WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 2013 >>>

1. As the Defense Department shifts its military power and presence from a shrinking Middle East war zone to the vast Asia-Pacific region, it also is rebalancing its focus within the increasingly important region. From 4-6 p.m., the University of Washington Tacoma will host a symposium focusing on the United States' strategic rebalance toward Asia-Pacific. While it will be a moderated discussion with scheduled speakers, there will be time for open questions from the audience as well. Attendees will get to here commentary from Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, deputy commanding general, I Corps, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and Daniel Malarkey, deputy director, Washington State Department of Commerce, as well as high-ranking faculty from the UW. The event is free, but registration is required; click here to sign up.

2. For this month only, Stanley and Seafort's (115 E. 34th St., Tacoma) is offering a delectable deal. With any steak on the menu they will add a complimentary side of coconut prawns or a petite lobster tail with the simple mention of this offer.

3. Concoctors of all things hoppy, malty and brewtastic at Tacoma's own Harmon Brewery are taking over the ballgame. Cheney Stadium (2502 S. Tyler St., Tacoma) is hosting Harmon Brewery Night during the Rainiers' game May 22 beginning at 7 p.m. In exchange for a $7 reserve ticket you'll receive a $5 voucher for a pint of tasty Harmon beer. Sip on a Point Defiance, Mt Takhoma Blonde or a Black Tartan IPA. Anyone who has been to a fair share of baseball games knows a $5 ballpark brew is a steal. Get some.

4. Songwriter Mary Win will perform haunting original folk songs from 7-9 p.m. at Rhapsody In Bloom Florist & Cafe Latte.

5. Pub trivia nights can either ignite the party or stifle the mood. McNamara's Pub & Eatery in DuPont does everything possible to avoid being a major buzz kill. Every Wednesday McNamara's Pub starts team trivia at 7 p.m. Irish-inspired food helps trivia players stock up on brainpower before the trivia starts. Beer and drink specials happen at trivia intermission. Because everyone knows a good buzz makes trivia that much easier. What's the capital of Kazakhstan? Take a drink and think.

LINK: Wednesday, May 22 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15 2013 >>>

1. Why go on a beer run when you can participate in a beer walk. We don't know what that means, but we do know this: Downtown On the Go's Walk Tacoma tours are awesome, and at 5:15 p.m. local historian Michael Sullivan will lead the tour through Tacoma's Brewery District. For 45 minutes Sullivan will point out interesting buildings in the downtown Tacoma historic district, drop Tacoma historical facts and drink Tacoma beer with the group at the post walk party at Harmon Brewery & Eatery. The walk, sponsored by Union Bank, begins at the top of the University of Washington Tacoma stairs at South 19th and Jefferson then weaves through the district like a person drunk on beer.

2. Australian artist Nick Mount with American artist Richard Marquis will be inaugurating the 2013 Visiting Artists Summer Series in the Hot Shop at Museum of Glass today through Sunday, May 19. Since working amongst the pioneers of hot glass in Australia in the early 1970s, Mount has been one of that country's pre-eminent glass artists. His work combines virtuoso technique with a keen instinct for design. He has exhibited in Europe, South America, the United States and Japan and is recognised internationally for his exhibition work, commissions and teaching. He's kind of a big deal.

3. The "World War II" exhibit is on display at Karpeles Manuscript Museum housing the Japanese flag captured at the Battle of Okinawa and the navigator's flight log of the Enola Gay Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber at the time of its dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. It's open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

4. Held every Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Dorky's Arcade, Trivia for Dorks is a free, all-ages affair with such prizes as gift certificates to Dorky's. Sure, prizes are nice, but even better is dropping your win at your next round table D & D discussion. Teams can earn bonus points for correctly identifying the night's theme.

5. Little Wings, aka Kyle Field, is an instantly engaging performer. Whether it is huddled under a blanket softly singing to a small handful of listeners, or bellowing out his caterwaul warbled yelp in small theaters, there is a striking intimacy in his approach. At 8 p.m., Little Wings takes his roadshow to the "guesthouse" with guests Lee Baggett and Globelamp. It is a house show, so be polite, double check the Facebook invite for more information and most of all enjoy the experience.

