LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Big Whisky Tacoma - Downtown. Crawford and James, DJs after. 9 pm. $5.

Dawson's Bar and Grill Tacoma - South. T-Town Aces. 9 pm.

Hell's Kitchen Tacoma - Downtown. Island Trybe, PO Box, J-Lei, D-Roc. 9 pm. $8-$13.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. The Fat Tones. 7:30 pm. $8.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Normandie Wilson. All Ages. 8 pm. Donation.

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. David Gulibault. All Ages. 6 pm. Ian Jones. All Ages. 8 pm.

Maxwell's Restaurant and Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. Lance Buller Trio. 7 pm.

The Midnight Sun Performance Space Olympia - Downtown. Jeremy Jay, The Nuclear Animals, The Curious Mystery. All Ages. 8 pm. $5.

The Prosperity Grange Olympia - Westside. Pizza T "Fairwell Show" with Danny Kelly and Z-Kamp, plus barter fair. All Ages. 8 pm. $5 includes Pizza T T-shirt.

The Red Room Tacoma - Downtown. Burning Twilight, TCLW, I/Delilah, See Ya Space Bandit, Mercy Until Judgement. All Ages. 7 pm. $7.

Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma - Downtown. Keith Cook. 9 pm. NC.

Spar Cafe Olympia. Joe Michelini. 8 pm. NC.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South Tacoma. Jerry Miller Band. 9 pm.

Tempest Lounge Tacoma - Hilltop. Sevens Revenge. 7:30 pm. NC.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. The Righteous Mothers, Steve Schalchlin. All Ages. 8 pm. $25 suggested donation, benefits PFLAG-Olympia.

Westgate Bar and Grill Tacoma - Northend. Rock n Roll Magic. 60s-80s rock dance music. 9 pm. NC.

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

WE WERE IN THE HOUSE >>>

Taking in a show at one of Olympia's many "house" venues is more like attending a friend's kegger than seeing a concert at a formal venue. Prior to the performance, folks nosh on communal food and chat, and then eventually make their way to the living room or basement for intimate, one-of-a-kind performances by celebrated local talent to well-regarded imports.

Last night the Weekly Volcano joined the crowd at the Guest House in Olympia's Westside to watch variations of Globelamp, Camp Wisdom, The Fishermen Three and The Black Swans perform in the house's basement. Elizabeth Le Fey, AKA Globelamp, welcomed members of Camp Wisdom for several songs, including a song about Olympia's famous Witch House. Members of touring The Fishermen Three joined Ohio-based The Black Swans and its lead singer Jerry DeCicca for a round of from-the-heart songs. The two bands just released a split 7-inch record "Knives"/"Up Here" on Shelved Records.

DeCicca mention his last Olympia performance was at a "cookie" party, which drew numerous one-liners from the crowd.

Here are a few scenes from the show.

LINK: More photos from the show

THAT'S QUICK >>>

Earlier this month MetroGruv Nightclub boasted a recent remodel on its Facebook. Now Tacoma Commerical Real Estate posted "Available" signs on the club's front windows.

NEW RESTAURANT ALERT >>>

The first time I made macaroni and cheese, I followed the official CIA (Culinary Institute of America) recipe. It took me approximately four hours, utilized two French "Mother" sauces, cost about $10, and tasted mediocre. I won't be doing that again soon. These days I leave it up to the pros - like Steve Cobb.

Cobb, who has seen the world through a restaurant kitchen window while his wife, Katrina, served in the Army, has tweaked his macaroni and cheese recipe during a 25-year journey. After tasting the famous macaroni and cheese at S'mac in New York City, and making the final adjustment, the Cobbs say they felt confident enough to open their own joint - a month ago - at the corner of Martin Way and Dutterow Road in Lacey.

Mac N' More serves six variations of macaroni and cheese, with the option to create your own dish.

A three-cheese "secret" recipe serves as a base.

"I experimented for years to create a cheese sauce that doesn't crack or burn when reheated," says Cobb

The light creamy sauce works well on its own, but receives its crown with added toppings like pickled jalapeno, spinach, black olives, bacon and chicken. The Cobbs also offer creations of their own, such as the "Mudbug" with crayfish tails and green onions ($9.95) and the "Buffalo" with chicken strips smothered in buffalo sauce, green onions and blue cheese ($7.95). The tomato, green onion, black olive and spinach-packing "Garden" macaroni and cheese ($7.95) is a knockout.

