WE SCENE IT >>>

Every week in the print version of the Weekly Volcano, right below our awesome crime column Ragnet, we predict the outcome of local events for the week ahead. Titled "Punching Up The Future," our predictions are compared with predictions by Zoltar, the mechanical fortuneteller. Zoltar always nails the outcomes of the events. We, on the other hand, suck at it – correctly predicting only 8 to 16 percent of what happens at the events.

In this week's issue, we tackled Weekly Volcano photographer Steve Dunkelberger's birthday bash at Jazzbones. We wrote,

It's the hottest party of the year, bitches!The one and only Steve Dunkelberger - photographer, journalist, Tacoma icon, geocaching nut - only has one birthday a year, and this Friday at Jazzbones he'll be celebrating 2011's rendition. Expect music from Deborah Page, the Dignitaries, Voxxy Vallejo and China Davis - with proceeds generated from the $7 cover benefiting AAUW, Emergency Food Lifeline, Tacoma Art Place and YWCA. Why? Because that's the kind of solid dude Steve Dunkelberger is.

PREDICTION: What happens at a Steve Dunkelberger birthday party, stays at a Steve Dunkelberger birthday party ... unless Steve Dunkelberger takes pictures and we post them on our website.

Again, our prediction sucked. Dunkelberger didn't take pictures, which also means he didn't post them to our website.

However, his friend, Abby Hooyer, did take photos.

What the hell, we'll post them below. We'll also stay true to keeping what happened at the bash a secret ... BUT we'll tell you the after party at Puget Sound Pizza was a karaoke-licious booze fest. Karaoke host Rev. Colin, sporting a Christmas sweater, kept the mic occupied throughout the night, which was impressive considering the amount of booze being downed. Singing highlights include Voxxy belting out Led Zeppelin, Doug Mackey nailing the Beatles and Cody Jones singing Neil Diamond's "Cracklin' Rosie" as if he toured as an Diamond impersonator. Steve, although taking on the roll as designated driver, danced wildly before the singers.

We're happy to report, after the last drink was downed and the numbers were tallied, Dunkelberger raise $1,200 toward his designated charities.

Nice work Steve.

Emcees Doug Mackey and Pretty Boy Sean Culver

The Dignitaries

China Davis

Voxxy Vallejo

Fire dancers!

Deborah Page

LINK: Steve's photographic handiwork can be seen in our Photo Hot Spot

ONE WAY TO GET YOUR DRINK ON >>>

Remember five years ago when the media were predicting the rise of white trash culture? Well, that was before the real estate crash, which forced some of us to live in trailer parks, not joke about them. So perhaps the whole white trash chic just hits too close to home these days.

The Backstage Bar & Grill has given this market a home. Every Monday night, while DJ Lo spins Top 40, the Sixth Avenue rock club offers $5 40-ounce PBRs, $2 wells, $3 domestic pitchers, $1 Hamm's drafts, $2 mac and cheese and $5.95 steak dinners under the banner White Trash Mondays.

Backstage Bar & Grill

6409 Sixth Ave., Tacoma

LINK: Maybe you'll see these people there tonight

WE SCENE IT >>>

This isn't your typical Saturday night in The BullWheel Pub & Grill at Crystal Mountain Ski Resort. The ski bum vibe has been transformed. Wind burns and bright ski jackets give way to the racier imagery of thongs and bras befitting the night's theme. The music is rocking. But the real difference goes beyond the watering hole's ambience. It's not often you see this much leather in one place. The crowd ranges from sexy to odd, but decidedly intriguing.

Some who pass through the bar's doors appear to have arrived by accident, figuring it to be an average, perhaps even quiet night to get a drink. Ironically, these otherwise nondescript would-be patrons are the ones who stand out for the moment, awkwardly camouflaged in their ski hat plainness against a landscape of decadence personified. The energy continues to build into a full-blown, raging party. And for those who  find thrill in the act of people watching, there's no better venue than this.

Welcome to Dirt Bag Ball. 

