72 Hour Film Competition, Teddy Haggarty and more

Arts and cultural picks of the week

By Volcano Staff on May 3, 2007

THE STAGE

Gig Harbor’s Encore!

Theater is staging “Annie” again this year and promises to be even more charming than the version it staged a few years back. Based on the comic strip “Little Orphan Annie,” this entertaining musical was written by Thomas Meehan with music by Charles Strauss and with lyrics by Martin Charnin, the same guy who wrote Centerstage’s “Robin Hood: the Legend Continues” earlier this season. Part of the theater’s high praise comes from the fact that it has a stellar cast that is drawn from as far away as Bremerton and Sumner and is capped by Ty Hardin, the former film actor (“Bronco Layne,” “Merrill’s Marauders” and “PT 109”), as President Franklin D. Roosevelt. — Steve Dunkelberger
[Encore! Theater, through May 20, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $6-$15, 6615 38th Ave. N.W., Gig Harbor, 253.858.2282]

THE ART

Primo art

Sometimes opportunities come from strange places. Like the Weekly Volcano’s Playlist, not that these tidbits are strange, of course. But, you know — and once again I digress. Anyway, opportunities. Art and pizza, together, at once.  Tuesday, Primo Grill hosts “Teddy M. Haggarty: One Man Art Extravaganza,” an artist reception for Haggarty, whose art will hang in the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant through July.  I love Haggarty’s primitive, colorful pieces.  I love Primo Grill’s wood-fired pizza. Once the thin crust is delicately topped with caramelized onions, pancetta, house smoked salmon or some other gourmet treat, the concoction slides into the oven for roughly five minutes until the crust develops that irresistible char and crunchiness.  Yum.  Great opportunity Tuesday. — Suzy Stump
[Primo Grill, Tuesday, May 8, 5-6 p.m., 601 S. Pine off Sixth Avenue, Tacoma, RSVP at 253.383.7000]

THE GOODS

Eat the Puyallup

The rites of spring are coming fast and furious these days. Valhalla will unfold on earth once again when the Puyallup Main Street Farmers Market opens for the season this weekend. It offers one of the best-tasting and well-peopled summer pastimes in town every Saturday and Sunday near Pioneer Park. While your best bets for fresh produce this time of year include asparagus, rhubarb, salad greens and possibly strawberries, this favorite of all urban farmers’ markets doesn’t stop there: You’ll also find nursery stock, oysters, artisanal crafts, and concessions, with plenty of free samples being doled out at booths throughout the market. Talk about your free lunch!  But don’t forget to support your vendors.  — Michael Swan
[Pioneer Park, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, 330 S. Meridian, Puyallup, 253.840.2631]

THE FILM

Candy land

The next installment of the Cans Film Festival — The Emergency Food Network’s food-themed movie fund-raiser — screens “Chocolat” at The Varsity Grill May 10.  Delicious.  I love this Lasse Hallström film.  It has the sensual playfulness of “Sirens,” the aphrodisiac qualities of “Like Water for Chocolate,” the transforming joy of “Babette’s Feast,” and the sisterly camaraderie of “Enchanted April.” But that could be the chocolate truffles talking. — SS
[The Varsity Grill, Thursday, May 10, 7 p.m., $15, 1114 Broadway, Tacoma, 253. 584. 1040]

THE CRAPSHOOT

72 Hour Film Competition

You know how sometimes you watch a particularly crappy movie and you think to yourself, “Even I could make a better film than that!”? Apparently, the people at Tacoma’s Grand Cinema agree with you, and that is why they are giving anyone with a video camera and $50 a chance to write, shoot and screen a five-minute film at the Rialto Theater in Tacoma. Films will be screened, and prizes will be awarded at the “72-Hour Film Competition” at the Rialto next Thursday. — Sarah Kahne
[Rialto Theater, Thursday, May 10, 7 p.m., $8-$10, 310 S. Ninth, Tacoma, www.grand cinema.com]