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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Rain and wind, hi 47, lo 39

Saturday: Showers, hi 47, lo 38

Sunday: More showers, hi 47, lo 42

>>> FRIDAY, FEB. 22-SUNDAY, FEB. 24: THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED)

Tacoma Little Theatre's production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) is more sketch comedy than highbrow Hamlet. It was written to appeal to Bardolaters and haters alike. The shtick is that three actors perform, or at least represent, all of Shakespeare's works in two hours, with dozens of rapid costume changes, unseemly asides and occasional improvisations for highbrow low-concept comedy. - Weekly Volcano

• Olympia Ballroom and First Christian Church, hours vary, $12, weekend pass $25, Olympia, www.olyoldtime.org

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 23: EREV RAV

The 2013 Best of Olympia Best Band winner Erev Rav performs Saturday night in downtown Oly. Erev Rav pulls together with Seattle's great Orkestar Zirkonium, a brass-and-drum band, for an unforgettable night of perfectly executed dance and rhythm. With Erev Rav weighing in at seven members, and Orkestar Zirkonium with 13, the layers of instruments, the influences of sound, and the personal style of each musician heard, will surely touch each listener's soul. - Nikki McCoy

• Olympia Ballroom, 8:30 p.m., $10, $8/students, 116 Legion Way SE, Olympia, 360. 943.9242

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 23: MID-WINTER MASQUERADE BALL

The Mid-Winter Masquerade Ball is part of Tacoma City Ballet's Soiree Series, which weaves visual arts, live music, dance performances, and other artistic media into TCB's already artsy focus. Likewise, Mid-Winter Masquerade has set out to feature several art-astic aspects all under one roof. Ancillary rooms will host short film screenings and art installations and Tacoma City Ballet's company will perform throughout the evening. Each Soiree Series event zeroes in on a visual arts focus, so as not to overwhelm attendees with too much awesomeness all at once. - Kristin Kendle

• Merlino Arts Center, 7 p.m., $10, 508 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4219
  

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 23: FULL MOON RADIO

I've made it no secret that I'm a fan of the 2013 Best of Olympia Best New Band Full Moon Radio. Saturday night they will host a free EP release and one-year anniversary party at Le Voyeur. Copies of the new EP, Drop Off, will be available, and auditions for a roadie are still open for when the ladies head off on tour in March. Catch 'em with The Deep Wile and The Have At Its for a night of luscious rock 'n' roll. - NM

• Le Voyeur, 9 p.m., no cover, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 23: HORSE BODIES

Speaking of releases, Horse Bodies are celebrating its CD release at the 4th Ave Tav. With Elbow Coulee and I Like Science, the show will certainly entertain. Horse Bodies have been jamming for more than five years and continue to clippity-clop its way into the ears and music libraries of South Sound rock hounds. - NM

• 4th Ave Tavern, 9 p.m., $5, 210 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.786.1444

>>> SUNDAY, FEB. 24: ACADEMY AWARDS PARTY

The Grand Cinema's annual Academy Awards Party is THE way to celebrate the accomplishments of people way richer than you'll ever be, and this year the party is bigger and better than ever. While watching the Oscars on your HDTV with a bag of microwave popcorn might sound appealing, The Grand has you and your popcorn beat. The Oscars will be screened in two separate areas - one at Theatre on the Square and one in a private VIP area (that's sold out) at Studio 2. Both will have massive theater-sized screens. Aside from general cinema revelry, the party also includes other festivities, including a silent auction and a raffle in the lobby. Prizes include an autographed Felix Hernandez framed picture, Mariners tickets, local travel packages, dinner deals, museum passes and more. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10. There's the annual Oscars winners' contest, too. - KK

• Theatre On The Square, 5 p.m., $30-435, 915 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.572.6062

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
This will be an insanely busy theater weekend! Not only did my wife and I accept roles in The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood (Olympia Family Theater), but I get to watch and review Hamlet (South Puget Sound Community College), The Woman in Black (Lakewood Playhouse) and A Winter's Tale (Evergreen Shakespeare). Fancy!

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
Me and me wifey gonna be doing an all-day speaking gig at The Evergreen Education Association in Vancouver, Washington.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
Music-riddled weekend for this girl. Friday, after bartending, it's Pet Products and Fitz of Depression at McCoy's and Mos Generator and Black Pussy at the Track House. Saturday, Full Moon Radio, All's Fair in Love and War Burlesque and research on street musicians, plus a peek at all the 4th Ave Tav. Olympia Ballroom and Pig Bar.

JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
I have a real busy Saturday. I'll be teaching my spoken-word/poetry class at D.A.S.H. Then I have two shows that night. First one is a spoken-word/poetry gig at the Colored Women's Club for the Black Collective. Then later that night, Beanz & Rize will be performing at The Loch's for the second Fresh Blends Reblended. Sunday I have my niece's baby shower to attend.

TIMOTHY GRISHAM Music Writer
Friday: Six words - Morgan and the Organ Donors return!

NIC LEONARD Music Writer
Saturday night I will be guest starring at Ramblin Jacks making pizzas followed by a Free Whiskey performance at the Track House in downtown Olympia.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Nightlife Correspondent
I'll be hitting Lakewood Playhouse for Woman in Black then Tacoma Little Theatre for Shakes-beer Abridged on Sunday. Oh and I'll be jumping into Commencement Bay for "Freezin for a Reason" Saturday morning to benefit Special Olympics.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

THURSDAY, FEB. 21 2013 >>>

1. Marissa Meyer is a YA author from Tacoma and a Pacific Lutheran University graduate. She's a fan of Firefly. She wrote Sailor Moon fan fiction for 10 years. Cinder, the first book in her Lunar Chronicles, is about an android Cinderella in futuristic China was on the New York Times Best Seller list. In short, she is one of the lucky few whose love of sci-fi and all things nerdy has paid off. At 6 p.m., Scarlet, the second book in her Lunar Chronicles, will be celebrated at King's Books in Tacoma. Meyer will read or speak before the signing frenzy. Also expect robots from SOTABots, swag and a costume contest for the best Cinder and the best Scarlet.

2. The Pierce Conservation District and Stream Team host the annual Meeting & Awards Banquet at 5 p.m. at The Evergreen State College Tacoma campus. The accomplishments of last year's efforts will be celebrated as well as honor volunteers and community partners working to conserve natural resources and support sustainable farming throughout Pierce County. Presentation of District and Stream Team awards begins at 6:15 p.m., followed by guest speaker David Montgomery.

3. It's the third Thursday of the month. In Tacoma, that's means an extra emphasis on the arts. Tonight's quest for art will lead you directly to the steps of science. That's right, the University of Puget Sound and Tacoma Art Museum have teamed up to present an Art+Science Salon - an evening of 10 artists and scientists delivering 10-minute presentations - Pecha Kucha style - at 6 p.m. inside the Tacoma Art Museum.

4. Speaking of third Thursday, tonight is the Tacoma Art Mingle, which was formerly called the Third Thursday Artwalk. Whatever the name of the special night, it's still very hard to walk the damn thing. For the last two-plus years Tacoma has had the Art Bus to rely on - the creation of T-Town's own Angela Jossy, and pretty much the bestest idea there ever was. Each third Thursday the Art Bus shuttles riders from gallery to gallery, venue to venue accomplishing more than any one person could ever dream of on foot, and at the same time building a communal vibe that's worth its weight in gold. Tonight's Art Bus celebrity host Darrell Fortune of NWCZradio.com will help guide you through such stops as FabLab, 253 Collective, Embellish Multispace Salon, Urban Alchemy, Brick House Gallery, B2 Gallery and Catwalk. Tickets are $10 regular admission and $20 for VIPs. VIPs get gift bags with items from lots of local businesses. The Bus pushes off from the Tacoma Art Museum at 6 p.m.

5. Anyone who believes that Tacoma is still a blue-collar backwater town with few ties to the outside world had better stay away from the 11th annual Sister Cities International Film Festival, which launched two weeks ago. The experience might just shatter everything that poor soul holds to so misguidedly. Tacoma is an international city in every sense of the world. At 6:15 p.m., the Cuba Sister City Committee will present a cultural program celebrating Tacoma sister city Cienfuegos, Cuba. After the hoopla, the film The Beauty From Alhambra will screen. The story is set in 1920s Cuba. Rachel is an ambitious chorus girl set on becoming a cabaret star at the famous Alhambra Theater. Her artistic talent and help from the theater owner are enough to make Rachel's dream a reality. But along the way, she loses the love of her life and instead finds a passion that puts her career at stake.

