FRIDAY, MARCH 15 2013 >>>

1. Olympia's Mosquito Hawk joins Tacoma band Mahnhammer - the band's first show with guitarist Mike Crum from Mico De Noche - Portland's Dark Country and Seattle's Gang Cult for a house show in Tacoma. "We have some new songs, and some re-vamped old tunes since our new addition," says Mahnhammer's vocalist Micah Hembree. "We are very happy to know that there are great people like Chuck that will open up his home to support the music scene." Sean Lanksbury (vox/guitar) chimes in. "I'm personally stoked because Friday's lineup spans the I-5 corridor and all kinds of heavy music. Varied night of killer music in a great atmosphere? Doesn't get much better." Agreed.

2. Wrist Magazine provides an outlet for the literary minds of Tacoma, for self-expression and for writers to seek true connection to the masses. At 7 p.m. inside Bluebeard Coffee, the magazine's published contributors will read their works followed by a poetry slam.

3. Talented Tacoma photographers command the Madera Architectural Elements Showroom once a month, illuminating their work and creativity with the visually aided enhancement implied by the name of the series, TRIPOD Slide Shows. Created by Tacoma artist Lynn Di Nino, the night of digital slides features three local photographers and one creative theme.  The next TRIPOD Slide Show slides into Madera from 7-8:30 p.m. featuring 15-minute slide shows by photographers Dave Warner, Wendy Gilson and Theresa Tavernero under the theme "Travel, Near, Far and Farther!"

4. Drag show troupe New Queens on the Block has produced shows at the Urban Onion since September, dropping a themed show on Olympia every third Friday of the month. Tonight at 9 p.m., the troupe hosts a "geeked out" comedy show ala Comicon at the Onion. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on New Queens on the Block.

5. DJs Broam, Mr. Melanin, Delicious Brown and Ninjamonik are back for another Future Bass night at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier Lounge. The bass will throb. The sounds will ebb. The roof will definitely being raised. All under the hypnotic influence of the DJs' tight grooves. Expect a night of electroclash, EDM, hip-hop, disco, exclusive remixes and throwbacks.

LINK: Friday, March 15 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Sunshine, hi 51, lo 35

Saturday: Mostly sunny, hi 54, lo 39

Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a few showers, hi 50, lo 44

>>> FRIDAY, MARCH 8: SOUTH SOUND TECH CONFERENCE

Technology is a pretty freakin' big deal these days. Seems like the legions of tech geeks are ever growing, with a new techie born every time the wind blows or someone purchases a new iPhone. Friday brings the South Sound Technology Conference to the University of Washington Tacoma, a one-day event designed to bring together, "leaders from industry, education and government to discuss and demonstrate innovations and their applications," according to pre-event hype. The day-long event features a morning keynote by Director of Business Incubation at Cisco Systems Sharon Wong, a panel discussion on big data, and a lunch keynote by Michael Hamilton, chief information and security officer with the city of Seattle. - Weekly Volcano

• UWT - William W. Philip Hall, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., $20, registration required, 1551 Broadway, Tacoma, sstconference.org
  

>>> FRIDAY, MARCH 8: RED JACKET MINE

"It's been a few years since we last played The New Frontier, and much has changed - most notably, we have a brand-new LP called Someone Else's Cake out on Fin Records," says Lincoln Barr of Red Jacket Mine. "It'll be great to be back ... Brook, Neil, and the rest of the crew are hospitality epitomized. We recently heard up-and-comers Trees and Timber at a house party hosted by our friends in the Jilly Rizzo, and we knew we'd found a Tacoma band after our own heart. Throw in The Variety Hour and you've got a full night of Pure Pop for Tacoma's Now People." - Nikki McCoy

• The New Frontier Lounge, 9 p.m., $5, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020

>>> FRIDAY, MARCH 8: MOSQUITO HAWK

McCoys Cavern in Olympia, voted Best Dive Bar by Volcano readers, will be hosting a night of rock; stoner rock, classic rock, dirty rock, whatever you want to call it, it will be off the hinge. With Mosquito Hawk (Oly), Witchburn (Seattle) and Black Pussy (Portland), I wouldn't recommend passing this one up. - NM

• McCoy's Tavern, 10 p.m., $3, 420 Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.352.0696

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 16: POETRY OUT LOUD STATE FINALS

Chad Channing, former Nirvana drummer, brings his pop rock band Before Cars to Rocket Records for an afternoon, live performance. Before Cars are promoting its latest album, How We Run, dropped Feb. 26 on the band's record label, Pocket Star Records. Best thing about this album is the acoustic, singer/songwriter feel. Best thing about Rocket Records shows is they start early, you can browse music, there is a cool gumball machine, and owner Steve Gaydich and his dog, Bruno, are never without smiles, making it feel like your living room. Combine the two, and you're golden. - NM