LINK: Wednesday, May 15 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 2013 >>>

1. Erica Freas, Your Heart Breaks, Rae Spoon and Ivan Coyote perform at 8:30 p.m. inside the all-ages venue Northern in downtown Olympia. According to Weekly Volcano all-ages columnist Rockford Rowley, Freas' "delicate acoustic guitar and punk-yet-soothing vocals instantaneously impress. Upon further listening, her sophisticated songwriting and thoughtful, heartfelt lyrics also become apparent.

2. The Kareem Kandi jazz band is a talent-heavy bunch that stumps for the power of repertory while also planting a flag for originality. At least once a month it grabs a Wednesday at The Swiss for a night of open mic jazz. From 7-10 p.m. is such a night.

3. Word Nerds! Scrabble is back at King's Books! Chill. You're good with words. Seriously. Get it together! This is Scrabble Rabble at 6:30 p.m. inside King's, remember? It's all in good fun. Now piggyback off that free U to form QUAT - that's 14 points without the double-word score. Word!

4. Dorky's Bar Arcade in downtown Tacoma hosts Trivia for Dorks every Wednesday night at 8 p.m. Weekly Volcano scribe Krsitin kendle has the scoop here. 

5. Play bingo with those not just killing time before the Grim Reaper calls their number. Every Wednesday at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier, bingo players are treated to a rather boisterous evening of number-calling. The music rocks, the prizes are craptastic and there's something very satisfying about yelling "It's not a tumor!" when B-9 is pulled from the hopper (Schwarzenegger anyone?). Sessions are free with $2 margaritas during bingo. Every Wednesday night is also Taco Night with $1 beef, $1 black bean and $2 chicken in soft or crunchy shells.

LINK: Wednesday, May 8 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FRIDAY, APRIL 26 2013 >>>

1. Dropping Gems is a Pacific Northwest record label that specializes in various forms of electronica. Fittingly, in their showcase produced by NW Sounds and KUPS, Dropping Gems will be featuring several flavors of electronic music beginning at 7 p.m. isnide Oppenheimer Cafe on the University of Puget Sound campus. Most immediately appealing, perhaps, is Natasha Kmeto, whose soulful vocals liven and enrich her nominally snaky beats (and who, it must be noted has been gaining a very respectable following on YouTube with her song, "Pleasure Delay"). Ghost Feet favor disorienting glitches and ethereal field recordings, while filters hip-hop through liquid-smooth IDM. DJAO's ambient drone and Brownbear's beat-centric bombast round out what will be an eclectic night of dance and texture-based electronica. It'll all be no doubt rather heady and perfect accompaniment for any of a wide variety of interesting substances. Dancer's choice on that one. - Rev. Adam McKinney

2. As you all know, Olympia Arts Walk is this weekend, which means more art than you can shake a paintbrush at, tons of people crowding the streets in costume and character, and music at every venue. Friday evening, Full Moon Radio, Glass Elevator and The Hard Way will be rocking a free performance at 5 p.m. inside the Capitol Theater. Accompanying the indie rockers will be a debut screening of both Full Moon Radio and Glass Elevator's new music videos. Please do yourself a favor and take advantage of this special performance. It's not everyday you get to see local talent as good as these bands grab the stage at Capitol Theater for free. Plus, it's an early show, giving plenty of time for other Arts Walk activities - including the luminary procession, which will be right outside the theater's front door. - Nikki McCoy

3. Bring your "A" game and retro tennis apparel (optional) to the 4th annual 2013 AIASWW Wii Tennis Tournament at 5:30 p.m. inside BLRB architects in downtown Tacoma. Join Spaceworks Tacoma, friends and supporters for a fun night of Wii Tennis at the cool offices of BLRB. Spaceworks will appreciate your support through your entry fee (at the door) of $20 for players or $10 for spectators, which includes both food and drink.

