WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11 2013 >>>

1. In the category of "things that should be totally silly but are actually awesome," a classic entry has to be Easy Star All Stars 2003 opus, Dub Side of the Moon. In the tradition of dub music, Easy Star All Stars covered an entire album in the style of reggae - a practice they've repeated with varied results on their OK Computer cover album, Radiodread (pretty great), and their Beatles cover album, Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band (not so great). But they never bested the magic to be found on Dub Side of the Moon, which Easy Star All Stars will be playing in its entirety to mark its 10th anniversary. Something I'm pretty sure everyone remembers from Dub Side is the replacing of the cash registers on "Money" with rhythmic bong rips. But "Us and Them" remains an utter showstopper in reggae.Hear thealbum live with Mighty High and Positive Rising at 8 p.m. in Jazzbones.

2. Drawn from Pacific Lutheran University's Permanent Art Collection, "To Be Human" features expressive, realist, and abstract images of the human figure in work in a variety of media. The exhibit opens today with an artists reception from 5-7 p.m. in the University Gallery.

3. After being diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer at age 27, Sarah Thebarge moved away from the East Coast and a failed relationship to Portland, Ore. to start over. A chance encounter with a Somali mother of five struggling to raise her daughters alone becomes a lifeline, not just for Hadhi and her daughters but also for Thebarge herself. She recounts her the experience in her new memoir, The Invisible Girls. Thebarge will discuss the book and the Somali family who were practically invisible to the rest of the city at 7 p.m. in the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch.

4. Having made his entry into rap through the "breathe easy" click, Akeem has remade his name as a battle-MC and lyricist, gaining the favor and respect of many ears in The 25360. Thus, it is fitting that he invites the public to celebrate a fall-back-to-school show, which doubles conveniently as his birthday bash. Helping Akeem blow out candles will be Cauze N Efekt, Patron, DJs Pasquan and Luvva J (me!) and the award-winning MC (and long-expected "next-to-blow"), Afrok.  Also, there will be open-mic ciphers for MCs, polished and aspiring, who want to bless the mic one time. It all goes down at 7 p.m. in Sampan Restaurant and Lounge.

5. Saxophonist Kareem Kandi has hosted an open jazz session for years, a backyard patio for his music school friends, fellow musicians and newbies to jam out standards - fresh, fiery and exciting. The jam now resides every second Wednesday at 7 p.m. in The Swiss.

LINK: Wednesday, Sept. 11 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

TUESDAY, SEPT. 10 2013 >>>

1. A Hijacking, the latest from Danish writer and director Tobias Lindholm, finds practically every member of the cast acting as a negotiator, in both minor disputes and one VERY major dispute, between the opening and closing credits. This theme of negotiating is so prevalent throughout the film that it opens, appropriately enough, in the middle of a negotiation. The cargo ship MV Rozen is heading for harbour when it is boarded and hijacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean.Find out what happens at 2:15 and 7 p.m. at The Grand Cinema. Read Jared Lovrak's full review of A Hijacking in the Music and Culture section.

2. Stanley and Seafort's invites you to Dine Out For No Kid Hungry through the month of September. Help raise awareness and funds to conquer childhood starvation and malnutrition by eating out or making a pledge. Restaurants Unlimited will be donating $150,000 to the Share Our Strength, No Kid Hungry Campaign in 2013. Find out more at www.nokidhungry.org.

3. Composite materials are engineered materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties and which remain separate and distinct on a macroscopic level within the finished structure. We have no idea what that means, but Dr. George Mayer does. The research professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Washington lives and breathes composite materials. In fact, he'll review some of his work on the toughness of composite materials found in nature at 7 p.m. in Orca Books. You'll never look at a seashell the same way again. Well, you probably will, but at least hear the good doctor out.

4. Jazzbones has put together 10 of its house favorite comics to come out and give you their best 10 minutes tonight during its Ha Ha Tuesday comedy show at 8:30 p.m. In addition to the 10 by 10 entertainment value, Jazzbones will be filming a promotional video that night. Taking the stage are Ralph Porter, Nate Jackson, Susan Jones, Tyrone Hawkins, "Big Irish" Jay Hollingsworth, Michael Walter, Rodger Lizaola, Travis Simmons, Kelsey Cook and Justin Hayes.

5. Pheasant is a band of contradictions: while their music is unabashedly joyful and fun, full of driving beats and irresistible hooks, there is an undercurrent of ... something. It sounds sometimes like anger, or maybe bitterness, or depressive resignation. The Portland band lavishes their tunes with horns, sing-along choruses and strummy guitars, but lead singer Matt Jenkins has a hidden depth beneath his swagger, which makes him a compelling frontman. Catch the band with Jake Bellows and One F at 10 p.m. in Le Voyeur.

