THURSDAY. JUNE 20, 2013 >>>

1. Hot off his work as illustrator for the South Sound User's Guide, Alexander put down his tiny line making pens and explores Hilltop Tacoma though found objects. According to pre-show hype, "These found objects were collected and considered before artworks were made from them. Interactions with residents of the neighborhood also served to create work, especially those with the mysterious drifter and neighborhood staple Henry Lee Walls." Titled "Life is OOD," a play off the slogan "life is good" as well as rapper Nas' most recent album, Life is Good, Alexander and Walls offer their inspirations for public viewing with a reception from 5-9 p.m. at Fulcrum Gallery.

2. Of course today is the third Thursday of the month, which means only one thing for the Tacoma crowd: Time for Tacoma Arts Mingle - a night of strolling through galleries, museum and art friendly businesses. And as such hip citizens, you take Tacoma Arts Mingle virgins to the best galleries - and, of course, to galleries offering the best appetizers - hello 253 Collective! But even the hipsters might not know that this gallery across from The Swiss hosts an artist who digs existentialist French author Albert Camus - William H. Bryant III. Does Bryant follow Camus's creed: The artist must create dangerously? That's for you to decide. Bryant says Camus's philosophy of the absurd, views on art and society have been his biggest artistic influence, and the reason why his style of painting depicts the world's ugliness and beauty absurdly in his painting simultaneously. Don't wait for the last judgment - it takes place every day. Yes, there will be nibbles. Check it out from 3-8 p.m.

3. Another Art+Sci Salon will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the Tacoma Art Museum. This collaboration between the University of Puget Sound and the Tacoma Art Museum will focus on the intersections between the arts, ecology, and community - through a panel consisting of Amy McBride, Tacoma art administrator; Elizabeth Conner, artist and adjunct instructor at University of Washington Tacoma; Vaughn Bell, also an artist and adjunct instructor at University of Washington Tacoma; Peter Hodum, biologist and assistant professor at University of Puget Sound.

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

5. Thrones, C Average and Moldy Castle will rock The Brotherhood Lounge in downtown Olympia beginning at 9 p.m. 

LINK: Thursday, June 20 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19 2013 >>>

1. PECK the Town Crier is a honest-to-goodness mystery. A genre-hopping artist from San Rafael, Calif., PECK tends toward faux-smooth hip hop, when he's not incorporating bits of boogie-woogie Americana or Beach Boys-esque sunny surf rock or '70s AM gold. PECK the Town Crier's willingness to drift dreamily from genre to genre without apology or explanation is what makes him so simultaneously interesting and off-putting. Catch him at 10 p.m. with Shye Powers at Le Voyeur.

2. Count yourself blessed, Tacoma, because you get to see something few people in the world have seen. Throughout his career Eric Carle, famous for children's books such as Brown Bear - Brown Bear, What Do You See? And The Very Hungry Caterpillar and more than 70 other picture books - has created art for his own personal satisfaction that he never showed to anyone outside of family and friends. He called it his "ArtArt," and he had to be coaxed into showing it publicly. To our great benefit, Tacoma Art Museum Director Stephanie Stebich is a personal friend of the Carle family. She is the one who talked him into showing this work, and Tacomans get to be the first to see it. And it is great. Absolutely outstanding. Check it out from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. Pint Defiance hosts Fort George for a Brewer's Night 5-7 p.m. Expect to taste Bourbon Barrel Vortex IPA and Spruce Budd Pale.

4. Wednesday night is always good for getting quizzical in the South Sound. The Harmon Brewery hosts Trivia Night with Gordon Adams, Doyle's Public House offers Knowledge Night team trivia with awesome prizes, and out at the Steilacoom Pub and Grill Steilacoom catch "Trivia with Dave." Find all the info you need right here.

5. There may be no better venue in Olympia to belt out the hits as the China Clipper on Fourth Avenue, which hosts Late Night Karaoke every Wednesday for the hard-drinking, hard-singing crowd. You should see this spectacle.