Steve says he also perfected his pasta preparation, producing a firm elbow macaroni that holds the light sauce.

In truth, mac 'n' cheese experimentation will most likely fill any person's first three visits to Mac N' More. But a person's fourth visit might include the popular Meat Loaf Smash Burger. Sandwiches, cornflake-crusted fried chicken and good ol' meat loaf are also on the menu.

The portions will satisfy any apetite. After indulgence like the aforementioned, it's hard to imagine how an ice cream sandwich, apple pie or shake could be added - but the option exists.

The Cobbs offer takeout for families or the thousands packing Martin Way during rush hour.

The Cobbs also say a bulk mac 'n' cheese option is in the works.

I can't imagine how long it would take me to create mac 'n' cheese in bulk.

[Mac N' More, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 9323 Martin Way, Lacey, 360.455.3290]

FRIDAY, JAN. 27, 2012 >>>

1. If you picked up your copy of the Weekly Volcano this week you already know all about Camp 6, Tacoma's newest movement to support local style, business and arts. Tonight meet the folks behind Camp 6, along with whoever else happens to stop by, at Anthem Coffee & Tea during what Camp 6 is calling the Tacoma Social. The good times start at 8 p.m. Moving forward, Camp 6 will hold a Tacoma Social event on the last Friday of each month.

2. It's no lie when the University of Puget Sound website touts David Requiro as a prize-winning cellist. Requiro is also an artist in residence at UPS, who tonight will bust out The Folk Inspired Cello along with violinist Maria Sampen and pianist Tanya Stambuk as part of the Jacobsen Series of concerts. Find more info here.

3. While smacking the ball through the windmill and past the sand trap might not seem like it has anything at all to do with helping bring the fine arts to the stage in Olympia, quite the opposite is true. The proof: This week sees the return of the Washington Center for the Performing Arts' Big Mini Golf Classic, which invites patrons of all ages to play a mini-golf course that winds throughout the building. Tonight a 21+ mini-golf party will see foursomes playing through various snack bars and "watering holes," while also enjoying a chipping contest on the main stage.

4. Normandie Wilson takes to the tiny stage at Le Voyeur in Olympia tonight. It's free, but donations are appreciated.

5. Get swanky with the Lance Buller Trio tonight at Maxwell's Restaurant and Lounge. The memories start being made at 7 p.m., and continue all night long, baby.

LINK: The Weekend Hustle

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Break Out The Chanting: Committee OKs Senate Bill 6085 on religious permits for state Capitol grounds. (News Tribune)

Let's Head To Puyallup: Pierce County law enforcement officers will poke around Lakewood bars this weekend. (News Tribune)

Final Florida Push: Republican presidential hopefuls today head into the homestretch of the critical Florida primary campaign after a fractious debate. (CNN)

US Economy: Nice fourth quarter. (BBC)

Dig Experimental Filmmaking?: Start drooling. (Handmade Cinema)

Dig Moustache Filmmaking?: You're in luck. (Live Line)

Videos: Letterman's 10 most genuine moments with his guests. (Splitsider)

Question: Will a Dwight Schrute spinoff work? (Deadline)

Hey Ferris, How's Your Bod?

WHEN SNOWMAGEDDON IS A GOOD THING >>>

While most of you rode sleds and repaired roofs during Snowmageddon, Primo Grill Chef Charlie McManus holed up in his kitchen. McManus re-emerged with the sun sporting several new menu items. Let's take a look:

Winter caprese: Wood roasted cherry tomatoes, basil pesto, Burrata (fresh mozzarella stuffed with cream and cheese) and balsamic syrup.

Gruyere pizza: With caramelized onions, parmesan, pinenuts, parsley and creme fraiche.

Penne pasta: With grilled eggplant, tomato ragu, mint and fresh mozzarella

Saffron Tagliatelle and Clams. With garlic lemon, parsley and EVOO

Spinach Risotto and Grilled Lemon Garlic prawns.

Also, the popular Grilled Salt and Pepper Angus New York Steak is back on the menu.

And, drumroll please ... for specials this weekend: Dungeness Crab Aglio, and Columbia River Sturgeon.

Nice.