LINK: Tuesday, Sept. 10 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Yo, our weekly baggie of Blue Sky is back, bitch! Nerd Alert is the Weekly Volcano's recurring events calendar devoted to all things nerdy. I myself am a Star Wars fan, mathlete, and spelling bee champion of long standing, so trust me: I grok whereof I speak.

I have to admit I'm rather jealous of Rev. Adam McKinney, who alternates weeks with me preparing this column. Next week he gets the release of Stephen King's novel Doctor Sleep, a sequel to The Shining, and the debut of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on network TV. I, on the other hand, get the mid-September doldrums. It's enough to make me curl up with my new pile of Star Wars comics, including the long-overdue The Star Wars miniseries from J. W. Rinzler, based on George Lucas's first (and intriguingly different!) draft of the screenplay. The Force of Others is strong with this one!

Read more...

MONDAY, SEPT. 9 2013 >>>

1. Tacoma loves it some Pacific Grill. It was no surprise when the chef/owner Gordon Naccarato-powered upscale dining option on Pacific Avenue took home "Best Restaurant" honors in the Volcano's 2011 Super Best of Tacoma Readers' Poll. Tacoma's love for Pacific Grill has been proven time and time again. After being open for eight years this month, Naccarato and his team recently rolled out thoroughly revamped menus, featuring small plates, lower prices and more vegan and gluten-free options. From 4-7 p.m., Pacific Grill will celebrate its eighth birthday with a party extravaganza, featuring free appetizers and desserts, prizes and hot DJ action with Mr. Melanin. The only thing more exciting is the food.

2. Think of them as Nashville's version of Fleetwood Mac without quite so many psychosexual head games, and you have Little Big Town. The country foursome will ride into the Washington State Fair at 7:30 p.m. taking turns singing lead and harmonize like no other group in Nashville right now.

3. Pianist Nate D., bassist Cameron and drummer Peter T. host the city's newest jazz jam inviting talent to sit in with them as the house trio explores straight ahead, funk and space at 8 p.m. in The New Frontier Lounge. Not all gigs qualify as a hang, but this one has the precise alchemy that could draw the area's best players: a high level of musicianship, a relaxed atmosphere and a sympathetic intergenerational crowd. Ask any working jazz musician, and the hang is what it's all about.

4. 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, $4 Smirnoff flavor vodka bombs.

5. The stereotype is racing through your head: Everyone is in all black, many are wearing dark and heavy eye make-up and every now and then, the DJ stops a tune with a vertebrae-shattering guitar riff for chants of, "Kill! Kill! Kill!" But O'Malley's new "Mondays For The Damned," is not some cartoon-like parody like you see in the movies. For the most part, the 9 p.m. Monday DJ night is just your typical above ground underground new wave, synth pop, goth, industrial and post-punk haven, and, if you're into it, it's one of the best places to find yourself in the company of the city's goth and industrial scene. Night Shift (Nicole and Aaron) and guest DJs will spin, while Rich Sumner screens videos and movies. Get dark over $3.25 micro brew pints and a pound of wings for $5.50.

LINK: Monday, Sept. 9 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, SEPT. 8 2013 >>>

1. Tacoma takes care of its own, as we like to say. Today will provide an opportunity for us to prove that we can extend this affection to one of our area's beloved musicians. Jho Blenis needs help paying his medical bills. Enough said. A benefit will be held from 1-10 p.m. at The Swiss featuring a full day of awesome blues: Spin Cycle, Randy Oxford Band, Big Nasty, Dean Reichert Band, Little Bill and the Blue Notes, Tim Hall Band, Jerry Miller Band and Bump Kitchen anchoring at 8 p.m. Ted Brown Music is providing a bass rig and drum kit/cymbals. All-Star Guitar is donating major gear for guitarists. Robert Richholt is donating a Hammond XK3 with a Leslie for back line.

2. Roller derby fans and skaters no doubt celebrated the sports' 78th anniversary last month with an elbow to someone's chest. The latest out of the Dockyard Derby Dames' camp is an early start. The league will hit the flat track for season eight Saturday, Oct. 5. Also look for more out-of-league play, as well as appreciation nights. Need a breakaway from sorting books at the library? The Dockyard Derby Dames Boot Camp runs every Sunday in September. For $40 you will learn the basic skills and have fun, too. In no time you'll be transformed into Anna Scar-enina! Hurry! Camp opens at 9 a.m.