LINK: Wednesday, June 19 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

If you thought Tacoma had no more room for another frozen yogurt option, there's a new way to get your fix. Gibson's Frozen Yogurt, with two locations in Stadium District and Westgate, is opening a mobile version of its shops, the Gibson's Frozen Yogurt Truck.

It will be the first self-serve frozen yogurt truck in Washington," said Judy Jones, business manager for Gibson's.  "We wanted a way to bring the fun to everyone, not just in a single neighborhood."

There will be three machines dispensing six different flavors, with toppings similar to the ones that are in the shops, including fruits, nuts, cereals, candies and more. It'll be pay by the ounce, and since it's self-serve, you can have as little or as much as you want.

Though it's still in the permitting process, look for Gibson's Frozen Yogurt Truck at the Tacoma Freedom Fair on the 4th of July and the Old Town Rhythm and Blues Festival the following weekend. After that, it will be found around town at various locations year-round. To track it down at any given time, check its Facebook and Twitter. It'll also be available for catering weddings and parties.

If you loved ice cream trucks as a kid - or, let's face it, still do run outside when you hear the music, this takes the experience to a whole new level of personalization and convenience.

TUESDAY, JUNE 18 2013 >>>

1. Since its introduction in 1894, the motorcycle has spawned a variety of cultures and uses. As basic transportation, as leisure activity or as a die-hard lifestyle, millions of people have a love affair with Choppers, Crotch Rockets, Thumpers and all things two-wheeled. The action-packed exhibit "Let's Ride! Motocycling The Northwest at the Washington State History Museum is a celebration of the region's never-waning motorcycle culture - will include interactive exhibits, videos and impressive displays of machines from 1906 to the 21st century. Check it out from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2. It's Tuesday and that means The Grand Cinema unleashes another special film as part of its Tuesday Film Series. Today at 1:40 and 6:30 p.m. The Grand will screen bio-doc Renoir, a look at the  elderly painter Auguste Renoir who finds inspiration in a new model. Read John Kephart's preview on the Walkie Talkie blog.

3. With a 90-minute set featuring around 20 of Diamond's hits – ranging from his early work for television shows, such as The Monkees ("I'm A Believer") to songs from his movie "The Jazz Singer" – Neil Diamond tribute band The Diamond Experience will rock the Red Wind Casino from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

4. A poignant story of lost love in the greatest tradition of Greek tragedies told through the recollections of WWI veteran Nick Carraway. A relatively rich young mid-western bachelor living on Long Island Sound and attempting to break into the bond business, Carraway finds himself in the opulent lifestyle of the rich and famous. But very soon he is drawn into the  messy lives of a distant cousin and her abusive, philandering husband, an odd female golfer and a mysterious man, his rich and somewhat eccentric neighbor. Sounds like a read right up the Banned Book Club's alley. The club will discuss The Great Gatsby at 7 p.m. inside Doyle's Public House.

5. If hearing the sound of your own cackling voice echoing off the walls of your shower stall has you craving the sound of something a bit more harmonious, check out the local songbirds at Victory Music Open Mic at the Antique Sandwich Co. It's guaranteed to be jam-packed with gorgeous sounds and humbling verses, as the South Sound's greatest up-and-coming acoustic musicians bare their souls impromptu-style. Performances start at 7 p.m., and if you're thinking that your shower-time ballads are ready for public consumption, you can sign up for your own moment in the, er, sun at 6.

LINK: Tuesday, June 18 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Fifteen years ago, a newbie Tacoma resident ventured onto Sixth Avenue to see what "Art on the Ave" was all about.

"I saw, like, four tables and a couple of people walking around," Claudia Riedener previously told the Weekly Volcano with a chuckle.

This year, as she pokes her head out onto Sixth Avenue, she's likely to see art. Tons of art. And wackiness.

The theme this year is "Back to Art!" And it's truly back. Art on the Ave producer Angela Jossy sent the scoop to the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters. Read up and plan your Sunday, July 14:

Read more...

