ARTS COVERAGE TO END ALL ARTS COVERAGE >>>

At this point it goes without saying. If you're looking for coverage of local arts in Tacoma, Olympia, and all points in between, the Weekly Volcano is THE place to find it. Our goal is to consistently provide the best local arts coverage possible to our fantastic readers -- always be on the lookout for ways to shine a light on all the awesome creativity we see around us.

Here's a look at the Volcano arts coverage waiting for you this week in print and online.

FEATURE: OLYMPIA FILM FEST

(Carlen Altman co-wrote and stars in "The Color Wheel", playing Nov. 17 at the Olympia Film Festival. Photo courtesy Sean Prince Williams)

The OFF looked deep into the past when building the 2011 festival, even inviting back a contributor to its own history. J.R. Baker finds himself in a sequel of sorts, back in the saddle again as OFF director after a 19-year absence. Baker compares his return to that other age-old travel metaphor: "It's like riding a bike. Once you get on ... after not riding it for awhile, you're good to go."

By now OFF's wheels turn so smoothly that Baker slipped into his former job without getting stuck in the gears.

Like Baker, other festival favorites have reappeared this year. Not only can visitors now cast their vote for the Audience Award, they also receive an extra day of movies. Usually the party ends on a good fright - that much-loved horror show All Freakin' Night - but this year the show goes on into Sunday, Nov. 20, with a Closing Night celebration.

"There are just so many wonderful films out there," says Baker, "that it's hard to pack them into nine days." ... -- Christopher Wood

THEATER: JAVA TACOMA: EPISODE 38

(Photo courtesy Jason Ganwich/Facebook)

The soap opera comedy utilizes a small ensemble cast and simple staging to tell a story of the "friends, neighbors and siblings" of Perky's coffee shop. Opening up the show, Kate (Betzy Miller) hit the stage with a PSA about Tacoma's atrocious neighbor to the north, Federal Way. Then the actors gave a whirlwind recap of Episode 37, and we learned that Perky's had lost its lease and the owners were forced to relocate.

The majority of the play was a pretty straight forward comedy, awash with references to all things Tacoma - the Murray Morgan Bridge, Tacoma Dome, Union Station, LeMay Car Museum, Point Defiance Zoo and Pho King included. There were moments of soap opera contrivances throughout Java Tacoma: Episode 38, but thankfully the actors were able to pull off the script and had the audience laughing throughout the hour-long performance. ... -- Joann Varnell

MOVIE BIZ BUZZ: SLAUGHTERHOUSE SQUARE

When I saw the big white ambulance with "Pierce County Asylum" engraved on its side, I knew I was close. Director Harry Tchinski had asked me to visit the closed set of his newest horror feature, Grimises Rising, buried somewhere deep in the bowels of Tacoma's Freighthouse Square. If you've walked through its multiple levels of seemingly endless hallways then you know its size, and I had only an inkling as to which entrance (FHS has lots) would get me on set. But like a gleaming arrow, the spooky vehicle pointed me in the right direction.

I knocked on a door painted crimson (REDRUM, my mind whispered), and after a few moments Tchinski stepped outside. ... -- Christopher Wood

MOVIE REVIEW: J. EDGAR

There are moments in J. Edgar that approach parody of Oscar-baiting biopics. Let's take, for instance, the moment when J. Edgar Hoover has to think up a new signature when signing up for a line of credit at a clothing store. "But I've always signed my name John Edgar Hoover," he protests. Cue a curiously long and unintentionally hilarious zoom in on his new signature: "J. Edgar Hoover." This is a moment that rivals John C. Reilly's prolonged and emphatic (and intentionally funny) lead up to his utterance of the words "walk hard" in the film of the same name.

I reveled in these awkwardly funny moments in the sea of steadfast mediocrity that is Clint Eastwood's latest effort. ... -- Rev. Adam McKinney

PLUS: Comprehensive Arts & Entertainment Calendar

PLUS: Events We Recommend

PLUS: Volcano Visual Arts Critic Alec Clayton's Visual Edge Column

PLUS: Pure Craziness

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

What's Up Krupp?: Thurston County Manager Don Krupp, who has worked for the county for 17 years, has applied for Tacoma's city manager job. (The Olympian)

If It Falls Into Their Laps: Tacoma passes lowest priority marijuana initiative. (Stop The Drug War)

Weird: A state Senate seat may change hands in the middle a special legislative session that starts after Thanksgiving. (News Tribune)

The Sandusky Situation: Students protest after Penn State coach Joe Paterno was fired amid sex-abuse scandal.(CNN) Read Weekly Volcano editor Matt Driscoll's take on the situation. (Weekly Volcano)