3. Luminasia - described on the Washington State Fair's website as "an exquisite take on the timeless tradition of Chinese lantern making, combining high-tech material and state-of-the art lighting and production techniques." "It really is one of the most amazing attractions we've had in years," said Karen LaFlamme, media relations representative for the fair. "We have 40 artisans from China working on it. The theme is "East meets West," so there will be dragons and pagodas and things like the Space Needle, a ferry boat and totem poles ... it really is a magical 2-acre event." Catch Luminasia from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Fairgrounds.

4. Paesan Kitchen and Bar's patio is a lovely spot to while away a weekend afternoon, sipping cocktails and old world red wine and watch condo residents walk their dogs. Come Sunday afternoon, tables mean nothing as resident DJ Mr. Melanin and rotating guests spin an eclectic and extremely tasteful selection of lounge, bossa nova and electro soul music 2-6 p.m. This quadruple threat of delicious pizza, booze, sun and hip tunes is known as Tacoma's only daytime summer party, "Dayclub." Today marks the last Dayclub of the season. Mr. Melanin says it's going to be off the hook.

5. Jazz Live at Marine View kicks off its fall season with a celebration of jazz entitled Jazzaganza. It's an anthology of jazz, with a look at how jazz has changed and grown from its humble beginnings. Gospel, R & B and jazz vocalist Josephine Howell joins the Buckshot Jazz Band with Buck Chandler on percussion, Eugene Bien on keyboards and Cliff Colon on saxophone for Jazzaganza from 5-6:45 p.m. at Marine View Church - for free.  In addition, modern dance instructor Monica McEthy-Ballet will add a theatrical element to the evening.  

LINK: Sunday, Sept. 8 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SATURDAY, SEPT. 7 2013 >>>

1. Today's Tacoma Craft Beer Festival features 75 breweries with craft-brew concoctions, including five craft ciders and even a winery for those who don't want to fill up on the brewskis alone. And it's not just the quantity of breweries participating that has taken on the "go big or go home" motto; it's the location as well. Cheney Stadium will host this year's event from noon to 9 p.m. Among this year's beer lineup, drinkers will find local favorites such as 7 Seas Brewing, Engine House No. 9 Brewery, Harmon, Wingman Brewing and others alongside newcomers such as Narrows Brewing, Pacific Brewing & Malting Co and Oregon-based McMenamins, which is slated to move into the Elks Building ... someday. The sheer variety of potions is mindboggling.

2. The Film Forward Festival ends today with a gumbo of melting snow caps, fragile father-daughter relationships, locavorism, Katrina conspiracy theories, and giant prehistoric pigs, or what director Benh Zeitlin calls Beasts of the Southern Wild. Catch the film at 2 p.m. in the Tacoma Public Library downtown branch. A post film discussion will be moderated by Dr. Joanne Clarke Dillman of the University of Washington Tacoma.

3. Whitney Otto's recent novel, Eight Girls Taking Pictures, explores the ambitions, passions, conflicts and desires of eight female photographers throughout the 20th century. Get a better picture of the book at 3 p.m. when she visits Orca Books in Olympia.

4. On tour to promote their second album on Jell Biafra's Alternative Tentacles, Turn Me On Dead Man brings their heavy psychedelia to Olympia. Do we hear a little Pink Floyd meets The Smiths? A landscape of groovy reverb, grounded with blazing licks and tricked out with heavy, loud-ass space jams, people should be stoked to catch them live - especially since the line-up consists of tour mates The Spiral Electric who bring their own brand of psychedelic rock. To round off bill is Olympia's The Big Red Sun and Tacoma's From the Sea. The show kicks off at 9 p.m. in McCoy's.

5. NWCZRadio.com presents "Tacoma Rock Night" with local darlings Big wheel Stunt Show, Cody Foster Army and Blanco Bronco at 9 p.m. in The New Frontier Lounge.

LINK: Saturday, Sept. 7 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

If you're one of those daisies who can't quite commit to even being a Tacoman despite having lived here for more than a year, or if you're new and need to understand the ethos and pathos of Tacoma in a manner that will help you appreciate this city, Conversations RE:Tacoma, an ad hoc group, has taken it upon themselves to educate your sorry ass on Tacoma's built environment - past, present and future.

Conversations RE:Tacoma will do this through a three-part lecture series specifically designed to enhance your love of T-town. Tacoma is not all deserted spaces and Pabst specials, although it's also not entirely without those gems either.

