WORTH THE DRIVE >>>

The band's name is LAKE. Might it be because its gentle indie-pop ripples with musical bubbliness?

The quintet hodgepodge of guys, girls, and groove on team K Records in Olympia has been added to the impressive Treefort Music Fest line-up held March 21-24 in Boise, Idaho. Besides the K Records cuties' retro synths and funky bass lines, you can catch the likes of Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Animal Collective, Dan Deacon, Youth Lagoon, Sage Francis, Theesatifaction and many others. See the Treefort Music Fest full line-up here.

FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING >>>

So two bands, five comedians and one radio host walk into a bar.What sounds like the start of a joke is really this Friday's Rocking Comedy Extravaganza at The Backstage Bar and Grill in Tacoma.

A string of comedians including Travis Simmons aka "The Big Funny," Justin Hayes, Greg Baldonado, Jeremy Whitman and Eric "Puddin" Lorentzen will start off the night followed by Hookerfist, a Tool tribute band, and local rockers C.F.A. The event is a NWCZ Radio sponsored listener's party, with on-air host Darrell Fortune playing emcee.

The Weekly Volcano caught up with C.F.A. vocalist/bassist Cody Foster for the lowdown on Friday's extravaganza.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: It's about time comedy and rock music melded in the South Sound. Don't you agree?

CODY FOSTER: It makes sense. People watch us and tell us we are funny. We don't find us to really be funny. We think of ourselves as more, well, challenged. But all three of us are comedian fans. So we are excited to get to watch comedians, then do a set. It will be very surreal. Never done that in the 27 years as musicians.

VOLCANO: Why do you think shows like this are important to Tacoma?

FOSTER: This is a great hybrid of entertainment. Who doesn't like to laugh and get rocked? The big deal comes from not having your eardrum pounded all night. There is definitely a place for that. We have been talking with Eric and Travis and if this goes well we will do something else.

VOLCANO: What can people expect from C.F.A?

FOSTER: The usual, dumb controlled chaos. Loud.

VOCLANO: Since we're talking comedy, I got a nerdy Star Wars joke for you: What temperature is it inside a Tauntaun? It's "Luke" warm! Aha ha!

FOSTER: That is F'n great! We will be using that one for sure.

VOCLANO: Do you have any good jokes or one-liners?

FOSTER: I don't think my rubber pants will fit you. Come on, the safe word can't be ouch! Better to ask forgiveness than permission.

VOLCANO: Nice. What would you say to somebody to get his or her butt out to the show?

FOSTER: I would start by letting everybody know that this is an independent show put together by comedian Eric Puddin Lorentzen. Which means a comedian picked the other comedians. The best booked shows start this way.

VOLCANO: Anything else you'd like to add?

Foster: Come down and get loose. We are filming for a video!

BACKSTAGE BAR AND GRILL, FRIDAY, JAN 18, 8 P.M., ALL AGES UNTIL 11 P.M., $9 AT BROWNPAPERTICKETS, 6409 6TH AVE, TACOMA, 253.564.0149.

LINK: Rocking Comedy Extravaganza on NWCZ Radio

The film The Mountain Runners first appeared at The Grand Cinema during its 2012 Tacoma Film Festival. The masses were pleased. The show sold out. Rave reviews amassed! Now, The Grand is bringing it back for two screenings on Tuesday, Jan. 15, as part of its Tuesday Film Series.

The film tells the story of what is thought to be the first adventure races in the United States - a contest of certain insanity, held from 1911 to 1913, pitting modified Model A cars against a train and runners up the slippery slopes of Mount Baker. Like I said, certain insanity.

"We think the film has a wide appeal because it tells the story of an amazing, true adventure here in Washington state that until now really had not been told," says Zach Powers, marketing director at The Grand. "It is a suspenseful story that pits local heroes against the elements and terrain."

The Mountain Runners is a locally produced film. Co-directors Todd Warger and Brian Young will be at both screenings at The Grand for post-show talks and question sessions.

THE GRAND CINEMA, TUESDAY, JAN. 15 2 AND 6:30 P.M., $4.50-$7, THE GRAND CINEMA, 606 S. FAWCETT, TACOMA, 253.593.4474

WELL, IT'S HELD IN TACOMA >>>

First things first: We adore wine events almost as much as we can't stand attending wine events. Wine events are A. educational; B. a good place for like-minded fellowship; C. tedious; D. bargains; or E. all of the above. Well, if the wine events we've attended over the years are any indication - and we're sure we've attended well over a hundred - the correct answer is E. Wine dinners, more often than not, are informative, good values and a great place to meet other food and wine enthusiasts like you.

