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

FRIDAY, MARCH 29 2013 >>>

1. They don't come with a much better pedigree than fiddler Mark O'Connor. Having started under the aegis of Stephane Grappelli and Texas legend Benny Thomasson, O'Connor has gone on to become one of Nashville's most sought-after musicians, and one of world renown. The Grammy award winning fiddler brings with him a fleet of fiddlers for a 7:30 p.m. performance at the Rialto Theater.

2. From 4 p.m. to close, 1022 South - the craft cocktail lounge in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood - will throw a party to celebrate its fourth anniversary and spring menu release. Patrons will be able to sip the new concoctions for $6 a pop, as well as taste new treats out of the kitchen. Read Pappi Swarner's story on the event here.

3. Awards given will include: Didn't Know You Could Do That, Best Off Stage Kiss, Best Tantrum - onstage or off, Best Wearing of a Costume, Best Paraphraser. Lucky Duck, Best Normal Scene with Unnecessary Sexual Overtones, Oh, were you in that show?, Best Ignoring of Direction, Best Grace Under Pressure, Best Acting Injury, Most Smooched, Best Range and Best "Silent" Performance (with no spoken lines)." The $20 ticket benefits the Lakewood Playhouse, where the 8 p.m. show is held.

4. At 8 and 10:30 p.m. inside The Royal Lounge, Rock Candy Burlesque presents "Icing on the Cake," a celebration of its first full year of tassels and tushes with a hard, sweet and sticky theme followed by a down and dirty dance party. Read Nikki McCoy's feature story on the Rock Candy Burlesque in the Weekly Volcano's Events section.

5. Stoner comic Ngaio Bealum, who got his start as a street performer at San Francisco's Pier 39, then smoked his way to ABC, MTV, BET and Comedy Central shows  - most recently on The Sarah Silverman Program - brings his hilarity to Tacoma Comedy Underground at 8:30 p.m. as a fundraiser for the Seattle Hempfest. Read Nikki McCoy's interview with Ngaio Bealum and their discussion about Tacoma, weed, writing, weed, cooking and weed in the Weekly Volcano's Bars & Clubs section.

LINK: Friday, March 29 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THURSDAY, MARCH 28 2013 >>>

Organist Cameron Carpenter began studying the piano and the organ at age 5. At 11, he completed Bach's entire Well-Tempered Clavier, which is like the bible of baroque keyboard music. Now, in his early 30s, he performs around the world. His technique is superb and musicality stunning. He is blessed with a sense of perfect pitch. He has a photographic musical memory. Needless to say, he always performs without music. AND, as if being a musical genius wasn't enough, he designs his concert attire and has a reputation of being a stud. Catch his studliness at 7:30 p.m. inside the Washington Center on the mighty Andy Crow Wurlizter.

Let's talk ham. Kurobuta, Japanese black hog, is revered as an exquisite breed with superior flavor, texture, and marbling. It's smoked using hardwood chips to create a slightly sweet taste, suggesting a mild essence of smoke, truly highlighting the incredible taste. From 1-3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m., Metropolitan Market in Tacoma's Proctor District will offer tastes of the precious Kurobuta. Here's how the Weekly Volcano would play it. Arrive at 2:55 p.m., load up on ham, then hit the free cheese samples by the deli, grab an espresso and read the Weekly Volcano (it's on the top shelf of the newsstand), then hit the cheese again on your way to the 4 p.m. ham tastings.

The Ale House Sports Pub & Grille hosts Georgetown Brewing Company for a beer tasting of Roger's Pilsner, Manny's Pale, Lucille IPA, Imperial IPA, Porter and Lisa's Nitro Chocolate Stout at 6 p.m.

4. Heels on Wheels Glitter Roadshow - the New York City based queer performance art cabaret of radical extravagance and thought-provoking glamour - will be fabulous at 8 p.m. inside the Olympia all-ages venue Northern. Expect poetic theater, comedic performance art and rock 'n' roll from Shomi Noise, The Lady Ms. Vagina Jenkins, Heather Acs, Damien Luxe, Adelaide Windsome and others.

5. Barleywine Revue credits itself simply as a bluegrass band, but to hear it, the band somehow transforms that format into something more. Depending on whose lead vocals you get (in a very egalitarian move, the members trade off lead vocal duty), you'll either find yourself in a jumping jam like "Sunshine in Tacoma," a Fleet Foxes-esque reverie like "Burb on the Rocks" or the stately sway of "Ghost Woman Blues." Catch the band at 9 p.m. inside The Swiss.

