Enthusiasm. The older Bobble Tiki gets, it seems like the less of it he has. When Bobble Tiki was a little Tiki, it seemed like his enthusiasm was endless. Bobble Tiki would lie awake on Christmas Eve, too enthusiastic to sleep because of the holiday that lay ahead. In high school, Bobble Tiki was full of spirit, painting his Tiki face for pride days and hooting it up at pep assemblies. Even in Bobble Tiki’s early adulthood, things like important elections, big games, and particularly big deli platters made his Tiki heart flutter.

But as Bobble Tiki has aged, it seems as though his enthusiasm has waned. Maybe it’s the added perspective of age, or perhaps it’s that the IV of boxed wine Bobble Tiki stays attached to has finally zapped more than the painful feelings from his brain. Either way, Bobble Tiki sometimes sits back and fondly reminisces about a time when he used to get excited.

This Tuesday, July 22, at the Capitol Theater in Olympia, an event that just may be exactly what the doctor ordered for Bobble Tiki’s lack of piss and vinegar is set to go down. It’s called the Unlimited Enthusiasm Expo ’08 Tour, and musically it features wizard rockers Harry and the Potters, Jason Anderson and the Best, Math the Band, and Uncle Monsterface and Friends.

In addition to the tunes, expect the enthusiasm to be at full throttle Tuesday. As the name of this tour suggests, enthusiasm is the name of this game. And the goal is unlimited.

According to the Unlimited Enthusiasm Expo ’08 Tour Web site:

“The DIY traveling summer camp circus is coming to town! Camp fires! Songs about being a wizard! Giant monsters! Cool big videos! Rock and roll aerobics! Inflatable monkeys! Dancing sock puppets! Going bananas! Circus tents! Jumping! Yelling! More jumping!”

That’s a lot of enthusiasm. You can tell by all the exclamation marks. If there’s one thing worth getting behind in this world, it’s jumping and more jumping. Even an unexcited island-themed souvenir like Bobble Tiki can see that.

“We are ridiculously excited! And we are totally ENTHUSIASTIC about crossing the country for six weeks and bringing back fun summer tours! Summer tours like before they were devoured by huge corporate interests! Our corporate interest is in having an AWESOME TIME,” states the website.

“We believe that each show can only be as awesome as all of the people involved. We’ll be bringing the rock, but we need you to bring something too. We want all of your joy, your dreams, your boundless energy, and even your nervous, caffeinated-excitement. Bring it all with you this summer. A rock and roll tour like this can be whatever we want, so long as we have one thing: Unlimited Enthusiasm.”

While all that enthusiasm is cool, if Bobble Tiki’s going to truly care about a musical event, well, the music better be pretty good, too. Luckily, Harry and the Potters are on the bill.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Potters, allow Bobble Tiki to fill you in. The band consists of brothers Paul and Joe DeGeorge, and wizard rock is their game. What’s wizard rock? It’s a lot like normal rock, but more wizardly. And it’s a blast to listen to live. In the summer of 2002 they created Harry and the Potters, based on the premise that Harry Potter from Year 7 and Harry Potter from Year 4 had started a band. Harry and the Potters have been winning over crowds with their endearing tunes ever since. They’ve come to town before, and rarely disappoint. Bobble Tiki expect the band’s Tuesday show at the Capitol Theater to be no different.

“Being in this band has been a truly special and unbelievable experience for us,” Harry and the Potters explain on the band Web site.

“If you’ve never seen us, DON’T MISS IT!  This summer’s show is gonna be INCREDIBLE!!!  We’ve got all sorts of awesome stuff lined up and even a new song or two!”

Looks like the Potters have a thing for exclamation marks as well, NOT TO MENTION SHOUTING IN ALL CAPS. With all the enthusiasm, wizard rock, and overall excitement floating around Olympia in preparation for this show, even a stick in the mud like Bobble Tiki can’t help but do a few jumps for joy.

That’s, at least, a start. While Bobble Tiki might not be the most enthusiastic Tiki on the block, the Unlimited Enthusiasm Tour just might change that.

As has become his signature move, Bobble Tiki doesn’t care what you do this week because he doesn’t even know you. Unless you can tell Bobble Tiki why Robert “the Traveller” Hill is getting all the credit for championing female masturbation day — a cause that’s been close to Bobble Tiki’s heart for some time — than he’s pretty sure he doesn’t want to meet you. Check out www.weeklyvolcanospew.com for all your South Sound blogosphere needs, and consider that close enough. If you got any closer you might notice Bobble Tiki’s been wearing the same shirt for three days straight. That would be awkward for both of us.

[Capitol Theater, Harry and the Potters, Jason Anderson and the Best, Math the Band, Uncle Monsterface and others, Tuesday, July 22, 6:30 p.m., all ages, $8-$10, 206 Fifth Ave. S.E., Olympia, 360.754. 5378]