Want to try one?

El Gaucho in downtown Tacoma will toast the New Year with its Taste of Tacoma wine event featuring nine Washington wineries paired with the fine-dining restaurant's tasty bites. Hello Tenderloin Diablo! The pours will be from bottles labeled Woodward Canyon, Long Shadows, Dusted Valley, Sparkman Cellars, Mark Ryan, Beresan, Cavu, Balboa and DeLille Cellars.

The event is a whopping $95 per person.

Bonus: El Gaucho is offering special room rates at Hotel Murano and round trip complimentary shuttle transportation.

EL GAUCHO, FRIDAY, JAN. 25, 7-10 A.M., $95, 2119 PACIFIC AVE., TACOMA, 253.272.1510

TWO GUYS AND TWO FILMS >>>

"Exploring Extreme Christianity Lands Two Locals a Spot in Hollywood."

Normally, it seems the opposite behavior is what draws headlines and brings people to one of the world's most notorious sin cities.

But, Hollywood is also know as a land of opportunity, and two locals - writer/director Stephen Riehl of Olympia and composer/sound designer Shawn Kelly of Tacoma - will be presenting their newest film, Upon This Rock, at Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood, Calif. for the NewFilmmakers LA showcase Tuesday, Jan. 15.

Upon This Rock is a nod to the duo's in-the-works feature length documentary The Stylite: a matter of faith, and is being shown in hopes to raise money for the continued traveling completing The Stylite will entail.

"The film as I envision it now will require four, two week trips to the Republic of Georgia," says Riehl.

The Republic of Georgia is where Upon This Rock was filmed and where The Stylite's main character resides.

The Stylite tells the story of Father Maxim, a monk in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, who hopes to live atop a 140-foot rock outcrop near the remote village of Katskhi. If he realizes his dream he will be the first stylite there in 600 years.

"About five years ago while reading a book about the history of Christianity I came across stylite asceticism," says Riehl. "For some reason I liked the idea of these hermits in remote areas that tried to disconnect from the world, but their act of such extreme asceticism actually brought pilgrims and the world back to them."

This attraction got Riehl's gears cranking, and he and long-time friend Kelly got to work on the two documentaries.

"My proudest moment in Upon This Rock is probably the time-lapse shot we captured of the sunrise on the pillar," says Riehl, "For three days, Temo Bardzimashvili - our director of photography - and I perched on the cliffs overlooking the pillar for three or four hours trying to capture the perfect sunrise. The last day was absolutely clear and the receding shadow sharp as a razor. I really like the effect and Shawn was able to create the perfect soundscape for the image."

LINK: The Stylite Facebook

TACOMA ARTS SCENE >>>

The Tacoma Art Walk is no more!

Wait! Don't panic. If you haven't yet heard, what was once Tacoma Art Walk is morphing into Tacoma Art Mingle - and the first Art Mingle hits Tacoma Thursday, Jan. 17. Many things are staying the same. You can still go get your art fix on the third Thursday of every month. Galleries and museums will still be out in force.

The monthly event has undergone a few key changes. First and foremost, this Mingle casts its definition of arts destinations wider than Art Walk did, beyond the museums and galleries downtown.

"We wanted to be more inclusive of what we call show spaces," says Gary Boone, B2 Fine Art Gallery owner and co-president of Tacoma Art Group, which heads up the Mingle. "These are basically opportunities for business that are not art-related to have an opportunity to show emerging artists, who are not showing in a museum or gallery. We wanted to broaden our approach, and bring to the table opportunities for our entire community."

Therefore, when you head out on third Thursdays, there will no longer be a few static locations to visit. Instead, each month will bring a new map, designed by local design students. Eventually, the map will be available in both a printed brochure as well as on Tacoma Art Group's website. This month, venues are listed online only.

The website also allows any business to sign up to host an Art Mingle event.

It's almost like Art at Work month, but every month!

FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING >>>

These are the eight best jazz shows in the South Sound this month.

Vitamin J Jazz Jam Session

Avid jazz fan and performer Ron Smith continues his Vitamin J Jazz Jam into the New Year. During the Seahawks game today at Traditions Café in downtown Olympia, pianist Brian Kinsella, bassist Steve Luceno and drummer Craig Cootsona provide the core for beginning to advanced level players and singers. 2:30 p.m.

