FRIDAY, NOV. 9, 2012 >>>

1. Who really knows jack about Zen? Apparently the Second City Chamber does. Tonight it presents "Zen Pathways," a concert featuring meditative musical landscapes by Claude Debussy, Sophia Gubaidulina, Alan Hovhaness and Michio Miyagi at the Tacoma Art Museum. Some have scoffed at Zen. But don't be fooled! There's something going on here, something powerful and clandestine. You must infiltrate the center and report back with all Second City Chamber's secrets. You must tell us of all its inner machinations. We are trusting you with this reconnaissance mission - just you. 7:30 p.m., $10-$27, Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.TUNE

2. Mozart's The Magic Flute is a perennial favorite that lacks the depth of Mozart's collaborations with librettist da Ponte, but it is hard to resist the broadly drawn characters and brilliant writing. A great beginner opera, especially for mature children. Check it out tonight inside Lagerquist Concert Hall. 8 p.m., 8 p.m., $5-$15, Pacific Lutheran University, Parkland, 253.535.7411

3. Shakespeare was totally punk rock. Almost four centuries before rock and roll was invented, he was writing about sex and drugs. He messed around with gender roles long before David Bowie and Iggy Pop; he didn't shy away from discussing how horrible and violent society could be; he thumbed his nose at the establishment by weaving coded messages about the rebel Catholic underground and making fun of the upper class. Tonight, the Lakewood Playhouse presents Shakespeare's tale of love, lies, gender-bending bouts of mistaken identity and mustaches that is Twelfth Night. The Playhouse warns there will be audience participation, romance and occurrences of bawdiness. Yes! 8 p.m., $18-$24, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd. SW, Lakewood, 253.588.0042

4. Former Saturday Night Live funnyman Tim Meadows has stayed busy lately on Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office and The Daily Show and brings his standup act to the Tacoma Comedy Club tonight. 8 and 10:30 p.m., $20, 933 Market St., Tacoma, 253.282.7203

5. The Kim Archer Band will fill Jazzbones with R&B and blues beginning at 7:30 p.m. $7-$10, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169

LINK: Friday, Nov. 9 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SATURDAY, NOV. 3, 2012 >>>

1. There are always new extremes to be reached. Records to be broken, if you will. And here's yours. If you are a pet owner, that is. Today and tomorrow are perfect (purrr-fect, heh heh), ideal opportunities for you to gain the unofficial title of World's Most Obsessed Pet Owner. All you have to do is go to the America's Family Pet Expo. You'll buy pet-themed jewelry, clothing and crafts, holistic pet foods and vitamins. You'll learn about pet-friendly hotels and vacations and check out the avian actors of the Hollywood stage, watch dogs jump over things and of course, you'll visit Corbin Maxey – The Reptile Guy. Not to mention all the stuff they have for your boring, non-obsessive friends as well. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., $6-$12, 5 and younger, free, Puyallup Fair & Events Center, 119 Ninth Ave. SW, Puyallup, 800.999.7295

2. In 1982, we had a shot at a Warhol flower design on the roof of the Tacoma Dome. It would have been the largest Warhol installation in the world. But the artist's proposal was rejected by seven short-sighted officials who couldn't see what they had in hand because their heads were up their rears. In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Warhol's proposal for Tacoma, The show Andy Warhol's Flowers for Tacoma will be on display today through Feb. 10, 2013. The exhibition celebrates more than 100 works by Warhol, including the artist's flowers and vision for the Dome. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $8-$10, Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., TAcoma, 253.272.4258

3. Artist Jessica Bender will be giving a gallery talk on her current mixed-media installation "Dejection" at Kittredge Gallery this afternoon. The talk will be followed by a closing reception until 6 p.m. The talk and reception are free and open to the public. 4 p.m., free, University of Puget Sound, 1500 N. Lawrence St., Tacoma, 253.879.3701

4. If you have yet to catch the local dance phenomenon that is MOVE! Contemporary dance series, you're a little behind the curve - but there's still hope. At 7 p.m. inside the Theatre on the Square, MOVE #19, the talents of BadmarmarDANCE Project29, Spectrum Academy with choreography by Joel Myers, Barefoot Collective, MLKBallet students, Hannah Crowley, Faith Stevens - to name but a few - will be in full effect. Don't miss this retina-shredding spectacle of passion and power by some of the area's most magnificent dancers. 7 p.m., $12-$18, Theatre on the Square, 915 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5894