[Primo Grill, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday, dinner at 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, dinner at 5 p.m. Saturday an 4:30 p.m. Sunday, 601 S. Pine St., Tacoma, 253.383.7000]

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Partly sunny, hi 46, lo 30

Saturday: Cloudy, hi 46, lo 39

Sunday: Rain, hi 48, lo 41

>>> JAN. 26-28: NEAL BRENNAN

One thing you've got to credit comedians for is their work ethic. No, seriously, hear us out on this one. While it's true that plenty of well-known comedians over the years have made the job synonymous with debauchery, partying, reckless excess, chain smoking and basic, unabashed indulgence of all kinds, the fact is most serious comedians work their asses off - touring from town to town (often to unglamorous locales like Tacoma), and getting up on stage night after night. Comedian Neal Brennan - who most folks at this point associate with the bullet on his resume that says "co-creator of Chappelle's Show" - returns to Tacoma and the Tacoma Comedy Club this week. Basically six months after his last stop in Tacoma, Brennan is obviously a hard worker. He's also hella funny. We know because we YouTubed a bunch of his s*** prior to his July swing through T-Town. And we wouldn't use a word like "hella" if we weren't serious.

• Tacoma Comedy Club, Thursday 8 p.m., Friday - Saturday 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., $15 adv, $20 door, 933 Market St., Tacoma, 253.282.7203

>>> JAN. 27-28: BIG MINI GOLF CLASSIC

Nothing quite supports the arts like mini golf. Or putt-putt golf. Or whatever you call it. Yes, it's true. While smacking the ball through the windmill and past the sand trap might not seem like it has anything at all to do with helping bring the fine arts to the stage in Olympia, quite the opposite is true. The proof: This week sees the return of the Washington Center for the Performing Arts' Big Mini Golf Classic, which invites patrons of all ages a chance to play a mini-golf course that winds throughout the building. Friday a 21+ mini-golf party invites foursomes to play through various snack bars and "watering holes," while also enjoying a chipping contest on the main stage. Saturday, the whole family is invited to enjoy a day of putt-putt, face painting and hot dogs. As mentioned, it's all presented by the Washington Center.

• Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Friday 6-10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., 512 Washington St., SE, Olympia, 360.753.8585

>>> JAN. 27-29: LATE NIGHT CATECHISM:‘TIL DEATH DO US PART

I'm not Catholic, but my dad was. Or at least he grew up Catholic. From what I understand it involved a lot of guilt. And nuns. At any rate, one year, back in the day, he and my mom went to see some version of Late Night Catechism in Tacoma - likely at the Broadway Center, though I can't be certain of that. It sounded racy at the time, but I was, like, 12.  He seemed to enjoy it. As did my mom - who wasn't even close to Catholic. But that's only kind of important. What does this have to do with anything? Not much, other than Late Night Catechism: "Til Death Do Us Part will be at the Broadway Center this weekend and next, delivering the latest installment in the "sinfully funny series." This time Sister tackles relationships - with plenty of audience participation, naturally. - Matt Driscoll

• Theatre on the Square, Jan. 20-21 & 27-28 7:30 p.m., 3 p.m. Jan. 28-29, $39, 915 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5890

>>> ALL WEEKEND: TACOMA HOME & GARDEN SHOW

Surely you have a few home improvements you've been meaning to make. Maybe, for instance, a gigantic, icy tree limb recent crashed through your mudroom. Need some inspiration to get the job started? This week the annual Tacoma Home & Garden Show returns to the Tacoma Dome, running Wednesday through Sunday and bringing more garden demonstrations, bathroom renovation tips, vinyl siding samples, shag carpet displays, mulching systems and kitchen cabinet seminars than you'll find just about anywhere. This marks the 29^th year of the Tacoma Home & Garden Show.

• Tacoma Dome, Wednesday - Thursday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., $10 adults, $8 Seniors, 16 and under free, $16 two-day pass, 2727 East D Street  Tacoma, otshows.com/ths

>>> FRIDAY, JAN. 27: THE FOLK INSPIRED CELLO

While we totally had to Google him, it's no lie when the University of Puget Sound website touts David Requiro as a prize-winning cellist. Requiro is also an artist in residence at UPS, who Friday will bust out The Folk Inspired Cello along with violinist Maria Sampen and pianist Tanya Stambuk as part of the Jacobsen Series of concerts. According to pre-event hype, "Long before the cello was a member of symphony orchestras, its voice was often heard with that of the fiddle, in folk music played from Scotland to Hungary. That tradition ended about 150 years ago. Yet some modern classical composers, whose work is inspired by folk music, have called upon the cello again to create the uniquely wistful and blithe tones of folk melodies." Requiro and his presentation of The Folk Inspired Cello fit this mold. "What makes this program so special are the distinctive musical languages of the composers we chose," says Requiro of the show on the UPS website. Hear for yourself.

