SATURDAY, JAN. 26 2013 >>>

1. We couldn't think of a better way to spend a winter night than on a hot date with ourselves listening to loud rock and roll and watching tough-as-nails roller derby chicks knocking each other on their ass.Beginning at 6 p.m.  will be spent cheering on Dockyard Derby Dames characters such as Brat Capone, Booty Trapp, Ethel Vermin, Stranger Danger, Jail Bait Kait, Ida Spyze-Her and Harm A Knee inside the Pierce College Health education Center. Tonight's expo bout features members of all four DYDD teams competing against the Rainy City Roller Dolls and the Rat City Rollergirls' Sockit Wenches in a double-header smackdown.

2. Today marks the opening of the action-packed exhibit "Let's Ride! Motorcycling the Northwest" at the Washington State History Museum. Displayed through June 2013, the exhibit - a celebration of the region's never-waning motorcycle culture - will include interactive exhibits, videos and impressive displays of machines from 1906 to the 21st century. It's open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. Spencer Abersold, a.k.a. The Walrus, sat before the KGHP radio station console for 200 hours - nine days - attempting to beat the Guinness Book of World Record's previous continuous broadcasting record of 187 hours. What Abersold also did was raise $16,000 for the radio station, which is inside Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor. KGHB's funds were on the chopping block after being supported by the school district for 23 years. KGHP 89.3/93.7FM invites the public to tour the studio, check out equipment, and maybe even get your voice on the air Saturday afternoon. 

4. The Buffalo Soldiers Museum in Tacoma preserves the artifacts and history of the Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th and 10th (Horse) Cavalry - all-African-American cavalry units that served in America's wars from 1866 through the end of WWII. They participated in cross-country cattle drives, escorted wagon trains and stagecoaches through often volatile territories of the Wild West and fought in the Spanish-American War and both world wars. The museum was founded by Buffalo Soldier William Jones of Tacoma. From noon to 4 p.m. the Buffalo Soldiers Museum will host its first open house, welcoming everyone in to learn and explore. Local poet Elijah Muied will be on tap with a reading of a work inspired by the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Muied's poems have been published in "Threads" and he has showcased his work at his own open mic events as well as multi-poet happenings such as Hope in Hard Times at WSHM. There will also be refreshments and tours of the museum. The open house is free.

5. Hip-Hop 4 the Homeless is a weekend long extravaganza of music, poetry and social work. Olympia's homeless population is invited to come get clothes, toiletries, haircuts, food and other social services. While at the event, they are given one of the best hip-hop shows in Washington state.  This year you can catch Afrok and The Movement, Xperience, Motamouth Jones, Free Ya Mind, 206-Zulu, Heretic and others, plus the 25360 Awards at the Olympia Ballroom. It begins at 6 p.m.

PLUS: Tacoma Home & Garden show and the Westside Tavern Bash in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: Saturday, Jan. 26 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympi area

GOOD REASON TO PARTY >>>

The year was 1973. Music was in it's arguable hey-day: Elvis Presley performed in Hawaii as the first worldwide telecast and was watched by more people than watched the Apollo moon landings, Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon was released and Rainy Day Records opened in Olympia, Wash.

That's reason to party.

Celebrate 40 years of records, skateboards, rock shirts and nag champa at Rainy Day's birthday celebration Sunday, Jan. 20 at The Brotherhood Lounge. The next day is a holiday, students and state workers, so no excuses to not come down and boogie.

Former and present Rainy Day employees will be spinning tunes. DJ Action Slacks will take a break from her regular gig, Sugar Town, at The Spare Room club in Portland, to give the soul people of Olympia some good tunes. Wildman James Maeda and Chris Sutton will also spin the jams.

Maeda reflects on what he loves about working at Rainy Day, "I'm always excited about helping people in their quest for music."

Maeda says the store will have other celebrations throughout the year, including an all-ages event.

Another notable event that celebrates 40 years is Roe v. Wade - the landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court that overturned state bans on abortion. In celebration, 100 percent of the proceeds from the $3 cover will benefit Planned Parenthood.

BROTHERHOOD LOUNGE, SUNDAY, JAN 20, 9 P.M., $3, 119 CAPITOL WAY, OLYMPIA, 360.352.4153.

CROWDFUNDING FOR BEER >>>

Kickstarter has helped many big thinkers get the funding necessary to make hopeful projects come to fruition. The crowdfunding model sprung up in part due to the squeeze of the financial collapse. Small business loans have become more difficult to get in the wake of the recession; even if a business does qualify, it can take a long time for it to see the money.