• Rocket Records, 3 p.m., no cover, 3843 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.756.5186

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 9: SNAKE LAKE SCIENCE FAIR

Kids these days are no damn good. You hear about it all the time. But Saturday at the Tacoma Nature Center anyone interested can get a look at some of the positive things kids are capable of - like baking soda volcanoes and paper towel strength test. It's called the Snake Lake Science Fair, and kids from throughout Tacoma - many of them homeschooled - will participate with gusto this weekend, making for an event that's sure to be both enjoyable and enlightening. And it's also free to drop in on. The kids have been working for a long time on these projects (deadline for application was in late February, and there was a $10 application fee), so we expect a topnotch science fair. - WV

• Tacoma Nature Center, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. public viewing, free admission, 1919 S. Tyler, Tacoma, 253.591.6439

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 9-SUNDAY, MARCH 10: PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDERS

Wooooeee, that's a tall drink o' water! The professional bull riders are in town this Saturday for the PBR Built Ford Tough Series Tacoma Invitational at the Tacoma Dome. You can watch guys get thrown around by burgers on the hoof, enjoy the smell of large animal poop or watch the Weekly Volcano lasses stalk the man flesh while wearing my "Save a horse, ride a cowboy" T-shirt. - WV

• Tacoma Dome, 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $17-$19, 2525 E. D St., Tacoma, 253.272.3663

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 9: DOCKYARD DERBY DAMES

Dockyard Derby Dames are gearing up for their first bout of their seventh season Saturday, where you will see the Femme Fianna, Hellbound Homewreckers, Marauding Mollys and Trampires in double-header action. This event teams up with Emergency Food Network - bring donated food and receive $3 off at the door. There will also be a beer garden and food truck for those that need to fuel their fire for extra cheering power. - NM

• Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, 6 p.m. $12/adv, $15/door, 9401 Farwest Dr. SW  Lakewood, 253. 964.6500

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
I plan to watch the new Oz movie, then spend all weekend bitching about how it doesn't measure up to the original.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
This weekend, I'll be getting out of town for a few days to visit a friend in Portland. There, I expect that I'll revel in its relatively cheap culture, picking up a seriously discounted carton of cigarettes and enjoying complimentary beer-backs with my shots of whiskey. Portland is heaven for a few days, hell for much longer, I've found.

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
We're going to the Thurston County Progressive Network's "Let Them Eat Cake" fundraiser dinner auction thingamajingy.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
After Friday, when I will be slinging drinks and then hitting up the Royal Lounge for Brent Amaker and The Dirty Birds, plus a mosey down to McCoy's for Mosquito Hawk and Black Pussy, the weekend calls from some serious R & R. And, no, I'm not talking about the Canadian blend whiskey - I'm talking sweat pants, TV trays, book reading and sleeping in.

JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
I'm not doing anything this weekend except teaching my spoken-word/poetry class at D.A.S.H. on Saturday from 1-2 p.m. Then, I'll be helping Kept See shoot a video. Sunday, I'll be hitting the Graffiti Garage MC Cypher at 1 p.m.

JACKIE FENDER Food Writer
Saturday will include morning bird booze slinging and writing while Sunday will be the ultimate date night in honor of the husband's day of birth week. Undecided in what culinary exploration we will partake in but most certainly heading north to revel in Cirque du Soliel's Amaluna.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
Woohoo, I have a date! Well, sort of. While my husband and I will be at the same Warehouse show with Damien Jurado and Jake Hemming on Friday. He will be working and I'll be hanging with friends. The toddler will have his own date and may or not be asleep when we get home. Also, I plan on grading papers and lesson planning at some point.

ADRIENNE KUEHL Food Writer
Friday, I'm heading to Seattle to hang out with my best friend at her gallery and catch up on some wine drinking. The rest of the weekend will be dedicated to doing my taxes and planning a friend's baby shower. Thrilling.

