THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Showers tonight, hi 50, lo 39

Saturday: Showers, hi 50, lo 39

Sunday: Showers, hi 50, lo 37

>>> FRIDAY, APRIL 12: STORIES OF BEING DOWNTOWN

Tonight, bear witness to the amazing Playback Theatre as they delight audiences with their one-night performance of Stories of Being Downtown.  Sounds intriguing already. This is in collaboration with Olympia's Downtown Ambassador Program. And remember folks, Playback Theater is a form of improv where the group or audience members tell stories to be enacted. Sounds awesome. - Nikki McCoy

• Traditions Cafe, 7:30-10 p.m., 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia, 360.705.2819

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FRIDAY, APRIL 12 2013 >>>

1. On the off chance you've never seen the movie Reservoir Dogs, here's the gist: a crime boss named Joe Cabot and his adult son, "Nice Guy Eddie," hire six thugs under pseudonyms to pull a diamond heist. The heist, which we never see, goes utterly sideways, and the thieves reassemble at their hideout to ascertain what went wrong. They decide there's a snitch among them, guns are drawn, guns are fired and it all gets rather bloodily Jacobean. Theater Artists Olympia Director Pug Bujeaud stages the screenplay with no intermission. Performances alternate between all-male and all-female casts. The female cast hits Olympia's Midnight Sun Performance Space at 7:30 p.m. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of Reservoir Dogs in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

2. The Gray Sky Blues Music Festival will invade downtown Tacoma tomorrow after the Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade. For those who anxious to dive into the blues should hit Uncle Thurm's BBQ joint in Tacoma's Lincoln District at 6 p.m. A special pre-festival performance by young L.A. blues band The Chase Walker Band will go down.

3. The Tacoma Rainiers opens their home season at 7 p.m. with a game against the Salt Lake Bees, complete with fireworks. That's fine and dandy, but the big news is Rainiers officially welcomed The Hub as the club's exclusive in-stadium pizza provider. Dubbed “Pie On The Fly,” the signature Artisan-style pizzas The Hub perfected at their neighborhood pub in the Stadium District will take up residence on the first-base side of the Cheney Stadium concourse today. Play ball!

4. The University of Puget Sound's Adelphian and Dorian singers will, er, sing African-American spirituals, including Moses Hogan's "The Battle of Jericho," at 7:30 p.m. inside Schneebeck Concert Hall.

5. Singer-songwriter Elizabeth Hummel and her rock folk band will perform a fundraising concert for the Washington Toxics Coalition at 7:30 in the Olympia Ballroom. Hummel is no stranger to bringing current issues and politics into her music when the cause moves her. In 2002 she organized "Open Stage for Peace" in Olympia to give artists a stage to share poems and songs in response to the threat of war.

LINK: Friday, April 12 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Yesterday's comment of the day came from Carbon in response to Ken Miller's post about Dream Act House Bill 1817 - affordable college education for immigrant kids - on our Town Hall Tourist blog.

Carbon writes,

1817 should be opposed because it rewards and encourages illegal immigration. We need to stop the cycle of illegal immigration by removing all incentives. Handing out free college money is obviously an incentive. 1817 should be opposed by everyone who supports the rule of law.

JUST DO IT >>>

It's time for a confession dear readers. It's been three weeks since my last outdoor adventure. Sure I've talked about little hellions, err darling children, at the Nature Center and kidnapped a dog, but I haven't really adventured. I haven't been out freezing my buns off last minute camping or trying to get lost in the woods. I've been handicapped by a little issue I like to call the great ankle fiasco of 2013. One of my great loves is rock climbing and the Edgeworks Climbing gym feels like my second home. A few weeks ago, I fell in the gym doing something silly and sprained my left ankle. It has proved to be anything but simple to fix and has been quite the impediment to my outdoor enjoyment. But I'm at the end of my rope. Without some kind of adventure I start to go stir crazy. And that is what I want to discuss with you today.

It all started a few years ago. I found myself very stressed out and feeling anxious. A spontaneous trip to Paradise at Mount Rainier came as a revelation. I felt this incredible sense of peace. I was awed by the beauty of the mountains and the natural environment seemed to put my stress in perspective. I always liked being outside and enjoyed natural beauty but this was different. After this I started hiking and seeking out activities to recreate this feeling. This was the beginning of my "addiction."

I started small. Tromping through the woods at Point Defiance or going for walks at the beach. But soon it wasn't enough to get my fix. Next came the weekend hikes. But it wasn't until I took the plunge that I really discovered it had become a necessity for me. I attempted to climb Mount Rainier. I'd always said it was on my bucket list, but we all know how that is. I mean how many people actually check the items off their bucket list? I had no idea what I was getting myself into. It was the hardest ting I've ever done. Anyone who has suffered altitude sickness can relate when I say the first night I spent at Camp Muir was an experience I never wish to repeat. But I pushed my boundaries and came back a better person for it.

