TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2012 >>>

1. It's Tuesday  - you should go support your local budding artists. The students of Hilltop Artists have created glass object based on the archaeological relics of a lost tribe of their own creation. We're curious if the Tempest Haggarty tribe will be represented. Wait. According to hype, "Each tribe has chosen its unique spirit animal and has created work reflecting the tribe's connection to nature, the cultural significance of food, the sacredness of water, and the values shared by all. The individual tribes have also created a petro glyph illustrating the mythos of their origin." Very cool. And creative. Lost Tribes of Hilltop opens today at 10 a.m. at the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory. Check out the world of the Raven, Wolf, Cheetah, Snake, and Iguana tribes. There's no better way to support the fine arts and the fine artists - you know, those 12- to 20-year-olds who keep getting their funding cut? Plus, who knows, you may see someone's art, who could be world famous tomorrow. Then you can say you saw them when, and annoy absolutely every one you know in the process.

2. Joy Eckwood - Diversity Program manager at the Washington State Bar Association and the founder of Emergnz, an effort dedicated to helping individuals along the continuum of self-actualization - will discuss "Empowered to Emerge: Moving beyond America's Power in defining the norms of Race, Gender and Sexuality through Religion" at 12:30 p.m. in the West Coast Grocery Building, Room 104, on the University of Washington Tacoma campus.

3. The Grand Cinema will screen The Times of Harvey Milk at 2 and 6:30 p.m. as part of its Tuesday Film Series. The documentary, obviously, centers on San Francisco's first openly gay politician, city supervisor Harvey Milk. Shown in coordination with the Tacoma Art Museum and its Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture exhibit, UWT Prof. Claudia Gorbman and Executive Director for The Rainbow Center Michelle Douglas will co-facilitate a discussion following the film's 6:30 p.m. showing.

4. Tacoma has a large segment of the population that is obsessively passionate and loves to read about and intelligently discuss food and restaurant-related topics. Feeding those hungry Tacomans are a group of food bloggers, who not only write on their own blogs, but also post and chat on each other's blogs and social media outlets. Tonight from 6-8 p.m. at Bluebeard Coffee, the Social Media Club gathers the local food bloggers for a panel discussion on the local food scene, social media and, yes, tasting the bloggers' favorite homemade treats. The panel of local food blogging aficionados includes Weekly Volcano scribe Adrienne Kuehl (A Big Mouthful), Marisa Mez (Clearance Cuisine) and Roxanne Cooke (RoxanneCooke.com) and will be hosted by SMC Tacoma board member Dawn Quinn (Vegan Moxie). RSVP: http://smctacomafood.eventbrite.com

5. Fireside Bookstore hosts a book launch party for Jim Lynch's new book, Truth Like the Sun, at 7 p.m in the Olympia Ballroom.  The book is an entertaining political novel about the cat-and-mouse story of urban intrigue in Seattle both in 1962, when Seattle hosted the World's Fair, and in 2001, after its transformation in the Microsoft gold rush. 

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: South Sound happy hours

REASON NUMBER TWO WHY THIS SHOW IS AWESOME >>>

I could write about the HIDE/SEEK show at Tacoma Art Museum every week from now until June and not exhaust the topic. I won't do it but I could. Today I want to talk about two photographs in the show, Berenice Abbott's portrait of Janet Flanner and Cass Bird's I Look Just Like My Daddy, 2. (There's a reason for the number "2" tagged onto the end of the title; this is part of a large series by that title.)

These two portraits, one from 1927 and one from 2003, are indicative of huge shifts in the way sexual orientation and gender identity were viewed in the early 20^th century and how they are viewed now in the early 21^st century; and that is, in essence, the theme of the exhibition HIDE/SEEK: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture.

Prior to the 20th century homosexuality was hardly talked about and gender identity was an unknown concept. If heterosexual males had sex with homosexual males (they weren't called gay) the hetero partner was not particularly frowned upon, but the "gay" partner was reviled and ridiculed. This attitude, which may seem bizarre today, is illustrated in many of the paintings in the exhibition.