• University of Puget Sound Schneebeck Concert Hall, 7:30 p.m., $12.50 general public, $8.50 for seniors (55+), students, military, and UPS faculty and staff, free for current UPS students, 1500 North Warner St.  Tacoma, 253.879.3419

>>> JAN. 27-28: THE RIGHTEOUS MOTHERS & SHACK

As part of a benefit for Olympia's PFLAG - a very worthy organization that describes itself as, "the nation's foremost family-based organization committed to the civil rights of gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender persons" - Steve Schalchlin and the Righteous Mothers will take to the stage this weekend at Traditions Café. With shows on Friday and Saturday night, the show is going by the billing of "Peace with Justice Concert." Schalchlin is known as the composer, lyricists and performer of off-Broadway shows like New World Waking: A Musical Insurrection for Peace. The Righteous Mothers are known for humorous little feminist folk ditties like "Old Fat Naked Women for Peace," "Lesbian Honeymoon Holiday" and "60,000 Naked Hoosiers." There's no way this show won't be great.

• Traditions Café, 8 p.m. both nights, $25 suggested donation, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia, 360.705.2819

>>> SATURDAY, JAN. 28: TACOMA URBAN ORCHESTRA

Saturday, the currently trending Tacoma Urban Orchestra will lay down 14 - XIV Underground, a dance opera by Benjamin Smith-Chenovick, at The Library at Sanford and Son Antiques. Event hype promises the premiere of Acts IV and V from the Tacoma Urban Orchestra's winter show of 2012, plus Colin Reynolds of I Low singing tenor, the dance and choreography of Karin Stevens and Katrina Ellison and the costume design of Lisa Fruichantie. Expect quintessential Tacoma at its most awesome.

• Sanford and Son Antiques: The Library, doors at 7 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m., $7, 743 Broadway, Tacoma, facebook.com/tacomaurbanorchestra

>>> ALL WEEKEND: WASHINGTON SPORTSMEN'S SHOW

It's a busy week for O'Laughlin Trade Shows - the juggernaut behind this week's Tacoma Home & Garden Show at the Tacoma Dome, AND the 25^th annual Washington Sportsmen's Show and Sport Fishing Boat Show at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. Wednesday through Sunday, the Washington Sportsmen's Show will offer the best in dudes wearing flannel and exaggerated fishing stories. But, best of all, check out what's billed as the "one-of-a-kind" indoor "Steelhead River." It's hard to go wrong with an indoor river. According to hype, other attractions include over 150 hours of how-to seminars, camp cooking demos and a free trout pond for the kids. Wait!?! Two indoor bodies of water? Just pinch us now.

• Puyallup Fair & Events Center, noon - 8 p.m. Wednesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday, $12 adults, $5 for ages 6 - 16, free for 5 and younger, 110 Ninth Ave. SW, Puyallup, thesportshows.com/wss

>>> ALL WEEKEND: THE SEAFARER

Olympia's Harlequin Production's celebrates the opening of Conor McPherson's The Seafarer Thursday, a production running through Feb. 18 at Harleequin's home, The State Theater. According to hype, McPherson " has a stunning ability to remind us that logic and reason are but weak weapons against the myth and magic that permeate our lives," and The Seafarer, "is an incredibly beautiful and rewarding story of redemption that may put people off initially, because who wants to watch a bunch of alcoholic losers celebrating Christmas?" We do! We do!

• Harlequin Productions - The State Theater, through Feb. 18,Thursday - Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m., "Pay What You Can" Wednesday, Feb. 1 8 p.m., "Ladies Night" Friday, Feb. 3 7 p.m., $31, 202 Fourth Ave. E, Olympia, harlequinproductions.org

>>> SUNDAY, JAN. 29: SOUTH SOUND WEDDING SHOW

 A large percentage of people get married at some point during their lives. Some people, like Newt Gingrich for instance, do it several times. Hopefully soon it will be legal for gay folks to marry too. The fact is, weddings are a big part of our existence. All the more reason to check out the fifth annual South Sound Wedding Show Sunday at Centraila's Great Wolf Lodge. Expect everything from wedding gown and tuxedo models to dancing demonstrations. Pro Tip: If you're South Sound Wedding Show date ditches you for one of the Great Wolf water slides, he's probably not the one.