STEVE DUNKELBRGER Nightlife Correspondent
This weekend I plan on writing and shooting with a little coursework and maybe catching the Dockyard Derby Dames bout at Pierce College.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

TUESDAY, MARCH 5 2013 >>>

1. Well over a decade in the making, Holy Motors arrives at The Grand for a brief moment, today for a mere two showings. Much like director Leos Carax’s style of storytelling or rather his revealing, the film is minimal and profound. The chameleonic Denis Lavant stars as Monsieur Oscar, traveling from place to place in the back of a white stretch limo, donning some shockingly good prosthetic makeup as he moves from "appointment" to "appointment" - dropping in for brief scenes as different characters in various movies belonging to wildly disparate genres. Later on, there will be some discussion with an agent, as Oscar laments the shrinking of the cameras and digital diaspora. Nothing is like it used to be. It's rare to find a film so gripping as it whirls you through sudden twists and jarring imagery with such a void in established character development and dialog. This rarity, typically an honor bestowed upon Terry Gilliam or even that of the ever visually appealing Michael Gondry, is what elevates Carax's film Holy Motors into the alluring and all too unyielding nonsensical wonderment of the word - surreal. Catch it at 2 and 6:35 p.m. at The Grand Cinema. Read Lisa Fruichantie's full feature on Holy Motors in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

2. The Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium will be offering free admission to anyone who shows up with picture ID or other proof of residency. That's awesome.

3. A nationally touring performance poet and teaching artist Lauren Zuniga is ranked among the top five female poets in the world. Her works include two poetry collections: The Nickel Tour, published in 2009, and The Smell of Good Mud, published in 2012. Tacoma Community College's Student Life department hosts Zuniga at 11:30 a.m. in the Student Union Building to discuss current events and other topics of interest.

5. Ricky J's Restaurant and Sports Lounge in Puyallup doesn't exactly sound like the name of a meat market haven. But in fact, Ricky J's has some of the most reasonably priced meat in town. Every Tuesday night Ricky J's offers a bar steak special for $4.95. That's a heaping pile of meat for under $5. Other specials include a buy one burger receive a second at half price at 8 p.m. poker. But what's that you say? What about the chicks? Jeez, here we mention cheap meat and you're still concerned about chicks. ...

5. Every Tuesday night at Stonegate Pizza on South Tacoma Way Leanne Trevalyan hosts an acoustic open mic at 8 p.m. Tonight, many special guests join her as Tacoma artist Teddy Haggarty celebrates his 60th birthday.

LINK: Tuesday, March 5 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympi aarea

SUNDAY, MARCH 3 2012 >>>

1. The tragic, yet ultimately inspiring story of Rachel Corrie made its way from Olympia to around the world in a matter of days back in 2003 when The Evergreen State College student made her way to the Gaza Strip to protest the destruction of homes of Palestinians at the hands of the Israeli government. She was killed by an Israeli bulldozer when she stood between the heavy machinery and the house only to be crushed to death as the bulldozer went about its business. Her death sparked not only international attention and outrage but highlighted the struggle of the Palestinian people. Ten years later, it has been an extraordinary and challenging journey for the Rachel Corrie Foundation, for the Corrie family, and for those in our community and beyond who have worked tirelessly for justice and peace in Palestine/Israel, in the world, and here at home. In reflection, the Rachel Corrie Foundation hosts Remi Kanazi, Palestinian-American poet, writer, and human rights activist based in New York City for a spoken word event at 67 p.m. inside the Washington State Labor Council.

2. The Tacoma Buddhist Temple (1717 S. Fawcett, Tacoma) hosts its annual sukiyaki dinner fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 3. You may enjoy a one-pot meal of thinly sliced beef, saifun noodles, tofu, green onions and other vegetables, all lightly sautéed in a flavorful broth - as well as teriyaki chicken, teriyaki beef shish kabobs, mochi ice cream and cupcakes, rice and drinks - to raise money for the temple's programs and maintenance costs.

3. If you've been dreaming of crashing a party ever since the 2005 blockbuster Wedding Crashers, then here's your chance. The Lincoln High school Alumni is hosting a 100th Birthday Bash from 2-8 p.m. at The Swiss. So what if you went to Wilson. Nolan Garrett, Big Wheel Stunt Show and island Bound are performing. Maybe you'll have a beer with retired NFL quarterback Jon Kitna.

4. From New York, Grammy nominated Bill Sims Jr. and special guests Paul Green and the Mark Riley Trio will perform at 5 p.m. at a special Blues Vespers concert at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Tacoma. All proceeds will go toward the 2014 IPC/Habitat for Humanity International Build in Guatemala. Get in on the Gumbo Fundraiser Dinner after the show.

5. Rich Wetzel's Groovin' Higher Jazz Orchestra has been popping up in local bars and restaurants, introducing folks to jazz of years gone by, as well as a few current numbers. Lately, the big band has put more emphasis on the jazz-rock fusion, some hot Latin jazz and some big band rock tunes from Chuck Berry and James Brown. That said, Maynard Ferguson hovers above the band like Obi-Wan Kenobi. Wetzel and crew perform at Stonegate Pizza at 5 p.m.