LINK: Thursday, March 28 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

KICKED IN THE HEAD >>>

For seven years, Rocket Records has sat on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Proctor in Tacoma. With fliers plastered to the walls, and sweet Bruno, the shop dog, spending time at Rocket Records was more like walking into a buddy's house - one that just happens to have an awesome assortment of music and merchandise, including music from local bands.

Sadly, Rocket Records current location is on the chopping block. Owner Steve Gaydich has until April 30 to move out.

When probed about why, Gaydich says, "I don't know and I don't care. I'm out of here."
A new tenant will move into the Rocket Records location, as an expansion on a mixed martial arts academy next door.

Gaydich says he is meeting with a realtor this week for a location a few doors down, and that he hopes to have a moving sale, and not a going out of business sale.

"I'm an onry son of a ...," says Gaydich. "I want to stay around here."

Rocket Records is more than a record store, it's also been a cool all-ages music venue to see such bands as Before Cars, Stone Axe, Bacchus, Kramer, CFA and many others.

Big Wheel Stunt Show will play a free show at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 6 as a promotion for its latest vinyl release. Also, a big event is planned as a final show for this location of Record Store Day, April 20. While names aren't confirmed, expect some loud and heavy local favorites.

"We're going to blow the roof off," says Gaydich.

The Weekly Volcano will keep you posted on the outcome of Rocket Records' fate. In the meantime, go see some live music and buy some records. Bruno will appreciate it.

ROCKET RECORDS, 3843 SIXTH AVE., TACOMA, 253.756.5186

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 26 2013 >>>

1. The village of Bakhtia sits on the Yenisei River in the Siberian taiga, a vast sub-Arctic ecosystem larger than the continental United States. No roads or train lines traverse the region. Bakhtia, a community of 300, is reachable only by helicopter or boat, and is completely isolated during the long winter when the north-flowing Yenisei freezes solid. In Bakhtia there are no Link light rail expansion meetings, gunfire near malls or baristas. Also, no telephone, running water or medical aid. And yet residents and their families make a living there in a way that prompts documentary filmmaker Werner Herzog to declare them "happy people" in his film Happy People: A Year in the Taiga, screening at 2:15 and 6:55 p.m. at The Grand Cinema.

2. Tacoma native Diane Bonciolini and her husband Greg Messmer have been known for generations for their functional dishware and art glass. Working with techniques of slumped and fused glass, their repertoire ranges from condiment trays to bird houses to architectural installations. See their new works and their old favorites from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. inside The Art Stop.

3. Every Tuesday, Maxwell's Speakeasy in Tacoma serves two chef's choice appetizers and two house wines or draft beers for $15.

4. Good news. There's a Japanese movie series going down in Wyatt Hall on the University of Puget Sound campus. At 6 p.m. catch the drama/mystery Dear Doctor.

5. Singer/songwriter Dyllan Hersey was born in Marin County, Calif. She tried to live in Portland, Ore. but has since returned to California and now lives just north of San Francisco. She joins New Slang at 9 p.m. inside Le Voyeur.

LINK: Tuesday, March 25 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

MONDAY, MARCH 25 2013 >>>

1. The film Ocean Frontiers: The Dawn of a New Era in Ocean Stewardship takes viewers on an inspiring voyage to seaports and watersheds across the country where an intermingling of unlikely allies, of industrial shippers and whale biologists, pig farmers and wetland ecologists, sport and commercial fishermen, port operators, reef snorkelers and many more embark on a new course of cooperation, to sustain the sea and ocean economies. The will make its Tacoma premiere 6:45 p.m. at UWT's Phillips Hall as part of a symposium at University of Washington Tacoma.

2. George Smith, M.A., a state licensed mental health counselor, will offer a free training workshop on the Columbia University 30-second self-hypnosis method from 1-2 p.m. at the Lacey Timberland Library. This clinically tested and proven self-hypnosis system can be used to stop smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, resist 64 sandwiches, control anxiety, and much more.

3. Seattle-based world music ensemble The Kora Band will combine elements of jazz and West African music at 8 p.m. inside The Royal Lounge in Olympia.

4. Standup comedy hasn't evolved much since the glory days of ventriloquist and puppet. Every so often, there's a Gallagher smashing watermelons or a musical funnyman like Jack Black, but for the most part, comedy is a dude on a stage with a microphone, plodding through a joke-punchline-new-joke routine. You're funny. You need to change the course of comedy forever. Every Monday at 8 p.m. the Grit City Comedy Club opens its stage to the public for a comedy open mic. Explore the space. Head for space.