5. Chelsea Peretti has adapted her offbeat comedy for prime time as a writer on NBC's Parks and Recreation. Like Amy Poehler's character on that show, who makes awkward jokes in an attempt to relate to the world around her, Peretti relies on self-deprecating humor and cynical observations to curry favor with a technology-armed, hypercritical audience. Peretti brings her stand-up act to the Tacoma Comedy Club tonight. Expect an uninhibited performance in which she makes herself the butt of most of her jokes. 8 and 10:30 p.m., $10-$15, Tacoma Comedy Club, 933 Market St., Tacoma, 253.282.7203

PLUS: Art at Work Studio Tour

LINK: More Saturday, Nov. 3 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

1. The Pine Hearts, with their mandolin and banjo and guitar are super easy to listen to. Bluegrassy with some earth tones and a little nod towards simpler times, The Pine Hearts go great with beer, BBQ and friends. 9 p.m., free, The Pig Bar (South Bay BBQ,) 619 Legion Way, Olympia, (360) 943-6900.

2. Join in the laughs at the 2nd Annual Grit City Comedy Contest! You will see 8-10 comics go head to head with their best 10 minutes for your votes. The audience will vote for their top three comics to move forward for the finals on Saturday. Make plans now to come for two great nights packed with comedy! To help you with that, those that come to tonight’s show will be given a chance to purchase discounted tickets on site for the Saturday show for $10. 9 p.m. $13.70 Grit City Comedy Club, 445 Tacoma Ave. South, Tacoma, (253) 961-4262, www.brownpapertickets.com/event/275084.

3. “8” is the new play by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk, J. Edgar, Big Love.) The play chronicles the historic trial in the Prop 8 federal case for marriage equality in California. Come hear exactly what the court transcript says – hear both sides! Each performance features great actors from every stage in the South Sound. Following each performance, there will be a Q&A with Washington State Representative Chris Reykdal and other marriage equality advocates. 7:30 p.m., $10, Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St SE, Olympia, (360) 753-8585.

4. This musical vaudeville is set in roaring twenties Chicago - chorine Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband Amos to take the rap...until he finds out he's been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another "Merry Murderess" Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the "American Dream": fame, fortune and acquittal. This sharp edged satire features a dazzling score that sparked immortal staging by Bob Fosse. 8 p.m., $20 - $29, Tacoma Musical Playhouse Narrows Theater, 7116 6th Avenue, (253) 565-6867.

5. Grindhouse Theater Presents, on rare, glorious 35 mm film, The Return of the Living Dead. When a bumbling pair of employees at a medical supply warehouse accidentally release a deadly gas into the air, the vapors cause the dead to re-animate as they go on a rampage through Louisville, Kentucky seeking their favorite food - brains. 9 p.m., $9, The Grand Cinema, 606 South Fawcett Avenue, Tacoma, (253) 593-4474.

John Keister from the Seattle comedy Almost Live! will be at the Royal Lounge this Saturday in Olympia.

Keister, a native of Seattle, wrote for The Rocket and initially joined KING-TV as a music reviewer on a program called REV in 1984. Keister joined Almost Live! from 1988 - 1999 and won 12 Emmy Awards for his work with the show.

Many of us grew up with Keister's quirky comedy and lean toward local celebrities, hot issues and home-town flair.

"He's got a lot of history for the Seattle area," says Baurice Nelson, who's bringing Keister to town. "He's such a household name that it'll be like you've got a buddy in the room telling interesting stories."

With the election coming up, Nelson thought Keister would be a perfect fit since he's also known for his political angle.

Nelson, who has been the go-to for comedy in the Olympia area since the 90's is also bringing in Duane Goad to perform with Keister.

"He's seasoned and he could be a headliner," says Nelson of Goad. "If you come to the show, you'll remember that Duane was great."

Special guest Monica Nevi will also perform.