PLUS: 4th Annual Olympia Dance Festival and Tacoma Youth Symphony Orchestra in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: Sunday, March 3 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Mostly cloudy with a couple of showers, hi 57, lo 44

Saturday: Periods of annoying rain, hi 55, lo 38

Sunday: Some rain here and there, hi 48, lo 35

>>> FRIDAY, MARCH 1: DANCE OLY DANCE

It's been awhile since we've shined some light on Dance Oly Dance, where the dance revolution is televised. Well, at least on local television with local dancers and local DJs. The March 1 episode features an online vote for a favorite DJ, so dancers get to choose the poison. Will it be DJ SPF666? Will it be DJ Riot? Tune into Facebook for voting and results, and if you are not down there shaking your boo-tay, tune into TCTV to watch Dance Oly Dance live. — Nikki McCoy

• TCTV, 8-9 p.m., 440 Yauger Way, Olympia

>>> FRIDAY, MARCH 1: DISTINGUISHED WRITER SERIES

You know what rotating equipment engineers can do? They can: evaluate new equipment and enable employees training on proper repair and operational techniques; function as technical resource to maintenance groups to direct and recommend problems solutions; prepare equipment RFQ packages and technical bid evaluations and make vendor suggestions; review vendor design documents and coordinate with vendors during equipment design and fabrication process; publish two chapbooks; specify and review drawings and data for large pumps and rotating equipment for offshore applications and conduct routine and complex engineering, design, analysis and technical tasks. Well, at least that's what poet John Milkereit has done. Ask him about his chapbooks and RFQ packages tonight when he leads the Distinguished Writer Series event and open mic.

• King's Books, 7 p.m., free, 218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.8801, kingsbookstore.com

>>> FRIDAY, MARCH 1: AKA AND THE HEART HURT GOODS

AKA and the Heart Hurt Goods is driven. The band is talented. And it plans to blow up The Royal Friday night in Oly. The group is always lively - with AKA laying his rhyme and reason to an authentic blend of talented musicians and lovely lady vocals. And I'm not ashamed to hype these guys by dropping names. They've opened for Sublime LBC and Macklemore. 'Nuff said. - NM

• The Royal Lounge, w/Elbow Coulee, 9 p.m., $3/adv, $5/door, 311 Capitol Way N.,  Olympia, 360. 705.0760

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 2: DANCE PARTY

The New Frontier Lounge will play host to one of THE premiere dance parties of the year Saturday. Tacoma's own Death By Stars has rounded up an all-star cast of its amazing friends to provide the 253 with a night of something new, something different, something ... weird! Bands includeEver So Android, Werebearcat! and DJ Melodica. "We wanted to bring in bands that don't get a chance to play in Tacoma enough," says DBS member Patrick Galactic.  It's also Galactic and Juan El Revelator's birthday.  "I've never thrown myself a bash before," Galactic continues, "so we're gonna do this RIGHT!  It's going to be a celebration of the friends, family and city we love. If you like to shake it, this is your night. If you don't like to shake it but like to watch sexy girls shake it ... this is your night!" - NM

• The New Frontier Lounge, 8 p.m., $5, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 2: SOUTH SOUND SUSTAINABILITY EXPO

Fun fact: Before there were expos, people had no idea how to disseminate information about sustainability. It was a bleak time. Luckily, events like Saturday's South Sound Sustainability Expo at the Tacoma Convention and Trade Center have solved this problem, bringing "green" to the masses. According to hype, the South Sound Sustainability Expo is "intended to provide residents and business owners in the greater Tacoma metropolitan area a place to discover services, products, companies, and agencies in our region that address sustainability needs in our community." As part of that goal, instruction and information on everything from urban chicken cooping to waste minimization and recycling will be discussed. 

• Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., free, 1500 Broadway, Tacoma, southsoundsustainabilityexpo.org

>>> SUNDAY, MARCH 3: ARABIAN NIGHTS

The Tacoma Youth Symphony Association brings its 2012-2013 season to the Rialto Theater Sunday for a performance by the much-loved Tacoma Youth Symphony Orchestra. Titled Arabian Nights, and thematically including Mahler's "Adagietto" from Symphony No. 5, Weber's Second Concerto for Clarinet and Romsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, Sunday's afternoon concert should deliver in all facets of awesomeness. Coolest of all: 100 free main-floor tickets for students of high school age or younger will be available at the door on the day of the performance.