5. Every Monday at 9 p.m. Jazzbones is packed to the brim with college kids. Party types. The type that wear tight shirts and trucker hats. Throngs of Chad Fratguys and Sarah Sororitysisters swarm the bar, line up for the bathroom and dance to the Rockaraoke - live band karaoke. The Rockaraoke band is skilled, too. Expect $2 PBR drafts, $3 Sinfire shots, $4 Smirnoff flavor vodka bombs.

LINK: Monday, March 25 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, MARCH 24 2013 >>>

1. Rich Ridenour, a 54-year-old Michigan native, has been playing the piano most of his life. He wasn't old enough to drive when he joined his first rock band. He met his future wife, Stacy, who is in the front office at the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, when both were students at the University of Michigan. She went into musical administration, he went on to a master's from Juilliard and a career as a pianist that has taken him from piano bars to the nation's finest concert halls, such as the Pantages Theater at 2:30 p.m. when he join the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra in concert. Expect the greatest hits of Elton John, Billy Joel, George Gershwin, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven and more with a pinch of Victor Borge humor, a grand Steinway and the full Tacoma Symphony Orchestra. 

2. Heritage Park and Capitol Lake are great to visit for more than just the people watching. An abundance of ducks provides ample opportunity to impersonate David Attenborough with your own narration of their activities, and the dog watching is always entertaining. Where else would you find a Chihuahua dressed as an Ewok in March? (True story. Outdoor Addict columnist Whitney Rhoades saw it on her last visit.) And the scenery is stunning. From one side of the lake you can admire the Capitol Dome, from the other the Olympic Mountains peek out at you.

3. Orca Books in Olympia hosts local author Anthea Sharp at 3 p.m. to celebrate the release of her newest book, Feyland: The Twilight Kingdom.  This is the final installment and thrilling conclusion to her Feyland Trilogy.

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. Catch the Kareem Kandi Band from 3-6 p.m. at Uncle Thurm's BBQ in Tacoma's Lincoln District.

5. Tacoma artist Maria Jost has created an eight-piece permanent installation for the 1022 South lounge. Each of this commissioned series' eight collage-drawings pays homage to one of the natural ingredients featured in owner Chris Keil's distinctive cocktails. A reception will be held at 4 p.m.

LINK: Sunday, March 24 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

4th Ave Ale House Olympia - Downtown. Halcion Halo, Blacstahl, Deborah Page. 9 pm.

Bob's Java Jive Tacoma - Central. SleepyPilot, Psycho 78 & Devil On A Leash. 9 pm. $.

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

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Kareem Kandi Band. 9 pm. NC.

Harmon Tap Room Tacoma - Stadium District. Half Of Infinity. 9 pm.

Live Room Sumner. Innocent Bystander, The Informal Gentlemen, I for Eye, Front Seat Fiasco, Destination Unknown, and Cosmic Avenue. All Ages. Doors 6:30 pm. $8 adv, $12 at door.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Leroy Bell & His Only Friends. 8 pm. $15.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. The Chain, Fridge Scum. All Ages. 6 pm.

The Lochs Tacoma - Downtown. Jobe Himself demo release show with Poorsport, Omega Moo, DJ Reign. 9 pm. $5.

• Oh yeah, I almost forgot about The Loch's. You know the place - the old Hell's Kitchen in downtown Tacoma. Well, here's a good reminder that this venue is still cranking out shows. This Saturday, enjoy some quality, melt your face punk rock with a Jobe Himself demo release show with Poorsport, Omega Moo and DJ Reign. - NM

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. Clear The Chaos, Fistful Of Dollars. All Ages. 8 pm.

Morso Wine Bar Gig Harbor. Anais Mitchell, Jefferson Hamer, 8 pm. $25.

• To ask if you have been paying attention to Michael ONeill's Americana Series at Morso Wine Bar in Gig Harbor would be a bit reckless, since the concerts regularly sell out. But have you been paying attention?! Tommy Tutone, Peter Case, Grant Peeples, Susan Gibson, Jaime Wyatt, Ian Moore, the Bobs, Lucy Kaplansky, Steve Poltz ... the list goes on. Saturday, ONeill hosts Vermont-born songwriter Anaïs Mitchell who has been pushing the conventional parameters of modern folk with her epic, allegorical themes and, most recently, lush, impressionistic arrangements. She's touring behind her new release, Young Man in America, which has enough raw-nerved, psychedelic balladry to rattle your Cabernet glass. - Ron Swarner
  

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Olsen Brothers Present: A Night Of Sights & Sounds: Red Hex & Ich Hunger, plus Ace Tone Fuzzmaster. 9 pm.

