<<< VOTING CLOSED MONDAY, APRIL 1 2013 >>>

Everyone has their least favorite Easter treat - you know, the stuff you find in your basket year after year despite never liking the stuff, never eating it, and even leaving ol' Easter Bunny a note kindly suggesting he spend a little more time on the candy aisle next year, or risk stepping on a strategically placed back-ho during the egg-hiding process.

What? Just us?

Yesterday, thankfully, our Easter baskets were filled with sandwiches. In fact, a good chunk of the South Sound added sandwiches to their Easter munching. Yesterday's Tournament of Sandwiches' vote total nearly doubled the previous record high for most votes in the day. In fact, the voting got so intense in the early afternoon that it broke our little website. Our web dudes had to be pulled away from egg hunts to fix it.

Today, there are four new South Sound sandwich games up for vote. Before you vote, take a gander at yesterday's results. Woah.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Jake's Sandwich (Dirty Dave's, 3939 Martin way E., Olympia) vs. Reuben (Eleven Eleven, 1111 S. 11^th St., Tacoma)

Wha huh? Were all the Dirty Dave's supporters napping, or haven't they discovered the Internet yet? The popular pizza parlor was edged out by the fairly new Eleven Eleven by 50 votes yesterday. Dirty Dave's has a salad bar Eleven Eleven could only dream of. Doesn't matter. The Reuben is awesome and enters the Sliced 16.

Game 2: Fishwich (Spar Tavern, 2121 N. 30th St., Tacoma) vs. Lobster Sandwich (Oliver's Sandwiches, 900 Meridian Ave. E., Milton)

Honestly, the Spar Tavern never had a chance in this one. In a day of voting that shattered all previous Tournament of Sandwiches records, Oliver's Sandwiches was likely the catalyst - grabbing more than 90 percent of the votes. Take a moment to digest that performance. If it's a sign of things to come, the Lobster Sandwich - which amazingly entered the tournament as a ninth seed - has the taste to go far in the tournament. Crazy, man. Just crazy.

Game 3: Frenchy Ham & Cheese (Babblin' Babs Bistro, 2724 N. Proctor St., Tacoma) vs. Stinker (STINK - Cheese & Meat, 628 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma)

In perhaps the most hotly contested match yesterday, French-style bistro Babblin' Babs had its beret knocked off by the house of gourmet mac 'n' cheese, STINK. Babblin' Babs came out strong backed by a solid Easter breakfast crowd. STINK came to the table with its grilled peanut butter, blackberry preserves, bacon and blue cheese. As good as the Frenchy Ham & Cheese is - and it's quite delicious - you can't compete with ingredients peanut butter, bacon and blue cheese on their own, let alone combined. STINK moves on to the Sliced 16 after squeaking by with 56 percent of the votes.

Game 4: Steak Torta (Vuelve a la Vida, 5310 Pacific Ave., Tacoma) vs. Italian Grinder (Shamrock Tavern, 11118 Pacific Ave. S., Tacoma)

In the battle of Pacific Avenue, Vuelve's Steak Torta edged out Shamrock's Italian Grinder with 60 percent of the votes. Could the fact the Shamrock Tavern is still recovering from St. Patrick's Day? Whatever, what's done is done. The Steak Torta moves to the Sliced 16.

Stick a toothpick in them! The following are advancing to the next round:

• Eleven Eleven's Reuben
• Oliver's Sandwiches's Lobster Sandwich
• STINK - Cheese & Meat's Stinker
• Vuelve a la Vida's Steak Torta

>>> The daily sandwich battles here on Spew are sponsored by Subway in Orting, Puyallup, Tacoma, Spanaway and Lakewood.

OK, let's check out today's Second Round sandwich battles. Vote for one sandwich joint per battle. Voting for today's sandwich battles ends at 11:45 p.m.

CONTEST BASED ON HIDDEN NUTS >>>

By now you know the Tacoma City Ballet is in the midst of a yearlong scavenger hunt for Golden Krakatuk Nuts. The nuts tie into the company's highly anticipated Dec. 7, 2013 performance, Prequel to The Nutcracker.