• Great Wolf Lodge, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., $8, 20500 Old Highway 99 SW., Centralia, southsoundweddingshowolympia.com

>>> SUNDAY, JAN. 29: OLY ROLLERS BOUT 1

The legendary Oly Rollers - former WFTDA National Champions -- open the 2012 season Sunday at Skateland in Olympia with double-header action that promises to be as exciting as it is captivating. Billed as "two full hours of women's flat track roller derby fun," the double-headers kicks off with when the Oly Rollers' Bella Donnas squad takes on Centralia's Rainy City Roller Dolls, and continues with the Oly Rollers' Dropkick Donnas battling the Sicktown Rollergirls of Corvallis, Ore. There's no way this isn't an epic throwdown.

• Skateland, 6 p.m., $15, 1200 S. Bay Road, Olympia, olyrollers.com

>>> WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Photographer

Hitting the Tacoma Urban Orchestra performance and then chilling with my ukulele and German Shepherd

JENNIFER JOHNSON Food & Lifestyles Writer
I will be doing homework all weekend. Oh, the thrilling life of a college student.

.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
This is a big theater weekend in Oly, so I'm seeing Hair at Capital Playhouse and The Seafarer at Harlequin. Also, it'll be good to have lights and cable TV again.

JOE IZENMAN Theater Critic
This weekend we're playing catchup for last week's cold and, well, cold. Seeing Play It Again, Sam at Lakewood Playhouse on Friday, taking a make-up dance lesson at Studio 6, and seeing some movies (The Artist and/or Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close). And then Sunday is of course the most exciting football game of the season: the Pro Bowl. (Guess which one of these things is a lie. Hint: the Pro Bowl blows.)

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
After last week's openings of California Suite at Tacoma Little Theatre and Xanadu at Tacoma Musical Playhouse, I decided this weekend needed another theatrical outing. Instead of reviewing a play for the Volcano, I will be attending a professional development workshop at The Broadway Center. I will take part in an improv workshop and then watch Late Nite Catechism: 'Til Death Do Us Part (well, providing the little son and husband can stay out of trouble). Other than that I may try and FINALLY finish making my sushi skirt. Seriously, how hard is it to pin and hem a skirt???

ALEC CLAYTON Visual Arts Critic
I'll be at the Steve Schalchlin and The Righteous Mothers concert, both nights, Friday and Sat.

.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

ARTS COVERAGE TO END ALL ARTS COVERAGE >>>

At this point it goes without saying. If you're looking for coverage of local arts in Tacoma, Olympia, and all points in between, the Weekly Volcano is THE place to find it. Our goal is to consistently provide the best local arts coverage possible to our fantastic readers -- always be on the lookout for ways to shine a light on all the awesome creativity we see around us.

Here's a look at the Volcano arts coverage waiting for you this week in print and online.

FEATURE: CAMP 6

(CAMP 6: Clockwise JD Elquist, Stephen Jones, Barham Beiveis and Travis Pranger. Facebook photo)

New York is the Big Apple. Seattle is the Emerald City. Tacoma? The City of Destiny. A group of ambitious Tacoma residents are taking this epic moniker seriously. Welcome to Camp 6, an organized collaborative movement promoting the merchants, culture and style that make Tacoma what it is.

Fashion designer JD Elquist had a plan.  Originally from Gig Harbor, he spent time in San Francisco, headed to New York, then landed in Tacoma with the idea that he would ultimately settle in Los Angeles to open his brand's storefront.

Sitting in the nascent Tacoma coffee shop Anthem one morning, Elquist was struck. In an instant, plans changed. ... -- Jenni Prange Boran

VISUAL EDGE: TENTH ANNUAL BIENNIAL AT TAM

(Artist Paul Kuniholm Pauper: "Cardboard Commandments, 2010." Single-channel video with coin mechanism, 4 minutes, 5 seconds, dimensions variable. Courtesy of the artist.)

The theme of the 10^th Annual Biennial at Tacoma Art Museum is identity, described by the museum as "a vision of regional identity that revolves around how communities interact, intersect and overlap."