Rich Wetzel's Groovin' Higher Orchestra

Rich Wetzel's Groovin' Higher Jazz Orchestra has been popping up in local bars and restaurants, introducing folks to jazz of years gone by, as well as a few current numbers. Lately, the big band has put more emphasis on the jazz-rock fusion, some hot Latin jazz and some big band rock tunes from Chuck Berry and James Brown. That said, Maynard Ferguson hovers above the band like Obi-Wan Kenobi. Wetzel and crew visit The Royal Lounge's Monday Jazz Series Jan. 7. 8 p.m.

Kareem Kandi Band

Saxophonist Kareem Kandi's sound alone is enough to clear the room of contenders. It is vast, big enough to house the entire Guinness Pint Club at Doyle's, the whole Tacoma School of the Arts music program and half the holdings of the Tacoma Art Museum's Warhol exhibit. Size is not per se of much value if it isn't personal, unique, sacrosanct. Kandi's sound is virtually unrelated to the roomy traditions of soul saxes, honking saxes or deep-chested boudoir ballad saxes. It derives from the classic, free, often enthusiastic tradition of Joshua Redman as filtered through Dexter Gordon and Sonny Stitt, all of whose shadows can be traced-Redman in Kandi's funky organicism, Gordon in his dynamic harmonics, Stitt in the intensity that coats his every note with a Gritty City finish. Kandi has been hanging with organist Delvon Lamarr and drummer Adam Kessler, which has added groovy innovation to Kandi's sound. The Kareem Kandi Band heads back to The Swiss Jan. 9 for another Wednesday open jam session. 7 p.m.

Vince Brown

Many associate the banjo with The Beverly Hillbillies - or rather, bluegrass pioneer Earl Scruggs strumming its theme song. Vince Brown certainly knows his way around a bluegrass banjo, but he also explores jazz with his banjo, which isn't a big leap from progressive bluegrass. Blending bluegrass, folk, jazz, and other genres, Brown is considered one of the South Sound's foremost banjo virtuosos. The upbeat Brown - who adds his talent to Hot Club Sandwich, Tune Stranglers, Greta Jane Quartet, and plays and teaches guitar, banjo and ukulele in Olympia - strums everything every Wednesday at Swing Wine Bar & Café. 6-8 p.m.

Lance Buller

Trumpeter/singer Lance Buller, who is a reincarnation of Louis Prima, transcends boundaries, transcends styles, is very honest and sincere as a musician and digs high-energy swing songs. He's a showman. Yet, he's all business. And his business is first-class jazz. Catch Buller and his band every Friday at Maxwell's Restaurant & Lounge. 7 p.m.

McTuff

Hammond organist Joe Doria and his veteran crew guitarist Andy Coe and drummer D'vonne Lewis - with regular guest saxophonist Skerik - cross the barriers of jazz with powerful keyboards, rhythmic drums, screaming sax and sometimes fuzz-distorted guitar. Improvisational and funky with a whole lotta swagger, the band's epic jams knock the mind into the far reaches of a 1970s version of space and the butt into an uncontrollable groove. The Seattle band drives down Marine View Drive for a stint at the "Jazz LIVE at Marine View" series Jan. 13. 5-7 p.m.

Steve Luceno

This Olympia Latin-American jazz progenitor has added his guitar talent to many a project over the last 40 years, including the beloved Ocho Pies as well as Obrador, Bert Wilson, John Stowell, Joe Baque and Dennis Hastings. Luceno is a bona fide master of his art form, and Washington Center deserves some Latin seasoning, which will not be in short supply Jan. 18 when Luceno, John Croarkin, Phil Lawson and Drew Gibbs enter the Black Box Cabaret Jazz Series. 8 p.m.

Climate Change

It wouldn't be wrong to call them a band of accomplished sidemen, but guitarist Tarik Bentlemsani (Brown Edition), guitarist Ariel Calabria (Rebirth), drummer Michael Olson (Ocho Pies) and vocalist Dennis Hastings sound unmistakably formidable as co-leaders in this feisty pop/jazz collective. Climate Change drops in on the Waterstreet Café's Late Night Series Jan. 25. 9:30 p.m.

LINK: 2013 Best of Olympia voting open

LOTS OF SHOWS >>>

The weekends come and go! It seems like every other day I'm sitting down at my computer and telling ya'll what to go do on the weekend. I like it when they come more than they go. Here are your instructions for the first weekend of 2013.