Morgan Alexander knows this. The burgeoning brewmaster operates his Tacoma Brewing Company out of his teensy-weensy coffee shop - the Amocat Café in Tacoma's Triangle District. His unique and experimental brews - such as Bloody Mary IPA and Bourbon Oaked Imperial Stout - are damn tasty. Problem is, his batches are small due to space confinement. Therefore, he has launched a Tacoma Brewing Company Kickstarter.

If he hits his Kickstarter goal, Alexander aims to upgrade his brewing equipment and secure a warehouse space. His goal is a measly and attainable $5,000. These funds will help Tacoma Brewing to brew more, maybe even making it accessible to local pubs tap list, which is a good thing.

Contributors will be handsomely rewarded with swag such as car decals, buttons and T-shirts. And for the high rollers awaits an invite to the exclusive VIP release party, and a chance to brew beside Alexander.

"The response has, overall, has been really incredible. It's great to see the community rally behind these really great projects like the South Sound Users Guide, Tacoma Makes Playing Cards and Libertine Salts. We want to be a part of that."

Tacoma Brewing Company has until Jan. 14 to fulfill its dream of large-space brewing. To donate visit the TBC Kickstarer.

Every Friday night Tacoma Brewing Company invites the public to whet its whistle and try new brew recipes at Amocat Cafe. Currently, Alexander is focusing on winter flavors such as a coffee stout and pomegranate porter, but there are light brews too.

Follow the Tacoma Brewing Company's Facebook for updates and event invites.

TACOMA BREWING COMPANY, 625 SAINT HELENS AVE., TACOMA, 253.242.3370

SHE'S AWESOME >>>

In the weeks before Christmas, Silvia Tapia gathered toys at the Varsity Grill. The downtown restaurant and sports bar was the home base for her toy drive. Each year, since 1999, Tapia rallies her community for this toy drive and then delivers gifts to children at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. It is for this reason that she is called Santa Silvia.

Monday, Dec. 24, Santa Silvia boarded her sleigh - well, really, it was more like a wagon since sleighs don't fit in hospitals - and headed to Mary Bridge.

"This year's event was fabulous," Tapia says. "There was an increase over last year collection. I don't know by how much exactly but we collected about 14 boxes full of toys, for differing ages. We delivered 6 of them to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and the rest of them went to Toys for Tots."

Santa Silvia teamed up with two long-time friends - Tom Loomis as Santa and Mike Combs - to deliver the gifts. First, the trio visited the ER and visited four families. Tapia says that's often all they can do.

"We were also able to go to the Outpatient Health Center there we saw about 10 families," she says. "Being able to see these little angels as Santa walks in their room, their eyes get so big and shiny, big smiles. For a second, it makes me feel I was able to take away their pain for them and their parents. If I could remove their pain or sickness permanently I would."

Toys that couldn't be delivered directly to kids this year were left at the hospital to be used for children's birthdays or other occasions.

While the donations were up this year, Tapia also received a pleasant surprise - the hospital not only invited her back again next year, but also invited her to help out with other major events and holidays at Mary Bridge.

LINK: Last year's Santa Silvia awesomeness

Local teens and teen dance groups have the chance to shine in a dance competition hosted by MultiCare Center for Healthy Living. The competition is open to teens ages 14 to 18 in groups of three to each people. You don't have to be a pro dancer. The competition is open to all styles and skill levels of dance. Have fun with it. Get crazy. Or show off your serious side. Whatever the spirit moves you to do.

To enter, make a one-minute video of your performance. Post that video to YouTube. Then send the video link to Trixy Dorn at trixy.dorn@multicare.org. You must do this by Friday, Jan. 18.

Groups will be judged by a panel - which includes at least one professional dancer - on their cool use of clothing and accessories, innovation in dance style and overall creativity. The top three will go head to head on Feb. 6 at MultiCare Center's 13th annual "Do Something Healthy" event.

"The best part is a chance to perform in front of our celebrity judge, Derek Hough, from Dancing with the Stars," says Trixy Dorn, community events coordinator for MultiCare Center for Healthy Living.

"Do Something Healthy" is an evening event that includes a health fair, health screenings and a presentation by a special guest speaker. In the past, guests have included Jillian Michaels and Shaun White. This year, Dorn hopes to bring in at least 1,200 community members to the event.

THERE THEY GO A-WASSAILING, OR SOMETHING >>>

Tomorrow, burlesque troupe Gritty City Sirens will shimmy-shake its way through Tacoma bars, singing carols and spreading holiday cheer to those who drink beer.

And wine.

And booze.

The troupe's Caroling Pub Crawl launches at 7 p.m. inside Puget Sound Pizza, then hits The Office Bar & Grill, The Swiss, Jazzbones, Doyle's Public House on the hour, ending the shenanigans at The Mix around Midnight.

