On the rare weekend when I don’t have something else going on, sometimes a friend and I will just hop in the car and hit the road. We don’t care where we end up, it’s always an adventure. If we’re really lucky, we land in a small town with a local theater production going on.

If you live in Tacoma, or your road trip brings you here, you’re in for a treat. The Dance Theatre Northwest will be performing the seasonal favorite, The Nutcracker, at the Mount Tahoma High School Auditorium the first weekend in December. Sure, every city in the country (the world?) will have The Nutcracker showing somewhere, but here’s your opportunity to see it in a more relaxed, a more small town, kind of atmosphere. I, for one, am really looking forward to Clara, the Prince, the Mouse King, and easy parking.

Ta ta,
Danielle

Remember when people used to go caroling? When I was a little girl, I used to love it when the doorbell would ring and suddenly, like a gift, the house was filled with song. Carolers don’t come around much any more, people don’t like to open their doors to strangers. Lucky for us, for one night only, we can all still get into the holiday spirit with the Seattle Men’s Chorus.

SMC’s specialty, for over 30 years, has been putting a modern twist on the traditional. This year’s show, Santa Baby, will give us their take on TV Christmas specials. Not quite sure what to expect: I’m hoping for the classic Charlie Brown Christmas Time Is Here. Oh, and a rendition of Snow Miser/Heat Miser would make my night. No matter what they choose to sing, it’s always super fun, just as good as when I was a kid.

Tickets are $39 and $52, and you can purchase tickets online here.

Happy holidays,
Danielle

If you’re a blues fan, here’s your chance to do your part while taking in some great music. It’s the Blues Vespers Benefit for Peace, on the fourth of October, at Immanuel Presbyterian Church. Come hear one of the modern blues greats, Bill Sims Jr., a NYC regular who’s got a long resume that includes musician, actor (Lackawanna Blues at Seattle Rep), composer, and director (August Wilson’s Seven Guitars on Broadway).

Joining Sims will be the Mark Riley Trio, with Howard Hooper or Rob Moitoza on bass and Marty Vadalabene on drums. Formed in 2003, the eclectic trio counts Fleetwood Mac, Sonny Landreth and the great Robert Johnson as influences. Buck England will join the trio, on a B-3 organ, for the show.
This free Tacoma music event is part of Immanuel’s 100th anniversary of their north-end sanctuary.

All donations will go towards the church’s ongoing peace-keeping efforts. Doing good was never so easy.

See ya later,
Dale

Keith Urban, a kiwi country star? I’ll bet you thought he was an Aussie. I did. Actually, he is, sort of. He was born in New Zealand and raised in Australia. But you might’ve thought he was born right here in the U.S.

He started strumming a guitar at the tender age of six and has since become one of the country music scene’s biggest names, winning a Grammy, a CMA award, and an Aria award.

And now he’s coming to the Dome on September 12. Even if country isn’t your bale of hay, this is probably a show worth seeing. Plus, at the concert you can even record your own song, with Keith, thanks to magic green-screen technology.

Yeehaw,
Dale

This is like rock royalty really. It doesn’t matter whether you grew up in the 80s, 90s or more recently, AC/DC probably is in your CD collection somewhere. I mean, these guys have been at it for more than 30 years! That to me is just amazing. One of five top-selling bands in music history.

I don’t remember the last time they were in Tacoma, but it’s been awhile. If you’ve never seen them, here’s your chance, and maybe your last chance, when they come playing at the Dome on August 30-31. Two rocking shows.

Even if you’re not a big fan, or don’t own one of their CDs, you definitely know their music. Popular ones you’ve heard like Back in Black, T.N.T., Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, (You Shook Me) All Night Long, and Night Prowler. And if you’re a rock person, you really owe it to yourself. For those about to rock, I salute you!

Rock on,
Danielle

I bring you yet another of Tacoma’s very cool no-cost summer outings. On Saturdays, through August 29, Metro Parks will transform a park into a concert venue, a movie theater, or both.

For example, on this past Saturday (August at Portland Avenue Park, you could see both music and film. The band, Miho and Diego, started things off at 7 p.m. A blend of Latino, Japanese, African and American traditions, it was just the thing to get everyone up and dancing.

The music was then followed by a very family-friendly flick, Surf’s Up (saw it, loved it). If you wanted to get there early with the kids, there was even a back-to-school carnival from 2 p.m.-6 p.m.

Each of the events is all lawn seating, so you’ll need to bring your own blanket or lawn chairs. As usual, they had me at “admission is free.” Hope to see you there over the next couple of weeks.

Have fun,
Dale

What with the economy on the skids, I say it’s time to party like it’s 1929. (That’s a joke about the stock market crash. Okay, never mind.) Our fair city has loads of places for you to visit. In fact, you might want to hire a cab and hit a handful of places, say, up on Sixth Avenue. But here are two places that you might want to put on your list for sure.

The Red Hot
2914 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.779.0229
Complimentary midnight champagne toast, drawings for all kinds of vintage stuff, gift certificates and more.

Jazzbones
2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169
Live music with The Paperboys and Vicci Martinez Band; champagne toast at midnight with party favors.

–James

Looking to fill your evening in a lip-smacking, honest-to-goodness, stick-to-your-ribs kind of way? Head down to Cheney Stadium this summer for their monthly live music series Blues, Brews and BBQs . The music’s all that – and the barbecue won’t be bad either.

The event will be held once a month throughout the summer. Next up: on July 25, Nick Vigarino will take the stage to offer up his high energy, danceable blues guitar stylings. For dinner, a no-host bar and the music show, tickets are $45 for one show. Tickets for the music and one drink are $20 each. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.tacomarainiers.com or call (253) 752-7700.

- James