WHO NEEDS A LAUGH? >>>

Earthquake, tsunami, economy, oil spill ... Let's face it, we could all use a good laugh. So do yourself a favor and enjoy a little levity courtesy of Ty Barnett tonight at Jazzbones' Ha Ha Tuesdays night. This talented comedian was inspired by Chris Rock and Richard Pryor and has appeared on The Tonight Show many times. The Army vet and single parent found breakthrough success in 2006, when he was the runner-up on season 4 of the NBC reality show Last Comic Standing. Hosted by Ralph PoRter, Ha Ha will also feature Rodger Lizaola.

And after you're good and loose from laughing, why not stick around for DJ Omar and dancing?

Ha Ha Tuesdays

With Ty Barnett and Rodger Lizaola
Tuesday, June 1, 8 p.m., 21 and older, $10
Jazzbones, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma
253.396.9169

WHAT'S SPINNING >>>

House is not a business; it's a community of people who like to dance. In order for the community to maintain and grow, the people that make up this community have to continually contribute. And that contribution can be anything from coming to dance to the music, to introducing others to this sound, to providing a night for the community to gather, to producing the music, or from a DJ standpoint, playing the music provided by the community. It is circular, and is essential for survival, because without one of those elements it cannot continue.

The Tempest Lounge's House Blend shows - featuring a community of DJs spinning house music - have built a community every first and third Saturday. For this Saturday's version, DJ Bilori Howard, along with DJs dAb and Sticky J, will spin house during the "House Blend CD Release Party" beginning at 9:30 p.m. I caught up with DJ Bilori for a quick chat.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: When did you start spinning?

BILORI HOWARD: I received my first pair of decks in 1999 for my birthday from my girlfriend at the time. We were really into the underground house/techno music scene in Seattle.

VOLCANO: Who were your influences?

HOWARD: I have to say my biggest influence was by DJ Mark Farina and his ability to seamlessly blend track after track keeping the energy at a peak level, where you could literally dance all night. I grew up listening to various styles of music from jazz and blues, new wave, rock and roll - but I was a major hip-hop head for years.

I told you it was a quick chat.

Free promo CDs will be handed out tonight, too.

To grab a taste of DJ Bilroi's talents, check out his SoundCloud page here. He downloaded several mixes including my favorite T Town Lounge - a collection of downtempo/trip-hop tracks.

House Blend CD Release Party

With DJs dAb, Sticky J and Bilori
Saturday, June 5, 9:30 p.m., no cover
Tempest Lounge, 913 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma
253.272.4904

LINK: Facebook page for tonight's event

PLEASURE DOME >>>

Summer is in the air, and all the little boys and girls are wondering with bleary eyes where their next nightlife fix is coming from. We suggest the Cedarwood Dome in Milton.

Levi Lyon of Lyon Pride Music has loaded the nightclub up through June with reggae on Friday nights and rock music on Saturdays. You can peruse the schedules here.

The more interesting note regarding these nights is what's happening around the music stage: glassblowing, fire dancing, drum circles and a Hookah Lounge.  Yup, the Cedarwood has gone Arabian Nights on Milton.

Lyon has opened the Dome's loft to give you a taste of Persian decadence. I caught up with him for the details.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: Tell us about the Hookah Lounge.

LEVI LYON: Its on the third floor overlooking the stage, the Tinder Box has sponsored the nearly 30 flavors of tobacco and our other friends at the Green Room have donated several of our hookahs. Lyon Pride Music provides the free tobacco.

VOLCANO: Describe the feel of the Lounge.

LYON: It's very loungey with five to six table with four to six seats at each table. The prime seats over look the stage so for patrons that get there early they get the hookah experience with a show.

VOLCANO: Is there a cost to get into the Lounge?

LYON: Just admission into the show which ranges from $5-25 usually depending on the talent. The Hookah Lounge is free if you become a VIP member. Patrons can sign up at the club or Text LPM to 68398 to receive VIP treatment.

This weekend the Vinyl Tribe and Dub Lounge International will be working the deck during "Reggae Fridays," and Third Law of Motion, Blue Helix, Ice On The Wing, Actual Depiction and Level rock the Dome's "Smokin' Saturdays." Both nights begin at 8 p.m.

Cedarwood Dome

7404 Pacific Hwy. E., Milton
253.922.5727