Here's a refresher: TCB hides hand-painted Golden Krakatuk Nuts inside jewel boxes around Tacoma; inside the boxes is a scroll with prize details, such as gift certificates, merchandise or tickets to Tacoma City Ballet's World Premier of said Nutcracker in December. Each month through the year, Golden Krakatuk Nuts will be hidden at businesses throughout Tacoma. To find the nuts, decipher the poetic clues, which will be posted at Tacoma City Ballet's website, Facebook page, as well as this blog. You find the Golden Krakatuk Nuts and great riches will be heaped upon you! For complete on the contest and Nutcracker performance, click here.

The April Golden Krakatuk Nut clue dropped this morning. This clue will guide you to a restaurant, shop or other business at which the nuts may be in plain sight or may be behind the counter.

Here you go you nuts:

Searching for the Krakatuk Nut, you are?

Then like Drosselmeyer you must travel far.

Look for beautiful boxes containing the Golden Nut

and other delightful prizes - Who can imagine what?

Only one box is hidden this month in our fair city

And to figure out February's clue, you must be quite witty.

April's Krakatuk Clue:

A sumptuous land of sweets can be found
In one of the most beautiful buildings in all of the town.

Do you know what that means? Are you off to find the golden nut? A limited number of prizes will be available at each location, so speed counts.

And now, for your enjoyment, the Weekly Volcano presents a video from Tacoma City Ballet's Mid-Winter Masquerade Ball held February 2013:

MONDAY, APRIL 1 2013 >>>

1. If you love to dance, and enjoy long lunch breaks, head to Olympia for a "Dance-In" at the Capitol Building from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In support of Senate Bill 5613 - the bill that will repeal the Opportunity to Dance Tax - organizers ask those who love to dance to do it in front of the legislature. If you see Democratic Caucus Chair Karen Fraser (D-Olympia), and want her attention, we suggest you bust the dance moves in the video below.

2. 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. Check them out from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read Alec Clayton's full review of the "Up-Up-Down-Down-Left-Right-Left-Right-B-A-Start" in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

3. Collins Memorial Library at the University of Puget Sound dedicates itself to protecting books, but from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. it will eat them at the University's seventh Edible Books Festival. What is an edible book? Duh. An edible book is made of food and inspired by literary titles, characters or authors - such as Lord of the Onion Rings. Be sure to drop by Collins on April Fool's Day and browse for a story you can really dig into. Bring canned food items for St. Leo's Food Connections.

4. Fast Times in Palestine is Pamela Olson's powerful, deeply moving account of life in Palestine - from house parties and barbecues to violence, trauma, and political tensions. Olson will drop by Orca Books at 7 p.m. to chat up the book and answer questions.

5. Do you like the music of John Coltrane, Sun Ra and Jimi Hendrix? Then you should dig The Joe Mailhot Jazz Unit at 8 p.m. inside The Royal Lounge in Olympia.

LINK: Monday, April 1 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

<<< VOTING CLOSED EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 31 >>>

Beginning April 2, we'll cut the field of 64 South Sound sandwiches to the Sliced 16. April 4, it'll drop to the Grilled Eight. On April 8, we'll announce the winner of Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Sandwiches - picked by you, of course - at Masa in Tacoma during halftime of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. On that Monday, we'll cut the online voting at 5 p.m. and take the vote live at Masa, handing out ballots while you pound margaritas.

That's all fine and dandy, but it's Easter and you don't have time for idle chitchat. You need to vote so you can fill your basket with eggs. OK, OK, here are yesterday's results and today's sandwich matchups. Thanks for voting!

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Philly Cheesesteak (Ricky J's Restaurant, 6805 176^th St. E., Puyallup) vs. Big Tacoma (Pacific Coffee House & Deli, 1201 Pacific Ave., Tacoma)

Pacific Coffee House grabbed the lead early in this game and never looked back, nabbing 83 percent of the votes when all was said and done. Some believe naming its sandwich after the largest city in the South Sound may have swung the vote in the downtown Tacoma coffee shop's favor. Others think it's an awesome sandwich. Anyway, the Big Tacoma moves onto the Sliced 16.

Game 2: Tempeh Reuben (Darby's Café, 211 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia) vs. Beet & Blue (1022 South, 1022 S. J St., Tacoma)

Darby's Café and 1022 South have received national attention. Darby's scored a spot on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. 1022 South has been featured in many publications, including the New York Times. Both are successful businesses, but yesterday Darby's Café had that little extra something to edge out the Hilltop Tacoma cocktail lounge by grabbing 54 percent of the votes.

