THE CONCERT
Pyle of Skynyrd
I have a secret. Artimus Pyle, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s famous drummer, and his band will be in Tacoma May 31 for the firefighters’ annual oldies benefit concert.
OK, it’s not really secret, but just a poorly advertised show.
Wait, Pyle has a secret. He survived the 1977 plane crash that killed fellow Skynyrd bandmates. Pyle crawled out of the plane, ran nearly a mile with broken ribs, then freaked when farmer Johnny Mote either a) fired a warning shot into the air or b) shot Pyle in the shoulder. Pyle claimed in a February 2007 appearance on Howard Stern’s Sirius radio program that Mote had shot him. Mote says otherwise.
Secretly, I don’t have any secrets to reveal here. — SS
[Tacoma Dome, Thursday, May 31, 7:30 p.m., $25-$30, 2525 E. D St., Tacoma, 877.581.4665]
THE KIDS
Bless their hearts
I don’t blame you, really. I wouldn’t want to wear the same dirty left sock every soccer game I played or have to carry around a pocket Buddha just to rub its belly every time I felt I needed a little extra good fortune either. It’s OK, don’t panic. You can get your karma elsewhere. Cascade Christian Tacoma Elementary will perform Disney’s “101 Dalmatians.” Apparently, these little guys have put their hearts into the show. Imagine the karma points you could gather clapping and cheering at this show. Finding your lucky four-leaf clover on St. Patrick’s Day is almost a year away. This play should hold you over till then. — SS
[Puyallup Church of the Nazarene, Thursday, May 31 and Friday, June 1, 7 p.m., 1026 Seventh Ave. S.W., Puyallup, 253.473.0950]
THE STAGE
“Whorehouse”
Few people can honestly say they don’t like a good whore now and then. Now is the time to enjoy one — on stage that is. “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” continues its run at Olympia’s Capital Playhouse. In the lead role is Jennie May Donnell, the madam in charge at the “Chicken Ranch” when a snoopy reporter takes on the brothel as a crusade cause that needs a leader. — Steve Dunkelberger
[Capital Playhouse, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $19-$32, 612 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.2744, www.capitalplayhouse.com]
THE ART
Triple Nickel
The Triple Nickel Family Fund is getting a boost from what might seem an unlikely place — an art studio. The 555th Manuever Enhancement Brigade Able Soldier and Family Fund raiser will be held at Art Concepts on Broadway in downtown Tacoma Friday, June 1.
The purpose of the 555 Able Solider and Family Fund is to provide goods and services to families and soldiers in need of assistance following and during duty-related deployments, disability, or death. The gallery will host a catered reception and silent art auction with all proceeds from purchased art going directly to the Triple Nickel Fund.
Bob Mead, owner of Art Concepts on Broadway, has previous experience working with Fort Lewis in framing and placing art, but this is the first major endeavor he has participated in conjunction with the post.
“They approached me,” Mead says. “I wasn’t really surprised, but I think maybe a little bit flattered.”
Along with being asked to supply the space to host the event, Mead also was asked to secure the majority of the artwork as well. Mead utilized his connections to contact local artists who might be willing to provide art with the understanding that all profits would benefit the Triple Nickel Fund. No artist contacted refused Mead’s request for donations, which has ensured that there will be a wide variety of styles and pieces of art to be purchased. — Devlyn McCreight
[Art Concepts on Broadway, Friday, June 1, 6-9:30 p.m., 924 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.272.2202]
THE COMPETITION
Best blues
The 24th annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis is just around the corner. Will a South Sound blues band be headed to Memphis to compete next February?
On Sunday the South Sound Blues Association will host “Back To Beale Street Blues” IBC preliminary competition featuring, in order, Blues Alliance, Stacy Jones and the Wolf Tones, The James Howlett Band, Mr. C and his Blues Crew, The Red Hot Blues Sisters, In The House, The Chester Dennis Jones Band, The Michal Miller Band and Julie Powers Blues Band. The preliminary winners will then square off again in the final competition to be held at Tacoma’s 4th of July Freedom Fair. — Brad Allen
[Jazzbones, Sunday, June 3, 4 to 11:10 p.m., $5-$10, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]