4. Well, it's almost here. The end of the season. No more plays, no more dance recitals, no more spoken word standing on a cube, ever. OK, not ever. However, it will be one looonnng summer of American Idol reruns, we tell you what. How about one more, just for old time's sake? Pacific Lutheran University Dance Ensemble presents Dance 2013, a collection of dances in the style of jazz, modern, ballet and hip-hop at 7:30 p.m. inside Olson Auditorium. In all, the performance features nine student choreographers, 72 dancers and musicians and that dude working the lights. You might want to check those numbers. Aaahh, let's end the season by giving each other a big hug.

5. It's a weekend of anniversaries for one of the most popular pubs in Tacoma. The Swiss celebrates the 100th anniversary of the building it inhabits, 20 years of ownership by Jack McQuade and 10 years since Vicci Martinez first hopped up on its stage. By some sort of mathematical property, three anniversaries logically equates to three days of music. A diamond who shined even brighter after landing a spot on reality show The Voice local girl Vicci Martinez will anchor The Swiss' weekend events with a show tonight at 7 p.m. Read Nikki McCoy's feature on The Swiss' anniversary here.

LINK: Friday, April 26 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24 2013 >>>

1. Slip on your Cleopatra Jones afro or your dad's toupee and slide on over to The Brotherhood Lounge for a night of old school R&B, funk and soul with DJs Whistle Punk and Paul Shrug. Beginning at 8 p.m. the Broho will be full of rubbery grooves, slick licks and hi-tech keys caked in stardust. Expect booty-shakers, heart-breakers, spinal-cord-manipulators and epidermis-manglers in the form of rare and popular selections from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and, wait for it, 1980s. It's gonna be more fun than selling fake insurance on closeout cell phones at a mid-mall kiosk.

2. Downtown Tacoma residents are encouraged to gather at 7 p.m. inside The Social Bar and Grill to celebrate their urbaness. It's a chance for condo and apartment dwellers to meet their neighbors and hug it out over street projects, parking issues, light rail schedules and new crepe businesses. Expect door prizes and good conversation.

3. In 2011, Weekly Volcano readers voted the Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe the best bar in Tacoma. This was due in no small part to their well drink Wednesdays. Two dollar well drinks after 7 p.m. Are you kidding? That's, like, riding the train to funkytown for only eight bucks. Yes, please. The kitchen stays open to midnight. Choo, choooo!

4. Held every Wednesday at 8 p.m., Trivia for Dorks is a free, all-ages affair at Dorky's Arcade in downtown Tacoma. Sure, the prizes are nice, but even better is dropping your win at your next round table D & D discussion.

5. When you build your act and your music around theatricality, you quickly realize after making a few recordings that there is eventually no place to go but bigger and bigger. More hooks, more color, more eccentricity. Sabrina Chap has backed herself against this wall, but she continues to imbue her music with as much flair as one can muster. She performs at 10 p.m. with Romanteek at Le Voyeur.

LINK: Wednesday, April 24 arts and entertainment events in the greater TAcoma and Olympia area

TUESDAY, APRIL 16 2013 >>>

1. Receiving a lot of hype and mostly deserving it, Savannah's Cusses dual-twist punk angst/frenzy and down and dirty southern rock like rosy, freshly-pierce nipples. Born star Angel Bond belts it and struts like product of a Siouxsie Sioux/Karen O/Mick Jagger three-way. This is a festival band, folks. Their explosive, crushing riffs and powerful, fiery vocals will knock the New Frontier sign off the wall at 9 p.m. The real stunner will be when Bond kicks the sign hitting the kid with tight pants in the front row ... and he won't take his eyes off her for a second.

