It’s a new week, which means it’s time for a new edition of Bobble Tiki’s South Sound music notes column. Let’s get rolling.

Bobble Tiki is no fan of Seattle. Sure, he’s been there. Sure, he likes a Dick’s Deluxe like the next island themed souvenier. And sure, he thought Seattle was pretty cool when everyone wore flannel and touring bands never stopped there. But for the most part, these days, Bobble Tiki finds Seattle to be stuffy, expensive, crowded and nowhere near as REAL as his humble abode in Tacoma.

But every once and a while something snug goes down up north, and when it involves two of Tacoma’s best bands Bobble Tiki feels obligated to fill you in. Today, Thursday July 2, The Nightgowns and The Makeup Monsters will play an early all ages free show at the EMP Sky Church – part of the Science Fiction Museum’s all access night – which means you can also get into it for free. From what the Nightgowns tell Bobble Tiki, they’re especially stoked to see the Jim Henson exhibit. The show starts at 5:30 p.m., and the museum is free to enter between 5-8 p.m.

Funk inspired Tacoma rockers Dirty Bird are encouraging their fans to tune into Damon Stewart’s Garage Monkey show on the Funky Monkey, 104.9FM this Tuesday, July 7 from 8-10 p.m. Bobble Tiki’s not entirely sure, but the band will either be live on air – or they’re simply urging their fanbase to call in and request Stewart stop making fun of them for stealing the name of Olympia’s The Dirty Birds. Confusing stuff – but it can be summed up like this: one of those bands sucks, the other doesn’t. Bobble Tiki will let you decide…

Finally, be sure to check out the culmination of the Back to Beale Street Blues Competition on the Fourth of July at Tacoma’s Freedom Fair. The Randy Oxford Band, The Mary McPage Band, Blues Redemption and Wired! will all be vying for a chance to compete in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis next January.