The first lecture - "From Here to There," Thursday, Sept. 19 - will focus on transportation-oriented development and its integration into the livable city, to quote the press release. Prof. Ali Modarres, director of the University of Washington Tacoma's Urban Studies; Tina Lee, principal planner at Pierce Transit; and Rick Williams, transportation management expert and parking consultant in Portland, Ore. will knock around ideas while moderator Peter Callaghan, The News Tribune columnist, keeps the conversation flowing. Appropriately, the conversation will be held at the LeMay America's Car Museum.

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Located among Tacoma's Antique Row's charming shops you'll discover Millesime Designs. Though quaint in size, owner Summer Hess Briggs brings the style and whimsy in her one of a kind up-cycled treasures.

Every eight weeks Briggs revamps the storefront space with a new color combo and theme. Pops of yellows starkly contrasted with blacks can be found one visit, kitschy reds and comics the next and vibrant baby blues with vintage touches make each shopping adventure new and exciting.

You'll find large up-cycled dressers, fabulously updated coffee tables and compelling dioramas and knick-knacks galore. Visits to the shop often leave me feeling like I've traveled down the rabbit hole with Alice as ceramic owls hold my gaze from their perches surrounded by little glass bottles meant for potions.

If you're seeking to find a creative spark to fuel your next Pinterest project you will also find DIY kits for $7. These little goodies bags are filled with random items that Briggs has put together including but not limited to vintage keys, birds' nests, game pieces and more.

An added bonus: Briggs is always on site and offers fabulous conversation.

Her husband, Daniel, is also often in house promoting his The One Spot jam concoctions that include bold flavors like blueberry basil and cayenne and peach.

MILLESIME DESIGNS, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 745 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.722.5100

See Also

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FRIDAY, SEPT. 6 2013 >>>

1. Every year, more than a million people pour into the Washington State Fair (previously the Puyallup Fair) not only as a tradition, but also for the fresh and innovative experiences the fair offers, like this year's feature, Luminasia - described on the fair's website as "an exquisite take on the timeless tradition of Chinese lantern making, combining high-tech material and state-of-the art lighting and production techniques." Other new highlights are the Bavarian Beer Garden and SillyVille Soda Shoppe. Also for the kiddies are two free interactive experiences: Tractor Tracks, where kids pedal antique tractors through a maze, and Crazy Worlds 5D Adventure, where participants navigate through an imaginary world while wearing 3D glasses. The latest ride to show up at the fair is Rainier Rush, which can be described as a looping inversion coaster and "a nice contrast to the classic wooden roller coaster." Today, the Fair runs 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on the Washington State Fair in the Music and Culture section.

2. Dirty Oscar's is joining forces with Team Hammock to help kick cancer's ass! This is Team Hammock's first year participating in the "Light the Night Walk," a 2-mile walk Sept. beginning at Marine Park in Tacoma where every dollar raised goes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Drop By Dirty Oscar's between 4-6 p.m. for happy hour and help kick cancer's ass.

3. The Sundance Institute's Film Forward series continues today with The Loving Story screening for free at 6 p.m. in Jason Lee Middle School. The film tells the story of Richard and Mildred and examines the drama, the history and the current state of interracial marriage.

4. Two ardent supporters of the analog movement are touring up the West Coast, and will find their way to Olympia's Northern venue at 8 p.m. Calling their tour "Analog Resurgence," Rakehell and Go Pills are traveling with their salvation show, preaching the gospel of low-tech. Musically, they could reductively be described as pop-punk or New Wave, with quirky lyrics and unpredictable style shifts. Go Pills, in particular, might play around with twisted '50s novelty music like the kind Bobby "Boris" Pickett would play ("It Came From Outer Space"), and then jump over to lo-fi punk anthems ("I'm So Tired [It's Not Funny]"). Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on the Analog Resurgence in the music and Culture section.

5. Tacoma band Strangely Alright, who recently signed to Maurice the Fish Records, and released a hot-seller debut album, The Time Machine is Broken, will be shooting a video for their song, "If I Don't Laugh I'm Only Going To Cry" at Tacoma's antique store Rampart Sept 14. The band requests folks to come in costume and have a good time. There aren't any criteria for costume; coming as you is cool by the band. If you need a Strangely Alright fix before the shoot, the band hosts an all-ages CD release party with Sleepy Pilot and Stone Age Thrillers Friday at 8 p.m. tonight in Louie G's in Fife. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on Strangely Alright in the Music and Culture section.

LINK: Friday, Sept. 6 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

The electricity in the air in downtown Tacoma this morning wasn't the result of an earlier thunder and lightning storm.