Game 3: The Comanche (Rock The Dock Pub & Grill, 535 Dock St., Tacoma) vs. Mom's Sloppy Joe (Crockett's Public House, 118 E. Stewart Ave., Puyallup)

Holy crap! Turnout for this contest was like the turnout at a dunk-the-banker booth at the Taste of Tacoma! Both sandwich makers Rock The Rock and Crockett's did their darndest to mobilize their base, and though Rock The Dock ran out to an early lead, Crockett's Mom's Sloppy Joe had an amazing, jaw-dropping late afternoon push that had the stamina to carry through the evening and snatch victory from the Thea Foss Waterway joint with a 40 more votes. Unbelievable. Crockett's moves on to the Sliced 16.

Game 4: Lamb Beef Gyro (Legendz, 1201 S. Sprague Ave., Tacoma) vs. Italian Sub (Meconi's Italian Subs, 5225 Lacey Blvd. SE, Lacey)

Yesterday at 4 p.m. Legendz and Meconi's were dead even. Over at Legendz, a steady stream of cars pulled up to the burger stand on Sprague. Over at Meconi's, people enjoyed its famous Italian Sub in the new, larger environs. Then, Bam! Who knows if it was the excitement of a fourth Meconi's opening in Hawks Prairie or what, but the Italian Sub pulled away to finally grab 62 percent of the votes before the polls closed. That's the power of multiple locations folks.

Stick a toothpick in them! The following are advancing to the next round:

• Pacific Coffee House & Deli's Big Tacoma
• Darby's Café's Tempeh Reuben
• Crockett's Public House's Mom's Sloppy Joe
• Mecon's Italian Subs' Italian Sub

>>> The daily sandwich battles here on Spew are sponsored by Subway in Orting, Puyallup, Tacoma, Spanaway and Lakewood.

OK, let's check out today's Second Round sandwich battles. Vote for one sandwich joint per battle. Voting for today's sandwich battles ends at 11:45 p.m.

EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 31 2013 >>>

For fans of Bruce Springsteen, the Replacements and the Pogues, their latter-day answer to those icons came in 2010 in the form of Titus Andronicus' epic, messy, passionate, over-the-top masterpiece, The Monitor. Similarly, fans of the Smiths, Tears for Fears and the Church may find solace in Merchandise's similarly epic and messy release, Children of Desire. Catch Merchandise with Love Interest, Cairo Pythian and Wet Hair at 8 p.m. inside Olympia's all-ages venue Northern.

2. The Gem Faire at the Tacoma Dome is a rather intriguing event. Quality gems, beads, crystals, minerals, findings and earth treasures will be available at wholesale prices. Yes, you can grab holiday project supplies, get personal treasures or simply browse and look at all the shiny, pretty, sparkly stuff. For the jewelry maker, there will also be tools, packaging supplies and millions of beads. Be sure to enter for a chance to win cool prizes at the Gem Faire with drawings every hour. The last time we witnessed a gem show it was at some hippy rainbow gathering event, and while that was pretty cool, this one is sure to be grander, and much more organized. It runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. As ostensible comedies go, The Philadelphia Story is only marginally funnier than Philadelphia. Barry drops dozens of 1930s references you'll need the glossary in the program to understand, but not many jokes. It's one of those plays where people take a magic narcotic that makes them blab secrets at each other, only to suffer that bizarre theater hangover that causes limping hours later. The first act introduces as many characters as Season One of Downton Abbey, only to waste several on a pointless subplot about the editor of a Fortune-esque magazine. People fall in love instantly, only to make more impulsive, unlikely reversals minutes later.

4. Coming off a smaller-scale, future-gen production, Next to Normal, the bombast of Oliver! represents a smart shift of programming for Capital Playhouse. We know what we want from a show like this, and thanks to director Colleen Powers and an obviously dedicated cast, we get almost all of it. The choreography is intricate and perfectly executed. The madrigal harmonies of "Who Will Buy?" come off beautifully. Sixth-grader Skyler Wyatt Zimmerman, last seen as, you guessed it, Gavroche, looks good in a newsboy cap. Bruce Haasl's set transforms quickly from a workhouse to a mansion to the heights of London Bridge. Oliver! hits the stage at 2 p.m. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of Oliver! in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

5. Harlequin Productions stages The Philadelphia Story at 2 p.m.. Linda Whitney not only directs with precision but offers, yet again, a truly beautiful set design - two, in fact. I can't say enough about Helen Harvester's lead performance. She captures the regal arm acting and Bryn Mawr drawl of Katharine Hepburn, for whom the role was written, without indulging in caricature. Same goes for Aaron Lamb, who has Jimmy Stewart's way of swallowing his lines without bounding around the stage like George Bailey from a Looney Tunes parody. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of The Phiadelphia Story in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

Where does Dad Cop hang out on Easter night? With Indian Taker, Casket and Northfolk at 7 p.m. inside the all-ages Red Room in Tacoma.