2. The Diversity Film Festival begins today at The Grand Cinema with each film a meditation on the theme of cultural diversity. The concept began a few miles (and years) away from The Grand, at Tacoma Community College. Dr. Scott Earle, a TCC English and Humanities instructor since 1999, along with fellow teachers and staff, has hosted on-campus film screenings of this sort for some time. A suggestion was made to Earle and his colleagues in late 2010 to graduate their young program - let it leave the classroom and test its wings in the community. Today at 2 and 6:15 p.m., the Grand will screen Mosquita y Mari, A coming of age story that focuses on a tender friendship between two young Chicanas.

3. If hearing the sound of your own cackling voice echoing off the walls of your shower stall has you craving the sound of something a bit more harmonious, check out the local songbirds and storytellers at Victory Music Open Mic from 7-10 p.m. inside the Antique Sandwich Co. It's guaranteed to be jam-packed with gorgeous sounds and humbling verses, as the South Sound's greatest up-and-coming acoustic musicians bare their souls impromptu-style.

4. We might not see the High Five'n White Guys or the Lame List, but a couple Almost Live! veterans will Billy Quan their way onto Tacoma Comedy Club's stage at 8 p.m. John Keister, who hosted and much of the writing the regional sketch comedy TV show from 1984 to 1999, will be joined by fellow "Almost Live!" star and well-known as a Seattle radio personality Pat Cashman, and Cashman's son, Chris, host of the game 1 vs. 100, for a "Gluten free evening of laughs and sneak previews of the TV show." The trio is producing The [206] - a new TV show shot in front of a live standing audience at Mighty Media Studios in a former fire station in Bellevue.

5. Two of our favorite Tuesday night trivia are at Fish Tale Brew Pub in Olympia and Farrelli's Wood-Fire Pizza in Tacoma, both start at 8 p.m. In terms of food, Farrelli's pies are hand-tossed, firm but chewy with a flop at the tip. The Jack & John Pizza - Italian sausage, Provolone/mozzarella blend, green and black olives, green onions, artichoke hearts, mushrooms - is so yum! At Fish Tale, go for the ham and Brie. Loaded with deli ham, smothered in nutty melted Brie and nestled between two slices of grilled sourdough, this one takes the trophy with the inclusion of sliced granny smith apples and mellow horseradish.

LINK: Tuesday, April 16 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3 2013 >>>

1. Mayor Marilyn Strickland. It just flows off the lips. The likelihood of that very thing being on the lips of everyone in Tacoma for a few more years just increased dramatically, as Mayor Strickland has formally announced her reelection campaign and will hold a kick-off at 5:30 p.m. inside the Pantages Theater.

2. Maybe your ex never splurged on roses. Or maybe your experience in gardening consists solely of ogling the neighbor's help. Either way, we're guessing you're ready to start your own garden. If that's the case, stop by Gallucci Learning Garden from 5-7 p.m. for a free workshop on growing calendars, succession planting and how to best utilize your garden's space.

3. In 2011, readers of this fine rag voted the Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe the best bar in Tacoma. This was due in no small part to their well drink Wednesdays. Two dolar well drinks after 7 p.m. Are you kidding? That's, like, riding the train to funkytown for only eight bucks. Yes, please. The kitchen stay sopen to midnight. Choo, choooo!

4. Pub trivia nights can either ignite the party or stifle the mood. McNamara's Pub & Eatery in DuPont does everything possible to avoid being a major buzz kill. Every Wednesday McNamara's Pub starts team trivia at 7 p.m. Irish-inspired food helps trivia players stock up on brainpower before the trivia starts. Beer and drink specials happen at trivia intermission. Because everyone knows a good buzz makes trivia that much easier. What's the capital of Kazakhstan? Take a drink and think.

5. After two-and-a-half years, the Tallhouse Arts Consortium is back in full swing with its first Wednesday of the month free performances at The Brotherhood Lounge in Olympia, which is tonight at 8 p.m. The aerialists, whose Facebook profile states, "Farting rhinestones since... ah, we can't even remember," will delight audiences with its strong and sturdy flips, flying and artistic trapeze. The group brings in interesting songs, unique performances, flirty fun and guest trapeze artist Lara Paxton - all for free.