The Royal Lounge, 311 Capitol Way N., doors 7:30, show 8:30, tickets $12 in advance www.Baurice.com

1. Washington Center for Performing Arts is kicking off their 2012 CenterFest Gala festivities by ramping up the fun with an Olympia comedy favorite! Start the season off laughing with Jose Sarduy, "professional comedian, aviator, and long time admirer of the female gender." This event will be on our main stage, with a full bar in the lobby, so bring your friends and enjoy a night of laughing.Jose is a member of the GI's of comedy, "a comedic troupe of troops." This group of veteran continues to serve their country by bringing humor and laughter to those who serve, and support those who have served in the military. $20, military, $15, 7:30 p.m., 512 Washington St. S.E., Olympia(360) 753-8586.

2. Ready to pop some Java Jive cherries?? Find a Java Jive virgin and bring them to the first annual Java Jive "Cherry Smash" Debutante Ball! Or come stag if you've never been! We'll give you and your date a free official" Java Jive cocktail! Dress up or dress down - it's your PARTY! As always - free buttons, karoke, and FUN! 8 p.m., free, Bob's Java Jive, 2102 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma,(253) 475-9843.

3. Three small business owners reveal what they learned through starting their companies. Wayland Cossey '99, co-founder of Mandeals.com, a daily deal website targeting the male audience; Juel Lugo, co-founder of LILT, a Tacoma based graphic design firm; and, Chad Stoker, founder and owner of CodeSmart, an Olympia-area custom IT solutions company. 6 p.m., free, Collins Memorial Library, University of Puget Sound, 1500 N. Warner St., CMB 1021 (253) 879-3669.

4. One of the most fascinating elements of Northwest art is the interplay between the artists, who’ve related to each other in roles including student, teacher, partner, mentor, inspiration, muse, and more. In this lecture series, hear directly from four prominent artists, all featured in Best of the Northwest, as they share stories and insights about their own work and their relationships to other Northwest artists. Cost: $50 for complete series ($35 for members), $15 per individual lecture ($10 for members, $5 for students). Educator clock hours available. Preregistration is recommended. 6 p.m., Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave.(253) 272-4258.

5. Goodbye Charlie is Romantic Comedy suited for teens and up. Fate turns the tables on Charlie Sorel, a womanizing cad with a taste for the high life... and other men's wives. Tempting fate one too many times, he is killed by a jealous husband and reincarnated as a beautiful woman. Will the man who "had it all" adapt, repent or continue cruising through life with a cigar in one hand and a drink in the other? Or will a new life in a woman's body teach Charlie to be a better man? Director - Kendra Malm. 7:55 p.m., $12-$14, Olympia Little Theater, 1925 Miller Avenue (360) 786-9484.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

1. It all goes back to history. Everything. Everything goes back to history. There is nothing but history. These words are becoming history as you read them. Even you, some day, will be history. Perhaps you will be a blip; perhaps you will be a chapter. Perhaps your name will become a buzzword, like Reaganomics or Machiavellian. Perhaps. Perhaps you will ramble with no purpose. Perhaps you will wax poetic to the point of nausea. Perhaps you will shove extra food from the buffet into your purse when no one is looking. Perhaps. Perhaps you'll enjoy history Saturday when the best comedians from years and years of the Seattle International Comedy Competitions gather on the Pantages Theater for a night of laughs at 7:30 p.m. Former Comedy Competition champions Darryl Lenox (1999) and Damonde Tschritter (2006) will anchor the night. Armchair philosopher Lenox is one of the best comics to ever come out of Vancouver. OK, he's American, but he lived 14 years in the city, reached a calm on stage and honed his act with his hilarious American take on Canada and Canadians. Although storyteller comedian, actor and writer Tschritter has been known to say he's more like the guy who hangs around your kitchen table telling stories than a stand-up comedian, he was the first Canadian to win the Seattle competition. Perhaps you should attend.

2. Dude, pain is just weakness leaving the body. It's no reason to not do anything. Shoo, weakness, shoo. Go away. It's time to skip that early morning nap and start creating some pain for yourself. That's right - five kilometers of pain. It's the Ruston Way 5K, beginning at 10 a.m. It's said to be one of the flattest, fastest 5K runs in the universe. Elite runners are signed up. But forget about the fact that it celebrates the re-opening of the new and proved Ruston Way; you can reminisce about the demolished tunnel later. Concentrate on your five kilometers of pain. Ignore the pre-run ribbon cutting with dignitaries at 9:15 a.m. Ignore the stunning views of the Puget Sound, Mt. Rainier, the Cascades and the Olympic Mountains. Pain, pain, pain. Best of all, you'll be done in time for your noon nap.