LINK: Sunday, March 31 arts and entertainmetn events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

HOW TWEET IT IS >>>

Whether you've been on Twitter since its beginnings in 2006 or you're a Twitter neophyte, you know keeping up on important tweets can be overwhelming. If you follow everything and everyone that you find interesting, you can end up with hundreds and hundreds of Tweets showing up in your feed on a daily basis.

Don't despair. Every Saturday the Weekly Volcano shares important and pointless Tweets from South Sound Twitter accounts, and sometimes beyond, so you may stay on top of overeating, chalk and baby daddy news - as well as the latest action on the streets.

this article gave Tacoma City Councilmember Joe Lonergan 100 gun boners theolympian.com/2013/03/28/248…

— RR Anderson (@RR_Anderson) March 30, 2013

I've been chilling in my car for a good 30 minutes in some random north tacoma neighborhood in a fucking #friskofreeze coma. #tacoma #253

— Mike (@BNMPG) March 30, 2013

The guy in the car next to us is stoked on Bob Seger. #tacoma

— Erin (@lunge) March 30, 2013

Barely 64 out & I've already seen 3 camel toe, daisy duke wearers & 2 shirtless guys. Calm down #Tacoma.

— Sasha (@Sasha_Perfecto) March 29, 2013

At the waterfront flippin my hair and shiiit. ???? #Tacoma twitter.com/KaylaMakepeace…

— Shmayla (@KaylaMakepeace) March 29, 2013

Overhead on Pacific Ave. "I can't believe they made me pay $1.50 for parking. This is the most expensive city ever." Really? #tacoma

— Derek Young (@DerekYoung) March 29, 2013

Tacoma News Tribune: Olympia pilot flies on big screen in 'The Host' bit.ly/11THkW7 #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) March 29, 2013

Year 6 hasn't officially started, but I got decorated with lovely pre-season chalking today! Vote for your favorite: i.feedtacoma.com/FrostPark/pre-…

— Frost Park (@FrostPark) March 30, 2013

Looks like we can take Sounder to Sounders FC games now. Awesome soundtransit.org/Schedules/Even… #Tacoma

— Chris Karnes (@TacomaTransit) March 29, 2013

A medical clinic right next to a funeral home #tacoma

— Sara Catlett (@boobear_sara) March 29, 2013

Tonight and every Thursday evening: #Women and #Transgender #Friends #Bike Night @2ndcycletacoma 5-8PM! #bike253 #knowledge #community

— Tacoma Bike Month (@BikeMonth253) March 28, 2013

We've been serving #Tacoma since 1984! We celebrate 29yrs next mo & will give a #FREE Anniversary roll to dinner guests all #April. #sushi

— Fujiya Tacoma (@FujiyaTacoma) March 28, 2013

#Tacoma musician Vicci Martinez shares her story -- & her plan to help an aspiring local female artist. #ReachHigher! tacomacc.edu/vicci/

— tacomacc (@tacomacc) March 27, 2013

Note to the baby daddies tryna run game: #Tacoma is too damn small!!!! #CaughtUp

— Mahealuv (@Mahealuv) March 27, 2013

Leaving #work #fulloffchilli on the #bus sorry #tacoma :-)

— JuliANO4tay(@JULIANO4TAY) March 26, 2013

Tacoma News Tribune: Bellarmine Prep grad Jon Lester sharp in loss to Miami, will get opening day star... bit.ly/XgslTo #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) March 28, 2013

Just got an early look at the menu for #Paesan the new #pizza place from @socialbargrill on #DockStreet in #Tacoma. Wood oven.Fun combos

— David Dagley (@dbdagley) March 26, 2013

Walk Tacoma is back for 2013 starting next Wednesday.Fun events planned include a scavenger hunt. exit133.com/7496/walk-taco… #Tacoma

— Exit133 (@exit133) March 27, 2013

Tacoma News Tribune: Murray Morgan Bridge will be closed this weekend bit.ly/YAH1Pl #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) March 27, 2013