• Rialto Theater, 3 p.m., $6-$17, 310 S. Ninth, Tacoma, 253.591.5890

>>> SUNDAY, MARCH 3: OLYMPIA DANCE FESTIVAL

Jazz hands, everyone! Sunday brings the fourth annual Olympia Dance Festival to the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Combing the dance talents of several regional dance troupes - listed on the press release as Ballet Northwest, Centralia Ballet Academy, Comerford School of Irish Dance, Debbi's Dance, Johansen Olympia Dance Center, Mas Uda Middle Eastern Dancers, Random Acts of Dance Collective, Slieveloughane Irish Dancers, Southwest Washington Dance Ensemble and Studio West Dance Academy - this yearly event typically inspires smiles and rounds of applause. Southwest Washington is full of dance talent, and the Olympia Dance Festival routinely puts that fact on full display.

• Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 2 p.m., $10, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia, 360.753.8585

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
Our schedule is unusually vacant this weekend, so the better half and I plan to give our condo a thorough pre-spring cleaning. Also, I'd very much like to catch Shakespeare Abridged at TLT, given its enthusiastic thumbs-up from Joann Varnell.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
This weekend, I'll be hitting up Patrick Galactic's birthday show at the New Frontier. Death By Stars, Ever-So-Android, Elbow Coulee and Werebearcat! I'd be a fool not to go.

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
We're going to Seattle Saturday to see Photograph 51 at the Seattle Repertory Theatre. Not exactly a title that makes people run out and buy tickets, but I hear it's a great play.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
How about a bubble bath while the servants, I mean children, clean the cat box and fold the laundry? How about a full body massage with lavender and jojoba oil while my husband serenades me on the guitar? How about a luxury shopping trip with girlfriends and martinis while a team of top-rate gardeners prepare my yard for spring? Oh, sorry, what was that? My weekend plans? Nursing a cold and scrubbing toilets while the tyrants, I mean children, fight over Legos and complain about dinner.

JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
I'm not doing too much this weekend. Friday, I'll be at Jazzbones for Clemm Rishad's album-release party. Saturday, I'll be teaching my spoken word/poetry class at D.A.S.H Center for the Arts. Sunday, I'll try to get my slow-moving ass to the Graffiti Garages for the Sunday Cyphers.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
Saturday, I'll hit up the Super Mall with one of my best friends (with my toddler in tow) to spend a gift certificate from Christmas. Sunday, I'll start the day with a birthday breakfast in bed and say hello to 38. I have no other plans than to relax, maybe take a nap (you know, like old people do) and enjoy a birthday dinner prepared by my rad husband. (Do people even say "rad" anymore?)

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Nightlife Correspondent
Well, I will be working on my next book about the history of Lakewood and going to the training session to learn about researching life in Washington during the Civil War years for an upcoming exhibit at WSHM, beating the ukulele strings like they owe me money for a birthday gig I got roped into playing and then maybe hit Louie G's for the Ben Union show or the Blanco Bronco show at the New Frontier. Decisions, decisions. Oh yeah, and walk the dog.

NIC LEONARD Music Writer
Saturday night I will be attending the Portland Trailblazers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves game down at the Rose Garden followed by a night if partying in Portland. Look for me on TV!  I'll be decked out in vintage Sonics gear sitting two rows behind one of the hoops.

ROCKFORD ROWLEY All-Ages Music Columnist
This weekend, I'm headed up to The Experience Music Project to see The Sound Off! finals. I'll be pulling for Tacoma's own electro-pop glimmer-twins THE FAME RIOT. A winning outcome will guarantee them a spot on the Bumbershoot bill.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Cloudy, hi 53, lo 43

Saturday: periods of annoying rain, hi 47, lo 37

Sunday: Some rain here and there, hi 46, lo 35

>>> FRIDAY, FEB. 15-SUNDAY, FEB. 17: OLD-TIME MUSIC FESTIVAL

The Fifth Annual Olympia Old-Time Music Festival is in full swing. Through Sunday the event takes over the Olympia Ballroom and The First Christian Church with workshops - such as Appalachian basketry, waltzing and beginning mandolin - and of course, musicians! A full schedule of performers include Grizzle Grazzle Tune Snugglers, the Gold Diggers and Kendl Winter. The Oly Old Timers mission statement is to "... spread a love of traditional Appalachian music and create a good excuse to interact with real, live, people, through music and dance and pie-eating." - Nikki McCoy

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

>>> FRIDAY, FEB. 15: BLACK PANTHER AARON DIXON

King's Books is undeniably the literary epicenter of Tacoma these days. So it's not surprising to see Aaron Dixon, one of the co-founders of the Seattle chapter of the Black Panther Party, is at King's Friday to discuss his new memoir, My people Are Rising: Memoir of a Black Panther Party Captain. - Weekly Volcano

• King's Books, 7 p.m., free, 218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.8801, kingsbookstore.com

