It’s time, Tacoma, to celebrate the Pacific Northwest’s defining element, as South Sound Collective, Pacific Fusion Productions and United State of Consciousness present Drop of Water, July 18, beginning at 9 p.m. at the Foss Waterway Seaport Museum.



If you’re out of the loop, this is the third show in a series celebrating the elements. South Sound Collective and crew have already passed through air and fire on their journey, and plan on immersing Tacoma in the element of water this Saturday. For those who aren’t up on their elements, water is the foundation of all creation. Myths from all over depict the world of form emerging from primal chaos, most often depicted as water, shaped by the creator to become the Universe we inhabit. The people of ancient Egypt said that before creation there existed only Nun, a watery abyss. The Hindus depict the material world as emerging from Maya, a sort of eternal cosmic liquid. Maya is etymologically related to words like matrix, matter, meter and mother.



Yeah. Shit’s gonna be deep.



Dave Curtis, one of the organizers of this aquatic extravaganza, describes the event as a multi-medium masterpiece, featuring a host of DJs, performance art, visual art, and a sleeve-full of surprises including a special performance by Pure Cirkus, two special burlesque performances by Fuschia Foxxx, a throwback swimsuit fashion show by Fashion Co-op of Tacoma and The Shoe Show, a body paint show by Tsunami Tattoo, visual projections by dAb, and antics perpetrated by Tacoma Scuba. Expect to hear breakbeats from United State of Consciousness staple Dig Dug, electro-house from Portland’s Kassette; Harvard Street Mafia is sending down Jimmy Hoffa; locals D-fi and NME Sub will drop drum ‘n’ bass, as will locals Habit and Death.



But the real star of the show, says Curtis, is the venue. The Balfour Dock Building is 44,000 square feet of rustic awesome, with distant ceilings, a wrap-around deck overlooking Commencement Bay and plenty of space and acoustics to wow dancin’ fools.



“Even if there was no art show, this place is spectacular,” says Curtis. “We’re the first to throw an event of this kind in this space.”



Art offerings also will abound, says co-organizer Matt Eklund. Core décor team Laura Eklund, Callie Holmes and Heather Comer will have the place decorated to the nines, he says. 



The centerpiece will be a self-contained gallery constructed by the recently re-branded Tac25 Collective, a group of artists inhabiting and co-creating in Tacoma’s first artist live-work space on Tacoma Avenue. Artist Stuart Dempster describes the piece as an animated, underwater seamount (Volcano m-fuckas!) built largely from recycled materials. It will be covered with sea features, custom lighting, and will be made to resemble the kind of sea vent made famous by underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau. If you don’t know who Jacques Cousteau is, think Steve Zissou, only French, and not as funny.



Dubbed “The Grotto,” this aquatic-themed, massive masterwork will be filled with work from residents of the Tac25 Collective, including watercolors by Deana Nguyen and Kendra Frasu, work by Ann Koi, an animated sculpture by Joel Fizette, and paintings from Dempster’s Open Water Studios. The interior and exterior will feature décor created by Dempster, Mary K Johnson and other Tac25 residents.



Oh, and one more thing: blue Jell-O shots. Fools better recognize…



[Foss Waterway Seaport Museum’s Balfour Dock Building, Saturday, July 18, 9 p.m., $10 in advance, $15 at door, 18 +, 705 Dock St., Tacoma, 253.272.2750, www.myspace.com/southsoundcollective]