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Perhaps The Grand Cinema missed a good bet by not scheduling Renoir - part of their Tuesday Film Series - on Father's Day instead.  It is the story of a father after all, Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and his relationship with his middle son, Jean. It's also the story of a free-spirited girl who was one of the elder Renoir's last models. Her youth and beauty inspired both men.

Based on real events, Renoir takes place in 1915, when the 74-year-old painter brings his latest muse, Andree Heuschling, to his South of France estate. Jean returns home to convalesce after being wounded in the war, and becomes enchanted with her. An aspiring actress, Andree encourages him to pursue filmmaking. As a result, he not only became a internationally recognized film director, but married the girl as well.

Thanks, dad!

RENOIR, 1:40 and 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 18, The Grand Cinema, 606 S. Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, $4.50-$9, 253.593.4474

TIDBITS TO CHEW ON TODAY >>>

The Triple Play sports bar opened over the weekend at Sixth and Proctor in the spot Hell's Kitchen once served Pabst and punk. The Triple Play offers standard sports bar food with an emphasis on hot dogs, a full bar, plenty of televisions and a stage for live bands on the weekends - the sound board set-up is ready to go thanks to Danno of Jazzbones. The ownership doesn't have plans to use the elevated DJ station.

Rocket Records has re-opened a few doors down from the Triple Play on Sixth Avenue offering vinyl, CDs and music paraphernalia in a long, narrow space. There's a nook halfway down the space that owner Steve says he'll try to squeeze band into. Also, he has a couple signed copies of the new Alice in Chains CD for sale.

After shooting the new Chevy Silverado "Like A Rock" commercial for eight days in eastern Washington, where do Leonard and Teddy Haggarty grab food and drinks? The revamped 1022 South J lounge. That's right, the Tacoma brothers pulled up to the Hilltop Tacoma lounge Sunday night tired and grungy. The 1022 South J lounge reopened Saturday night with a daily 4 p.m. opening time, fancy patio, craft cocktails and food and a happy hour from 4-6 p.m.

MARTIN SCORSESE: Here's the trailer for his The Wolf of Wall Street starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

WINE AND COLA?: It works.

EYEBALL-LICKING: It doesn't work.

Be All You Can Be Today!

MONDAY, JUNE 17 2013 >>>

1. Harry and the Potters may well be the nerdiest band in existence: They Might Be Giants-esque power pop that only concerns itself with Harry Potter ephemera. That they've been around for over a decade and released roughly one album a year in that time is a testament not only to how mythologically dense and circuitous that book series was, but also to the bloody-minded tenacity of the band itself. Catch the band at 7 p.m. in Northern.

2. Luigi LaCross is a jazz quartet consisting of John Croarkin (flutes, saxophones, harmonica), Drew Gibbs (piano, flute, percussion), Phil Lawson (classical guitar) and Steve Luceno (string bass, percussion, steel string guitar) performing original pieces as well as pieces by Brazilian composers Hermeto Pascoul and Jovina Santos Neto. See the band at 8 p.m. in The Royal Lounge.

3. 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.

4. Richard Molina and blues musician friends will jam at 8 p.m. in The Swiss.

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, June 17 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, JUNE 16 2013 >>>

1. In the year 2018, Cyndi Lauper astonished the world by staging a coup and becoming Earth's first Overlord. It started nonchalantly enough, with clandestine visits to Camp David and crossing the International Date Line multiple times in an evening. Nothing a globetrotting rock star wouldn't do, right? But Lauper had secret plans. No one would have guessed, back in the halcyon days of 1983, that Lauper would have designs on global domination. I mean, sure, she conquered the world in a metaphorical sense with the power of pop hits like "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and "True Colors," but becoming a literal world superpower was far from anyone's mind. Hear her plans at 7:30 p.m. in the Pantages Theater. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full analysis of Cyndi Lauper's world domination in Northwest Military's Music & Culture section.