There was a shift in attitude in the early 20th century, and GLBT folks were forced into the closet where they had to use code phrases and images to safely out themselves to the select few. They wore masks in public. The great photographer Berenice Abbott showed this in a very stylish manner in her portrait of Janet Flanner. She is wearing not one but two masks, and not on her face but on her top hat. Her unmasked face becomes a third mask, the one she habitually wears in public. And her entire outfit is a kind of mask, men's clothing and a man's short haircut. Flanner is of ambiguous gender in this photograph. She was openly bisexual.

Abbott had been an apprentice to the great Dadaist Man Ray in his Paris studio and along with Ray and Duchamp and other Parisian bohemians of the day would have known many people who enjoyed pretending to be someone other than who they were, including gender bending (Duchamp had a female-persona alter ego named Rose Salévay).

Berenice Abbott, "Janet Flanner," 1927. Photographic print. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of Tacoma Art Museum

Cass Bird is a contemporary photographer who documents alternative lifestyles and mores. She's known for portraits of people who manipulate gender roles. The Brooklyn Museum described her photographs as portraying "the beauty and the positive existence of these individuals, their male or female origins overridden by their own will to define their gender, sexuality, and place in society."

Bird's photograph in this exhibition depicts a young person of ambiguous gender, short hair, full lips and just a hint of what may be female breasts under a checkered shirt, the photo cropped so the viewer can't tell for sure. Some of the subjects in the series are clearly transgender or of no obvious gender, while others are unmistakably male or female; i.e., cisgendered. They are all equally and unabashedly what they are.

Bird's photographs illustrate that many young people today defiantly obscure accepted gender roles and identity. Quite a change from the days of Janet Flanner.

These two photographs provide a glimpse into the complexity of themes and ideas explored in this large exhibition. The show runs through June 10 at Tacoma Art Museum.

HIDE/SEEK

Through June 10, Wednesdays–Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Third Thursdays 5–8 p.m., adult $10, student/ military/senior (65+) $8
family $25 (2 adults and up to 4 children under 18), 5 and younger free
Tacoma Art Museum, 253.272.4258
TacomaArtMuseum.org

LINK: Alec Clayton's feature story on HIDE/SEEK

LINK: Alec Clayton's review of HIDE/SEEK

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Occupying The History Museum: Rick Santorum vs. Occupy Tacoma and glitter. (Slog)

Gay Marriage Bill: It's signed. (News Tribune)

Syria: Residents brace for a full-blown war. (CNN)

China In The United States: The man likely to become China's next leader, Vice-President Xi Jinping, begins a closely watched visit to the United States. (BBC)

Valentine's Day: The lost art of romance. (CNN)

Sure Why Not Of The Day: All 22 Bond film intros, shown simultaneously side by side. (The Daily What)

Hey Mattel!: Shouldn't your Back to the Future hoverboards actually hover? (Slash Film)

Finally!: Scratch-n-Sniff Raspberry Scented Denim Jeans. (Laughing Squid)

I Saw U Eating Those Peanuts: When your airplane seatmate becomes your soul mate. (Time)

We're Outta Here

How to Build a Time Machine - Doc Ignite Campaign Video from Jay Cheel on Vimeo.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Marriage Equality Act: Not everyone will be happy today. (News Tribune)

GOP Presidential Race Vs. South Sound: Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum will check out the Washington History Museum tonight. (News Tribune)

Skeeter Update: Apparently he didn't know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. (News Tribune)

Sea-Tac Airport: Say goodbye to the 1950s. (Seattle PI)

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Blames Iran after bombers apparently targeted diplomats in India and Georgia, injuring four. (BBC)

Whitney Houston's Death Update: Coroners on Sunday completed an autopsy on Houston, who was found dead Saturday in her suite in the upscale Beverly Hilton hours before she was to attend a pre-Grammy Awards bash at the hotel. (CNN)

