AND THE AWARD GOES TO >>>

As we previously wrote here, last night was the inaugural Tacoma Metal Awards show, which consumed Hell's Kitchen in downtown Tacoma. Congratulations to Unhailoed who took home the title of Tacoma's hard rocking band. The metal band won by a 170 ballot spread over second place.

Here are a few shots of winning band Unhailoed.

LINK: More shots of the night

LINK: Unhailoed on Facebook

WE SCENE IT >>>

Anyone who remembers Drake's from back in the day will enjoy the Firwood Rock Lounge, the new club that now commands the Drake's spot at 734 Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma. Drake's circa 2000 was the skanky dance club complete with thunderously loud music, strong drinks that were over served and fights every 15 minutes or so. It eventually went the way of the Dodo bird and shut its doors to sit vacant for a few years. In its place the Firwood is cleaner, less skanky and more enjoyable. The 50-or-so member crowd for the Shifter show last Friday was mixed but mostly graying hair retreads out for a night of rock covers and whiskey sours. But there were a good share of hot bodies out for girls' night out fun.

Su Hong mixed the drinks.

Britney Anderson and Renae Kimball give girlie hugs

LINK: More photos in our Photo Hot Spot

WE DROPPED IN ON LATIN NIGHT >>>

Vanity, the new club to take over the former warehouse turned night spot near the corner of South Tacoma Way and 56th Street, was hopping Saturday night. DJ Mauro has found a new home for his Saturday Latin Night, which spews salsa and Mexi-pop dance music to above-average dancers. The mixed age and ethnic crowd was a constant flow of dancing and chatting over wells and fries. The VIP ($10 bracelets buys access and $5 drinks all night) balcony was empty, largely because the dance floor was full.

LINK: More Vanity photos in our Photo Hot Spot

THE KINGS OF TACOMA NIGHTCLUBS ARE AT IT AGAIN >>>

Jon Tartaglia and Roger S. Rahil, the forces behind popular downtown Tacoma nightclubs The Loft, 21 Commerce, Big Whisky Saloon and countless others, opened their new venture last Friday in the site formerly occupied by The Vault at 1025 Pacific Ave. Designed by award-winning architect Marcelo Rocha, the swanky Encore Boutique Nightclub offers modern elements, mood lighting, leather seating, a state-of-the-art-sound system, European bottle service, private restrooms, and private champagne couches roped off by black velvet ropes and guards in ties for those clubbers willing to pay extra ($350) to ensure they always have fresh drinks and places to sit.

The Weekly Volcano dropped on Encore's grand opening party last Friday. Surrounded by cocktail dresses and men with collars and sport coats, we attached a clip-on and snapped a few shots.

Encore Boutique Nightclub

1025 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
206.335.9139

LINK: More Encore photos here

UNDER THE LIGHTS >>>

The Hype: Thanks to Calvin Murphy, the South Sound has danced its ass off for the last 11 years. Murphy's DJ conglomerate Ocean Grooves produced many popular DJ shows and weekly series over the years, including its initial series at Tacoma's 6th & Proctor Bar & Grill in 1999 featuring regulars Donald Glaude, Omar and dAb. Last night, Murphy launched a whole new venture as manager of Jason Rim's new Gruv Lounge and Nightclub - in the same spot once occupied by the 6th & Proctor B&G, as well as the more popular Hell's Kitchen. Besides booking and running the show, Rim allowed Murphy to design the club - the DJ booth, lighting, video screens and color schemes. To give Gruv's grand opening an extra boost, Murphy hosted his annual Ocean Grooves Halloween Bash in the joint featuring Los Angeles DJ Uberzone and local DJs dAb, Jason Diamond and Mr. Clean. Read more on the new club here.

The Show: Based on last night's grand opening don't expect lots of v-neck-t-shirt-wearing guys doing that up-and-down motion with their arms in appreciation of the music, and perfectly groomed and tanned girls dancing in circles around their purses as that drunk girl high-fives the DJ for playing "Fantasy" by Mariah Carey while she sucks on a rock-candy ring. Instead, a very unpretentious crowd danced, chatted and drank – when they weren't hugging Murphy saying, "It's about time you brought this to Tacoma." The DJs riled up the crowd with fearsome house music and boogie-man beats while Murphy's LED lights constantly changed the interior colors of the club. Oh, and local artist James Allan Tucker's mural in the dance room is very cool. The Weekly Volcano Meat Market correspondent Brett Cihon was in the house. Look for his review in next week's rag.

The Crowd: A large crowd including curious local DJs scoping out the place, plus Bert and Ernie, Spock, Ron Burgundy, Mr. Heatmiser, Iron Man, cats, and a bunch of scary guys.

Overheard: "Man, I should've gotten stoned for this!"