2. The 18th annual International Military Band Concert, hosted by the Washington National Guard, will be held at 3 p.m. Father's Day Sunday in the Washington Center in downtown Olympia. Scheduled to perform at the NADEN Band of the Royal Canadian Navy; Band of the 15th Filed Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery; 56th "I Corp" Band; US Navy Band Northwest and the 133D Washington National Guard Band. And just like previous years, this popular concert is free and will sell out. To reserve your seat, call 360.753.8586.

3. Take the modern alt-country blues sound of Drive-By Truckers, throw in the fun loving attitude and riff-blues-rock of ZZ Top, mix them all together and you get close to the vibe of Too Slim and the Taildraggers. This is real, down and dirty rock and roll - a delightful jumble of virtuosic slide guitar work from frontman Tim "Too Slim" Langford and the revamped rock sound of the Taildraggers. The band's vibe blends power-chord-driven, fun-loving nasty grooves with a new, indie-rock songwriting vibe. And it works. Don't worry, though, Too Slim and crew definitely infuse plenty of blues and Americana into their work. You dig? Then catch the band at the 5 p.m. Blues Vespers show at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church.

4. Mark Dufresne will lay it down at the Spar in Old Town Tacoma at 7 p.m.

5. Ten comedians battle for $2,500 first prize at 8 p.m. in the Tacoma Comedy Club.

LINK: Sunday, June 16 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

They both produce guttural grunts. They both house hairy necks. And, they both can produce sparks of romance. But between Northwest Trek's Elk Bugle Tour and Tacoma's Squeak and Squawk Music Festival - both going down the weekend of Sept. 14-15 - which event truly rules? Read on and find out!

All the Lonely People

ELK BUGLE TOUR: Northwest Trek's Elk Bugle Tour draws people who want a rare glimpse into the wild and wonderful world of Roosevelt elk during the "rut" or breeding season.

SQUEAK AND SQUAWK: Anyone who knows a lick about indie music has to be excited about this festival.

Edge: Obviously, observing hooved animals "do sex" as Pat Robertson says with fellow horn dogs is more exciting than watching "piggyback dancing" where a girl briefly attempts to dance while riding on the shoulders of some dude, before immediately losing her balance and slipping off back into the crowd. Elk Bugle wins this category.

Speaking in Tongues

ELK: "EEuuuh, eeEEeeuh"

SQUEAK AND SQUAWK: "You are the smell before rain, you are the blood in my veins!"

Edge: What does it feel like to be bathed in indie rock lyrics? Well, it feels a bit sticky. There's no clever joke there. That's just how it feels. Elk Bugle Tours receives the nod.

Overheard Outside the Bathroom

ELK BUGLE TOUR: "Seriously, pour me a Chardonnay and stream Michael L. Drake's "Elk Autumn" and I'm good."

SQUEAK AND SQUAWK: "If you believe that lo-fi indie-rock pioneers Pavement peaked with 1994's sophomore album Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, but that Stephen Malkmus redeemed himself with his eponymous debut solo album, then I'll give you a lift home."

Edge: Have you heard Drake's "Elk Autumn"? Enough said.

Violence Inherent in the System

ELK BUGLE TOUR: Testosterone-charged male Roosevelt elk challenge each other for breeding rights to herds of female elk. The often-bloody mating rituals of elk locking antlers as they push one another back and forth to exhaustion in order to assert their dominance can be seen from the trams.

SQUEAK AND SQUAWK: A clumsy girl will trip over a backpack during a dream pop band's third song, "Hey Meg. Phone. It's London."

Edge: Violence is as American as apple pie. Elk Bugle Tour takes another category.

Winner

It's hard to say. Both have their redeeming qualities. Since it's likely elk will continue to mate for years to come at Northwest Trek, it's our responsibility as people who love music to help fund the Squeak and Squawk Music Festival. "It's good for Tacoma's young people to have something to do besides get bonkers drunk and spit peanuts around a room," Squeak and Squawk Music Festival co-founder Sean Alexander told the Weekly Volcano in 2008, the year the festival launched in Tacoma. To help fund Squeak and Squawk, visit the festival's Kickstarter. Hurry. The festival is still a little short on its funds. Squeak and Squawk's Kickstarter closes at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 16.