New Prime Minister Of Greece: Lucas Papademos, a former European Central Bank vice president, assumes the position. (CNN)

What Would The Muppets Do?: It would be the most sensantional, inspirational, celebrational, Muppet-ational Academy Awards show. (Perez Hilton)

R.I.P. Bil Keane: Family Circus packs up and moves on. (USA Today)

Are L'eggs Back?: The brand that pioneered plastic ostrich-sized eggs as packaging, is looking for a comeback. (Ad Week)

WTF?: Peanut butter vodka. (Laughing Squid)

Today's Moment Of Zen

ONE CITY. 30 DAYS. WHAT WILL YOU DO? >>>
 
November 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of Art at Work: Tacoma Arts Month. There is something for everyone to enjoy throughout the month: lectures, music, dance performances, readings, workshops, theater performances, visual art exhibits and more.

Here are today's highlights:

TUESDAY FILM SERIES: The Grand Cinema yanks a worth film from the archives and fill your popcorn bucket every Tuesday. Today, The Grand screens Green Fire, a documentary about the life and legacy of conservationist Aldo Leopold, who helped develop modern, scientifically-based wildlife management. Sink in a seat at 1:45 and 6:30 p.m. today.

REGENCY CONCERT SERIES: The Regency String Quartet performs at 8 p.m. inside Lagerquist Concert Hall on the Pacific Lutheran University campus. Admission is $3-$8.

VICTORY MUSIC OPEN MIC: Yea, like you're going to have an arts month and not include one of the longest running open mics in the state. Victory Music pulls out the microphones from 7-10 p.m. inside the Antique Sandwich Company.

PLUS: Classical Tuesdays concert and Cat Grey Tuesdays listed in our 5 Things To Do Today

LINK: Art at Work 2011 feature story

TUESDAY, NOV. 8, 2011 >>>

1. Looking forward to the day when the Twilight franchise is pushing up daisies? Then skip past this one. However, if you love the mopey bestselling saga of sparkly vampires, shirtless werewolves and a cloyingly vapid heroine who makes Carrie Bradshaw seem generous and self-aware, then you are probably knee deep in Twilight Saga Tuesdays at the Regal Lakewood Stadium 15. NCM Fathom and Summit Entertainment are in the midst of screening the first three Twilight flicks, every Tuesday, until Breaking Dawn breaks Nov. 18. Tonight at 7:30 p.m., New Moon is in the house. The event will begin with exclusive introductions from the cast members, interviews with the stars and clips from the many fan fests over the years. The Twilight Saga: New Moon will immediately follow the behind-the-scenes content. (We removed our shirts to write this blurb, because everything in New Moon seems better when it happens without shirts.)

2. The Tacoma Art Place opens its doors for Cat Grey's Tuesday "Die Jack Die" post-Halloween pumpkin carving workshop from 3-8 p.m. Bring your leftover candy and pumpkins.

3. Hell's Kitchen hosts Tumbledown, Love Songs From The Hated, Phasers On Kill and Looking For Lizards to rock its Tightwad Tuesday night, where tacos, beers and wells are $2 each.

4. Whether you are a through-hiker, a section hiker, a day hiker or an arm chair hiker, the Master of Environmental Studies program at The Evergreen State College invites you to share an evening of laughter, reflection and celebration of the Pacific Crest Trail from 7-8 p.m. at the LOTT Board Room.  The guest speaker is Rees Hughes, co-editor of a new two-volume anthology called Pacific Crest Trailside Reader: Adventure, History and Legend on the Long-Distance Trail. Hughes will provide a brief overview presentation on the Pacific Crest Trail followed by a reading of a selection of stories from the anthology. 

5. Classical Tuesdays in Old Town: The Manette Trio will perform Beethoven, Mozart, Kodaly and Dohnanyi as part of Classical Tuesdays inside the Slavonian Hall in Old Town Tacoma.

LINK: Best freebies this week

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight in the South Sound

HARRY TCHINSKI SHOOTS GRIMISES RISING IN BLACK LAKE ASYLUM >>>

When I saw the big white ambulance with "Pierce County Asylum" engraved on its side, I knew I was close. Director Harry Tchinski had asked me to visit the closed set of his newest horror feature, Grimises Rising, buried somewhere deep in the bowels of Tacoma's Freighthouse Square. If you've walked through its multiple levels of seemingly endless hallways then you know its size, and I had only an inkling as to which entrance (FHS has lots) would get me on set. But like a gleaming arrow, the spooky vehicle pointed me in the right direction.

