Spew

Hell’s Kitchen to move downtown

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: NEW HAPPY HOUR FOR FRANK RUSSELL EMPLOYEES? >>>

The News Tribune announced that Hell’s Kitchen will move downtown Tacoma mid-December on its Tacoma Rock City blog. Reporter Ernest Jasmin stated the costs associated with upgrading the Sixth Avenue spot to code RCW 19.27.500 — Washington state’s sprinkler code throwdown — as the main reason why the Sixth Avenue rock club will move into the space formerly occupied by Stephanie’s Gospel and Jazz restaurant, which sits across from the Frank Russell building.

The Sixth Avenue location’s last show will be Nov. 28 featuring Seattle’s all-female AC/DC tribute band Hell’s Belles as the headliner.

Many hardcore Hell's Kitchen fans cheer the move downtown.

"I think it's fantastic," says old school rocker and band booker for the Acme Grub Cage Denise Casson. "Hell's Kitchen will no longer have to worry about shutting down due to the sprinkler law, and Tacoma will keep it's main venue for larger acts with a larger capacity, possibly attracting more established bands. The move will create a 'downtown club district' for music."

The new location will be located near Cans, Matador and the soon to be reactivated Drake's, which is set to be reopened under a new name and draw.

"It'd be great if the clubs downtown collaborated on a festival like the Scion Garage Fest that just took place in Portland as an annual event, not only for local commerce, but to strengthen Tacoma's reputation as a place of music," Casson adds.

She is not alone in her thoughts of thinking bigger than the venue itself.

"I think it will be great for downtown and for Flash (Hell's Kitchen’s booking agent)," says rocker and Tacoma Boys wine and beer goddess Donna Herren, who is also the founder and brainchild behind Tacoma's Balls Deep Kickball Team. "Hopefully, it jump starts some new business for both. I will however miss the Sixth Ave. location. It's close to home and all my other favorite bars. But, it's good to see growth in Tacoma."

Tempest to go all ages

RON SWARNER: TODAY IN TEMPEST LOUNGE >>>

The liquor board sent Denise Tempest and Michelle Douglas the official letter. Their Tempest Lounge has been given the green light to be an all-ages spot — as soon as the two owners build the barrier in front of the bar.

In other Tempest news, their benefit Sunday for Ref. 71 raised $7,773. Not bad. They built a stage for the occasion for the musical stylings of Evan Purcell and The Kim Archer Band. A bigger stage is in the works next summer.

Here are a couple of pics from the benefit show:

By the way, it’s iPod Tuesday at the Tempest.

[Tempest Lounge, 913 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253.272.4904]

Downtown Tacoma: Here comes the Firwood

STEPH DEROSA: HERE'S HOPING IT OPENS IN OCTOBER AS PLANNED >>>

As much as Hyon Luv Kil would love for me to forget, I will always remember that fateful day of May 16, 2008 when we all watched the Firwood Roadhouse in Fife burn down.  From the moment he learned of the landmark’s demise, Luv Kil swore he would do nothing but fight for the return of the Firwood.  After considering many locations, the infamous nighttime hot spot has finally found a new home – right in downtown Tacoma.

Shedding the old “Roadhouse” surname, what will soon be occupying Pacific Avenue’s old club, The Drake, will be Luv Kil’s Firwood Rock Lounge.  Be gone old reputation of female patrons with fake tans, fake boobs, outdated French manicured nails, Katy Perry wannabe haircuts, matching Hot Topic shirts, and knowing no other way to take pictures but by making that dumb “kissy face” pose. Luv Kil promises me that while still catering to his loyal “Roadhouse” crowd, he is setting up shop with the intention of entering the awesomeness of what Tacoma has to offer.  Read: He’s welcoming live, local music. 

Oh, hell yeah. 

He just said those three magic words that my Weekly Volcano-loving heart wants to hear.

Help save Club Impact

MICHAEL SWAN: THIS JUST IN >>>

Randi Stumpp, co-volunteer coordinator for downtown Tacoma's all-ages Club Impact, sent us a disconcerting e-mail:

As of September 30th, 2009 World Vision, our sponsor and holder of the lease to Brick City, will be pulling our funding/lease for all Brick City programs. We are not the only World Vision program affected, hundreds of programs all across the nation are being shut down due to lack of funding.

The goal of Club Impact for the past 11 years has been to build community by supporting musicians. We do this by providing a venue where local musicians can share their art with the community; it is a scenario in which everyone benefits: the musicians have a stage, the fans have a place to enjoy their art, and local youth have a safe alternative to clubs that serve alcohol. Through friendships made, lyrics and lives that are shared, new hope can be discovered. Our goal is accomplished by living our motto, "Give Respect, Get Respect".

We've already tentatively booked shows through November, but with getting the boot after our September 26th show, that leaves us scrambling and trying to find a rental hall to uphold our commitments.

Club Impact will hold a volunteer meeting next Monday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. Those interested in helping out Club Impact are encouraged to attend the meeting. If you can’t wait, drop by the club at 754 Pacific Ave. in downtown Tacoma and share your ideas with Stumpp, Sara Sanchez or Paul Stuthman. You can email the club here, contact them on MySpace or their Facebook fan page with your ideas to help save the club.

Club Impact's next show:

Keeping Secrets, I Am The Enemy, City In the Sea, Brittany Glabe & Ashleigh Love, Saturday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m., all ages, $7 at Brown Paper Tickets.