LINK: Thursday, Feb. 21 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

CNN IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Sometimes, the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters' breakroom turns into the greenroom. After all, the giggle bush paraphernalia is kept next to the company fridge, which is full of diet Shasta and Rainier (perfect for cotton mouth.) Except for the vape machine; Pappi Swarner likes to keep that beauty next to his Mac. Anyway, we have "Sasquatch" the eight-foot bong (a morning time favorite), "Alice" the hookah (group brainstorm sessions) and "Sneaky Pete" (for when we step out the back door for a little Lakewood fresh air).

PUBLSIHER: What Nikki wrote is not true.

So when we caught all the "buzz" (giggle, giggle) about CNN's investigative report from Thurston County on marijuana's affect on driving skills, we had to share.

PUBLSIHER: I have a cup of tea next to my Mac.

We must add, the daily, "heavy user" medical marijuana patient - a 27-year-old babe that exclaims "awesome!" around every turn - can come to our parties anytime.

PUBLISHER: Obviously we do enjoy the word "awesome," but we haven't had any parties since Matt Driscoll left.

And so can the driving instructor, who basically said everyone drove fine, up to like seven times the legal limit of 5 nanograms. What a bro.

PUBLISHER: Did Nikki just call the driving instructor "bro"?

You know what? Even that cop who agreed with the instructor, and the "occasional" smoker - invite them, too! They can all come to our parties - as long as they bring some of that Blueberry Trainwreck.

PUBLISHER: Don't come to our office. And don't bring muffins.

TUESDAY, FEB. 19 2013 >>>

1. The Academy Awards 2013 nominees for Documentary Shorts continue to screen at The Grand Cinema. You can view the five nominated shorts - King's Point, Mondays at Racine, Inocente, RedemptionandOpen Heart - at 2:15 and 6:50 p.m.

2. There is an excellent art exhibit in the gallery at The Evergreen State College from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is called An Abstract - Representational Continuum and it juxtaposes abstract art with slightly surrealistic photographs culled from the college's art collection. Included are works by well-known West Coast artists and a few nationally-recognized artists. Read Alec Clayton's full review of "An Abstract - Representational Continuum" in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

3. The latest show at the University of Puget Sound's Kittredge Gallery is a fascinating installation that may prove difficult to describe. It is called "Kukai," and it is a collaborative project between digital media artist Robert Campbell and ceramic sculptor Yuki Nakamura, who previously worked together for an installation called "Floating Plaster/City Motion," a multimedia installation comprising video, audio, and cast sculptures for the New Works Laboratory, a program between 911 Media Arts Center and the Henry Art Gallery at University of Washington in Seattle. The current installation is all about light and sound - mostly light. Check it out from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read Alec Clayton's full review of "Kukai" in the Weekly Volcano Arts section.

4. Since China began flooding U.S. markets with illegally subsidized products in 2001, more than 50,000 American factories have disappeared, more than 25 million Americans can't find a decent job, and America now owes more than 3 trillion dollars to the world's largest totalitarian nation. But, what do we really know about China?  Tacoma's Fuzhou Sister City Committee selected the book Spring Moon: A Novel of China by Bette Bao Lord as a book to illuminate about China's different customs and people. Drop by King's Books at 7 p.m. to discuss the book and, well, China in general. By the way, this discussion is in conjunction with the upcoming Sister City International Film Festival taking place at Blue Mouse Theatre. Fuzhou's night is Feb. 28 with the film Last Train Home about China's country-wide migrations of people going home for their Chinese New Year celebrations.

5. Flint Culp, Mythologies and The Clacid Arkansas will rock Le Voyeur in downtown Olympia around 10 p.m.

LINK: Tuesday, Feb. 19 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

MONDAY, FEB. 18 2013 >>>

1. Guy Fieri visited Puyallup when he blasted through the South Sound in November. His show, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, filmed at six popular locations, including Darby's Cafe and Fish Tale Brew Pub, both which have aired on Fieri's Food Network show. Tonight, Crockett's Public House receives the spotlight with the episode screening at 7 and 10 p.m. In celebration, Crockett's invites everyone to join them for happy hour from 9 p.m. to close and watch Fieri discuss their awesome meatballs.

2. It's Kids 'n' Critters day at Northwest Trek. From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. special nature-themed arts and crafts and trailside encounters will hit the massive animal park. Tram seating is limited to the first 1,500 visitors.

3. The Tacoma Art Museum and Washington State History Museum are opening their doors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to celebrate President's Day. To honor servicemen and servicewomen, the museums are offering free admission to all active-duty military members and their immediate families. Tacoma Art Museum will be offering hands-on art activities as well as a family photo booth. The Washington State History Museum is featuring Let's Ride! Motorcycling the Northwest, which explores a century of motorcycling.

