I first wrote about Melanie Valera, aka Tender Forever, almost exactly two years ago. But, I never had the opportunity to catch her live until I booked her for my music festival, Squeak and Squawk. There, I finally saw what Tender Forever is all about. While all of the glossy, radio-ready electro-pop and achingly beautiful, heartfelt lyrics of her recordings were well on display, what I wasn't expecting was how utterly charming and downright funny Valera is in a live setting. Kicking off her shoes and dancing down in the pit with us audience members, Valera announced herself as a mesmerizing performer. Narrating youtube videos via projection screen, conducting percussion with Wii remotes, making a shaved-head picture of Britney Spears both silly and inspiring - Tender Forever is a stunning live act, and one that you shouldn't dare miss.

TENDER FOREVER, w/ Poppet and Mirrorgloss, 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 11, The New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, cover tba, 253.572.4020; w/ Poppet, Hot Fruit, Symmettrix, Hym(e)n, Everybody Weekend, Taylor Newcomb, DJ r0yal bleu and DJ anna phylaxis, 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12, Northern, 414 ½ Legion Way, Olympia, $7

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Calendar: Arts and Entertainment

Calendar: Music and Nightlife