Tonight will have ya at The Loch's. The downtown Tacoma venue is fully up and running. Do not let the lack of a new sign out front deter you. The cheap drinks and quality sound system that you enjoyed when the spot housed Hell's Kitchen still exist. For $5, which is a steal on a Friday night, you can catch W.O.L.F. Gang (MC Coo Beanz and Joey Moody), J.U.I., Sic Ill, Gho$t Kapone, Cauze-n-Efekt, 36uh0! with D.J. Reign on the wheels and hosted by myself.

Tonight's show at The Loch's is an off-the-beaten-path sort of line up - full of top quality hip-hop, but not necessarily artists ya get to see on bills every weekend. J.U.I. is a veteran M.C. from Tacoma who could have put out the sleeper best album of the year in 2012. He has an intelligent, wordy, nerdy, stiff yet fonky-flow. There is no one else that even sounds remotely like J.U.I. in the rap game.

Cauze-n-Efekt and 36uh0! are two of the more promising and popular crews from Olympia. I believe this is their first Tacoma show, so come show some neighborly support for your down south brethren. It is a good chance to see some of the best that Olympia has to offer.

Also, many consider DJ Reign to be the best hip-hop D.J. in Tacoma. He is running things down at The Loch's. I know he has some good things ready for us in 2013. Come get reacquainted with Reign and acquainted with the new spot, Loch's. If this show goes well, there will be plenty of more hip-hop on Friday nights there. Perhaps in 2013, Tacoma hip-hop can move out of the Thursday realm and into the prime weekend spot for shows.

Saturday, also at The Loch's, is the young upstart outfit P.M.E. - Power Moves Entertainment - album-release party. The young, motivated Tom Hutch heads P.M.E. The album features Luni Coleone among others, so maybe the $10 entry fee will be worth it. Expect to see Controversy the Misfit, Gazmo the Gr8 and Abom. Controversy is one of the most hyped, animated performers Tacoma has to offer. Gazmo the Gr8 is a polished local M.C. who has ties to California. He puts out some of the better music in Tacoma. He is also big in the blogosphere. He has the potential to be one of the top M.C.'s in T-town.

Who was the first host of B.E.T.'s Rap City? If ya say Chris Thomas, then I know you are old school. He was the first host of the show, followed by Prince Dejour, Joe Clair, Big Lez, Big Tigger and the list goes on. Well, the first mayor of Rap City, Thomas is performing stand-up at the Temple Theatre Saturday night. Ticket information is at Ticketmaster or call 800.745.3000.

Sunday is actually the busiest day of the weekend for hip-hop. There is the Graffiti Garage cipher at 1 p.m. Then, that night at The Loch's is the MusiKKast Records and Entertainment Industry Showcase and Mixer. This consists of an artist showcase competition, model showcase and all-around networking extravaganza. Young Jay Weed is on the bill. The night is hosted by the statesmen-like 6-Deep the Messenger. There are all kinds of good prizes to be won, like free beats, mastering, promotional material and airplay. Go to http://musikkast.com/pnw-industry-mixer-competition/ to register.

LINK: What's The Word? hip-hop column

NOW WITH MORE MAI TAIS >>>

A big change is afoot in Geeks Who Drink land.

As you have noticed, the Geeks Who Drink trivia game has disappeared from Paddy Coyne's. The downtown Tacoma Irish bar told Quizmaster Holland Hume, or as the teams at Paddy Coyne's called him - Holland the Wonder Boy, to grab his quiz sheets and leave. Standing outside the pub, Hume glances across the street and saw Tacoma Cabana's great big smiley aloha. One, two four, Hume had a score. The tiki bar will host the Geeks Who Drinks trivia game every Tuesday beginning Jan. 8.

The nationwide quiz game - held in several venues in Olympia and Tacoma - consists of eight rounds of eight questions and is played in teams of up to six people. Questions are read aloud by the quizmaster; teams write their answers on provided sheets and turn them in at the end of each round. The team with the most points after eight rounds is the winner.

"The Tacoma Cabana game will be the standard Geeks Who Drink formula, which is a two-hour live MC event," explains Quizmaster Hume. "There are eight rounds in the night. One is a visual handout that is given at the beginning of the quiz, two are audio rounds - one usually music-related and one usually movie/TV-related - and the other five are read by me over the mic. In addition to first and second place prizes - which will be in the form of gift certificates good for the next visit - there are five bonus prizes scattered throughout the night that each equate to a free beer."

The Tuesday night Geeks Who Drink game will be held in Tacoma Cabana's tropically tricked-out backroom, as to not interfere with the front room's enjoyment of Gilligan's Island re-runs and peaceful Zombie cocktail drinking.

I quizzed the quizmaster on his past games.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: What were your favorite moments from Paddy Coyne's game?