These interactions, intersections and overlaps extend in intriguing ways to resonances between the works of art, many of which are coincidental or are byproducts of similar interests and concerns by artists working in the same region and in the same time. Such resonances are highlighted by strategic placement in the gallery. For instance, images of redacted government documents face photos of censored writing in a book and of a redacted tattoo on a man's arm. The image from the book is an enlarged photo. Near it is the actual book displayed in a glass case, which sits in front of a series of photos of the edges of abandoned and empty commercial signs which, coincidentally, repeat the angular forms of Jeff Jahn's sculpture, "Canopy II" that hangs on an adjacent wall. Such juxtapositions can be seen throughout the show. They are the result of happy accidents and the keen eye of curator Rock Hushka. ... -- Alec Clayton

THEATER: CALIFORNIA SUITE AT TACOMA LITTLE THEATRE

Set in California, in Suite 203/204, the play is really composed of four playlets. Just like life, the action and dialogue encompasses a range of human emotion. For example, in Act 1, Scene 1, Hannah (Kathi Aleman), a visitor from New York, arrives to talk to her ex-husband, Billy (Paul Duke), about their daughter. While there are a few laughs, this is one of the two dramatic scenes of the show. - Joann Varnell

THEATER: XANADU

Part parody, part musical, Xanadu tells the story of 1980s chalk artist Sonny Malone and his involvement with the Greek Muses. Sonny is unhappy with his art and determined to commit suicide when he's visited by the Muses who travel to Venice Beach, Calif. to inspire him. Because of Zeus' rules, Clio (Leah Wickstrom in TMP's production) must disguise herself; she does so by wearing roller skates and leg warmers, sporting an Australian accent and calling herself Kira. ... -- Joann Varnell

MOVIE BUZZ: LOCAL FILMMAKER JEFF STILLWELL

The fun rolls on as Stillwell searches for an editor to help assemble Henryk. Despite all the new moviemaking experience under his belt, Stillwell still sees himself "first and foremost" as a musician. So he can't wait to begin crafting part of the film's score with a collaborator. .. - Christopher Wood

PLUS: COMPREHENSIVE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

PLUS: GENERAL HILARITY

BEST LOCAL MUSIC COVERAGE IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

The Weekly Volcano never sleeps. It's true ... or very close to true. We average only a few hours of shut-eye a night, be it because it's hard to sleep when you're so busy sobbin(Michael Swan), or simply because there's just so much to do.

Included in all this doing? As always, another shining installment of the Weekly Volcano music section.

We wouldn't lie. You better believe we managed to pump out another stellar Weekly Volcano music section - your every Thursday chance at the best in local music coverage.

Here's a look at the sonic goodness coming at you in print and online in this week's Volcano ...

FEATURE: BEN UNION

For the past few years-and working off an unusually strong starting point-Ben Union has been working to hone his sound to a fine point. After emerging on the scene with a potent live show and an even more precise debut LP, The Light, Union and his band - drummer Jared Mira, bassist Seth Mira, guitarist Talon Carpenter and percussionist "Shazam" -- have been working hard to take that certain special sound and reduce it to its most effective essence. ... -- Rev. Adam McKinney

HIP-HOP: BLAK MIC & MORE

Remember a few months ago when I said Blak Mic was too good not to release an album for our listening enjoyment? Well, he was either listening or my wishes were granted purely by coincidence, because in December Blak Mic released a free 13-track album at blakmic.bandcamp.com. Blak Mic has also released 14 singles on his Bandcamp page (also for free) during the past two months. That's another album's worth of material. Noo and Mic Blaque supply notable guest verses on Blak Mic's new material. Listening to the new record, Blak Mic's beats have an extra ounce of street and grit mixed in with the smooth sounds that make his jazzy, funky treats - making his work stick out a bit more than the work of the rest of the producers around here. ... -- Josh Rizeberg

WE RECOMMEND: TREES WITHOUT LEAVES

The lead vocals of Stewie Crockett are howlingly absurd, hugely animated odes to those manic preachers that used to be spotted in stale, smoky nightclubs and barrooms lined with peanut shells. It's all a delirious mixture that lands somewhere in the area of doting homage and full-throated hysteria. - Rev. AM

PLUS: BETTER LIVING THROUGH MUSIC - Glass Elevator, Hey Girl, Jeremy Jay

PLUS: CONCERT ALERT

PLUS: LIVE LOCAL MUSIC LISTINGS

PLUS: CRAZY NONSENSE LIKE THIS