Grammy Awards: Whitney remembered, Adele wins big. (CNN)

Saturday Night Live With Zooey Deschanel: The best and worst. (Flavorwire)

Celebrities: Photo gallery showing their real names. (Huffington Post)

No-Holds-Barred Laptop: Origin EON17-X. (Gizmodo)

MONDAY, FEB. 13, 2012 >>>

1. The Graphic Novel Book Club most likely will skip the lure of craft cocktails and delve into 1022 South's wine cellar as it discusses the manga comic The Drops of God: Volume 1, whichtells the story of Shizuku Kanzaki, who works as a beer company sales rep mainly out of a sense of rebellion against his estranged father, legendary wine expert Yutaka Kanzaki. Yup, no monsters, martial arts or effervescent young girls in this Japanese manga tale. Join the Graphic Novel Book Club at 7 p.m. inside the 1022 South for a night of reading right to left.

2. Consider the Danish waffle. It's more of a cookie filled with cream and raspberry jam. Why is called a waffle? And how the hell do you make one? Garfield Book Company will host a Danish waffle demonstration at noon and 5 p.m. in its Fireside Lounge. Don't even get us started on Tasmanian waffles.

3. To celebrate Gov. Gregoire's historic signing into law the Marriage Equality Act, the Pierce County Marriage Equality Leadership Team is hosting a party to "Raise a Glass for Marriage Equality."  Beginning at 5:30 p.m. at King's Books, Tacoma Mayor Strickland, Tacoma Council Member Ryan Mello, State Rep. Laurie Jinkins, Benjii Bittle and the entire PCME Leadership Team will hug it out with the public.

4. Singer Maia Santell will be joined by guitarist Jho Blenis, bassist Tom Austin, drummer Billy Barner and guitarist Jumpin' Josh Violette for an evening of blues at The Swiss beginning at 8 p.m.

Jho Blenis, guitar, Tom Austin, bass, Billy Barner, drums, Jumpin' Josh Violette, guitar for an evening of

5. The Royal Lounge is a haven for jazz heads Monday nights. Tonight at 8 p.m. The Jazz Twigs featuring trumpeter and saxophonist Jay Thomas will fire it up. At 9:30 p.m., the Greta Jane Quartet carry it through the night.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

LINK: South Sound happy hours

CELEBRATING HISTORICAL MOMENTS >>>

Justin D. Leighton, chair of Tacoma's Central Neighborhood Council, passed along Tacoma City Council Member Ryan Mello's announcement of a party Monday night at King's Books to celebrate Gov. Gregoire's signing into law the Marriage Equality Act.  Here's the press release:

Tacoma, WA: On Monday, February 13th, Governor Gregoire will make history by signing into law the Marriage Equality Act making Washington State the 7^th state in addition to the District of Columbia to legalize marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples.  The bill passed through the Legislature on a bipartisan vote in both the House and Senate and is now scheduled for signing by the Governor Monday morning.

"I've waited my entire adult life for this day.  Marriage is more than just a contract.  It's about love, commitment and mutual respect.  As I care for my aging and ill partner of 53 years, the need to protect each other with both the contract and love that marriage brings has become more necessary than ever,"  John McCluskey, local civil rights leader. 

To celebrate this historic moment a group of community leaders, the Pierce County Marriage Equality (PCME) Leadership Team is hosting an event to "Raise a Glass for Marriage Equality".  The event will be held at King's Books on St. Helens Ave. in Tacoma at 5:30pm Monday, February 13^th.  Co-sponsored by King's Books, Galanga Thai, and The Mix as well as co-hosted by Tacoma Mayor Strickland, Tacoma Council Member Ryan Mello, State Rep. Laurie Jinkins, Benjii Bittle and the entire PCME Leadership Team.

"Our local marriage equality leadership team and hundreds of advocates are trained and ready to talk to voters about why protecting all families equally under the law is so important.  First, we celebrate, then we will wake up Tuesday, February 14^th ready to do whatever it takes to ensure all families have equal protections under the law," said Ryan Mello, Tacoma City Council Member. 