>>> FRIDAY, FEB. 15-SUNDAY, FEB. 17: ARTIST RAVEN SKYRIVER

Something unique will happen in the Museum of Glass Hot Shop. An artist will return for the second of two back-to-back residencies, a rare occurrence to be sure. Said artist is Raven Skyriver, maker of intriguingly real-looking marine creatures large and small. He scored two residencies in a row by winning two separate awards at the Red Hot Party & Auction last September. He won both the People's Choice and Artists' Choice awards, each came with a hot shop residency. - Kristin Kendle

• Museum of Glass, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $5-$12, 1801 Dock St., Tacoma, 866.468.7386

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 16: ST. MARTIN'S PANCAKE FEED BREAKFAST

You're damn right we love pancakes. Like, we Ron-Swanson love pancakes. It's an almost unsettling level of obsession. But whatever. We'd eat pancakes for almost any reason or cause, making Saturday's pancake breakfast at Saint Martin's University benefiting the Campus Ministry's annual mission service a total no-brainer. According to the press release, this year 16 students will travel to Yakima Vallery to work with Migrant Farm Workers and Catholic Charities Housing. Eat pancakes AND make Yakima a better place! It's a win-win! The $5 ticket, which can be purchased prior to the event at the Campus Ministry office, includes pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit and beverages.

• Saint Martin's - Norman Worthington Conference Center, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., $5, 5300 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey, stmartin.edu

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 15: BIG BEER FESTIVAL

The Big Beer Festival this Saturday in Tacoma will feature 60 hand crafted beers with big character and big flavor. This first annual event has two time slots available, noon to 4 p.m. and 4:30-8:30 p.m., and features 5.5-ounce commemorative taster glasses plus six tasting tokens. Additional 5.5-ounce pours can be purchased for $1.50. Plus, there will be great food. But hurry, it looks like the Big Beer Fest is getting a big response and is almost sold out! Well done, Tacoma. Check Tacoma Craft Beer's Facebook page for updates and where to purchase tickets.

• Foss Waterway Seaport, noon - 8:30 p.m., $20/adv, $25/door, 705 Dock Street, Tacoma

>>> SUNDAY, FEB 17: NUMERO BY NORTHWEST

"Numero By Northwest" is an unusual DJ showcase at The Brotherhood Lounge Sunday. And by unusual, I mean rare - but I also mean weird, which in Olympia, equates to awesome. The Numero Group's Ken Shipley, Justin Trosper from Unwound/Survival Knife and DJ Wildman James will spin soul, garage and other obscure gems in the comfort of a lounge where a wall of carpet JFKs and gigantic hanging guitars make it feel like your best friend's living room. Dancers and wallflowers welcome. - NM

• The Brotherhood Lounge, 9 p.m., no cover, 119 Capitol Way, Olympia, 360.352.4153

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
It's Valentine's Day weekend, I'm a happily married man, and I'd prefer to stay that way. Ergo, I'm creating a bed and breakfast in our home by adding cozy touches and cooking Amanda breakfast in bed. She may also get dinner and a movie out of the deal. Mr. Romance, that's me.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
This weekend, if I have any brain at all, I'll take it easy and just stay inside. But, if I do go out, I'll probably hit up the Saucy Yoda show at The New Frontier, or maybe The Albert Square show at the Wingmen Brewery, which I've never been to.

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
It's my birthday. Party time.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
How about a bubble bath while the servants, I mean children, clean the cat box and fold the laundry? How about a full body massage with lavender and jojoba oil while my husband serenades me on the guitar? How about a luxury shopping trip with girlfriends and martinis while a team of top-rate gardeners prepare my yard for spring? Oh, sorry, what was that? My weekend plans? Nursing a cold and scrubbing toilets while the tyrants, I mean children, fight over Legos and complain about dinner.

JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
Fiday, Beanz & Rize are performing at the Central Ave Pub in Kent for Nuvo Tha1's birthday party. Saturday, I'll be teaching my spoken word/poetry class at D.A.S.H. - then that night I'm going to celebrate the 9th Anniversary of the 206 Zulu Nation chapter. Sunday, I'm going to try to get down to the Graffiti Garage M.C. Cyphers.

JACKIE FENDER Food Writer
Friday will include art bus pow wowing, checking out a certain local community kitchen and topped off with a Wrist poetry reading and open poetry slam at Bluebeard. Saturday will start with convincing others to start their day with a moonshine mary and more Peace Out fundraising planning. Sunday is committed to work and sleep.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
The husband and I will be taking the toddler to the mountains for some legit sledding on Friday. Saturday, I will set my alarm so I can make it to a friends house for 3 and 1/2 hours of writing before hopping on the train for a family weekend in Portland. While there, I'm hoping to sleep but most likely I'll just end up at Powell's. Probably more than once per day.

