Critics' Picks
[POET/RAPPER/VOCALIST] + FRI, JAN. 10 Baltimore artist Abdu Ali is a tough one to pin down. Combining surreal poetry with droning R&B, Abdu Ali comes across as a restless experimenter, switching back and forth from rapping, chanting, singing and startling outbursts. His recent, lurching "Thornz" is as unsettling as it is
Stage
The latest show at The Gallery at Tacoma Community College is outstanding. It provides a look into the art and cultures - and most particularly the lives of working class people throughout the world as seen through the eyes of local artists. Included are paintings, drawings, sculpture and photography by
Arts
Walking into BramCo Entertainment studios, the brainchild of Isaac Cooper and David Bramwell, two friends from Olympia who have known each other since middle school, I was led to a room with a microphone, a pitcher of water, and a Mac computer. Despite the minimal set up, the duo produces a
Music
Conventional wisdom suggests that one's best bet for combating those bleak Winter doldrums is to stay cooped up inside, shielding oneself against the elements, drinking heavily, and awaiting that glorious day when the weather turns. As a counterargument against conventional wisdom, I think it's vital to brave the outdoors and push
Music
If you'll allow me a brief aside, I'd like to have the opportunity to get this observation out of my brain. "Laguna," the opening track off an EP of demos by the Echo Echo Echoes, reminds me so viscerally of Some Loud Thunder - the effectively career-ruining sophomore slump from
Reviews
Ah, winter. Even while wishing for a mountaintop fireplace, darting from place to place for warmth, the first layering of woolens, drabbest down or brightest fleece begin to muffle forms and features. The back of the closet comes to the front, here's the Siberian mufti, the Antarctic-suited yakwear. Fake fur
Heroes & Awards
Retired Lt. Col. Richard "Ken" Wheeler, almost 91, has a story to tell and, if you ask nicely, he'll leave you enthralled. Wheeler, who resides in Gig Harbor with his second wife, Sharon, is a World War II veteran that survived the harrowing ordeal of being shot down over German territory.
Archives
After fixing the repairs ordered by the Tacoma fire marshal, the all-ages Club Alano officially re-opens Friday night hosting Durango 95, The Drug Purse and Paris Spleen. “We actually opened a couple of months ago but got immediately shut down by the fire marshals,” explains co-owner Mike Kopf. “We had
Archives
As with most things in life, luck plays at least a minimal role in a band’s chances of gracing the pages of the Weekly Volcano. Not that my fellow scribes and I don’t do our homework (I definitely do the least), or plan ahead (I definitely do the least of
Archives
Saturday, Aug. 18 BLUES cee cee james Janis Joplin proved once and for all that white women get the blues too. The first time I saw her perform “Ball and Chain” in the Monterey Pop Festival film, it frickin’ sent a jolt of electricity through my body. We in the Northwest have
Concert Alert
We list major concerts going on sale this weekend, as well as national touring acts performing in the Puget Sound this week and down
We Recommend
The Echo Echo Echoes are a Seattle band, far from the sunny beaches that they love to evoke. Though they call themselves a surf-pop band, and they have a song nostalgically titled "Surfer Girl," they are very quick to joke that wearing wetsuits and catching waves is something very far
News Front
Whether Jason Truskowski was in the back of an ambulance racing to an accident, or standing in front of a group of women teaching self defense, or putting away tables and chairs at an annual hunter's breakfast, he always had the same feeling - satisfaction. It's the payment of volunteering. And that
We Recommend
"Grand opening!" "Grand closing!" These two words grace South Sound hip-hop music venue posters too often, many times within two months. Somebody with an attitude, somebody messin' with somebody's somebody or somebody trippin' in general - dope hip-hop shows or parties disappear because somebody acts "ignint." This isn't the case for
Show And Tell
My recommendation last week (The Broken Circle Breakdown) was an excellent film, but also a very depressing piece of cinema. It was certainly an odd way to start the New Year, but I didn't take it as a taste of things to come. Let's see what this week's film is
We Recommend
Baltimore artist Abdu Ali is a tough one to pin down. Combining surreal poetry with droning R&B, Abdu Ali comes across as a restless experimenter, switching back and forth from rapping, chanting, singing and startling outbursts. His recent, lurching "Thornz" is as unsettling as it is oddly sensual. Elsewhere, "Machete
We Recommend
Over the past year or so, Trees and Timber have picked up a lot of steam around the South Sound. Their brand of garage rock incorporates playful elements of gypsy music, casually tossing in a French verse here and there, luring audiences into impromptu oompah dance parties. Their sense of
News Front
Besides being lethal, flexible and agile, the Army is adaptable to change. The country's largest armed force is cutting it combat brigades from 45 to 32 and shifting thousands of soldiers as it moves toward the goal of trimming the service by 80,000 as it pivots toward challenges in the Pacific. Army
Listings
ACOUSTIC/FOLK/CELTIC Cascadia Grill Olympia - Downtown. Jeremy Serwer. All Ages. 6-9 pm. NC. Tides Tavern Gig Harbor. New Years Kick Off Party with The Shy Boys. 7 pm. BLUES Dawson's Bar and Grill Tacoma - South. Billy Shew Band Open Jam Session. 8 pm. NC. The Swiss Tacoma
We Recommend
Green Drinks Tacoma, known locally as Tacoma's Green Happy Hour, is a monthly forum for business owners, students, academics, entrepreneurs, and members of the public to meet, exchange ideas, and grow their level of sustainability. It's a get-together for Green people - No, not individuals from other planets, but rather