4. Monday is typically a black hole for nightlife. Sure, if you run a sports bar, you'll do well during the World Series or football season, but for most eating and drinking establishments, it's just dead, dead, dead. There's a darn good reason why so many bars are empty on Mondays. So how do those that remain open find ways to fill barstools on this, the most dreadful evening of the workweek? The folks at The Swiss seem to have found a solution and, oddly enough, it's one that has been the bane of many other venues: live music. Since the beginning of time, The Swiss has hosted live blues every Monday at 8 p.m. Tonight, Palmer JCT will fill the Swiss with blues featuring three singers, dual lead guitars and a righteous rhythm section.

5. Beginning at 9 p.m. every Monday Jazzbones is packed to the brim with college kids. Party types. The type that wear tight shirts and trucker hats. Throngs of Chad Fratguys and Sarah Sororitysisters swarm the bar, line up for the bathroom and dance to the Rockaraoke - live band karaoke. The Rockaraoke band is skilled, too. Expect $2 PBR drafts, $3 Sinfire shots and $4 Smirnoff flavor vodka bombs.

LINK: Monday, Feb. 18 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SATURDAY, FEB. 16 2013 >>>

1. The Reality Check Dance Team - the youth outreach organization of the D.A.S.H. Center - has been producing one of the most popular hip-hop dance showcases in Tacoma. In its eighth year, the group's Krunk showcase will host 14 dance acts, comprising a diverse genres of dance styles, while giving a beautiful elevated platform to the genre of hip-hop,at 7 p.m  inside the Theatre on the Square. Watch the dances, ages 8-38, beast it and get krunk. 

2. Puss in Boots - based on one of the most beloved characters of the Shrek series - tells the hilarious and courageous (daring, bold, brave) tale of Puss' early adventures as he teams with mastermind Humpty Dumpty and the street-savvy Kitty to steal the famed Goose that lays the Golden Eggs. See the film for free at 9:30 a.m. at The Grand Cinema, compliments of Click! Tacoma. Put your boot son fast; tickets are limited.

3. Dancing with the Stars is a TV show that pairs professional dancers with famous people - stars who often wouldn't know the bunny hop if it bit them in the ass. Each show, an unlucky couple gets voted off. By the end of the season, the only couples left on stage are ballroom rock stars. "Dancing with the Tacoma Stars" offers a similar experience, but with a very Tacoma twist. All dancers are rock stars within the community. There are six stars: Tacoma City Councilman Ryan Mello, Metro Parks Commissioner Erik Hanberg, Dr. George McClure of Multicare; local investment manager and vocal teacher Jo Goodman, Pierce College Chancellor Dr. Michele Johnson and yoga teacher Nancy Keiter. The dance professionals that they're paired with are based in Western Washington. The evening starts with a dinner at 5:30 p.m. at the Temple Theatre Ballroom. Read Kristin Kendle's full feature on Dancing with the Tacoma Stars in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

4. Songwriters Steve Nebel, John Sparrow and Gary Kanter fill form a circle (the best they can with only three people) and sing songs and tell stories of social justice at 7 p.m. inside King's Books.

5. Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto brings out the mysticism, poetic reverie and wildness of his music, which is the perfect piece of Tacoma-based chamber orchestra Northwest Sinfonietta to mess with it. And by mess with it, we mean perform the piece entirely with strings. Hear the performance at 7:30 p.m. inside the Rialto Theater. German pianist Andreas Klein will join in.

LINK: Saturday, Feb. 16 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

TUESDAY, FEB. 12 2013 >>>

1. Can't make it to the Big Easy for Mardi Gras? Relax. There's plenty of beads 'n' beer revelry to be had right here in the South sound. Ale House Sports Pub & Grille on the edge of University Place starts the party at the opening 11 a.m. bell with food specials such as chicken and andouille sausage gumbo, blackened catfish and jambalaya. And the Hurricane cocktails will flow, as well as $4 rum drinks and 22-ounce Mondos beers for $2.75. ... The Hub in Tacoma's stadium District will celebrate Mardi Gras two rounds of trivia with two $50 cash awards, plus $4 rotating shot specials, gumbo or $15, Catfish po-boys for $10 and drink specials. ... The Top of Tacoma Bar and Café will be "going all out on Fat Tuesday with food and drink specials, including Po' Boys and Jaime Kay's famous gumbo, as well as drink specials doctored up by the infamous Greg Rodriguez and Mackenzie Hamilton," says Luke Larsen, Top of Tacoma manager. The party soundtrack will be live with The Crow Quill Night Owls and OMGS - two bands that have seen some action in New Orleans. ... Medi's Pizza & Pasta hosts a masquerade party with live music from the Fun Police, Jilly Rizzo and Smokebraiders at 8 p.m. ... Jazzbones hosts The Spazmatics and Mr Pink at 9 p.m.

