Archives
Make the kid happy Since the significant one and I were heading off for our first weekend sans kid in over five and a half years, I naturally suffered acutely from parental guilt. Rather than popping Valium, I took the lazy mom’s out: I bought the wee one gifts. I figured since
Archives
Highland Hill seems to be on the fast track to joining hands with lower Sixth Avenue in the realms of fresh new dining experiences, innovative retail outlets and funky apartments. Old standbys are taking their leave, as new businesses emerge in this north Tacoma neighborhood. The exact parameters of Highland
Archives
As I sit on my shady patio writing and enjoying the sunny Sunday afternoon, I also take time to ponder the tasty beverage in front of me. Perhaps you assume it is a nice, frosty IPA or crisp, cold Sauvignon Blanc. But alas, not today, for the truth is I
Archives
I guess it’s only natural that the Paramount would want to stage a pre-Broadway show since its crosstown rival, Fifth Avenue, did so well with the show “Hairspray” a few years back. In fact, “Hairspray” not only went on to the Great White Way, receiving a few statues along the
Archives
Friday, Aug. 10: Wine Tasting, 6-8 p.m., 21 Commerce, 21st and Commerce, Tacoma, 253.223.0568. Saturday, Aug. 11: FETCH! Wine Tasting Walkabout Fund Raiser, 1-4 p.m., $20, The Buchanan Vineyard, Langley, 360.321.4049. Saturdays: Wine tasting, 2-5 p.m., Wine Bank, 7017 27th St. W., University Place, 253.564.1101). Tuesdays: Wine Tuesdays, 5 p.m., Toscano’s Café &
Archives
d.a.s.h. “dream” The 30 or so participants of Tacoma’s D.A.S.H. Center for the Arts’ summer arts program CLUB FAME will present their own adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “MidSummer Night’s Dream” this weekend. These young people have devoted the last six weeks to learning techniques in ballet, jazz, hip-hop dance, acting and
Archives
THE STARS Stargazer’s night Every so often, on cloudless nights that follow slow traffic days, smog makes a deal with the atmosphere and agrees to cut out early so South Sounders can see those white, twinkling things Midwesterners and mountain purists call “stars.” But apparently billions of these star things are floating
Archives
One of the conversations I had this week sent me in to one of my usual analytic tailspins, which usually find their way as an intro for this here column, which offers you more and more insight as to who this Carmen Jones of yours really is. I had the pleasure
Archives
Local choreographer and dancer Joel Myers wants to move you. Along with a cadre of professional body-movers, he will do just that when he presents “The Joel Show II” at the Annie Wright Theater Saturday. For those wondering, “The Joel Show II” is all about its creator, Joel Myers. Well, sort
Archives
The Weekly Volcano doesn’t cover much kid stuff, but that’s not because we don’t like kids. It’s just that there are so many adult things to do. So here’s an exception: Randy Oxford’s Blues Theatre Wednesday open jam allows kids to jump on the stage from 8 to 9 p.m. They
Archives
All of you dearly-devoted readers know what a fierce advocate I am for public transportation, especially Pierce Transit. And hooray, I‘ve discovered one more way that Pierce Transit really, truly is the Scene of the Crime. The Husky, being of sound mind and body, offered us a public transportation concept that was
Archives
Tacoma’s 72-Hour Film Festival seemed to send out a clear theme message last May: mind the zombies. Months later, along came an intrepid group of professional-style film makers creating Rock Zombie (www.rockzombiemovie.com) hoping to amplify that message, loud and clear, and to raise it to: no, really, zombies rock! “They’re the thing
Archives
Chuck Gumpert and Christopher Mathie are painters after my own heart. They both love the act of painting ― the kind of painting that since the 1940s has been called “gestural,” a word not recognized by dictionaries but well loved by artists the world over. Gumpert and Mathie share a studio,
Archives
Sequins. Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol and Uncle Sam. Cotton candy. Artists and sparkly art. Put these ingredients together, and you must have the Tacoma Art Museum’s summer community festival Glitter, Glisten, and Gleam!, a free event happening from 6 to 8:30 Friday at the museum, celebrating “Sparkle then
Archives
To Nancy Johnson, communications director for Metro Parks Tacoma, it makes sense for the city to “showcase” its artistic talent and arts-related resources. “Because really,” she explains, “the arts are at the center of what ‘re-sparked’ Tacoma.” So for the second time, performing and visual arts will literally take center stage
Archives
Run, Jason, Run. The Bourne films have taken chases beyond a storytelling technique and made them into the story. Jason Bourne’s search for the secret of his identity doesn’t involve me in pulsating empathy for his dilemma, but as a MacGuffin, it’s a doozy. Some guy finds himself with a
Archives
Rod Kimble, the hero of “Hot Rod,” is Evel Knievel on a moped. He leads a life resembling an episode of “Jackass.” Not a day passes without him attempting a harebrained stunt, and failure doesn’t discourage him because he knows in his heart that he is destined to become world
Archives
Bratz: The Movie Before we begin, a few reminders about “Bratz: The Movie.” 1. It is inspired by a line of fashion dolls. 2. The project has been linked to Paula Abdul. I say this in an effort to manage your expectations. You will find nothing in this movie even approaching
Archives
Ed. Note: Since food critics Jake and Jason de Paul grabbed their families and blew town for a week, the Weekly Volcano sent scribe Julie Jordan for a first bite at Capers Downtown. The boys will visit Capers in the next couple of months. In “Swingers,” John Favreau judged hookups by