For some, it was about the fashion this past Saturday night; getting to wear something out of the ordinary;  enjoying the tactile sensation of dirty or racy clothing against the skin. Obviously, there's a certain mystique or thrill in wearing rock star or groupie attire. For others, it was about the music, as the theme for this 10^th annual event was Rockers and Rockettes. It was a de facto meeting place for those who like the sleazy '70s, '80s glam, and grungy '90s. The rock, New Wave and metal covers by band One-Eye Jack were as inseparable from the scene as the form-fitting corset.

For still others, like the dude who wore an empty Pabst half-rack box on his head, or the dude who dressed as Angus Young, or the chick dressed as Madonna who wouldn't stay off the band's stage, it was about partying to the extreme.

My wife, Kate, and I attended this year's Dirt Bag Ball sandwiched between two days of awesome powder. It was the best night of people watching I've experienced in a while. And the $25 ticket benefitted the Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol education fund.

We'll be back.

LINK: More photos from the night

STEILACOOM TAKEOVER >>>

After the Dockyard Derby Dames battled it out Saturday night at the Pierce College Health Ed. Center, the women's flat track roller derby league from Tacoma partied it up at the Steilacoom Pub and Grill.

LINK: More after party photos in our Photo Hot Spot

LINK: Dockyard Derby Dames schedule

A NIGHT OF A THOUSAND SHOTS >>>

Colin Sannes turned the big 40 Friday with an epic time at Puget Sound Pizza, where he normally hosts weekend karaoke and holds court as king of the mic. The kilted wonder received his share of free shots and well wishes. He also got more tackle hugs than a Seahawks wide receiver, one of which left a knot on his head when he took a digger in the parking lot. But that is a story for another time. Imagine, a birthday party for Colin and only one ambulance was called. That is moderation in Tacoma terms.

Colin also hosts the Tacoma Cult Movie Club 7 p.m. every second Sunday and third Monday at the Acme Grub Cage in downtown Tacoma.

LINK: More photos of Colin's party

UNDER THE LIGHTS >>>

The Hype: Thanks to Calvin Murphy, the South Sound has danced its ass off for the last 11 years. Murphy's DJ conglomerate Ocean Grooves produced many popular DJ shows and weekly series over the years, including its initial series at Tacoma's 6th & Proctor Bar & Grill in 1999 featuring regulars Donald Glaude, Omar and dAb. Last night, Murphy launched a whole new venture as manager of Jason Rim's new Gruv Lounge and Nightclub - in the same spot once occupied by the 6th & Proctor B&G, as well as the more popular Hell's Kitchen. Besides booking and running the show, Rim allowed Murphy to design the club - the DJ booth, lighting, video screens and color schemes. To give Gruv's grand opening an extra boost, Murphy hosted his annual Ocean Grooves Halloween Bash in the joint featuring Los Angeles DJ Uberzone and local DJs dAb, Jason Diamond and Mr. Clean. Read more on the new club here.

The Show: Based on last night's grand opening don't expect lots of v-neck-t-shirt-wearing guys doing that up-and-down motion with their arms in appreciation of the music, and perfectly groomed and tanned girls dancing in circles around their purses as that drunk girl high-fives the DJ for playing "Fantasy" by Mariah Carey while she sucks on a rock-candy ring. Instead, a very unpretentious crowd danced, chatted and drank – when they weren't hugging Murphy saying, "It's about time you brought this to Tacoma." The DJs riled up the crowd with fearsome house music and boogie-man beats while Murphy's LED lights constantly changed the interior colors of the club. Oh, and local artist James Allan Tucker's mural in the dance room is very cool. The Weekly Volcano Meat Market correspondent Brett Cihon was in the house. Look for his review in next week's rag.

The Crowd: A large crowd including curious local DJs scoping out the place, plus Bert and Ernie, Spock, Ron Burgundy, Mr. Heatmiser, Iron Man, cats, and a bunch of scary guys.

Overheard: "Man, I should've gotten stoned for this!"