I knocked on a door painted crimson (REDRUM, my mind whispered), and after a few moments Tchinski stepped outside.

You might already know Tchinski; maybe you screamed, shuddered, squeezed your eyes shut during his last cinematic slaughterhouse, Spaceship Terror, which played last month at the Tacoma Film Festival. Tchinski still can't get over how the film made TFF's lineup.

"(Terror) doesn't fit their criteria to me," he says, "so I was kind of surprised by that." But Tchinski credits TFF for sparking buzz for the movie to other fests.

Director Harry Tchinski, left, looks over the script with actor Logan Littlefield.

We walked through the 12,000 square-foot space known as Black Lake Asylum, a haunted house that weaves its way across the Square's bottom floor, and the main site for Tchinski's new project. Grimises Rising centers on your typical group of hapless young people who enter a haunted house without realizing the grisly exhibits are far from fake. Cast and crew have taken over the Asylum since mid-October, shooting scenes largely on weekdays when closed to the public.

Tchinski originally anticipated constructing all-new sets for his script. Then he met Clark Clark (yes, Clark Clark), Asylum operator since 2009. He quickly saw the benefits of welcoming the filmmaker into his house for shooting purposes.

"(The movie) immortalizes the haunt," Clark tells me. "It not only advertises us ... it (also) expands our connections."

Chelsey Tillich as Vicky the vampire in Grimises Rising.

Actress Ronee Collins sees Clark's participation as just another example of Tacoma's openness to artists. She says, "I've found that a lot of businesses are actually quite arts-friendly." 

Tchinski has assembled a team of people from both near and far to realize his bloody vision. I spoke with a few while kids in ghostly robes and gory makeup quietly floated past. Jareth Hixon Dixon, a 19-year-old from Seattle, plays Dave in the film, and sees Rising as "a great learning experience because this (acting) is what I want to do."

Even when in great physical torment, actor Jareth Hixon's hair looks great.

As seen in Spaceship Terror, Tchinski creates characters that both conform to and bend established horror film rules. While Logan Littlefield describes his role as Shawn as "your generic smartass comic relief," Collins notes the nuances behind her part, Joanna. "She's really pure and innocent, but (once things go awry) she's strong. ... It's very fun to play."

Most independent sets exude a mellow vibe, none of that Hollywood ego-clashing. Rising is no different. The project has also managed to unite enthusiastic beginners like Collins, Hixon and Littlefield with experienced craftspeople, including cinematographer Ken Rowe. A faculty member at the Art Institute of Seattle (and one of Littlefield's professors), Rowe has worked behind the camera for more than 30 years. He relishes the chance to use his talents outside the classroom.

"This is my first feature in a really long time, and I'm enjoying the hell out of it," says Rowe.

I catch makeup maestro Doug Hudson as he finishes attaching some hellish horns to actor Stephen Lestat. Hudson has an impressive resume: Outbreak and How the Grinch Stole Christmas to name just two of his former projects. After surviving Tinseltown, what could he possibly find challenging on this modest Tacoma shoot?

Spying Tchinski nearby, Hudson yells, "The director!"

This director has his helpers working rapidly. He projects Rising will wrap shooting in three weeks. Then it goes into post-production, which Tchinski confidently claims should take only two months. So in 2012 we can expect a wild ride of a film made with plenty of heart.

And corpses.

"I can tell you one thing," Littlefield tells me. "There won't be anybody disappointed about the body count."  

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Tacoma City Council Junket: Spending money for a trip to Arizona (cue multiple record scratches). (News Tribune)

Galloping Gertie's 71^st Anniversary: Let's look at the video one more time. (Washington State Historical Society)

Happy Holidays: More dead animals on the road. (News Tribune)

Penn State Shocker: University says two officials accused of lying to a grand jury hearing child sex abuse allegations against ex-assistant coach Jerry Sandusky have stepped down. (CNN)

Coloring Books: 10 really wack one. (Flavorwire)

Meh: MTV blows its street cred. (Salon)

Weird: John Lennon's tooth sells for $31,200. (Huffington Post)

Sneak Peek: Tim Burton's Frankenweenie. (EW)

Watching the detective

As you know, the new Warren Miller film, Like There's No Tomorrow, like hits Tacoma's Pantages Theater tonight and tomorrow. This latest film continues the tradition of following the daredevil exploits of skiers, snowboarders and other powder-trashing riders across the globe.