Celebratory events like this one in Tacoma are being organized around the state and a statewide toast for Marriage Equality will take place at 6:00pm.

Raising a Glass for Marriage Equality

Monday, Feb. 13, 5:30 p.m.
King's Books in Tacoma
218 St. Helens Avenue, in Tacoma's Stadium District
Food, beverages and activities provided
Legislators from Olympia will be skyped in to participate in the celebration

See ya there!

LINK: Facebook Event

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Appalling: Lakewood police guild treasurer accused of theft cashing in on the deaths of four colleagues and feathering his nest with shiny toys. (News Tribune)

Stay Classy, Westboro Baptist Church: The notoriously anti-gay church plans to picket Saturday's funeral for Charlie and Braden Powell and will be counterprotested by Occupy Seattle. (News Tribune)

Same-Sex Marriage: State House approved a same-sex marriage proposal 55 to 43. (News Tribune)

Mortgage Relief: In the biggest deal to date to fix the housing crisis, officials announced a huge foreclosure settlement with banks. (CNN)

Greece Bailout: Greece agrees to the austerity measures required to gain a new bailout hours before eurozone finance ministers are due to discuss the deal in Brussels. (BBC)

Sonic Fashion: Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon has a new fashion line. (Pitchfork)

Gary Busey: Bankrupt. (Yahoo)

Whoa: Watch the World's Largest Dodgeball Game. (Flavorwire)

Wizard Of Creepy: The 1902 adaptation of The Wizard of Oz looked extremely unsettling. (io9)

If You Have Nothing Else To Do: 25 animals who think they're people. (BuzzFeed)

Are You Ready?

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Gay Marriage: State Senate votes 28-21 to legalize it. (Weekly Volcano)

Occupy Tacoma Camp: The welcome is wearing thin. (News Tribune)

LeMay Car Museum: Paul Miller is the man. (News Tribune)

You Suck Punxsutawney Phil: Rodent predicts six more weeks of winter. (Chicago Tribune)

South Sound Is In A Lesbian Sandwich: The 21 most lesbianish cities in America. (Jezebel)

TV: Showtime has renewed freshman comedy House of Lies and returning series Shameless and Californication for additional seasons. (Hollywood Reporter)

Helpful: How to pronounce things hilariously. (Kottke)

Yo Pudding Head: Cosby hoodie. (Dangerous Minds)

Just In Time For Valentine's Day

THIS JUST IN >>>

Washington United for Marriage just sent word the state Senate approved legislation legalizing same-sex marriage 28-21 on bipartisan vote:

OLYMPIA - Washington United for Marriage, a broad statewide coalition of organizations, congregations, unions and business associations that will work to obtain civil marriage for lesbian and gay couples in Washington State in 2012, today cheered the Washington State Senate's vote in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage legislation in Washington State.  The measure passed by a bipartisan vote of 28-21, with 23 Democrats and four Republicans joining together to advance the bill. 

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WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Your House Is Safe: Tacoma City Council accepted $1.6M in concessions to avoid firefighter layoffs. (News Tribune)

It Should Pass: The state Senate will vote today on gay marriage bill. (News Tribune)

Aftermath: Romney on a roll, Gingrich undeterred. (CNN)

Coroner: "Soul Train" founder dead of gunshot wound. (CNN)

Science!: Researchers have demonstrated a striking method to reconstruct words, based on the brain waves of patients thinking of those words. (BBC)

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha: The band Survivor is suing Newt Gingrich for using "Eye of the Tiger" at rallies. (Rolling Stone)

If You Go All Darth Maul On A Toy Store ...: You'll go to jail. (Blastr)

Groovy: Mad Men season 5 fashions. (The Sew Weekly)

Surreal Photos: Taiwan's abandoned UFO-style homes. (Flavorwire)

Let An Educational Palette Of Primary Hues Wash Over You