In the Sept. 30 issue of the Tacoma Weekly, my interview with the one and only NPR humorist, satirist and narrative nonfiction essayist David Sedaris will grace the cover of the paper’s entertainment section. Due to page limits, a few quotes will be removed from the print editions, but you can view the full story on the Tacoma Weekly website.

The interview took place while I was on vacation in California and on Long Beach. Due to my using a cell phone, wind and possibly a few other technical issues, Mr. Sedaris noted multiple times that it sounded like I was “speaking through a harmonica,” but thankfully he was able to hear all of my questions and answer them in only a way that he could.

It was an absolute honor and pleasure to have the opportunity to speak with David and I hope that comes through in this article. He’s a sweet and kind man and was incredibly fun to talk to. I did my best to ask questions that I felt diehard Sedaris fans would want to know the answers to. In preparation for the interview I also read his newest book of fiction, “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk” and enjoyed it just as I have his nonfiction works. I’d highly recommend picking it up if you can and joining a ton of other local fans at his upcoming lecture tour date stop at the Broadway Center’s Pantages Theater Oct. 29. Tickets are still available via phone at (253) 591-5894 and online at www.broadwaycenter.org.

– Dawn Quinn

This Week’s Live Music Calendar

Be sure to help celebrate the New Frontier’s second birthday with a whole weekend line-up of some of Tacoma’s favorite bands: Girl Trouble, Pioneers West and Swampy Draws.

Thursday, Sept. 30

MANDOLIN CAFÉ (Tacoma): Heidi Vladyka (Folk) 7 p.m., NC, AA

DAWSON’S (Tacoma): Billy Shew (Blues) 7 p.m., NC

HELL’S KITCHEN (Tacoma): 12 Gauge Saint, Curse of the North, Regional Faction, Metal Mark, 9 p.m., $3

JAZZBONES (Tacoma): Kry (Rock) 9:30 p.m.

UNCLE SAM’S (Spanaway): Jerry Miller (Blues) 7 p.m., NC

Friday, Oct. 1

RHYTHM AND BREWS (Tacoma): Maia Santell and House Blend (Jazz) 8:30 p.m.

EMERALD QUEEN (Tacoma): Raeanne’s Groove (Pop) 9 p.m., NC

GREAT AMERICAN CASINO (Lakewood): New Jack City (Pop) 9 p.m., NC

HELL’S KITCHEN (Tacoma): Blackhounds, Sugarfixx, Feared Alive, BND, Rooftop Warrior, 9 p.m., NC

JAZZBONES (Tacoma): Too Slim and the Taildraggers, 8 p.m., $8

MANDOLIN CAFÉ (Tacoma): Jam on My Muffin (Cajun) 6 p.m., NC, AA

MANDOLIN CAFÉ (Tacoma): Klondike Kate (Folk) 8:30 p.m., NC, AA

NEW FRONTIER (Tacoma): Girl Trouble, Basemint, Frisky, 8:30 p.m.

SWISS (Tacoma): Kry (Rock) 9 p.m., $8

VARSITY GRILL (Tacoma): Josh and Mike (Dueling pianos) 8:30 p.m., NC

Saturday, Oct. 2

HELL’S KITCHEN (Tacoma): Floater, Reckless in Vegas, Blue Helix, From the Sea, 9 p.m., $10

BOB’S JAVA JIVE (Tacoma): Artesian Rumble. Revengers, 508 Disturbance, Faraca, The Fun Police, Brotherhood of the Black Squirrel, 6 p.m., $15

EMERALD QUEEN (Tacoma): Raeanne’s Groove (Pop) 9 p.m. NC

GREAT AMERICAN CASINO (Lakewood): New Jack City (Pop) 9 p.m., NC

JAZZBONES (Tacoma): Magic Carpet Ride, 8 p.m., $10

MANDOLIN CAFÉ (Tacoma): Eleanor Fye (Jazz) 6 p.m., NC, AA

MANDOLIN CAFÉ (Tacoma): Robert Boyd, Chara Chamie, (Folk rock) 8:30 p.m., NC, AA

NEW FRONTIER (Tacoma): Pioneers West, Wheelies, Blanco Bronco, 9 p.m.

RHYTHM AND BREWS (Tacoma): Blues Redemption (Blues) 8:30 p.m.

SPAR (Tacoma): Billy Farmer (Rock) 8 p.m., NC

VARSITY GRILL (Tacoma): Josh and Mike (Dueling pianos) 8:30 p.m., NC

Sunday, Oct. 3

STONEGATE (Tacoma): Rich Wetzel’s Groovin Higher Jazz Orchestra (Jazz) 5 p.m., NC

DAWSON’S (Tacoma): Tim Hall (Blues) 7 p.m., NC

NEW FRONTIER (Tacoma): Swampy Draws, Bob Hill, 8 p.m.

UNCLE SAM’S (Spanaway): Shelley Elly (Blues jam) 7 p.m. NC

Monday, Oct. 4

MANDOLIN CAFÉ (Tacoma): Ozzie Fuhrmann Band (Swing) 7 p.m.