Instead, with the smell of fresh rain permeating the air, the grounds of the Tacoma Art Museum became a Western wonderland. Bales of hay, lassos and soulful Western music, along with folks clad in bandanas, cowboy hats, boots and shiny brass belt buckles were just some of the sights. Why?

The Tacoma Art Museum was celebrating the groundbreaking of a new museum expansion that will go down in the history books. This, however, was no ordinary ceremony with hardhats and shovels.

The Tacoma Art Museum announced a major donation by Erivan and Helga Haub and family of 280 major works of American Western art, along with endowment funds for the care of the collection and funds for a 16,000-square-foot museum expansion and building renovation. The new wing will provide 50 percent more gallery space overall. Award-winning and renowned Seattle-based architectural firm Olson Kundig Architects has been selected to design the expansion and renovation project.

The donation is noteworthy on many different levels. The collection captures the essence of the American West and dates from the 1820s to the present day. The new wing will take the Tacoma Art Museum to a new level, making it one of the leading museums in the country that features American Western art.

According to a recent museum press release, the collection includes works from significant historic Western painters such as grand manner landscape painters Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Moran; titans of the Western genre Frederic Remington and Charles Russell; and works by artists such as E. Martin Hennings and Ernest Blumenschein. The collection also contains works by notable modernist painters, including Georgia O'Keeffe, as well as more contemporary artists such as John Clymer, Tom Lovell, Bill Schenck and Clyde Aspevig.

Work on the project will begin in late October with an expected completion date in the fall of 2014. The museum's expansion integrates with other local civic projects. Thanks to grants and other generous donations, the expansion marks the extraordinary partnership of public and private interests in making the project a reality.

Originally from Germany, Ervian and Helga Haub own The Tengelmann Group, an international company with diversified retail and investment operations in Europe and North America. The Haubs have both personal and business connections with the Pacific Northwest.

The couple's son, Christian Haub, along with his wife, Liliane, are leading the project on behalf of their family. They speak with a great passion about being connected to the local community, Tacoma in particular.

"My family has a long history here in Tacoma," Christian said. "My father came here in the 1950s and fell in love with the area. In 1958, he returned with his bride, who too, saw that this was a really great place."

The Haubs decided to have all their sons born here, right in Tacoma, to have a permanent connection to the place. Though the children grew up in Germany, summers were spent in Tacoma, and the family sought every opportunity to return as often as possible.

In addition to their love of the South Sound, The Haubs developed a love, passion and inspiration for American Western art. They began developing their extraordinary collection in 1984.

Today's groundbreaking ceremony paid homage to the Haub family and all of the other entities that made the expansion a reality. The ceremony began with a poignant blessing and performance from the Puyallup Indian Tribe. Dignitaries included Steve Barger, Tacoma Art Museum Board president; Congressmen Derek Kilmer; Gov. Jay Inslee; Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland; Christian Haub; and Stephanie Stebich, Tacoma Art Museum director.

The remarks from the special guests echoed a similar theme of gratitude, teamwork, pride and an eye to the future.

Barger enthusiastically thanked the Haub family, those responsible for the grants funding, the city of Tacoma and all of the major donors and sponsors.

"This is truly a gift to be enjoyed by us and generations to come," he said.

Kilmer encouraged everyone present to celebrate the valuable role of the arts and the revitalization of the city.

"There has been an extraordinary investment in this city that adds to its vibrancy and makes it a great place to live and work," he said.

Inslee, delighted to be in Tacoma on this special day, noted that the celebration of recognizing the American West helps to unlock the power of art to inspire children and their families and promote a positive economic impact to the area.

"Art is beauty and truth, but it is also one of the great economic engines of our state," he said. "We need to remind people of that."

Strickland graciously thanked the Haubs, the public and private entities that helped, and the citizens of Tacoma who made the museum a part of their lives and families.

Stebich described the warm relationship the museum has with the Haub family, noting that they have been advocates for the project for the last 18 months along with trustees, members, artists, volunteers, staff, donors, elected officials and proud Tacomans.

"The new wing will be glorious," she said with a smile.

Instead of the traditional groundbreaking, the ceremony concluded with a barn raising in which dignitaries raised two life-size replicas of the featured artwork, Charles Bird King's "Wanata (The Charger), Grand Chief of the Sioux," and Thomas Moran's "Green River, Wyoming."

A fitting end for a historic Western-inspired day.

LINK: More photos from the Tacoma Art Museum Haub Wing groundbreaking ceremony