Arts & Events

The award for most thematic show on KUPS goes to “Music to Blank to,” heard Friday mornings at 9 a.m. Every week the blank is filled in with some sort of musical subject or grouping, something that gives the listener some way to identify the songs played during this smart hour of songs old and new. This week was “Music to Protest to.” Songs about revolution, change, speaking your voice and government gave listeners something to think about as they rocked out to the likes of Arcade Fire, Crosby, Stills,...

The holidays are upon us. We’ve just devoured our turkey—or Tofurky,—and now it’s time to prepare for the final holidays of the year. The traditions we’ve created with food may not be set in stone, but they have been repeated for generations, with secret recipes passed down to family members each year. What may not be a tradition in most families, though, are the drinks enjoyed alongside the time-honored family meals. The beverages can be enjoyed as presented, or the alcohol can be omitted (or in some cases added) to...

Sufjan Stevens is no stranger to Christmas music. He is, in fact, close friends with Christmas music, maybe even lovers—or perhaps, given at times the inexplicable bitterness and oddity of his Christmas releases, ex-lovers. In 2006, Stevens released a 42-track compilation of five years’ worth of Christmas-themed EPs, Songs for Christmas, and on Nov. 13 he released the follow-up, Silver & Gold: another five years and another 58 tracks, a blend of original songs and creative covers of classics. Silver & Gold brings you about one-third Sufjan Stevens originals with...

A wonderful addition to the stores and cafes of 6th Ave. called Legendary Doughnuts has recently opened up on the corner of Fife Street. Inspired by the popular doughnut shop Voodoo Doughnut in Portland, Oregon, Shannon Patten decided to try her hand at making her own innovative doughnuts in Washington. Sporting modern gray walls, beautiful chandeliers and black menu boards, the store takes a good atmosphere to a whole other level of class and relaxed sophistication not normally seen with doughnuts. This beautiful venue paired with the friendly service makes...

Since its opening reception on Nov. 14, the Kittredge Gallery has hosted the 2012 Art Students Annual Exhibit. The exhibition presented the individual voices of Puget Sound students as much as it presented their artistic talents, a skill that is perhaps of greater importance. One piece of artwork that especially made a statement was freshman Grace Best-Devereux’s “Kiskerätt,” a fishing net made of Swedish Fish. “The assignment was to create a piece made of only one material,” Best-Devereux said. “I chose Swedish Fish because when I had visited Sweden two...

This Week: “L’Âme-Biance” with DJ Lune and DJ Lavender, Tuesdays at 1 p.m. Some music is wonderful and other music is just weird; this music is, incredibly, both. DJs Lune and Lavender take their listeners on a trip, from Latin America to Scandinavia, Western Africa to Eastern Europe and everywhere in between. Several themes connect their music. The most influential element of the songs is their embodiment of ‘soul’. Not soul music in the gospel or spiritual sense, but rather artists that put their soul into what they produce. The...

Celebrating the 11th anniversary of the Tacoma Bus Tour during Tacoma’s Art @ Work Month, attendees of the event boarded the yellow charter bus excited and ready for a day’s worth of art. The event gives the people of Tacoma the chance to visit and talk to over 55 local artists. With the choice to pay the regular admission fee of $15 or VIP admission for $25, buyers who spent the extra $10 enjoyed a goody bag filled with gift certificates, candy and coupons from local businesses that sponsor the...

Modern violinist Andrew Bird released his tenth studio album “Hands of Glory” on Oct. 30 as a musical companion to his last collection, “Break it Yourself.” This album highlights Bird’s creativity as an artist; incorporating a variety of genres, but always highlighting the violin in different ways. Because Bird was trained in the Suzuki method of violin, in which one is trained completely by ear, he possesses the freedom and creativity with the interest to bring the violin into the spectrum of modern rock. Bird produced this album with minimal...