2. Fat Tuesday is abundant with many decadent luxuries including culinary delights. Doyle's Pub House in Tacoma will serve Cajun-inspired dishes such as shrimp po'boy, chicken and sausage jambalaya, and gumbo with red beans, rice and Andouille sausage from 11-1 a.m. It's a solid way to fuel the night's shenanigans.

3. The Grand Cinema is screening all of this year's Oscar-nominated shorts. Today, you can see Death of a Shadow, Henry, Curfew, Buzkashi Boys and Asad at 2:20 and 6:30 p.m.

4. Let the good times roll with Morso on Fat Tuesday. The Gig Harbor wine bar will be cooking authentic New Orleans and cajun cuisine from 4-10 p.m. They will also have a special treat flown in directly from New Orleans - King Cake.

5. For the uninitiated, the Night Beats consists of Danny Lee Blackwell, James Traeger, and Tacoma's own Tarek Wegner (oh he of the Drug Purse and Paris Spleen) slashing and burning their way through all periods of psychedelic, brain-melting rock. Through talent and near-constant touring, the Night Beats have found themselves playing with the likes of the Jesus and Mary Chain, the Black Lips and Roky Erickson, and joining up with garage rock juggernauts, Chicago's Trouble in Mind Records. They have manage to pull themselves off the road long enough for a stop in Tacoma for a 9 p.m. show with Milk and People Under The Sun at The New Frontier Lounge.

LINK: Tuesday, Feb. 12 arts and entertianment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SOUTH SOUND ON NATIONAL TV AGAIN >>>

Guy Fieri ruffled feathers when he blasted through downtown Olympia in November. His show, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, filmed at two popular locations, Darby's Cafe and Fish Tale Brew Pub.

The episode featuring Darby's aired Jan. 21. The episode featuring Fish Tale will air Monday, Feb. 11 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

A viewing party will take place tonight at the downtown Olympia brewpub tonight, which will include specials on bangers and mash - one of the menu items featured on the show.

Also featured is the crab cannelloni - a mixture of Dungeness crab, shrimp and ricotta in an eggroll wrapper and baked in a roasted red pepper cream sauce then served with side Caesar salad.

It was an early Saturday morning when Fieri cast and crew took over Fish Tale's kitchen and front of the house, infiltrating the brewpub with its camera lenses and witty one liners, tells Todd Chapin, a Fish Tale employee who was on site during filming, and played the part of an extra sitting at the bar.

"The best part was when they'd be like "Cut! We need to refill those beers!" laughs Chapin. "It was like 8:30 in the morning and we just kept drinking. It was really fun. Fieri is a good guy."

FISH TALE BREWPUB, VIEWING PARTY, MONDAY, FEB 11, 7 P.M., 515 JEFFERSON ST. SE, OLYMPIA, 360.943.3650

LINK: Fish Tale's ham and Brie sandwich

LINK: Best of Olympia Party Feb. 20

THURSDAY, FEB. 7 2013 >>>

1. The 11th annual Sister Cities Film Festival is more than a film festival. It's a cultural exploration of Tacoma's sister cities, of which there are 11 located all around the world. Each Thursday, a film from a sister city lights up the screen of Blue Mouse Theatre - complemented by bonus activities and entertainment. Each week also has its own committee responsible for said entertainment and film selection. The festival kicks off with Tacoma's oldest sister - Kitakyushu, Japan - at 6:15 p.m. featuring the Stadium High School Taiko Drumming group, a Japanese Garden at Point Defiance update and the Japanese film, What the Snow Brings.

2. Why drink alone when you can get your drink on with cool cats who care about environmental issues? On the first Thursday of each month, Green Drinks invites Tacoma and Pierce County residents to do just that - hang out and chat with other green-minded individuals over drinks and snacks. The next session of Green Drinks - which will be held at 6 p.m. inside The Office Bar at Grill - will focus on downtown Tacoma's pacific Avenue Streetscape Project ... and drinks, of course. Read Kristin Kendle's interview with the project's consulting firm here.