TIMOTHY GRISHAM Music Writer
Friday is the day after hallmark gift card day,the amazing BLACK MARBLE is playing, Broken Water is playing and Happy Noose is playing. Hey, that's me!

JENNI PRANGE-BORAN Features Writer
Trying, trying, trying to catch up on Oscar-nominated movies. Look for me at The Grand!

NIC LEONARD Music Writer
Friday night I will be tossing pizzas at I.talia Pizzeria on the westside of Olympia. Afterward, I plan to relax and watch the movie Flight. Saturday, I will be spending a good portion of the day hitting up various Goodwill and Value Villages around the South Sound area followed by a relaxing evening at home with a bottle of whiskey.

ROCKFORD ROWLEY All-Ages Music Columnist
This weekend I will be leaving my beloved city of destiny for another destination: San Francisco. I am traveling there to see one of my favorite bands, The Vaccines, play at The Fillmore. I'm also looking forward to taking in the SF culture, and visiting some places I've never been to before. And of course, I'll be sure to wear some flowers in my hair.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

FAST-PACED AWESOMENESS >>>

Whoever said scientists consist solely of freaks and geeks who can mentally compute the velocity of their own pee is a big fat liar. Believe it or not, next Thursday'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 - Thursday, Feb. 21 the Tacoma Art Museum.

Let's read a press release:

TACOMA, Wash. - Artists and scientists tend to live and work in very different worlds. But in major cities across three continents the question is being asked: "Is there something to be gained in our understanding of humankind by encouraging scientists and artists to share their ideas?"

Siddharth Ramakrishnan, the new Jennie M. Caruthers Chair in Neuroscience at University of Puget Sound, asked this question several years ago. He began sharing his scientific inspirations with artists and together they created new ways of looking at things. When the Columbia University researcher arrived in Tacoma this year, he found there are many here keen to do the same.

On Thursday, Feb. 21, University of Puget Sound and Tacoma Art Museum will present the first Art+Science Salon, running 6-8 p.m. at Tacoma Art Museum, in the Art Resource Center on the third floor. Everyone is welcome to the free event, which runs on the museum's regular Third Thursday free admission day.

The evening will include five-minute presentations by 10 artists and scientists in what is known as Pecha Kucha style: a fast-paced series of presentations that encourage the synthesizing of ideas.

"It's all about getting some connections happening between artists and scientists," Ramakrishnan said. "We're hopeful that people will be inspired by others' work and decide to go out for a coffee and talk about working together."

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FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR >>>

From the Bronte sisters to Maya Angelou to J.K. Rowling, women writers have oft changed the face of the literary world.

In Tacoma, the Hilltop Women's Writing Collective seeks to build a community of women from all backgrounds, all ages and all writing levels into a once-monthly mingling of talent and ideas. The group has met on the third Sunday of each month since November 2012 - the brain child of 2011 UPS graduate Olivia Weitz and Mary Fox of Write@253.

Girl power!

"Because The Hilltop Women's Writing Collective provides a variety of workshops that are free to all women who enter 1310 MLK Way, I hope women from various stages of writing development and expertise will come to share their ideas, their processes and will feel supported as we continue to transform our imaginations into physical structures," says Necashaw Montgomery, coordinator of the writing group.

Saturday, Feb. 16 the Collective will have its first workshop of the year. Each meeting starts off with an introduction and story from one of the members and then moves into a workshop session. February's workshop will be led by Renee Simms, a visiting assistant professor of African American Studies at the University of Puget Sound, who has taught creative writing in many settings. Montgomery says exactly what Simms will teach is a "pleasant mystery," but will focus on interpretations of good and evil/morally complex issues for readers.

Women of any writing skill level are welcome and the event is free to the public, but do RSVP.

Keep an eye out. There may even be meets that allow men in the future.

@WRITE253, SATURDAY, FEB. 16, NOON TO 2:30 P.M., 1310 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. WAY, TACOMA, RSVP HILLTOPWOMENWRITE.253@GMAIL.COM

SUNDAY, FEB. 10 2013 >>>

1. The exhibition Andy Warhol's Flowers for Tacoma at Tacoma Art Museum is a major event for Tacoma any way you look at it. We didn't get to see Andy Warhol turn the Tacoma Dome into a giant flower 30 years ago when he originally proposed it, but now we get to see his original proposal in the form of letters, drawings and paintings, plus more than 100 works of art by the Pop Art master - that is, if you get you butt over to the Tacoma Art Museum Today. The Warhol exhibition ends to day. Read Alec Clayton's full review of Andy Warhol's Flowers for Tacoma in the Visual Arts section at weeklyvolcano.com.