This won't be the usual burlesque eye-full (though sure to tantalize) as the Sirens intend to enliven the holiday spirit with some caroling - and all for a good cause. Every dollar donated will go to Pin-Ups Against Cancer Fund. If you purchase a raffle ticket, you'll be entered to win some cool prizes.

Goodie bags will also be given out at each stop.

Between the booze, the boobs and the benefit you're bound to get some of the warm 'n' fuzzies.

CAROLING PUB CRAWL, THURSDAY, DEC. 20, 7 P.M. UNTIL THE MIX KICKS YOU OUT, TACOMA, FACEBOOK EVENT

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 19 2012 >>>

1. The annual holiday party season can be a long and arduous one. It's like holiday parties always go one of two ways: either they are the most epic throwdown of the century, where legendary work-gossip anecdotes are born, or there are painfully awkward. Tonight at 7 p.m. the Mad Hat Tea Company hosts a Pre-Madness-Open-Shop-Party Thingy that could be epic - because it has rules: "You must bring a warm heart and a warm thought for others. You may bring fancy cookies, an hors d'oeuvre, beer, wine and a servant or two to follow you around the party whilst holding your glass, plate and napkin. A resting area for all servants will be provided. You may not bring the past, meatloaf, a blue tooth on your head and tea. Feel free to wear a hat and or pearls."

2. The TEARS Foundation staff and volunteers will hold a candlelight vigil in honor of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting at 6 p.m. at Carson Elementary School, 8615 184th St. E., Puyallup. The vigil will include music, prayer, naming of victims and a moment of silence to honor the families. Candles will be provided along with green and white ribbons representing Sand Hook's school colors.

3. Tis the season for holiday parties! From 7-10 p.m. Fish Tale Brew Pub will host its 13th Annual Holiday Brass Bash. There will be horns-a-hooting, Santa-a-sitting, nibble noshing and all for a good cause. This fundraising party benefits the Thurston County Food Bank. Cash, checks and non-perishable food donations are accepted. Last year Fish Tale raised $800 and collected more than 200 food items. They're hoping to squash that with a new record. Andy Omdahl and his talented group of horn-playing pals will fill the pub with Holiday music and cheer.

4. Bronn and Katherine Journey go off on the harp in their annual Christmas Concert at 7:30 p.m. inside the Olympia High School.

5. R&B songstress Kim Archer performs at 8 p.m. inside The Mix. Now that sounds quite lovely.

LINK: Wednesday, Dec. 19 arts and entertainment events in the South Puget Sound

MONDAY, DEC. 17, 2012 >>>

1. Oh yes, it is winter. Instead of allowing your hostility toward cold and snow and Mother Nature build and build (a destructive practice that may surely only result in tragedy, namely the increased proliferation of strip malls and other nature-defying-structures across our fair South Sound), make your peace. Experience the beauty of nature during the colder months. Join a park ranger to learn the art of snowshoeing and discover how plants, animals, and people adapt to the challenging winter conditions at Mount Rainier. Snowshoe walks daily at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Warning: Call 360.569.6575 for more information, because Mother Nature is freaking out today.

2. Only eight more shopping days left ... so begins the jolliest (and undeniably the most stressful) time of the year. Especially these days, with the economy wallowing in the shitter. Santa has local gift ideas for your mom/aunt/significant other/sibling/bus driver/favorite local vagrant/bossman/whomever over on his Santa Says Blog.

3. Tired of boring old posters on your living space walls? The folks at State of the Arts Gallery in Olympia, which specializes in selling art created by Northwest and regional artists, has some interesting alternatives as part of its 21st Annual Deck The Walls & More show, which is open today from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. - normally closed on Mondays.

4. You're sick and tired of driving through the neighborhood looking at the homes of people who think they deserve an award for their light displays. You deserve to take a night to go see ZooLights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Billed as the region's biggest walk-through light show, ZooLights includes animated light sculptures, live entertainment, snacks, animal encounters and the Paul Titus Carousel. While enjoying your stroll, be thankful you're not in charge of this holiday light display. The lights flip on at 5 p.m.

5. MLKBallet presents Mistletoes - a holiday fundraiser extravaganza featuring a cupcake and wine walk, raffles, holiday crafts, classic holiday movies and performances from MLKBallet students from 6-8 p.m. at urban Grace, 902 Market St. All proceeds from the $10 suggested donation benefit MLKBallet's tuition free dance training program.