I use to hate #DubStep I thought it was the weirdest shit, but now thanks to #DayGlow I can't wait till the next rave #ReBirth #Tacoma

— Martin Camacho (@MCamacho53) March 27, 2013

Support Frankie's in Oly.. Support Canna Friendly establishments! #PDX #Seattle #Denver #Tacoma #Couv #MMJ #Boulderhuffingtonpost.com/2013/03/26/rec…

— Cannabis Consumer's(@CannabisConsume) March 26, 2013

There's several ways for tollpayers to comment on proposed Tacoma Narrows Bridge toll increases: bit.ly/YuR3Bq #tacoma #gigharbor

— Christian Hill (@TNTchill) March 25, 2013

Looks like a pot dispensary is opening next to The Little Holland. Insert munchies joke here.

— Kathleen Cooper (@KCooperTNT) March 25, 2013

A guy literally dressed up like a pirate, drinking a beer pulled this off a tree and gave it to me... #tacoma twitter.com/sarahshrop/sta…

— ? (@sarahshrop) March 25, 2013

Uh-oh. Better not tell Marty. Bus rapid transit would require elimination of angled parking spaces on #Tacoma Ave.

— Chris Karnes (@TacomaTransit) March 25, 2013

My greatest accomplishment. "@kingsbooks: The theme of my Staff Favorites shelf: Half Asian, All Awesome. twitter.com/kingsbooks/sta…"

— Kenny Coble (@kennycoble) March 25, 2013

Got hit on by what I must say was the best looking ratchet I've seen hahaha then I see her outside punching dudes in the face #Tacoma

— King Daniel (@DKing0311) March 24, 2013

Good to see Middle School football back in Tacoma for the first time since 1986. #tacoma

— Joe Knittel (@KnittelJoe) March 23, 2013

Follow the Weekly Volcano on Twitter. Because otherwise we're coming to your house, and while we will bring wine, we will not, under any circumstances, take off our shoes.

<<< VOTING CLOSED SATURDAY, MARCH 30 2013 >>>

Now it's getting exciting. The mustard is really starting to fly, and the salami is getting so thick you could cut it with a knife (OK, so that's a horrible analogy ...).

Point is: This is serious.

Yesterday, Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Sandwiches officially kicked off its Second Round, meaning only 32 South Sound pizza joints remain, and the competition is as hot as ever. Who will be crowned champ on April 8? The path to sandwich greatness has been forged.

Here's a look at today's Tournament of Sandwiches action and a recap of yesterday's results. Shake some garlic pepper on it if you know what's good for you and get rolling.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Mike's Deluxe (MSM Deli, 2220 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. Cheesy British (Doyle's Public House, 208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma)

In a battle of T-town institutions, not surprisingly the institution well known for its delicious sandwiches emerged decisively victorious - with MSM Deli's Mike Deluxe cruising to victory and securing roughly 79 percent of the vote by the time things were said and done. Luckily for all of us, Doyle's Public House doesn't need the Tournament of Sandwiches to get by ... it's got Irish whiskey, English football, not to mention a grubbin' Cheesy British. The high-powered MSM Deli moves on to the Sliced 16.

Game 2: Dungeness Crab & Shrimp Melt (Lobster Shop, 4015 Ruston Way, Tacoma) vs. Heart Smart Art (The Swiss, 1904 Jefferson Ave., Tacoma)

We suspect The Lobster Shop pushed hard its Dungeness Crab & Shrimp Melt during this match up. We're talking incredible seafood flavor on a toasted croissant. It was a bold move for the Shop not to play its waterfront hand, which it no doubt will need when it faces Mike's Deluxe in the Sliced 16. With 63 percent of the votes over the popular Swiss and its Heart Smart Art, the Lobster Shop moves on.

Game 3: Monte Cristo (Moon Rise Café, 6020 Main St. SW, Lakewood) vs. Turkey BLT (The Hub, 203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma)

Did the Moon Rise Café rest on its Tournament of Breakfast championship laurels? Could be, although its Monte Cristo speaks for itself. There isn't a better one in the South Sound. The Hub has Harmon Beers - a lot of them. And a lovely outdoor dining space. It also has an amazing Turkey BLT, which rose to the occasion and grabbed 58 percent of the votes yesterday in fierce Tournament of Sandwiches action. Congratulations Turkey BLT. You move into the Sliced 16.