LINK: Wednesday, April 3 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

TUESDAY, APRIL 2 2013 >>>

1. Dave Grohl is pissed that analog is dying and that everything's digital, so he made a documentary about legendary studio Sound City and its soundboard. Sound City was a recording studio in the Van Nuys district of LA that opened in 1969. A few years later, after the installation of a rare Neve recording board, the room became a magical place, spawning mega-selling albums by Fleetwood Mac (as well as the hit-making lineup of the band, with Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks), Pat Benatar, Rick Springfield (yeah, "Jessie's Girl" was done there), Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Ratt, Nevermind, Rage Against the Machine and many more. Yup, this is where Paul McCartney sings with a Cobain-less Nirvana. This flick is for fans of Josh Homme, Stevie Nicks, Trent Reznor and unpolished classic studio rock. See it at 1:45 and 6:45 p.m. inside The Grand Cinema.

2. The Fifth Annual Native American Heritage Art Exhibit has opened at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts Gallery. The exhibit, which runs through April 25, features a wide variety of works by local and regional Native American artists. These works include paintings, basketry, carved wood pieces and mixed media.

3. The latest show at Kittredge Gallery on the campus of the University of Puget Sound has Seattle painter Cable Griffith's video game-influenced paintings in the main gallery and an installation by sculptor and UPS art faculty member Michael Johnson in the back gallery. Griffith's paintings are abstract, stylized images based on imagery from early video games. Titled "Up-Up-Down-Down-Left-Right-Left-Right-B-A-Start," the show references directions in maps, games, cities and the countryside with schematic renderings of colorful streets, rivers and buildings - Pop Art renderings of the pathways taken by players like the Mario Brothers and PacMan. Griffith will be talking about my work to a group of UPS students at 4 p.m. if you want to grab a peek of him.

4. Quick! Tell us who played Violet Bickerstaff, Screech's love interest, on three episodes of the television show Saved by the Bell? If you said "Tori Spelling," then going to a trivia night might be for you. There are trivia competitions all around the South Sound on a Tuesday night, where you can unleash your inner Ken Jennings. And while you won't approach Jennings-like earnings, you can win some cool stuff, ranging from gift certificates, to concert or sports tickets, to a VHS copy of All of Me, the film starring Lily Tomlin and Steve Martin. Sweet! Two of our favorite Tuesday night trivia are at Fish Tale Brew Pub in Olympia and Farrelli's Wood-Fire Pizza in Tacoma, both start at 8 p.m. In terms of food, Farrelli's pies are hand-tossed, firm but chewy with a flop at the tip. The Jack & John Pizza - Italian sausage, Provolone/mozzarella blend, green and black olives, green onions, artichoke hearts, mushrooms - is so yum! At Fish Tale, go for the ham and Brie. Loaded with deli ham, smothered in nutty melted Brie and nestled between two slices of grilled sourdough, this one takes the trophy with the inclusion of sliced granny smith apples and mellow horseradish.

5. If hearing the sound of your own cackling voice echoing off the walls of your shower stall has you craving the sound of something a bit more harmonious, check out the local songbirds and storytellers at Victory Music Open Mic at 7 p.m. inside the Antique Sandwich Co. It's guaranteed to be jam-packed with gorgeous sounds and humbling verses, as the South Sound's greatest up-and-coming acoustic musicians, poets, and storytellers bare their souls impromptu-style.

LINK: Tuesday, April 2 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27 2013 >>>

1. Derde Verde continues the grand journey set forth by bands such as Radiohead and Hawkwind. The LA-based band's new EP, Let Me Be A Light, glows with the organic warmth of the band's indie-electronica, while possessing the mechanical propulsion of Krautrock bands like Neu!. If those names don't pique your interest, then we can't help you. Intentionally dense, minimalist, electronics-heavy, post-rock opera with layers of blips and synthetic sounds blending into lush orchestral pieces and starkly original compositions just isn't your thing. Therefore, we don't expect to see you at 9 p.m. when Derde Verde joins The Hard Way and Babysolf at Le Voyeur. 