3. Traver Gallery in Tacoma is the only United States venue to host Engaging with Glass: A Survey of Contemporary Glass Art, the first comprehensive survey of Irish glass art in over a decade. The exhibition brings together a broad spectrum of work in glass, ranging from beautifully executed decorative objects to conceptual installation pieces incorporating video elements. The exhibit opens today with a reception from 5-7 p.m.

4. You totally have the opportunity to get lei'd tonight (sorry, we couldn't help ourselves). The annual University of Puget Sound's Hui O Hawai`i student club's Spring Lu'au with its exotic Polynesian food and colorful entertainment hits the campus. The festivities begin with a 5 p.m. dinner offering kalua pig, huli huli chicken, lomi lomi salmon, macaroni salad, poi, chicken long rice, haupia, pineapple and a vegan dish pineapple stir fry in the Wheelock Student Center. At 7 p.m., the crowd will head to the memorial Field House for the band Na Leo O Hawai`I and around a dozen dances from cultures including Hawaiian, Tahitian, Samoan, and Maori, as well as ritual face-painting, grass skirts, the malo (loincloth) and colorful island dresses. Aloha.

5. Beginning at 6 p.m. Hell's Kitchen will host a benefit show for Hang Huong - who was hit by a car - featuring a burlesque show, raffle prizes and the musical stylings of Unhailoed, Psychonaut Deathtrip, LB, Reptile Eruption, Devils of Louden and Phasers On Kill.

PLUS: More events listed in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: South Sound happy hours

TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2012 >>>

1. Psychedelic folk revivalist Joanne Rand will drop by Fusion Integrated Body Studio for a night of avant-garde Appalachian traditionals, southern blues-rock and original orchestral compositions about the human condition. You might have seen her back in the early '90s when she was an integral part of the Seattle music scene. Today, she calls Northern California home, and every rag in that area has printed the word "best" next to her name. The Hinges open the show at 8 p.m.

2. TED is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing knowledge and ideas. Most people with an Internet connection probably know about the TED talks posted online, but now Tacoma will have its own TED event. TEDx are locally organized versions of TED talks, and TEDx Tacoma is set to take place from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the theme is Transformation. Speakers will range from artists to business owners to community movers and shakers. Read Kristin Kendle's full feature on TEDx Tacoma in the Arts section of weeklyvolcano.com.

3. Learn to cultivate creativity and live a more artistic life with John Jacobsen, executive director of TheFilmSchool in Seattle, at noon in the theater at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom. During this free, two-hour workshop, Jacobsen will examine what it means to be an artist, how artists tell their stories and why those stories are important.

4. Comedian John Garnett recently moved back to Tacoma from Los Angles where he rubbed shoulders with Brad Pitt, Clint Eastwood and many other celebrities. "Tacoma has always felt like home, full of REAL people, who wake up to REAL lives. Nothing like the big rush hour driven, dollar sign eye'd, people I met when I lived in LA and New York I wanted to be real again," says Garnett who will open Ha Ha Tuesdays at Jazzbones at 8:30 p.m. before headliner Daniel Dugar hits the stage.

5. Every 17th of the month Doyle's Public House hosts a practice session for its big St. Patrick's Day party. Practice makes perfect in the eyes of owners Russ and Dave. However, the party will be taken a notch higher as the Stadium District watering hole will also celebrates its sixth anniversary. Expect corned beef and cabbage as well as 2006 prices on all goods. Oh, and for some reason Doyle's can't mention the band fronted by Junior that will rock the joint, in a very sexy way, at 8 p.m.  

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: South Sound happy hours

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 >>>

1. Writing from a lesbian and/or feminist perspective is easier today than it was 30 years ago, thanks in large part to the sustained work of women activists and by growing mass acceptance of their arguments. The level of anger and revolt and solidarity is not the same today as it was in the '70s or '80s. Or is it? Internationally acclaimed slam poet, full-time writer, performing artist and activist, Tony-nominated Staceyann Chin probably can answer the question. The strong and versatile self-described out-poet with a Caribbean-accent and huge, parted Afro has seen and experienced the light and dark of life of plantation-era Jamaica, and carries a worldly perspective, identifying with Caribbean and Black, Asian and lesbian, women and New Yorkers. She speaks about her experiences of growing up in Jamaica and the consequences of her coming-out at 7 p.m. inside Schneebeck Concert Hall on the University of Puget Sound campus.