By The Way: Donald Glaude, DJ dAb and Omar will spin Saturday, Nov. 6 at the Gruv.

LINK: More Gruv photos in our Photo Hot Spot

SAX ON A SATURDAY NIGHT >>>

SAX Restaurant and Lounge slaps a big ol' FUZION logo on their Saturday nights, hosting three DJs spinning Top-40, some house and hip-hop. They toss in "The FUZION Girls" and their ridiculous furry boots, Jell-O shots and drink specials bringing in a crowd more concerned about dancing, hooking up and having a great time than frontin'. It's a diverse crowd, which included the gay community and one grandmother this past Saturday.

DJ Mike Yoda and guests will spin during The FUZION Oct. 30 Halloween Party, which includes a costume contest with $500 in prizes, and no doubt more ridiculous boots worn by the FUZION chicks.

FUZION

Saturdays, 9 p.m., $5 cover after 10 p.m.
SAX Restaurant and Lounge
2309 Sixth Ave., Tacoma
253.572.0588.

LINK: More photos of last Saturday's FUZION

ON THE SCENE >>>  

The Weekly Volcano dropped in on the Tacoma Comedy Club's soft opening this weekend. The club - embedded in Malarkey's Pool & Brew club at Sixth and Tacoma Avenue - nearly sold out three shows this past weekend, and already booked some 100 tickets for its grand opening this coming weekend. That fact doesn't surprise me. The joint looks like a dedicated comedy club space. Tables ring the stage and all seats are good. The waitresses are attractive, efficient and Johnny on the spot - all makings of a good club

Oh, and the comedians were funny.

Mike Agostini

Xung Lam emceed the opening weekend with my former history teacher, Mike Agostini warming up the crowd for Kane Holloway and Sean Anderson headlining. All comedians are known commodities around here, with Holloway and Anderson also pulling double duty for the upcoming film, Jesus4Less.

This weekend, The Tacoma Comedy Club will host Collin Moulton's fast paced mix of clever stand-up and physical comedy straight from his appearance on Comedy Central's "Best of" series.

LINK: Previously on our sister blog, Spew

PLEASURE DOME >>>

Summer is in the air, and all the little boys and girls are wondering with bleary eyes where their next nightlife fix is coming from. We suggest the Cedarwood Dome in Milton.

Levi Lyon of Lyon Pride Music has loaded the nightclub up through June with reggae on Friday nights and rock music on Saturdays. You can peruse the schedules here.

The more interesting note regarding these nights is what's happening around the music stage: glassblowing, fire dancing, drum circles and a Hookah Lounge.  Yup, the Cedarwood has gone Arabian Nights on Milton.

Lyon has opened the Dome's loft to give you a taste of Persian decadence. I caught up with him for the details.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: Tell us about the Hookah Lounge.

LEVI LYON: Its on the third floor overlooking the stage, the Tinder Box has sponsored the nearly 30 flavors of tobacco and our other friends at the Green Room have donated several of our hookahs. Lyon Pride Music provides the free tobacco.

VOLCANO: Describe the feel of the Lounge.

LYON: It's very loungey with five to six table with four to six seats at each table. The prime seats over look the stage so for patrons that get there early they get the hookah experience with a show.

VOLCANO: Is there a cost to get into the Lounge?

LYON: Just admission into the show which ranges from $5-25 usually depending on the talent. The Hookah Lounge is free if you become a VIP member. Patrons can sign up at the club or Text LPM to 68398 to receive VIP treatment.

This weekend the Vinyl Tribe and Dub Lounge International will be working the deck during "Reggae Fridays," and Third Law of Motion, Blue Helix, Ice On The Wing, Actual Depiction and Level rock the Dome's "Smokin' Saturdays." Both nights begin at 8 p.m.

Cedarwood Dome

7404 Pacific Hwy. E., Milton
253.922.5727

BE TIGER BUT DON'T BE LIKE TIGER >>>

I really don't care who is gripping Tiger Woods' putter. Neither should you. He's rich and famous and if he wants to shag every waitress who serves him a drink, what business is it of yours? People cheat. Even famous people.

If you do want to make it your business, one way to start is to attend Masa's "Golf Pro's and Ho's" party Wednesday, Jan. 27. Dress up like Woods or Rachel Uchitel, and share your opinions on the subject of cheating while throwing back a few Golf Cocktails:

Golf Cocktail

2 - 3 oz. Gin
3/4 oz. Dry Vermouth
2 dash Bitters

Combine in a mixing glass or shaker. Stir with ice and strain into chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with a blade of grass from your golf shoes.

Masa will bring in DJ Niros for the party, as well as its own resident DJs. Many drink specials will be featured throughout the night. Those in costume will be admitted free.

[Masa, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 9 p.m., 9 p.m., cover starts at 10 p.m., 2811 Sixth Ave., Tacoma,253.254.0560]