So dear readers this is my challenge to you. I encourage you to push yourself. Don't run out and try to climb Rainier next weekend. But whatever you've always wanted to do, try it. Make the time. Take the kids on that Foothills Trail bike ride. Or run 5 Mile Drive on a Saturday morning. Believe me, after a late Friday night dragging your hungover behind out of bed is really hard. But I've never regretted getting out, and after the first grumpy hour I always enjoy it. There are some great running groups in Tacoma and plenty of charity causes to join for almost any activity: 5Ks, triathlons, climbing, bike riding, whatever floats your boat.

I hope my weekly exploits aren't just entertaining. I hope they show you new things to do in our corner of the world, and maybe inspire some adventures of your own. I'm getting desperate for some adventure so expect some hilarious exploits as the great ankle fiasco of 2013 and I come to a mutual understanding about how this summer is going to go.

LINK: Scenic Beach State Park

THURSDAY, APRIL 11 2013 >>>

When Chris Titus performs April 11-13 at the Tacoma Comedy Club, you might hear a lot from the voice in his head. His fifth stand-up special The Voice in My Head, dropped on his website. For $9 you will discover his worst screw-ups for an hour and 45 minutes. Titus calls it the "Church of the Epic Fail," where every bad decision IS the religion." Catch him live at 8 p.m. in downtown Tacoma.

3. Today marks the end of the first week of the inaugural Olympia Restaurant Week - the celebration of Thurston County's culinary scene happening April 7-18, Sundays-Thursdays. Ten Thurston County restaurants are serving special $25 three-course dinners, with some eateries offering a three-course lunch menu for $15.

4. Maxwell's Speakeasy and Lounge in Tacoma joins delicious forces with 21 Cellars and Wingman Brewers to present a pairing dinner tonight. Nibble on local cheeses, produce and meat while sipping on locally concocted vinos and brews. Tickets are limited, so call 253.683.4115.

4. MediaLab, the award-winning student run organization at Pacific Lutheran University, hosts the primer of their latest documentary Beyond Burkas & Bombers: Anti-Muslim Sentiment in America at 7 p.m. at the PLU Studio Theater. The film will be followed by a small reception and panel discussion.

5. Reading by NW traveler, Artist Trust fellowship winner and participant in the San Miguel Poetry Week in Mexico Peter Rudwin will read his poetry at 7 p.m. inside the Gig Harbor/Peninsula Library.

LINK: Thursday, April 11 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Olympia Memes is more than a Facebook page. It's fast becoming part of Olympia's philanthropic fabric with one foot still firmly planted in the page's quirky sense of fun.

Case and point: the Meme Yourself Costume Party. Olympia memes asks its followers to dress as their favorite meme and come prepared to win prizes - if their costume rocks hard enough. Prizes include a wine-tasting party, dance classes, a snowboard and various gift certificates.

"I am hoping to see some girls rock the ERMAHGERD get up, maybe a Grumpy Cat rendition or two, Scumbag Steves, Bad Luck Brian's ... and then there's always the wide selection of Rage characters," says Olympia Memes' publisher. "If anyone is stuck they can always do a search online for meme costume parties or go to meme generators like quickmeme.com to look around for inspiration."

The party will raise funds - $5 cover charge and a raffle - with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting SafePlace Olympia.  

"It's a sad fact that we need a place like SafePlace, but I know that because of this one organization, lives have been saved," says Olympia Memes' publisher. "Almost every conversation I have ever had where SP was mentioned, almost everyone has known at least one person that has had to use their services. They have had a huge positive influence on our community."

The Meme Yourself Costume Party will be at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 18 at Big Whisky Saloon in downtown Olympia. The event is 21+ only. The Big Whisky will spin tunes, with line dance lessons at 8:30 p.m. and the mechanical bull will be plugged in.

If you're lucky, Olympia Memes' mysterious publisher might show up out of disguise.

BIG WHISKY SALOON, THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 8 P.M., $5, 425 FRANKLIN ST. SE, OLYMPIA, 360.357.4721

THE GLASS LADY COCKTAIL PACKAGE >>>

The Hotel Murano is toasting the Museum of Glass' 10th anniversary with a fancy cocktail package. Actually, others have been invited to the party. Behind the driving of Keri Porritt, the Murano's restaurant operations manager, Carolyn Osborne - artist and owner of Murano's in-house gift shop Creative Forces Gifts and Sundries and Seattle's Glass Distillery - are also involved in the cocktail package to be offered exclusively in the hotel's Lobby Bar.

Here's the deal: Every other week a classic vodka cocktail recipe will highlight the flavor of Glass Vodka and come presented in a lovely hand painted souvenir glass - thanks to Osborne - for $29, with $2 of the proceeds benefitting the Museum of Glass.

"Glass distillery is working with the Museum of Glass as well having them create hand blown glass bottles each month for display at the museum, so we took all of the ideas and combined them to help the museum celebrate their 10 year anniversary," says Porritt.

