food petitioners, and meat on a stick than your mom could ever dream of.) If you don't feel like indulging in drippy foods and knitted caps, then there's also going to be pain on triathletes faces to watch, a 5K fun run, Army Strong Fitness Expo, a kids zone ($5), and an outdoor cinema featuring The Princess Bride. Sound good? We're not done. There's also our favorite part of any event - the live entertainment! Expect steel drum band The Islanders, Irish rock band The VooDoos, ‘80s hair band Metal Shop, country twangers Highway 9, R&B with The Hitmen and others. And remember: Minus the angioplasty you're going to need after all the funnel cakes, most of it is free.

3. Tacoma's annual, awesome LGBTQA Pride celebration, Out In The Park, goes down from noon to 5 p.m. on Broadway between Ninth and 11th streets. Afterward, until 2 a.m. The Mix throws one helluva block party.

4. In 1994, The Flintstones was turned into a live-action movie, which will be projected on a giant 40-foot outdoor movie screen at sunset. LeMay - America's Car Museum continues its Drive-In Movie Series with Fred and Wilma Flintstone and friends at its outdoor Haub Family Field. Movie-goers can park and watch the film - for free - from their vehicle or spread out on the grass with blankets and chairs. Food and zip-line rides will be available for purchase and inflatable bounce houses will be free for children. Museum hours will be extended to 8 p.m. and guests can reserve their parking spot on the field starting at 4:30 p.m. So run your rock car to LeMay Saturday, sneak in your bronto ribs and have a gay old time.

5. As we've mentioned many times before, Perry Acker is named like a single dude, but it's actually a band ... a band that's on the rise. Not only did Perry Acker win Ford Motor Company's Gimme The Gig national battle of the bands contest in 2011, then open for Paul Rodgers, the Gig Harbor band is currently in the studio putting the final touches on a new CD. Hear their latest mixture of blues, pop, rock and funk - plus Impossible Bird and Kate Turner - at 8 p.m. at Jazzbones.

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

FRIDAY, JULY 12 2013 >>>

1. Describing them musically, Fox and the Law are easy to undersell. Basically, they're just a really good rock band. Genre-wise, they lean in a garage rock direction, but there's little in the way of the typical Nuggets or punk influences that usually characterize modern garage rock acts. Check them out at 9 p.m. with Thunders of Wrath and Mammoth Salmon in The New Frontier Lounge. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full featur eon Fox and the Law in Northwest Military's Music & Culture section.

2. With a second story view, the Narrows Brewing Company's taproom is divided into two separate rooms connected at the same bar, lending itself to an L-shaped arrangement. Reclaimed wood from the marina is used in the structure and décor, and while there is wine, beer and food from Boathouse 19, there is no liquor. Grand opening weekend is July 12 to 14, with live music by the Lucy Horton Band and the introduction of three beers on tap: a pale ale, an IPA and a golden ale. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on the Narrows Brewing Company in Northwest military's Bars and Clubs section.

3. In the 1980s Alec Clayton's paintings were figurative and often dealt with sexual content, including poking fun at society's attitudes about sex. In 1988 he and his wife, Gabi, invited friends and students from The Evergreen State College to examine and discuss the paintings. Gabi, a film student at the time, filmed the session. The film, and two other of Gabi's films about live action and stop-action animation of paintings being created, will be screened and discussed from 7-9 p.m. at B2 Fine Art Gallery. 

4. Distinguished writers, poets, playwrights, short story writers, and people who scribble on cocktail napkins will step up to the mic from 7-9 p.m. as part of the Distinguished Writer Series and Open Mic at King's Books. Lucas Smiraldo - a local poet who has worked in solo performance and spoken word for many years in Tacoma, as well as an online film series called Slam Town, a piece called Voice of the Americas focused on post-9/11 America and other projects that take spoken word and give it a dramatic flair - will be the featured poet.

5. Beginning her career at open mics in Boston, Paula Poundstone soon moved to San Francisco, which in the late '70s and into the '80s, was the hub for freethinking and unique comedians. People like Dana Gould, Jake Johannsen and Bobcat Goldthwait, among others, would hone their craft at places such as the Holy City Zoo, which was a home for these kind of absurd and original voices. Quickly, Poundstone rose through the ranks, with her quick wit, observational style and masterful crowd work. Like other comedians who have mastered the art of crowd work (like Jimmy Pardo, to use a more recent example), Poundstone is able to make something that takes a lot of skill look completely natural. Laugh with her at 7:30 p.m. in the Pantages Theater. Read Rev. Adam McCkinney's full interview with Paula Poundstone in Northwest Military's Music & Culture section.

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