Alas, like a finely crafted Burton snowboard, attending these film screenings doesn't come cheap: Tickets are around $21 a pop. Unless, that is, you win one of the many, many pairs of tickets we'll be giving away at the Warren Miller Prefunc today at the Harmon Brewery & Eatery in downtown Tacoma. That's right powderheads, the Weekly Volcano and The Harmon have teamed up to pump a little snow through your veins.

So here's the deal:

Harmon Volcano's Warren Miller Prefunc party will run from 3-9 p.m. The Harmon's happy hour runs 3-6 p.m. as usual, which is nice. However, because it's a freakin' party, drink specials will continue through 9 p.m.

Second, we're hosting a raffle featuring a two-night lodging/two lift tickets per night Crystal Mountain Resort package, $500 gift card to Sturtevant's sporting goods store, past Warren Miller film DVDs and pairs of tickets tonight's Warren Miller flick, as well the screenings of Like There's No Tomorrow next week in Olympia.

Third, there will be a "Best Snow Bum Costume" contest at 5 and 8 p.m. with $50 Harmon gift cards on the line.

Fourth, Ben Union will rock the party from 5-8 p.m.

For certain there will be rowdy send-offs for those attending tonight's Like There's No Tomorrow film at 6 and 9 p.m. inside the Pantages Theater. And there will be another rowdy welcome when those from the 6 p.m. screening return for more partying.

Warren Miller Prefunc

Saturday, Nov. 5, 3-9 p.m., no cover
Harmon Brewery & Eatery
1938 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
253.383.2739

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

It's On!: Art at Work Studio Tours begin this morning. (Spaceworks Tacoma)

You Can Call It ... Another Lovely Day: Pacific Avenue streetscape wayfinding open house is scheduled for Nov. 9. (Forward Tacoma)

Oh Oh Big Ol' Jet Airliner: Rick Perry rides free on a bunch of private jets. (New York Times)

Andy Rooney: Dead at 92. (CNN)

The Terminal: California woman, unable to pay bag fees, stuck in airport for eight days. (Time)

Sounds Like Something Sid And Marty Krofft Would Lead: The FBI has declared the Juggalos a gang, officially. (Wired)

Ground Beef Is Not A Valid Form Of Identification: Drunk Florida dude tries to give police tacos as ID. (LA Weekly)

Party Harder Tonight: This awful webpage somewhere says we have an extra hour of sleep tonight. (Greenwich Mean Time)

All In The Family: Parents called to school about Junior's fighting get in a fight in the car on the way home. (Des Moines Register)

Shaken Not Stirred: New Bond film called Skyfall. (BBC)

Dance GIFs In The Heezy!: Put on some Violent Femmes and take it all in, y'all. (Pajiba)

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

More Than Glass Balls: The 2,000-mile-long debris field from the March tsunami in Japan is headed our way. (News Tribune)

Social Media Vs. Emergency Preparedness: Join Social Media Club Tacoma and chat  with WSDOT, Pierce County Emergency Management, American Red Cross and other groups. (SMC Tacoma)

It's On: True Tacoman game matches local history with good food. (Weekly Volcano)

Unemployment Rate: The U.S. economy added 80,000 jobs in October, and the unemployment rate eased from 9.1 percent to 9 percent. About 13.9 million Americans were still out of work last month. (CNN)

R.I.P. Flattus Maximus: GWAR guitarist found dead. (Billboard)

R.I.P. Sam Beauregarde: Willy Wonka star died of cancer. (E Online)

R. Crumb: The Complete Record Cover Collection. (boing boing)

Lights, Camera, Plastic: Fifteen movie scenes recreated with LEGO. (Geekologie)

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Checking In with Downtown Tacoma Buildings: The Winthrop is in bankruptcy court, but it's not bankrupt. (News Tribune)

Idiot: A Sumner man suspected of snatching old ladies' purses is in jail. (News Tribune)

Fighting The Evil Department of Social and Health Services: Seattle's masked crime-fighter Phoenix Jones has lost his day job. (Seattle P-I)

Awesome: University of Puget Sound Ski Team is having their annual ski swap this weekend. (CBS Seattle)

There Big Fat Greek Meeting: Greek Prime Minister Papandreou and President Karolos Papoulias to meet. (CNN)

Nice: Built to Spill working on a new album. (Rolling Stone)

Cool: Neil Gaiman, his wife Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls, Moby and Steven Merritt performed a cover of "Science Fiction Double Feature" from Rocky Horror Picture Show on Craig Ferguson. (Topless Robot)

Trouble In The Kitchen: Why Top Chef is bad. (Time)

Today In Photographs: 20 Stormtrooper portraits. (Dvice)

Flying Orb Robot Will Kill Us All (Thanks Blogtown)