Porritt says the Glass Lady Cocktail Package will run through spring. Although she says if it continues to be as popular as it is now, the hotel will come knocking on Osborne's door for more beautiful glassware.

"I am so thrilled that they are having me do the painted glasses," says Osborne.

This week's featured cocktail is a Glass Lady Cosmo. Just by its looks, the package whispers sweet nothings in your ear. Even the vodka bottle is pure class ... in celebration of the glass.

HOTEL MURANO, 1320 BROADWAY PLAZA, TACOMA, 253.238.8000

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10 2013 >>>

1. While traditionally urban farming has conjured images of a wee patch of vegetables and a compost bucket, now it may include farm animals as well. With the rising influence of foodie culture and back-to-the-land enthusiasm, urban agriculture has a growing contingent of supporters not only in the more spacious 'burbs of the South Sound but in the cities proper. Organizations like Gallucci Learning Garden promote South Sound city farmers, offering workshops in urban chicken farming, such as its City Chickens 101 at 5 p.m.

2. Tacoma Art Museum Director Stephanie Stebich will lecture on the personal and private art of children's book artist Eric Carle Wednesday, April 10 at 10:30 a.m. The lecture is free with museum admission, and it should be as special as is the exhibition because she is a personal friend of the artist and knows him well. Read Weekly Volcano art critic Alec Clayton preview of her lecture here.

3. Pint Defiance hosts Firestone Walker Brewing for "Jacked-Up" beers from 5-7 p.m. The University Place specialty beer store and taproom will pour Union Jack IPA and Double Jack IPA as well as the extremely limited Sucaba Barrel Aged Barley Wine and Double DBA.

4. They buy tile trivets, ceramic figurines and odd pieces of old china at thrift stores, smashing the objects into pieces with a hammer, and reassembling the shards into two-dimensional images that are then mortared or glued onto surfaces. Shop. Smash. Adhere resulting shards to any surface on which you can put grout and thinset mortar. Making mosaics can be a sort of ritual, a purification by arts and crafts. The sweat, the dirt, the dangerously sharp pieces of tile scattered about. Oh, the payoff. The pride. The beautiful surfaces. Discover the passion and the beauty from 5:30-8 p.m. when SURFACE, a Tile Show opens at Gallery 301 in Tacoma. The tile show - in conjunction with the big International Mosaic Summit Tacoma - will feature small works byBarbara Clark, Beth Anderson, Chris Seminara, Clare Dohna, Claudia Riedener, Dan Earle (special guest), Gina Holt, Jaki Reed, Janet Gadallah, Janice Deckmann, Karen Morrice, Kimmi Kerns, Laura Brodax, Maria Root, Olga Slutkovskaya, Paul Lewing, Terri Goodwin and Tracy Gosser. Check it out, but don't break anything!

5. Father Alejandro Solalinde, who received the 2012 National Human Rights Award for his work in defense of Central and South American migrants transiting through Mexico, will speak on the current crisis these migrants face in Mexico at 7 p.m. inside the University of Puget Sound's Kilworth Memorial Chapel. 

LINK: Wednesday, April 10 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THE INSIDE SCOOP >>>

Tacoma Art Museum Director Stephanie Stebich will lecture on the personal and private art of children's book artist Eric Carle Wednesday, April 10 at 10:30 a.m. The lecture is free with museum admission, and it should be as special as is the exhibition because she is a personal friend of the artist and knows him well.

I was fortunate enough to attend a press preview of the exhibition at which Stebich toured the show with us and talked about Carle's art. My review will appear in this week's Volcano. But there's much more to the show than I can say in one review, so I'll try to cover a little more here.

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FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING >>>

In 2009 the Tacoma Craft Beer Festival organizers were overwhelmed. The inaugural event ultimately sold out, and repeatedly hit maximum allowed capacity of the Foss Waterway Seaport, leaving the line of people waiting for entry wrapped around the building. The following year, the exact same scenario happened. In 2011 and 2012, organizers went bigger, moving the festival outdoors to the 21st Street Park along Dock Street. People were turned away at the gate due to capacity issues and the fact that all the beer was drank.

So what will Tacoma Craft Beer Festival organizers do this year?

Go bigger.

In September, the largest single day beer festival in Washington state will be held at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma. The fifth annual Tacoma Craft Beer Festival will tap the kegs at Cheney, host 20 more breweries - bringing the total to 70 craft breweries - and welcome 6,000 to 7,000 beer drinkers. Gone will be the parking issues. Gone will be the lines at Honey Buckets. Enter more food options.

"This event is being held to bring together those that are passionate about craft beer, and to further build community while promoting this amazing beverage in the South Sound," states co-organizer Bennett Thurmon.

Mark a big "X" over noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 on your calendar. You and a bunch of people will be drinking a bunch of craft beer.