Checking in on The Seven-Oh-One

JENNIFER JOHNSON: NEW BAR, NEW BEV, NEW BEATS >>>

A permanent patio enclosure has been installed in front of Pacific Avenue’s newest bistro, Seven-Oh-One. Also permanent, the bar inside is complete and the happy hour is up and running smoothly. From 4:30-6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, bar menu tappas and martinis are only $3. Crostini topped with pork and goat cheese, veggies, short ribs and blue cheese, hummus and a shrimp cocktail comprise the regularly priced $6 bar menu. Freshly made hummus is creamy and mellow; diced sweet red pepper garnish punches up the taste.

Mixologist Kristen Cummins takes icky syrupy sweetness out of Three Olives cherry vodka. She adds fresh lime and Rose’s lime juice in her newest shook-up martini, a tart Sour Cherry. Cummins says this cocktail has become very popular during the bistro’s new extended hours Friday and Saturday (appetizers and entrees are half-off on Saturday nights).

DJ Cameron and Midnight Mike spin requests Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 10 p.m. No cover, dress code enforced. Spiff your look. 

[The Seven-Oh-One, 701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.2240]

5 things to do: Saturday

MICHAEL SWAN: SATURDAY, JUNE 27 >>>

1. The Taste of Tacoma kicks in to full gear today. Try some food on a stick, check out plenty of good entertainment, and pee in a Honey Bucket. What more could you ask for? The Taste goes all day, and info can be found here.

2. Check out Chris Cantrell's Romeo and Juliet in Olympia at the Minnaert Center. Saturday's show starts at 2 p.m. and tickets are $12. Oh, and keep in mind - Romeo and Juliet are both dudes in this staging.

3. While you're in Oly, check out Grouper's all ages show at Northern. The ethereal melodies created by Grouper main force Liz Harris echo within the venues and throughout the albums, finding a thought-provoking path to your brainwaves. The music creates an almost suspenseful air and leaves a listener unsure of how to react to the contradictory combination of the spooky and the beautiful. Show starts at 9 p.m.

4. Dick Dale. Duh.

5. The Swellers, Living With Lions, To New Beginnings, Walk The Plank and Serious Black will be rocking the fuck out of the Viaduct in Taocma. Naturally, it's an all ages show - as every show at the Viaduct is. That's the point. This particular orgy of sonic brutality starts at 7 p.m. and costs $10.

New Thursday night music series

MICHAEL SWAN: ON THE HOUSE THURSDAYS >>>

"The Volcano goes out on Thursdays, why don't you?" asks Doyle's Public House booking agent Jesse Turcotte.

Snug.

Doyle's and the Weekly Volcano present "On The House Thursdays," an early, two-hour music set by local musicians. Every Thursday from 7-9 p.m. musicians will present an intimate, low-key show without a doorman collecting money.

The series kicks off this Thursday with the electric jazz and funk musical styling of guitarist Colby Sander.

The remaining April schedule:

April 9: Romeos un-plugged (acoustic country Americana pop duo)
April 16: Motopony, Daniel Blue solo with Greenfield opening (acoustic psychedelic pop)
April 23: Vicci Martinez (solo acoustic)
April 30: Josh Hegg and Jim Char (gypsy guitar duo)

All shows will be followed by DJ Platelunch from Maui, who will spin a musical segue back to the roots.

[Doyle’s Public House, 208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7468]

Music, dinner back at Shakabrah

MICHAEL SWAN: NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK OLD FRIEND >>>

If you’re having trouble finding Shakabrah Java, just follow the tragically bright glow of green and red neon to the source. Neon signage is good only in small Eastern Washington towns and Las Vegas, but once inside this hip coffeehouse, you’ll figure out why this is a great hangout.  This café attracts regulars like UPS students, local business people, and beginning this week — performing musicians!

Yes, music is back at Shakabrah Java. This Friday, 2 Thousand Dollar Puma, Rituals and Head Bands rocks it beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday, AmeriSoul will lay down some drum ‘n’ bass. And singer/songwriter Aaron Spiro will perform every Wednesday.

Also this week, Shakabrah adds dinner service to its all day and night breakfast.

Grab a beer, a glass of wine and welcome back the Shakabrah Java we have known and loved.

[Shakabrah Java, now open until 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, midnight Friday-Saturday, 2618 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2787]

Giant Squid

MATT DRISCOLL: THE BAND IS MASSIVE, AND AT HK TONIGHT >>>

Defined as post-metal by those so inclined to define sounds, Giant Squid’s package is much bigger than simple classifications can prescribe. A sonic and visual full meal deal of ball vibrating, doom spelling force (not to mention the class only a cello can provide), Giant Squid mixes a heavier than healthy power with mind-stretching songwriting and fantastical story telling, and pushes and contorts the established boundaries of music — to full affect.

The result is better felt in your chest than read on paper, trust me.

To read my full article on tonight's Giant Squid show at Hell's Kitchen, click here.

Photo:Myspace

P.R.O.A.C.T.I.V.E. Solution

PAUL SCHRAG: TACOMA COMES TOGETHER TO TALK NIGHTLIFE >>>

A whole mess of folks gathered this week at Tacoma Police headquarters to discuss a thorn that’s been stuck in Tacoma’s side for years. Club owners, bar owners, police, city officials, fire officials, restaurant owners, a few bar patrons, community organizers – all were there to try and figure out how to help nurture Tacoma’s nightlife without ruining the fun for everyone else. They were invited by City of Tacoma Safe and Clean team P.R.O.A.C.T.I.V.E., which hosted the three-hour brainstorming session. By the time they were done, everyone gathered had produced what will likely amount to about 10 or 20 pages of suggestions.

That’s good — because cracking this nut is going to be almost as difficult as typing P.R.O.A.C.T.I.V.E. more than once.

“I’m glad the city is coming around,” says Bob Hill, who represented The Swiss with co-owner Jack McQuade. “I think this was very positive, having everyone communicating.”