• For weeks, now, I've been trying to shake the images of Ich Hunger from my brain. Made by local filmmaker Isaac Olsen, Ich Hunger is a German expressionist freakout concerning a "creature boy" who lives in the forests of Germany and eats people. Saturday, as if Ich Hunger wasn't visually and aurally stimulating enough, the film will be screened along with musical accompaniment by the onslaught of local garage-rockers Red Hex (featuring Isaac's brother, Sam Olsen), as well as original electronic music. Afterward, the melted brains of the audience will be invited to disco dance. It'll be an experiment in (slightly) ordered chaos. How far can your ears and eyes be stretched, and when that breaking point is reached, will you ever really be the same? Wear a helmet to this one, dear reader. - Rev. Adam McKinney
  

Olympia Ballroom Olympia - Downtown. Olympia Acoustic Festival. 1 pm to 1 am.

• Saturday, a new celebration hits the area - the Olympia Acoustic Festival. The event, held at the increasingly popular Olympia Ballroom, is sponsored by KAOS and features local vendors such as Tamale Fusion and La Dee Dee Da Jewelry. And, of course, a regional line up of many great acoustic acts, including Olympia bands Erev Rav, The Pine Hearts, Oly Mountain Boys and Oly singer-songwriters Gabriel Wolf Child, Jonah Tolchin, Paul Mauer as well as musicians from Seattle and Portland such as Aaron English, Impossible Bird and others. "Anyone who comes will have their ears filled by a potpourri of really talented musicians," says Jabi Shriki, co-coordinator of the event. Sounds awesome. - NM
  

The Red Room Tacoma - Downtown. Alarms. All Ages. 7 pm.

Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma - Downtown. Man Shower for Eddie Flores featuring bands Trees Without Leaves and Stay Grounded. 5:30 pm.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. Tatoosh. 9 pm.

Tacoma Cabana and Rum Bar Tacoma - Downtown. Big Huge with vocalist Kayla Snell. All ages until 10 pm. All Ages. 8 pm. NC.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Killing Dove. 9 pm.

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 23 2013 >>>

1. Copenhagen's young punkers Iceage will bring its Polaroid-picture-fuzzy punk - that draws from Fugazi's neo-classicism and Gang of Four's bounce - to Olympia's Capitol Theater at 9 p.m. If you want to know what the next round of American punk bands will sound like, attend this show.

2. Judy Cullen rocked the Tacoma theater community when she stepped down from her role at artistic director of Tacoma Little Theatre in 2006, an organization she served in many capacities since 1993. Thankfully, she didn't leave the area. In fact, you can see, and hear, her today at 2 p.m. She'll be reading from the recently released A Trio of Irish Tales, as well as from the about-to-be-released Reflections from The Golden Wheel, inside the Mason United Methodist Church in Tacoma.

3. The 2nd Annual Museum of Glass Slider Cook-Off will consume the Museum of Glass tonight beginning at 6:30 p.m. With nine local restaurants bringing creativity to the table to compete for the title of best slider, attendees will taste their way through the competition, dance to Daryl & the Diptones, and enjoy games and live glassblowing by artist John Miller, who is also creating the trophies. Newcomers Marrow Kitchen and Bar, Boathouse 19, Art House Café and Brix 25 will be competing against returning restaurants Asado, BITE Restaurant and Bar, Dirty Oscar's Annex, The Social Bar and Grill and Maxwell's Restaurant and Lounge. Read Adrienne Kuehl's full feature on the event in the Weekly Volcano's Restaurants section.

4. Joel Sartore travels the world photographing rare and endangered animals in some of the planet’s most wild and pristine places. His images are stunning; his stories mesmerizing; his job awesome. He’s an acclaimed National Geographic photographer who captivates his audiences with the same enthusiasm and excitement with which he captures his subjects. Sartore will pack his lifetime of photography experience and passion for animals into a special appearance at Puyallup High School from 7 to 9 p.m., thanks to the folks at Northwest Trek.

5. Ich Hunger is a German expressionist freakout concerning a "creature boy" who lives in the forests of Germany and eats people. At 9 p.m., as if Ich Hunger wasn't visually and aurally stimulating enough, the film will be screened along with musical accompaniment by the onslaught of local garage-rockers Red Hex (featuring Isaac's brother, Sam Olsen), as well as original electronic music. Afterward, the melted brains of the audience will be invited to disco dance. It all goes down at The New Frontier Lounge.

PLUS: The UPS Flea Market, Olympia Youth Chorus, Edgar Martinez, hypnotist Ron Stubbs and Jobe Himself in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: Saturday, March 23 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area