Spew

About last night ...

RON SWARNER: GOOD TIMES >>>

Sometimes, when I'm really tired, and the couch is calling, is when I have the most fun in Tacoma. Here are eight things I ran into last night.

Pearl Django kicked off Maxwell’s Speakeasy new Saturday night live music series. The gypsy jazz band fit like a glove in Maxwell’s upscale speakeasy environment. Next Saturday Jazz trumpeter Lance Buller and crew will entertain.

Speaking of speakeasy, the Speakeasy Arts Cooperative in Tacoma hosted an Art Door Auction to benefit Tacoma Art Place.  A broken toed Alan Gorsuch, co-owner of Sanford and Son Antiques, auctioned off all 13 doors. There’s good energy in this downtown Tacoma artist co-op space. Keep your eye here for future events.

The Rollin’ Hots hotdog truck parked outside of the Speakeasy Arts Cooperative serving tasty wieners with a sense of humor. The hilarious owners Kelly and Carrie will come to your event. Send them an email at rollinhots@gmail.com.

Someone asked me what was the reason for the large crowd at The New Frontier Lounge. I pointed to the two guys on stage. Mr. Fusion — original acoustic music by longtime songwriting partners Joe Izenman and Erich Sachs — has a huge following for a good reason: They’re talented.

Ryan Purcell and the Last Round reminds me of Paul Westerberg’s The Replacements with an added Kenny Loggins feel … something. I don’t know. I do know this band equals a fun night. They followed Mr. Fusion at the New Frontier.

Renee Timmer moved like lighting when drumsticks were thrown.

Higher Vibes saxophonist Brett Cummings didn’t have a reason to pretend shoot lead singer Zach Lujan while on Jazzbones’ stage. The joint was packed.

I found The Trampires mascot sweet pea hanging out at the Tentwentytwo South lounge past midnight. He was still out for blood after the Femme Fianna won the Dockyard Derby Dames 2009 Championship Bout earlier in the evening.

Club hopped last night

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: SHOUT OUTS >>>

After a slow start due to the Seahawks game Varsity Grill’s dueling piano show gained speed thanks to the talents of Miss Angie Savage and Joshua Stewart. For such a large venue, the dueling piano show brings an intimate feeling to the joint.

Afterward, I jetted over to Hell's Kitchen to catch Underride's set. Snapped a couple pics.

The award for packed house of the night goes to CANS.

I ended the night with Kry at Jazzbones. It works for me.

Tacoma last night in pictures

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: I BOUNCED AROUND TACOMA WITH MY CAMERA AGAIN >>>

Zac Harmon headlined the Gray Sky Blues Festival with a 6 p.m. show at The Swiss.

Female AC/DC tribute band Hell's Belles rocked Hell's Kitchen.

Willow's earthly, poetic dance in the dark filled The New Frontier Lounge.

LINK: More photos at MySpace.com/stevedunkel

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight in the South Sound

LINK: Upload your photos on the Weekly Volcano's group pool

Tacoma last night in pictures

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: CLUB HOPPING IN TACOMA, APRIL 3 >>>

I club hopped around Tacoma last night. All the joints were full. Money and beer were flowing like wine. The necklines say summer is already here.

Steve Stefanowicz and Kirstin Elmer (reading the lyrics of a song request on her cell phone) during The Hub's one-year anniversary party.

The Retros at the Swiss

Guns & Rossetti and The Lund Bros. at The New Frontier Lounge

Tacoma last night in pictures

VOLCANO STAFF: CLUB HOPPING IN TACOMA, MARCH 28 >>>

Goldfinch and Motopony held an intimate house concert at Mad Hat Tea Company. Amazing show. Photos by Ron Swarner

DoctorfunK blew away Jazzbones. Photo by Steve Dunkelberger

Blanco Bronco rocked The Acme. Photos by Steve Dunkelberger

The Scuzztones headlined the Eric Rostedt benefit at The Spar. Photos by Ron Swarner

Temperedcast melted the faces of the Hell's Kitchen's crowd. Photos by Steve Dunkelberger

LINK: Post your photos of last night here

LINK: Tonight's shows in the South Sound

Where the Brit Circus will end

St Patrick's Day in Tacoma

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: PHOTOG HITS THE BARS — SOBER >>>

So I found myself driving around Tacoma last night and thought I would shoot a few shots of the sights during St. Patrick's Day festivities. I hit Doyle's Public House, which was packed so tight that the tent in the parking lot had stretch marks and there was a waiting line to get in that stretched to King's Books.

Then I hit The Hub for some mandolin action with Rachel Harrington. I kicked it over to Jazzbones for some DJ music and creative use of fur boots.

LINK: More photos are available on my MySpace page. Myspace.com/stevedunkel

Tacoma: Saturday, March 8, 2009

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: CLUB HOPPING IN TACOMA >>>

Here are a few photos I snapped Saturday night in Tacoma.

Bump Kitchen CD release party at Jazzbones

Jeanlizabeth at Jazzbones

Red Jacket Mine at The New Frontier Lounge

Friday Mile at The New Frontier Lounge

Kry at The Swiss

More photos on the Weekly Volcano's Photo Hot Spot

Tacos rule during Tightwad Tuesday

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: $2 WELLS, $2 BEERS, $2 TACOS >>>

One would think that a plate of $2 tacos would be little more than some sort of meat matter slapped between some sort of corn matter. That would not be the case at Tightwad Tuesday at Hell's Kitchen. The tacos actually have flavor and rival the heft of something at Taco Del Mar. And of course the tacos weighed in a about a pound each. Yes, that is $2 for two tacos, not one. Grubbing eats.

One night in Tacoma

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: A NIGHT IN THE 253 >>>

One of the reasons I dig my gig at the Weekly Volcano is I get to rub shoulders with interesting people. I speak of the fine people of Tacoma rather than the rag’s staff, of course.

The weekend was shoulder rubbing over load.

I hopped around Tacoma Saturday absorbing its art and music. The marathon began at Kulture Lab for visual art, artist conversations and — quite frankly — witnessing women barely dressed for Mardi Gras. I was not disappointed on any of those counts. Sons of Ivan rocked the Lab’s balcony as I floated like a wanna-be social butterfly.

Next, I dropped by Jazzbones to catch Tim Reynolds of Dave Mathews fame doing what he does best. Wow, women do so love their red wine and dancing. I enjoyed myself.

On the other scale of the musical spectrum, I headed over to Hell's Kitchen to see Agent Orange. If loud is good, the band was great. The crowd surge came and went like a gigolo at a Sting concert.

The night ended with a quick stop at Chopstix to see the battle of the pianos.

Off to bed at 2 a.m. and it was rise and shine at 6 a.m. to walk Chambers Bay during sunrise.

All in a day's work at one of the best alt rags in the free world.

LINK: More photos from my night in Tacoma on MySpace

LINK: Tonight's live music and DJs in the South Sound.

LINK: Wine and beer tastings

LINK: Catch a flick