E

DUNCAN JAMES LIVINGSTON
FOR THE NEWS TRIBUNE

Seattle band Los Burbanks performs at a music education event presented before the opening of the 3,300-square-foot multipurpose club Panamonica's. Besides musical entertainment, its owners plan to offer space for visual arts, education for working musicians, slam poetry and improvisational acting.

Panamonica's club sets ambitious arts agenda

ERNEST A. JASMIN; The News Tribune

Krissy Burns and Rob Anderson have undertaken one of the most ambitious projects the Tacoma club scene has had in a while.

They own Panamonica's, a venue that opened Tuesday
at 1117 Tacoma Ave., across the street from the Tacoma Public Library. And the pair's vision goes well beyond a conventional lounge or nightclub.

"What we really want to do is make this the arts center of Tacoma," said Anderson, 26. "We want to get all different aspects of the arts which are in need of an outlet."

Panamonica's owners say they plan to showcase live music, locally produced films, slam poetry and improvisational acting at their 3,300-square-foot venue are.

It will also serve as a gallery of sorts, with local visual artists rotated roughly every two months. "Most places where you display your art, they demand a commission," Burns said. "We won't be taking a commission. We just want to really help the local arts community."

Since March, Panamonica's has also provided a home base for the Gig Club, an ongoing monthly education series for working musicians that has organized panels on how to shop for a record label, how to find an agent and how to get publicity, among other topics. (See www.thegigclub.com for details.)

Owners plan to provide another special service for bands. Performances will be recorded, and musicians will be able to buy copies to use with their press kits - even during open jam nights. "When people play their two songs we'll record them for them," Anderson said.

Panamonica's has a cafe-style menu that includes pizza, sandwiches, tortellini and more.

"We get to live out our dream," Burns said.

"We're going to be surrounded by art all the time," Anderson said. "So many creative spirits that just want to create."

Ernest Jasmin: 253-274-7389
ernest.jasmin@mail.tribnet.com

This month at Panamonica's

TODAY: RAI, 9 p.m.
SATURDAY: The Danny Godinez Band, 9 p.m.
MONDAY: Independent or Educational Film Night, 8 p.m. (This night will feature and independent or educational film; local filmmakers are encouraged to contact the venue.)
TUESDAY: Open Jam, 8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Greta Matassa, 8 p.m.
THURSDAY: Open mike poetry, 7:30 p.m.
JUNE 12: Toad Jam, 9 p.m.
JUNE 14: Open mike poetry, 8 p.m.
JUNE 15: Open jam, 8 p.m.
JUNE 17: Open mike, 7:30 p.m.
JUNE 18: Grand opening celebration, featuring Johnny Chimpos All Stars, 8 p.m.
JUNE 19:The Gig Club featuring the Recording Academy (GRAMMY people) and audio and video industry professionals: Markus Simmons (Pacific Studios), David Lange (David Lange Studios), Craig Kelly (MachineHead USA) and Joel Veatch (Flying Spot, inc.) . 7 to 10 p.m.; $20, free to scholarship recipients. See website for more information - www.thegigclub.com.
JUNE 21: Improv Acting Night, 8 p.m.
JUNE 22: Open jam night, 8 p.m.
JUNE 24: Open mike, 8 p.m.
JUNE 25: Elizabeth Carpenter, 9 p.m.
JUNE 28: Independent or educational film night, 8 p.m.
JUNE 29: Open jam, 8 p.m.
JUNE 30: Krissy Burns, 8 p.m.

INFORMATION: There is no cover charge except for June 19. Those under 21 must leave by 10 p.m. The venue has a full bar. For an updated schedule, call 253-468-4055 or visit www.panamonicas.com.

(Published 1:24AM, June 4th, 2004)