LINK: Monday, Dec. 17 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FRIDAY, DEC. 14 2012 >>>

1. After 17 years of Stardust holiday schmaltz-fests, Harlequin director Linda Whitney outsourced her holiday revue-writing to James Hindman and Ray Roderick of Miracle or 2 Productions, authors of 2003's A Christmas Survival Guide. From a critical standpoint, it's a welcome change, especially since this anthology's aimed squarely at cynical adults weary of the hustle, bustle, and rabid commercialism of 21st-century holidays. It plays to the Whitneys' principal strengths: live pop music, technical design and intelligence (in no particular order). It also introduces diminutive spitfire Amy Shephard, newly returned from grad school at Exeter, to the Harlequin stage, where she joins revue regulars Antonía Darlene and Christian Doyle at 8 p.m. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of A Christmas Survival Guide in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

2. Tonight at 7 p.m. the Happy Sock Club will collect Happy Socks (colorful wool or cotton socks) and donations for The Toy Rescue Mission at Cork! Wine Bar. TRM serves Tacoma and Pierce County infants, children and teens during the holiday season every year. Everyone is welcome to attend, especially if you bring Happy Socks.

3. The Weekly Volcano is not here to make this stuff up. Truth happens. Reality pinches, rides up, makes you start and shiver in utter amazement. The Tacoma Noise Rodeo returns to treat the denizens of Sixth Avenue to experimental electronic music. No, not guitar feedback synced with loud Ultimate Fighting DVDs the neighbor kids cranks in his basement Friday nights. Rather, glorious modular synthesizers, patch cables and Commodore 64 machines producing extremely loudly, wicked alchemical magic, meaty pulsing rhythms, monster drone and giant washes of sound, all making you want to run a marathon while eating raw meat, naked. Epect Obscure Robot vs. Infrared, Black, Kord and a 45 minute free-form collective jam at 8 p.m. inside at Metronome Coffee.

4. Justin Stang, usually of Sideways Reign, and Jim Elenteny, ordinarily of Seattle band Nefarious Jones, unite to form the side project Science! We know three things about Stang and Elenteny: they were voted Best New Band in our 2012 Olympia poll, they're holding a CD release party at Southbay Dickerson's BBQ at 8 p.m., and their project is called Science! so they're approved, we suspect, by Thomas Dolby.

5. Downtown Olympia was rocked Dec. 3 by the senseless murder of one of its own, Casey Heath. Tonight at 9 p.m. inside the Urban Onion Restaurant & Lounge, Heath's longtime friends are throwing a benefit to help with the funeral costs, but more importantly, bring together the Downtown Olympia Community to remember a dear friend. Fitz of Depression, The Dirty Birds and C Average will join for an incredible night of music. There will be a suggested donation of $5.

LINK: Friday, Dec. 14 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THURSDAY, DEC.12 2012 >>>

1. Legend has it that sake, the Japanese wine made from fermented rice, was originally called kuchikami no sake, which means "chewing in the mouth sake." An entire village would gather to chew up nuts, rice and other tasty grains and then spit the result into a tub, where the enzymes in the saliva would ferment the liquid for several days - or so the story goes. Fortunately, today's sake is made with more sanitary procedures. Sake doesn't get any tastier than what's on the shelves at TWOKOI Japanese Restaurant. And our mouths are full of saliva when we think about drinking a different sake a day for 12 days in a row, which we will do at TWOKOI through Christmas Eve. During its "12 Days of Sake," you will receive 30 percent off the bottle.

2. After work and dinner, and while your better half gets the kids to bed, why not get some holiday shopping out of the way at Tacoma's Antique Row? Thursdays, now through Christmas, the 70 merchants that make up Antique Row offer free parking after 6 p.m. and have extended hours until 8 p.m. So pick up the perfect book for your niece, grab an original framed local art piece for your mom, or find that great shabby chic nightstand for yourself.

3. Tacoma's Blue Mouse Theatre kicks the holiday season off in style at 6 p.m. a visit from Sanata followed by the classic, It's a Wonderful Life. Patrons are asked to donate food and/or cash to FISH Food Bank of Pierce County. If the sight of friends bringing money to bankrupt George Bailey doesn't move you to give, you're worse than crusty old Mr. Potter.

4. For years, trumpeter Rich Wetzel and his big band has been popping up in local bars and restaurants, introducing folks to jazz of years gone by, as well as a few current numbers. The one constant is his big blowout holiday shows where he expands his band to 30 musicians and plays music from A Stan Kenton Christmas. This year expect more mellophones at the 7:30 p.m. show at Tacoma Community College. Tickets are $10-$15.

5. Ladies and gents, tonight at The Royal Lounge, before your very eyes, is a lineup of epic proportions.  Free Whiskey, Smoke, Subversive Minds, Kyle Miller, Puget and "maybe" a guest performance by "somebody else" will hit the stage at 9 p.m. That "somebody else" may or may not have just gotten home from touring with Mackelmore and Ryan Lewis. That "somebody else" may or may not be Olympia-based bad ass, Xperience (XP).

LINK: Thursday, Dec. 13 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area