2. Seattle-based glass artist Ginny Ruffner spent five weeks in a coma followed by five years in a wheel chair after a car crash. And as the film A Not So Still Life, the misfortune that left her with speech and mobility problems didn't make her bitter, it made her stronger. Ruffner is this week's visiting artist at the Museum of Glass. She's probably going all mixed-media on the folks in the Hot Shop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. The Washington Center board of directors and the city of Olympia will unveil the new exterior design for the Center during an open house from 5-7 p.m. The construction timeline, architectural renderings and a historical perspective of the theater building will be on display. I think the new exterior siding that will keep the rain on the outside is the biggest improvement and the most needed," Washington Center Marketing Director Anne Larson told the Weekly Volcano.  "But staff is most excited about the new grand entrance. It will be a beacon for patrons and help lead the revitalization of downtown."

4. So you're three months into 2013 and that Dec. 31 vow to quit carbs is already starting to feel onerous. Here's a better idea: How 'bout you actually go out and, like, learn something. C.L.A.W. presents Northwest illustrator, cartoonist and game designer Chuck Knigge for a digital painting and drawing workshop at 8 p.m. inside King's Books.

5. Every Wednesday at 8 p.m. Dorky's Arcade hosts Trivia for Dorks — a free, all-ages affair with such prizes as gift certificates to Dorky's. Sure, prizes are nice, but even better is dropping your win at your next round table D & D discussion. Teams can earn bonus points for correctly identifying the night's theme.

LINK: Wednesday, March 27 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13 2013 >>>

1. It may be grayer than Bea Arthur's pixie cut outside, but not so inside King's Books at 6 p.m. The Tacoma bookstore's Scrabble Rabble tournament will allow participants to establish their own skill levels and compete with others for glory. The Weekly Volcano has always enjoyed hanging onto the "Q," where it hangs there on our rack like some ultimate weapon of destruction, waiting for that all-enabling "U" tile to unleash its point-mongering wrath upon our opponents. Anyway, if your job sucks or you have a strange rash, join the tournament and those problems will, if only for a few hours, ease back into the recesses of your mind. Oh, and read Kristin Kendle's feature on Scrabble Rabble on the Weekly Volcano's blog Spew.

2. Since its introduction in 1894, the motorcycle has spawned a variety of cultures and uses. As basic transportation, as leisure activity or as a die-hard lifestyle, millions of people have a love affair with Choppers, Crotch Rockets, Thumpers and all things two-wheeled. The action-packed exhibit "Let's Ride! Motocycling The Northwest at the Washington State History Museum is a celebration of the region's never-waning motorcycle culture - will include interactive exhibits, videos and impressive displays of machines from 1906 to the 21st century. Check it out from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. Sometimes, it's best to go small. Other times, going big is the thing to do. From 5-8 p.m., it's highly suggested you do both. Kittredge Gallery on the University of Puget Sound hosts two opening receptions. In its Small Gallery, you may enjoy "You Are Here," an installation of a new series of work by University of Puget Sound professor of art, Michael Johnson. The exhibition encompasses a group of three-dimensional drawings, a melding of Johnson's sculptural practice with technology. In the Large Gallery, the long-titled "Up-Up-Down-Down-Left-Right-Left-Right-B-A-Start," an exhibition of new work by Seattle painter Cable Griffith, embraces the influence of early video game imagery, systems and themes. The exhibition includes drawings, paintings, sculpture and an interactive video game/painting collaboration with Brent Watanabe. Both exhibitions will close April 13.

4. Saxophonist Kareem 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 at 7 p.m. for another Wednesday open jam session.

5. Bozeman raunch 'n' rollers The Moustache Bandits will bring its high intensity performance and tongue-in-cheek cow-punk songs to Le Voyeur at 9 p.m.

LINK: Wednesday, March 13 arts and entertainment events in the greater TAcoma and Olympia area