2. A Hope Not Forgotten, Darasuum, I/Delilah, Beneath All Kaos and Silent Planet rock the all-ages Red Room beginning at 7 p.m.

3. As far as virtuosic young piano prodigies go, Ran Dank is totally dank, yo. And by that we mean he's the bomb. Even better, he's performing at 7:30 p.m. inside the Washington Center.

4. Watch 10-20 comedians try out their new material during Tacoma Comedy Club's open mic beginning at 8 p.m. It don't cost nutin'.

5. Want to get into the habit of doodling dudes? Tonight at 8:30 p.m. The Mix hosts live body painting giving Tacoma's creative community an opportunity to socialize, sip and scribble. Most succinctly described as figure-drawing sessions with a gay twist, the sessions are open to the public, as long as you're of drinking age. Oh, there will be drinks.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: South Sound happy hours

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2012 >>>

1. Peter motherfucking Frampton and his talk box are headed to Tacoma tonight, bringing the 35^th anniversary tour for Frampton Comes Alive to the Pantages Theater and delighting a whole generation of mid-70s kinda-sorta rockers in the process. As part of the celebratory vibe for the 35^th anniversary of Frampton Comes Alive, the Grammy award-winning guitarist will bust out the entire album. Boom! It's talk box time.

2. Cut. It. Out. Former Full House semi-star Dave Coulier continues his weekend run at the Tacoma Comedy Club tonight.

3. The Reduced Shakespeare Company is a three-man comedy troupe set to be holed up in Tacoma tonight at the Rialto and  offering a show that promises to, "cover every sport from every continent ever played in 90 minutes." Pretty bold stuff, we know, but that's pretty much what you'd expect from an outfit like the Reduced Shakespeare Company - which touts on its resume, "seven stage shows, two television specials, several failed TV pilots, and numerous radio pieces."  

4. Dancer-turned-comedic-filmmaker Mitchell Rose has plenty of notches on his belt. He's been awarded five fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, for example, and has seen his work grace the gigantic screen in Times Square. Dude's accomplished, in other words. Tonight, Rose hits Olympia's Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts with The Mitch Show, billed as, "a fast-paced evening of comic films and audience-participation pieces," and "maniacally funny, often poignant, and always surprising." We'll get behind anything that's maniacally funny.

5. The Lance Buller Trio will class up Maxwell's on St. Helens Avenue tonight, busting out tunes starting at 7 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight in the South Sound

LINK: The Weekend Hustle

MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2012 >>>

1. Comedian Alysia Wood remembers getting her start at the house emcee at Tacoma's Comedy Underground. While these days Wood lives in L.A. and is prepping for the release of her debut comedy album on Standup! Records, Princess, she returns to the Northwest tonight for a celebratory (and sure to be laugh-filled) show at Stonegate Pizza. Produced by Grammy award-winning producer Dan Schlissel, Princess may well be the start of even bigger and better things for Wood.

2. As a popular poet once noted, "Makin' your way / in the world today / takes everything you've got." Yes, it's back to the coal mines, tired already from late partying at the BroHo. You need something to soak up that beer, and an artist with mad flow to screw your head on straight. We float you home, Gentle Reader, on the soothing cadences of Poetry Night at al Forno Ferruzza. That's right, it's a full-on poetry slam, slathered in delicious mozzarella. Your lingering hangover demands this. An offshoot of a beloved Portland pizzeria, al Forno offers hearty calzones and pies, a range of wines at $7 a half-carafe, and now, THE KNOWLEDGE. Preach it.

3. Catch rising Tacoma band Death By Stars tonight at Magoo's as part of Showcase Monday. DJ Pocket Square will also be in the house, with the action kicking off at 8:30 p.m.

4. Tonight at the Swiss drink beer and behold Dakota Bob & The Businessman Band, starting at 8 p.m. and featuring absolutely no cover charge.

5. Drop in on Tap Room Trivia tonight at the Harmon Tap Room on St. Helens Avenue. Look for a $50 cash prize for the winner of each round and too much fun to contain - running from 6 - 8 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight in the region