Game 4: El Cubano (Metropolitan Market, 2420 N. Proctor St., Tacoma) vs. The Cubana (El Zocalo Tortas Y Bakery, 701 S. 38th St., Tacoma)

They are worlds apart. Spunky El Zocalo Tortas Y Bakery flirts with being dubbed a "hole in the wall" with bare essential interior design and ultra bright lighting. Metropolitan Market is a fancy, lively space filled with grazers and shoppers with fancy cars and designer sweatpants. But El Zocalo has gigantic sandwiches and a Cubana that is packed with exotic meats, eggs, cheese and sweet onions. And since this isn't the Tournament of Interiors, El Zocalo has the edge and 51 percent of the votes, enough for it to move on to the Sliced 16.

Stick a toothpick in them! The following are advancing to the next round:

• MSM Deli's Mike's Deluxe
• The Lobster Shop's Dungeness Crab & Shrimp Melt
• The Hub's Turkey BLT
• El Zocalo Tortas Y Bakery's The Cubana

>>> The daily sandwich battles here on Spew are sponsored by Subway in Orting, Puyallup, Tacoma, Spanaway and Lakewood.

OK, let's check out today's Second Round sandwich battles. Vote for one sandwich joint per battle. Voting for today's sandwich battles ends at 11:45 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 30 2013 >>>

1. When Oliver Doriss isn't blowing glass, teaching glassblowing or curating his gallery, Fulcrum, you can catch him under the needle as DJ Broam, usually accompanied by a dance floor full of wild sweaty abandon. At 8 p.m., he'll walk past the grass hut, the dude in the fez pouring Mai Tais, past the blowfish, around the corner, down the hall and into the new music room. At 9 p.m. he'll welcome the Tacoma Cabana crowd then knock their Hawaiian shirts off with the coolest mix of soul, funk, Latin and World Beat. Mahalo.

2. Not only is catching a Tacoma Rainiers game the quintessential American minor league baseball experience, but the renovated Cheney Stadium is still just plain awesome. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Rainiers will host a preseason party at said stadium. The party will give baseball fans, interested Tacomans and those craving free hot dogs a chance to hang at the stadium, purchase a new season ticket plan and take in the view from your exact seat, and watch kids run around like maniacs. Rhubarb, the Rainiers mascot reindeer and an undeniable party animal, will entertain the masses ... and run around like a maniac. 

3. In general, the citizens of Tacoma are not satisfied with a simple slice of cake and a sweet card for their birthdays. No, Tacomans like to through big bashes for birthdays. For instance, from 5-8 p.m. at The Swiss, Ida, Jocyln, Bobby, and Teri will celebrate their birthdays with comedian Mario Lorenz, fire by Flair, Roger the Balloon Buffoon and the musical styling of Voxxy Vallejo and The Fun Police. Drop by and give them a pinch to grow an inch and a sock to grow a block.

4. LeLe Restaurant - the Vietnamese and Thai restaurant in Gig Harbor - serves an amazing Swimming angel, a traditional Thai dish also called rama rama or swimming rama, featuring handfuls of fresh spinach leaves, thinly sliced carrots and mung bean sprouts are sautéed in a garlicky sauce of rice vinegar, soy sauce, a little sugar, red pepper flakes and more. A generous amount of sweet peanut sauce is piled on top. The only possible thing that would make this dish better if guitarist Rob Rigoni, accompanied with his ensemble Budapest West, filled the restaurant with a world-jazz sound that draws from jazz, '70s fusion and Hungarian soul. See you at 7 p.m.

5. Did you miss Derde Verde Wednesday at Le Voyeur? Catch the band at 9 p.m. with the equally awesome A Leaf at The New Frontier Lounge. Derde Verde'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.

PLUS: Proctor Farmers Market in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: Saturday, March 30 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

C.I. Shenanigans Tacoma - Northend. KC Brakes presents pop folk rock night. All Ages. 7-10 pm. NC.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. The Walking Papers. 8 pm. $15.

• Pure blues rock 'n' roll, executed with the nimble fingers, creative minds and a sixth sense of boys who have been around the block, Walking Papers is headlining a nearly sold out show at Jazzbones Friday. A full European tour follows. Read Nikki McCoy's interview with Jeff Angell in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Palace Fiction. 9 pm.