SWISS (Tacoma): (Blues) 8 p.m., NC

Tuesday, Oct. 5

No listings

Wednesday, Oct. 6

BOB’S JAVA JIVE (Tacoma): Dave Hannon Band, Bodybox, 9 p.m.

MANDOLIN CAFÉ (Tacoma): Holy Boulus, 7 p.m., NC, AA

Saw a posting on the third annual bicycle and pedestrian documentation project on Exit 133 this morning. Here is some information about it. Consider volunteering if you can.

We’re just a week away from the Tacoma Film Festival. Click here for details.

Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer Dale Washam will hold an open citizen’s meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 28, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

The purpose of the meeting is to inform Pierce County citizens of the various issues surrounding their property tax assessments, and to offer them the opportunity to ask direct questions of the Assessor-Treasurer.

“During the past 18 months since I took office, there have been a number of significant issues brought to light that affect every county property owner. The citizens of this county deserve the opportunity to hear directly from their elected official and to offer him their suggestions, feedback or criticism, should they have them. The citizens are my employer and it is my responsibility to keep them informed,” Assessor-Treasurer Washam said.

The public meeting will be held at the Pierce County Library Administration building, 3005 112th Street East, Tacoma.

Fill The Bowl 6X9 FRONT

Get involved in this great event. Help fill the Bowl! Click the link above to see the poster for more information.

Tacoma has experienced a recent surge in all things independent film in 2010. Two local filmmakers, Rick Gratzer and Isaac Olsen, have released their  full-length films, which were filmed and produced in Tacoma, to local audiences at the Grand Cinema and the Rialto Theater. The Grand’s annual 72-Hour Film Festival continues to see growth in both submissions and attendance. The Tacoma Film Festival received a record number 195 submissions to its poster-design contests. And now, the biggest independent film event to ever come to the South Sound is launching this weekend, also thanks to the Grand: The 25 New Faces of Independent Film, as chosen by Filmmaker Magazine.

Read the rest of this entry »

By Clare Jensen

The largest floods in recorded history are impacting Pakistan – and by shopping in Tacoma, you can help. During the week of August 16-22 Laughing Lotus gift, an imports retailer, will be donating 10 percent of their sales to Mercy Corps Pakistan Emergency Fund. They are also accepting cash donations for the fund through the end of August. Donations can also be made directly through Laughing Lotus’ fundraising page on the Mercy Corps website:  http://www.mercycorps.org/fundraising/laughinglotus About 20 million Pakistanis are affected by the massive flooding, more than the Asian tsunami and Haiti earthquake combined.  Many of these people had been uprooted last year by fighting between militants and government forces, and were just beginning to reestablish themselves when the deluge hit. Now another flood surge has swelled the Indus River further, threatening additional towns farther south. Cholera, a deadly waterborne disease, has broken out in at least one town. Many more deaths may result from this disease.  An area of the size of Florida is now covered with water. The need will be ongoing since not only are homes and villages destroyed, but also the agricultural crops in the area that provide food and livelihoods. Laughing Lotus has many beautiful items from Pakistan, from wall hangings made of vintage wedding dresses to handcrafted baskets to hand hammered copper in many shapes and sizes.  Laughing Lotus is located at 3013 6^th Avenue in Tacoma.  Open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until 7 on Friday and Saturday.

Tacoma’s first Sonic Drive-In opened this week and it didn’t take long for people to find out, as about 1,000 transactions were done in the first few hours. The restaurant famous for its burgers, fries and shakes is located in a shopping center on 6^th Avenue near Orchard.

Dockyard Derby Dames season 4, bout 3 poster (ARTWORK BY JAMES STOWE.)

Tacoma’s original roller derby league, the Dockyard Derby Dames, move to historic Foss Waterway Seaport for their third bout of season four.

The roller derby bout takes place on Saturday, May 22. Doors open at 5 pm with the bout starting at 6 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $15, or pre-purchased for only $12 at brownpapertickets.com/event/111926. Children ages, seven and under are free. This is a family-friendly event. A portion of the proceeds benefits Pierce County AIDS Foundation.

The league is excited to bring derby back to the heart of Tacoma. “Foss Waterway is a perfect location that ties in well with Dockyard’s nautical theme,” said Sarah Miani, Co-Chair of the league’s Bout Production Committee. “It’s right on the water in a dockyard. How perfect is that?”

The Dockyard Derby Dames is comprised of four teams: Femme Fianna, Hellbound Homewreckers, Marauding Mollys and Trampires. The championship-bound Trampires play the Hellbound Homewreckers, while the Femme Fianna and Marauding Mollys battle it out for a spot at the championship bout in June.

Because of the limited parking at Foss, fans are encouraged to park at the Tacoma Dome Park and Ride next to Freighthouse Square. A shuttle will be provided to transport attendees to and from the venue.

Three Chicks Catering, Inc. will be serving plates of barbecue grilled on-site with their new BBQ Rig. There is also a beer garden serving $3 wine and beer for attendees ages 21 and over.