By The Way: Donald Glaude, DJ dAb and Omar will spin Saturday, Nov. 6 at the Gruv.

LINK: More Gruv photos in our Photo Hot Spot

PLEASURE DOME >>>

Summer is in the air, and all the little boys and girls are wondering with bleary eyes where their next nightlife fix is coming from. We suggest the Cedarwood Dome in Milton.

Levi Lyon of Lyon Pride Music has loaded the nightclub up through June with reggae on Friday nights and rock music on Saturdays. You can peruse the schedules here.

The more interesting note regarding these nights is what's happening around the music stage: glassblowing, fire dancing, drum circles and a Hookah Lounge.  Yup, the Cedarwood has gone Arabian Nights on Milton.

Lyon has opened the Dome's loft to give you a taste of Persian decadence. I caught up with him for the details.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: Tell us about the Hookah Lounge.

LEVI LYON: Its on the third floor overlooking the stage, the Tinder Box has sponsored the nearly 30 flavors of tobacco and our other friends at the Green Room have donated several of our hookahs. Lyon Pride Music provides the free tobacco.

VOLCANO: Describe the feel of the Lounge.

LYON: It's very loungey with five to six table with four to six seats at each table. The prime seats over look the stage so for patrons that get there early they get the hookah experience with a show.

VOLCANO: Is there a cost to get into the Lounge?

LYON: Just admission into the show which ranges from $5-25 usually depending on the talent. The Hookah Lounge is free if you become a VIP member. Patrons can sign up at the club or Text LPM to 68398 to receive VIP treatment.

This weekend the Vinyl Tribe and Dub Lounge International will be working the deck during "Reggae Fridays," and Third Law of Motion, Blue Helix, Ice On The Wing, Actual Depiction and Level rock the Dome's "Smokin' Saturdays." Both nights begin at 8 p.m.

Cedarwood Dome

7404 Pacific Hwy. E., Milton
253.922.5727

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 1022! >>>

Coming into its own, general manager Chris Langston and staff of Tacoma's 1022 South lounge celebrated its one-year anniversary along with a packed house last night. From 6 p.m. on it was standing room only; granted this is not a difficult feat given the lounge's actual physical dimensions. The difference is that those standing were content to do so if it meant possible seating later.

I wrote a little recap of the party in the Bars and Clubs section. I also posted some photos in the Photo Hot Spot.

Cheers

CALLING ALL CRUMB-CATCHERS! >>>

Move. Groove. Groom. Your mustache.

Masa restaurant hosts a Mustache Party Wednesday, March 3 featuring its resident DJs spinning the latest music video while you dance your mustache off.

Don't have a mustache?

You're in luck. Masa will give a free mustache for everyone that walks through its doors Wednesday night.

Drink specials include $4 Jäger shots (Jäger Girls will be in the house), $3.50 for 24-ounce Tacates and $4 "Mustacheo" shots.

There's no peach fuzz at this party (21+ only).

[Masa, Wednesday, March 3, 9:30 p.m., ladies free, cover for guys after 11 p.m., 2811 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.254.0560]

FIRST FRIDAY SERIES >>>

Just as turntablism-the art of playing records-has made an instrument out of a medium, the movement's DJs have made the transition from enablers to performers. Friday's The Last Vestiges of Winter, organized by record-player manipulator/artist Oliver Doriss, seeks to put a little stress on that assumption by presenting three musical talents in an art gallery setting. Saxophonist Victor Prinsen begins the night with improvisational notes. At 10 p.m. DJ dAb presents a historical look at grooves including rare cuts paired with their modern counterparts. At the stroke of midnight Klik will offer a gut tingling set of modern dubstep.

Throughout the night the art space will be under a blanket of snow visuals.

What will result during this art-space party is anyone's guess, which is more or less the idea. Get spun for a loop.

[Fulcrum Gallery, Friday, Feb. 5, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., 21+, $5 benefiting the gallery, 1308 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253.250.0520]