Maxwell's Restaurant + Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. Lance Buller Combo. 7 pm.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Taxi Driver. 10 pm. NC.

Northern Olympia - Downtown. Lori Goldston, Marisa Anderson. All Ages. 9 pm.

The Olympia Ballroom Olympia. Hillstomp, Kendl Winter and the Summer Gold. 9 pm. $10.

• Hey kiddies, lace up your most comfortable shoes, coat your throat with some whiskey and get ready for some serious dancing and hollering 'cause Hillstomp is back in Olympia. The rowdy, washtub, bucket band, rock 'n' roll duo are taking over the Olympia Ballroom Friday for a night of old time enjoyment, with a funky twist. Andy Geertsen, voted best booker in Oly, who's throwing the show, describes Hillstomp's style: "When they play they bring an energy to the crowd that is infectious and reciprocated right back to them ... as if there was one communal heartbeat bouncing between fan and musician. It's like high energy therapy - when Hillstomp plays Oly it's not just another show it's an event." You heard the man, it's not just another show, so get down there and get some Hillstomp healing. - Nikki McCoy
  

Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma - Downtown. Whiskey and Roses. 8:30 pm.

The Swiss Tacoma - Downtown. DoctorfunK CD Release Party. 9 pm.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Hookerfist (Tool tribute). 9 pm.

Uncle Thurm's Finger Licken Ribs & Chicken Tacoma - Lincoln District. G Street Jazz Series featuring Kareem Kandi Band. 8-11 pm. NC.

Urban Onion Olympia - Downtown. Afrok's 30th Birthday Party. 8 pm. $5.

• Friday at the Urban Onion Lounge, Afrok and his band, The Movement, will lead a musical charge followed up by plenty of other organic hip-hop talent he's bringing out for his 30th birthday celebration. Afrok handpicked local rappers Akeem, MC Swamptiger and Sky Hatter - who just dropped a dope new video for his single "She's My Hip-Hop" - to perform at his historic event. In addition to the Olympia area rappers, Afrok also invited his friend and OG Seattle native Gabriel Teodros to be a part of the fun filled evening. Teodros has been a staple in the Seattle hip-hop scene since it first REALLY started bubbling in the early 2000s and has been putting in work since then, including the release of a new album last year, Colored People's Time Machine. Teodros is a very unique and talented individual that also happens to be a strong community organizer and overall, a very good, humble dude. Oh and kids, this show is all ages until 11 p.m. and ... (whisper voice) he's a good friend of Macklemore. Read Nic Leonard's full feature on Afrok's birthday bash in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

LINK: More live music tonight in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Thank the gods for the weekend, and there is definitely some stuff to do out there on this one. Here's the run-down. ...

Open mics are always a good way to start the night. They're usually early and cheap. After the open mic, there is still plenty of time to go do something else. Tonight at 7 p.m., the Colored Women's Club hosts its monthly Free Ya Mind open mic run by Stella Haioulani. Haioulani is basically the godqueen of open mics in Tacoma. Without her, there would not even be a spoken word poetry scene here. To feature or perform at this open mic, call 253.921.1160 or email freeyamind365@gmail.com.

Later tonight, go see Rubberband Sav, Slap Boys and more open for Oakland, Calif.'s, Keak Da Sneak in Kent at Jimmy T's Sports Bar and Grill. The tickets are $15 and the show starts at 9 p.m.

Moving onto Saturday ... The Breaklites has a free show at the University of Puget Sound. This show is all-ages, 9 p.m., at Club Rendezvous in the Sub next to the Cellar. The show is brought to you by 90.1 KUPS, which you all should be tuning into for the radio station's hip-hop shows.

Also on Saturday, is the third Fresh Blends Reblended. These 9 p.m. shows are at The Loch's in downtown Tacoma. Thankfully and smartly, DJ Reign has dropped the cover from a whopping $10 to a normal and sane $5. This bill features Todd Sykes, DJ Hanibal and others. Currently, Todd is killing ish with his new album with Ra Scion, where he handles all the production.

If ya want to hit the road Saturday, get out of town and head up to Seattle; go to the Vermillian Art Gallery at 9:30 p.m., where you can hear Influential Minds, Controversy, Tim-Me, DJ Skrewball and others. This show is also only $5.

Lastly, the Graffiti Garage MC Cypher is now at 1:30 p.m. along Tacoma's Antique Row. So, I'll see ya'll there!

LINK: Live music tonight in the South Sound