HOLLAND HUME: As much as a cop out answer as it is, it's hard to pick one moment. The quiz itself is very much a social gathering. The structure lends itself to countless repeat visits, and I run it with a focus on player interaction. We would be nothing without our quizzers' support, so I try to make them a part of the evening.  We celebrate birthdays and weddings. We have special theme nights with bonus prizes. I work to make it less a "two hour event" and more a "weekly gathering."

Our one-year anniversary quiz was pretty amazing. My scorekeeper and I dressed in drag - black evening gowns - and had lots of bonus prizes. Also, the then-manager Rory did a fantastic cross-promotion job and got us support from some local breweries for the evening. It was a pretty amazing night.  Halloween has also been a fun quiz night. Halloween is the only holiday I really care about, so I try to play it up at the quiz.  I encourage people to dress up and give awards - usually terrible horror movies inspired by the Tacoma Cult Movie Club - based on different categories.

VOLCANO: Was there a trivia night at Paddy Coyne's you wish you could take back?

HUME: Back when I first started, and was still wet behind the ears as far a Quizmaster/drunk crowd controller, I went along with an idea that involved a special cash prize, assuming people could and would police themselves. It was a nightmare. There was rampant cheating from several teams, finger pointing and slander-throwing from half the teams. I received lots of negative feedback. In the end, we lost the support of three veteran teams. I had to spend weeks rebuilding the trust of the remaining teams. It helped me develop my quiz mastering skills quickly and taught me a lot - most notably, cash prizes are generally a terrible and often desperate idea). Ultimately if I could hit a giant "redo" button I would have handled that night much differently.

VOLCANO: Is there an individual or group that is heads and shoulders above everyone else?

HUME: About two-thirds of our teams are repeat players, but we have a few that have been playing anywhere from six months to the entirety of the quizzes lifespan. Of those teams, we have two teams that tend to win more often than others. They always change their name, but I often call them "The Political Team" and "The Beard Team." You would think having the same teams win over and over would turn people off from playing, but really it adds another incentive. If you win you not only get a gift card, but also you beat "those guys." It's an extra level of satisfaction that can be shared by the whole bar.

TACOMA CABANA, TUESDAYS, 8 P.M., NO COVER, 728 PACIFIC AVE., TACOMA, 253.222-4184

LINK: We hung out at Paddy Coyne's Geeks Who Drink

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HIT THIS STAGE >>>

The ball drops in Times Square. People on TV are singing. Fireworks go off in the distance. Strangers are kissing. You're already in your pajamas when you and your dog, wearing matching party hats, exchange a glum look as the remote slips from your fingers and falls between the couch cushions. Is this how you want to celebrate the start of a brand-spanking-new year?

Anyone who says that New Year's Eve isn't worth the hype is just a loser in denial - it's like when ugly people say that true beauty is on the inside. Let's face it: New Year's is a big deal, and since it only comes around once a year, no amount of planning is too much to ensure a smooth and festive transition from old to new. The Weekly Volcano posted a guide to South Sound New Year's Eve parties three weeks ago. It's been constantly updated, including Masa's DJ party, Varsity Grill's live band karaoke and burger contest, and Morso's Spy Party.

What has caught Bobble Tiki's wooden eye is the return of the Duchess of Downtown Stage during First Night Tacoma - Angela Jossy's third year running her stage. Located on the hidden stairway between Commerce and Broadway, next to Mad Hat Tea Company, this stage is cool with its mini amphitheater seating and overhead viewing. Hot food vendors and local art will be close by.

Oh, and the three bands on this stage are killer.

Death By Stars kicks it off at 7:30 p.m. Guitarist Patrick Galactic recently rolled his car, but the show must go on for this electro-psychedelic three-piece.

Big Wheel Stunt Show, hot off its show tonight at Jazzbones, will rock a new song New Year's Eve, as well as dust off many an old BWSS classic, beginning at 9 p.m.

Back from recording in Nashville, SweetKiss Momma hits the stage at 10:30 p.m. showcasing its new songs - but still carrying the band's rootsy, Southern soul rock sound.

"I scoured all my lands for the bravest, the handsomest and the most rockinest knights in all the land and awarded this honor only to the most worthy," says Jossy with a laugh.

No, it's true. These bands do rock the good looks.

DUCHESS OF DOWNTOWN STAGE, MONDAY, DEC. 31, 7:30-11:30 P.M., NO COVER, 1113 BROADWAY ST., TACOMA

LINK: First Night Tacoma

LINK: South Sound New Year's Eve parties