2. Two Tacoma stage productions end their runs today. Tacoma Musical Playhouse not only likes a good joke, with their production The Musical of Musicals, the Musical! by Eric Rockwell and Joanne Bogart they ARE the joke. TMP's cast embraces the self-deprecating lyrics and dialogue and camps it up for the audience. It hits the stage for the last time at 2 p.m. Read Joann Varnell's full review of The Musical of Musicals, the Musical! in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section. Down Sixth Avenue, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks at Tacoma Little Theatre - a very cute play - also ends its run at 2 p.m. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks in the Weekly Volcano's Arts Section.

3. Well folks, Valentine's Day is merely a few days away. If your romance can't wait, Seattle choir Pro Musica presents an afternoon of passionate choral music at 3 p.m. inside Parkland’s Trinity Lutheran, 12115 Park Ave. S, Tacoma. This pre-Valentine’s Day concert is called “Fire: Music of Passion,” and promises to live up to its name featuring love songs by Samuel Barber, madrigals by Morten Lauridsen and the world premiere of “Wild Nights!” - the setting of a more-than-suggestive Emily Dickinson poem – by Pro Musica’s Artistic Director and Conductor Karen Thomas.

4. Celebrate the one year anniversary of Mend My Dress Press with zine readings by Neelybat Chestnut of Mend My Dress fame, Osa Atoe from Shotgun Seamstress and Maranda Elizabeth from Telegram. Ire Adrift and Little Debbie will perform following the reading at 4 p.m. inside the all-ages venue Northern in downtown Olympia. A variety of merchandise will be available for purchase.

5. The Marine View Presbyterian Church in Northeast Tacoma presents another Jazz Live at Marine View show, this time welcoming violinist Geoffrey Castle for a 5 p.m. performance.

LINK: Sunday, Feb. 10 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FRIDAY, FEB. 8 2013 >>>

1. For its 2012-13 season, Tacoma Opera is all about girl power. Its next installment of feminine mystique is La tragedie de Carmen staged at 8 p.m. inside Rialto Theater. Peter Brook’s La tragedie de Carmen is a stripped-down version of the famous Georges Bizet opera Carmen. The story focuses on passionate gypsy girl Carmen, who seduces a very naïve soldier named Don Jose. Jose leaves his steady and faithful girlfriend, but then Carmen in turn ditches poor Jose for someone else. Pimpin' really truly ain't easy. As the show's title suggests, much tragedy ensues.

2. Distinguished writers, poets, playwrights, short story writers, and people who scribble on cocktail napkins will step up to the mic from 7-9 p.m. as part of the Distinguished Writer Series and Open Mic at King's Books. Kelli Russell Agodon, author Letters from the Emily Dickinson Room, winner of the White Pine Press Poetry Prize, will take lead.

3. There are some hobbies you should just pick up. Stamp collecting is not one of them. Neither is anything involving plastic model kits. Now, these pastimes have nothing inherently wrong with them; they've just become rather, well, mockable over the years. They just can't be taken seriously anymore. They're not cool. And we all know you have to be cool. And these just don't cut it. Not like ice skating does. It's cool, both literally and figuratively.  Think about it: you get to go really fast; there's a high potential for injury; and if you get really, really good, really, really, really quickly, you'll probably end up winning a Gold Medal in the next Olympics. The ice skating show returns to a new ice arena at Sprinker Recreation Center Feb. 8-10 for five performances.  The theme of this year's show is Once Upon A Dream and features Olympic Silver Medalist Ben Agosto and United States Ladies Champion and Olympian Rachael Flatt. Take that, loser bird-watchers!

4. American pianist William Ransom headlines the University of Puget Sound's 23rd Annual Piano Festival at 7:30 p.m. inside Schneebeck Concert Hall. The Boston-born and technically perfect pianist has performed everything and done everything. The fact that he's going to take time and teach budding talent the next day in workshop settings is pretty cool.

5. It's a hot summer evening and Julie Rodgers has had a bad day. She's lost her job, and is broke and disillusioned. Her roommate Alice has lost her boyfriend and is in the midst of an eating frenzy. Enter a pizza delivery man who agrees to come in and share a beer with them. Little does he know what's in store for him. The evening gets crazier, wilder, angrier, and very funny. That's what you can expect at 8 p.m. inside the Midnight Sun Performance Space when Prodigal Sun Productions presents Pizza Man.

LINK: Friday, Feb. 8 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area