3. Urban homesteading, backyard farming — call it what you will, the movement for self sufficiency and sustainable living is booming. In South Sound neighborhoods it seems more and more houses sport a chicken coop or custom greenhouse. Soon, the most dedicated local homesteaders may be able to join ranks of urban farming trailblazers elsewhere who are exploring a new way of bringing the farm to the city: raising goats. Seattle author Jennie Grant will discuss urban farming trends, as well as her book, City Goats: The Goat Justice League’s Guide to Backyard Goat Keeping, at 7 p.m. inside King's Books.

4. Every 15 years or so, the American musical veers in a new and unpredictable direction. When it works, it inspires a wave of imitators. Phantom and Les Miz spawned a decade of bombast. Rent added urban flava and moved gay life and issues to the forefront. Weekly Volcano theater critic Christian Carvajal believes Next to Normal, which debuted on Broadway less than four years ago, is the model for the next wave. Catch the show at 7:30 p.m. inside the Capital Playhouse. Read Carvajal's full review of Next to Normal in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

5. There's a certain familiar moment when you're hanging out with very close friends, being giddy and silly, and there's a way that you make each other laugh that's so specific and so unique that it's hard to recreate anywhere else. For sure, it's hard to recreate in the setting of a comedy club. A professional comedian is designed to make you laugh, but that certain type of laugh is so particular that it's almost banned from comedy clubs. Todd Glass can make you laugh like an audience member might but he can also touch you in the way that a close childhood friend can hit your buttons. In a way, um, he's magical. Glass begins a three-night run at the Tacoma Comedy Club at 8 p.m. tonight. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's interview with Todd Glass in the Weekly Volcano's Bars & Clubs section.

LINK: Thursday, Feb. 7 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 6 2013 >>>

1. Did you know the United Nations declared 2012 to be the International Year of the Cooperative? The UN based its statement on the co-op business model's stunning growth. The UN found that, in 2012, one billion people worldwide were co-op member-owners, or one in five adults over the age of 15. The largest is Spain's Mondragon Corporation, with more than 80,000 member-owners. The UN predicts that by 2025, worker-owned co-ops will be the world's fastest growing business model. Back in this country, the phrase "worker cooperative" probably evokes vague notions of Communism, small-time craft vendors or the organic grocery store around the corner. Shift Change - a new documentary by Seattle area filmmakers Mark Dworkin and Melissa Young that will be screened at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. inside Tacoma's Grand Cinema - visits the more than 50 year old network of cooperative businesses in Mondragon, and thriving examples of such businesses in the U.S. - from bakeries to solar energy to linen service and engineering. Through in-depth interviews with worker-owners, attendance at co-op meetings, and visits to the factory floor, the film shares on-the-ground experience, lessons and observations from the worker-owners on the front line of the new economy, arguing that in an economy where not much is certain, it's worth considering different ways for ordinary people to join forces in the name of profit.

2. Local teens and teen dance groups submitted their videos for the dance competition hosted by MultiCare Center for Healthy Living. The videos were judged. Tonight, the three finalists will go head to head from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at MultiCare Center's 13th annual "Do Something Healthy" event inside the Greater Tacoma Convention Center.  Derek Hough from Dancing with the Stars will be the celebrity judge. "Do Something Healthy" is an evening event that includes a health fair, health screenings and a presentation by a special guest speaker.

3. Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales asks on its website, "if anyone will buy a beer with the word 'rot' in the name?" - referring to its saison-esque Noble Rot. Well, would anyone eat at a restaurant called STINK? The Rot and STINK join foces tonight when the Triangle District cheese and meat shop hosts the Delaware brewers for a Noble Rot tasting from 5-8 p.m. at $5 a head.

4. Dorky's Bar Arcade in downtown Tacoma hosts Trivis for Dorks every Wednesday night at 8 p.m. Weekly Volcano scribe Nikki McCoy has the scoop here.

5. Play bingo with those not just killing time before the Grim Reaper calls their number. Every Wednesday at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier, bingo players are treated to a rather boisterous evening of number-calling. The music rocks, the prizes are craptastic and there's something very satisfying about yelling "It's not a tumor!" when B-9 is pulled from the hopper (Schwarzenegger anyone?). Sessions are free with $2 margaritas during bingo. Every Wednesday night is also Taco Night with $1 beef, $1 black bean and $2 chicken in soft or crunchy shells.

LINK: Wednesday, Feb. 6 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area