Viva South Sound
In the same way that sharks must keep swimming to keep breathing, it seems guitarist Rafael Tranquilino must fuse genres across various musical projects in order to stay afloat. His arrangements incorporate blues, funk, rock, funk, ska, metal, reggae, Latin and jazz-fusion. As accomplished as he is varied, Tranquilino can
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How many folks out there knew Tacoma hosts one of the biggest and best rugby 7's tournament in the entire region? OK, how many people even know what rugby 7's is? A primer may be in order. Rugby 7's is an exciting variation on the traditional game, played on smaller
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If you've ever been to a mushroom festival - particularly the Pacific Northwest Mushroom Festival, which this year runs July 27 and 28 - you already know that mycologists ('shroom experts) are in a league of their own. Mushroom festivals are the strangest, funniest and, not so incidentally, most educational
Viva South Sound
Freaks Night Out open mic, hosted by Dojas Pedrotti the first and third Thursday of the month at Vinum, invites poets, rappers, comedians, storytellers and raving lunatics to let their freak flags fly. The open mic begs participants to "SAY IT," whether their causes be personal or
We Recommend
Freaks Night Out open mic, hosted by Dojas Pedrotti the first and third Thursday of the month at Vinum, invites poets, rappers, comedians, storytellers and raving lunatics to let their freak flags fly. The open mic begs participants to "SAY IT," whether their causes be personal or communal: sexuality, war,
News
You remember First Blood, the original 1982 Rambo movie. John Rambo drifts around the States without a single friend, and when the harassment finally triggers his PTSD, he goes on a rampage. Finally he gets a single scrap of cold comfort from his former commanding officer - who offers to
Critics' Picks
[HIP-HOP] + THURS, JULY 18 He is more than a "rapper." He's not your average MC either. He's a legendary writer, freestyle MC and a member of another legend's crew - Marley Marl's famed Juice Crew. He is called by the name Craig G and he will be in The 253
Music
Sometimes I think about all of the music I've heard in my life. Hundreds upon hundreds of hours of sounds drifting into my head - albums, radio, live performances, passing someone on the sidewalk as they hum a tune to themselves. It's almost incomprehensible how much music I've been actively
Stage
The latest works by Ron Hinton (not to be confused with Ron Hinson) at Childhood's End are more dynamic than anything of his I've seen before. At least the wall-hanging sculptures. The free-standing pieces on pedestals are more of the same stuff I've seen from him in the past -
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It's a long play, three hours give or take, even after some numbers were trimmed from the 2009 Broadway revival. On opening night of Tacoma Musical Playhouse's second production (the first was seven years ago), early numbers were plagued by recurring sound issues and the hollow acoustics
Stage
The closer you look at any fractal shape, the more complex and beautiful it gets. In fact, there's a point at which you suddenly find yourself presented with an exact duplicate of the original, albeit at a much smaller scale. So it is with history. Look deeply into any particular
Features
When Festivals Inc., the force behind the Bite of Seattle and Taste of Tacoma, approached TV Tacoma's own Amanda Westbrooke, big changes were set in motion for a more Tacomacentric festival than in past years. Westbrooke couldn't have been more gung-ho. "I was overwhelmed and excited to be a part of
Liquid
Not all baristas are created equal. Some are just naturally endowed with a little bit of extra barista awesomeness. Tucked into a neighborhood café called Café Brosseau is one such barista. At just 18 years old, Hailey Gift is already on the path to barista awesomeness overload. Gift just about literally
Benefits & Deals
If you've fought for our country, then you shouldn't have to fight discrimination. That's the argument first-year U.S. Rep Derek Kilmer is making in congress. Spurred by stories of soldiers being denied housing or refused jobs because of their military background, Kilmer, a democrat from Gig Harbor, introduced a bill last week
People Rule
Garrett Stanley is not your typical 16 year old. He's an outstanding community college student, a licensed glider pilot, a leader in the Peninsula Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in Bremerton and now the recipient of the General Carl A. Spaatz Award. At the McChord Field Officers' Club today,
Heroes & Awards
Joint Base Lewis-McChord has lost a familiar face dedicated to volunteerism and bringing joy. On July 11, Jerry "J.W." Johnson, 66, passed away at his Lacey home surrounded by family and friends. Johnson spent 20 years in the Army, eventually retiring in south Puget Sound and taking a job with the
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 the road. SECRET TICKET CODE TM
Food Matters
SEASON BREWS Some breweries celebrate the summer season with light citrus blondish hops. Tacoma Brewing Company (625 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma) takes seasonal brew to a whole new level. From 5-9 p.m. Thursday, July 18 and 3-9 p.m. Friday, July 19, brewmaster Morgan Alexander will feature limited beers infused with locally
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Capital Lakefair pitches its tent today along Capitol Lake in Olympia, with all its debauchery, carnies, high school folks you'd rather not see, Demo Burgers, janky rides, over-priced games and the saving grace of it all - tons of music! It was hard to decide what band to
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Having relocated to the South Sound, Jake Frye, an English teacher, found a bassist in one of his former students, Derek Reed. Suddenly, the prospect of sharing Jesus on the Moon became a reality. The two of them, along with a drum machine, began showing Jesus on the Moon to