A NIGHT OF A THOUSAND SHOTS >>>

Colin Sannes turned the big 40 Friday with an epic time at Puget Sound Pizza, where he normally hosts weekend karaoke and holds court as king of the mic. The kilted wonder received his share of free shots and well wishes. He also got more tackle hugs than a Seahawks wide receiver, one of which left a knot on his head when he took a digger in the parking lot. But that is a story for another time. Imagine, a birthday party for Colin and only one ambulance was called. That is moderation in Tacoma terms.

Colin also hosts the Tacoma Cult Movie Club 7 p.m. every second Sunday and third Monday at the Acme Grub Cage in downtown Tacoma.

LINK: More photos of Colin's party

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

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 1022! >>>

Coming into its own, general manager Chris Langston and staff of Tacoma's 1022 South lounge celebrated its one-year anniversary along with a packed house last night. From 6 p.m. on it was standing room only; granted this is not a difficult feat given the lounge's actual physical dimensions. The difference is that those standing were content to do so if it meant possible seating later.

I wrote a little recap of the party in the Bars and Clubs section. I also posted some photos in the Photo Hot Spot.

Cheers

CALLING ALL CRUMB-CATCHERS! >>>

Move. Groove. Groom. Your mustache.

Masa restaurant hosts a Mustache Party Wednesday, March 3 featuring its resident DJs spinning the latest music video while you dance your mustache off.

Don't have a mustache?

You're in luck. Masa will give a free mustache for everyone that walks through its doors Wednesday night.

Drink specials include $4 Jäger shots (Jäger Girls will be in the house), $3.50 for 24-ounce Tacates and $4 "Mustacheo" shots.

There's no peach fuzz at this party (21+ only).

[Masa, Wednesday, March 3, 9:30 p.m., ladies free, cover for guys after 11 p.m., 2811 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.254.0560]

FIRST FRIDAY SERIES >>>

Just as turntablism-the art of playing records-has made an instrument out of a medium, the movement's DJs have made the transition from enablers to performers. Friday's The Last Vestiges of Winter, organized by record-player manipulator/artist Oliver Doriss, seeks to put a little stress on that assumption by presenting three musical talents in an art gallery setting. Saxophonist Victor Prinsen begins the night with improvisational notes. At 10 p.m. DJ dAb presents a historical look at grooves including rare cuts paired with their modern counterparts. At the stroke of midnight Klik will offer a gut tingling set of modern dubstep.

Throughout the night the art space will be under a blanket of snow visuals.

What will result during this art-space party is anyone's guess, which is more or less the idea. Get spun for a loop.

[Fulcrum Gallery, Friday, Feb. 5, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., 21+, $5 benefiting the gallery, 1308 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253.250.0520]

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]

ICE BLOCK PARTY AT VARSITY GRILL >>>

Where there’s beer, there’s burping, and where there’s beer burping, there’s smiling. Beer enthusiasts from near and far will be gathering for the Varsity Grill’s annual Ice Block Party Thursday, Jan. 21 from 5-8 p.m. A $10 pass nabs you winter beer samples from the likes of Red Hook Winterbrook, Alaskan Winter, Deschutes Jubelale, Pyramid Snow Cap, Widmer Brrr, Sam Adams Winter, Snoqualmie Avalanche, Rogue Mogul and New Belgium 2º Below.

Live music and prizes are also on tap.

[Varsity Grill, Thursday, Jan. 21, 5-8 p.m., 114 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.627.1229]