We Recommend
Dark Palms music is a barbaric, pulsing, yet nuanced and nimble band based out of Olympia. The type of band that proves that modern post-punk sounds can still hold pop sensibilities - that musically you can still see what's in your rear view while looking forward. Dark Palms was founded
Outdoors
Sometimes you just want to get away. Not in an epic, across the world adventure way. Just in a run off to Southern California for the weekend so I can run on the beach way. Ya feel me? And then the credit card bill from Christmas comes. Womp womp. Let just
Critics' Picks
[GRUNGE POP] + FRI, MARCH 6 Seattle quintet Great Grandpa exudes an effortless cool. The grungy pop recalls bands like the Breeders and Garbage, with their sly melodies and crunchy guitars. Lead singer Alex Menne brings a detached swagger that is offset by unobtrusive harmonies from her bandmates. A band like
Music
For anyone out there with children, I know it can be tempting to bring them to Disneyland when their soft, young brains are still forming. This, after all, is the moment in their lives when they would be most excited to meet Mickey and ride the teacups, but taking them
We Recommend
Recycling is a way of life in western Washington, but do you wonder if you're truly making a difference? A few cans and bottles here and there can't make that big a dent, can it? It's easy to get cynical about such things. Upon closer inspection, it turns out snipping
Archives
A couple of years ago when I was regularly hanging at the Dock Street Landing Bar & Grill, the crowd got a little too ghetto for my personal taste, and I found other haunts to visit. But lately I’ve discovered that we need to add it back to our list
Guides
BEST SWAN SONGThe HystericsSadly Hysterics, who have managed to make my personal best of list in numerous ways over the past few years have stopped performing. But before they did they pulled off one mighty swan song of a show at Olympia's Northern this past October. Though the band would
Guides
The Weekly Volcano would like to thank all those who took the time to vote in the best of Olympia 2015 Readers' Poll. You are the best. BEST BAND: Full Moon Radio BEST NEW BAND: Hot Cops BEST SUPERGROUP: Survival Knife BEST INDIE ROCK BAND: Full Moon Radio BEST METAL BAND: Christian Mistress BEST PUNK BAND:
Guides
BEST ONRAMP Olympia Audition League Are you a singer, actor, dancer or singer-actor-dancer who's wondering how to break into Olympia's thriving (though admittedly cliquey) theater scene? Perhaps you're a new arrival, or you may have just graduated from high school or college - in which case, no one off-campus is hip to
Guides
The Weekly Volcano would like to thank all those who took the time to vote in the best of Olympia 2015 Readers' Poll. You are the best. BEST LOCAL FILMMAKER: Red Williamson BEST MOVIE THEATER: Capitol Theater MOST CREATIVE PERSON: Lauren O'Neill BEST THEATER COMPANY: Harlequin Productions BEST DANCE COMPANY: TUSH! Burlesque BEST PERFORMANCE SPACE: The
Guides
BEST MULTICULTURAL TACO Quality Burrito We don't have to tell you about Quality Burrito, readers. You've voted it the best restaurant in Olympia more than once. (Don't you like upscale restaurants?) But if you go there and always order what you've always ordered, you might be missing out. QB doesn't just have
Guides
The Weekly Volcano would like to thank all those who took the time to vote in the best of Olympia 2015 Readers' Poll. You are the best. BEST RESTAURANT: Dillingers Cocktails and Kitchen BEST FARM-TO-TABLE RESTAURANT: New Moon Café BEST RESTAURANT SERVER: Jessica Nicoletti BEST BARTENDER: Sherilyn Lightner BEST HAPPY HOUR: The Brotherhood Lounge BEST CRAB
Guides
BEST MOMENT OF INDULGENCE Cobb's peanut butter cups Do you remember these really old commercials for York Peppermint Patties, where a lady puts one in her mouth and then begins sighing and oohing and ahhing? Or the ones where a frazzled mom would jump into the bath with a cry of "Calgon,
Guides
The Weekly Volcano would like to thank all those who took the time to vote in the best of Olympia 2015 Readers' Poll. You are the best. BEST SHOE STORE: Hot Toddy BEST RECORD STORE: Rainy Day Records BEST GROCERY STORE: Spud's Produce Market BEST TATTOO SHOP: Lit Fuse Tattoo BEST HAIR SALON: Jamie Lee
Guides
BEST THING EVER FOR OLD QUEERS SAGE Life for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender elders can be hell. While celebrating equal marriage rights and the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, older gays are being forced back in the closet again. They face loss of benefits because they were not able to
Guides
The Weekly Volcano would like to thank all those who took the time to vote in the best of Olympia 2014 Readers' Poll. You are the best. BEST POLITICIAN: Denny Heck BEST POLITICIAN YOU LOVE TO HATE: Gov. Jay Inslee BEST THURSTON COUNTY NONPROFIT: GRUB BEST LOCAL HERO: Sharon Holley BEST THURSTON COUNTY WEBSITE: Thurston
Guides
"I have a weird job," says Brian Wilson. His title is "code enforcement officer," but Wilson's job - and passion - is to support and nurture downtown Olympia. A better title, he says, is "downtown liaison." He's part project manager, part recruiter, part cheerleader and part salesman - and what he's selling
We Recommend
More so than many of the other bands striving to capture the feeling of music in the '90s, pop weirdos Dead Larry feel like they emerged straight from the time capsule. It's remarkable how uncanny their resemblance is to the pop eccentrics like They Might Be Giants, Ben Folds Five,
We Recommend
Seattle quintet Great Grandpa exudes an effortless cool. The grungy pop recalls bands like the Breeders and Garbage, with their sly melodies and crunchy guitars. Lead singer Alex Menne brings a detached swagger that is offset by unobtrusive harmonies from her bandmates. A band like Great Grandpa, with lyrics about