WEDNESDAY, JAN. 30 2013 >>>

1. Australian Circus Oz is kicking off its new North American tour with three performances this weekend at the Pantages Theater. Formed in 1978, Oz is a rock and roll, animal free circus of musicians, acrobats, contortionists and artsy clowns. Grab a free, sneak peak of the show at 4:30 p.m. today inside the STAR Center.

2. Want to know what's in our food? At 6 p.m. inside the Moore Public Library a Let Me Decide - Genetically Engineered Food Initiative Forum will discuss a legislative initiative that would require food companies to label products containing genetically modified organisms.

3. Word Nerds! Scrabble is back at King's Books! Chill. You're good with words. Seriously. Get it together! This is Scrabble Rabble at 6:30 p.m. inside King's, remember? It's all in good fun. Now piggyback off that free U to form QUAT - that's 14 points without the double-word score. Word!

4. Dorky's Bar Arcade in downtown Tacoma hosts Trivis for Dorks every Wednesday night at 8 p.m. Weekly Volcano scribe Nikki McCoy has the scoop here.

5. Play bingo with those not just killing time before the Grim Reaper calls their number. Every Wednesday at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier, bingo players are treated to a rather boisterous evening of number-calling. The music rocks, the prizes are craptastic and there's something very satisfying about yelling "It's not a tumor!" when B-9 is pulled from the hopper (Schwarzenegger anyone?). Sessions are free with $2 margaritas during bingo. Every Wednesday night is also Taco Night with $1 beef, $1 black bean and $2 chicken in soft or crunchy shells.

LINK: Wednesday, Jan. 30 arts and entertainment events in the greater TAcoma and Olympia area

THE DANCER, NOT FREAKIN' ROSS >>>

I stalk people. It's part of my job at the Weekly Volcano. I dive deep into websites on a particular topic or person then compile it into a neat little package for you.

This week, I stalked Benji Schwimmer, a 29-year-old California native who began competitive dancing at the age of 5.  His skills landed him the title of World Swing Champ, So You Think You Can Dance winner, guest coach and dancer on Dancing with the Stars, music videos, movies and more. (Thanks Wikipedia.)

Friday, Schwimmer will be at Studio 6 Ballroom in Tacoma. If you register by today, you may dance with him.

My stealthy Schwimmer search leads me to believe the dude not only knows how to dance, he knows how to have fun. His Facebook profile shows him striking a pose in a lily-white armchair next to a lamp as tall as a tree. An interview he did with Out magazine states he did the interview via Skype naked in a bathtub. And, by some sort of mathematical property, Schwimmer is friends with Studio 6 master coach Natasha Thayer - Thayer has partied with Gloria Estefan at a salsa jam - therefore Schwimmer must be an awesome fun salsa dancer. He also has fun on planes. ...

Really sweet flight attendant dropped a napkin on my crotch- and proceed to pick it up- didn't know she had already served peanuts on board.

— Mr. Benji Schwimmer (@BenjiSchwimmer) January 25, 2013

"I have convinced my colleague to take a day out of his busy schedule to visit Tacoma and Studio 6 Ballroom," says Thayer. "He loves working with my students. He's excited to come. I would feel it a disservice to the area if we didn't spread the word and make him available for everyone to get a lesson from!"

As I mentioned, today is the last day to register for Schwimmer dance lessons. For more info or to register, click here.

I lifted his lesson plan from the Studio 6 Ballroom website and posted it below.

SUNDAY, JAN. 27 2013 >>>

1. Willian Hellman's The Children's Hour is a long play, close to three hours, and its first hour is depressingly boring. Yet it's easy to see how its daring, few-holds-barred script was a Broadway sensation in 1934 - so much so, in fact, that New York state authorities were willing to forgo a ban on one of its key themes. Two headmistresses who own and operate a private boarding school are accused of having "unlawful sexual conduct," with, as you might expect, disastrous effects on their lives. The catch is they're accused by a student, Mary Tilford, known to have a shaky regard for the truth. There's every reason to believe Mary's lying, and her rich, influential grandmother overreacting, until another student, Rosalie Wells, corroborates her story. The Lakewood Playhouse stages the production at 2 p.m. Afterward, Alec and Gabi Clayton from PFLAG Olympia will host a post-play discussion. Read Christian Carvajal's review of The Children's Hour in the Weekly Volcano's Arts Section.

2. A large percentage of people get married at some point during their lives. Some people, like Newt Gingrich for instance, do it several times. Hopefully soon it will be legal for gay folks to marry too. The fact is, weddings are a big part of our existence. All the more reason to check out the sixth annual South Sound Wedding Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Centralia's Great Wolf Lodge. Expect everything from wedding gown and tuxedo models to dancing demonstrations. Pro Tip: If you're South Sound Wedding Show date ditches you for one of the Great Wolf water slides, he's probably not the one. 

3. Everyone likes a good joke and being in on the joke is certainly better than BEING the joke. Well, usually. Certainly, people that take themselves too seriously are a drag and theater people who take themselves too seriously are often insufferable. Thankfully, Tacoma Musical Playhouse not only likes a good joke, with their latest production - The Musical of Musicals, the Musical! by Eric Rockwell and Joanne Bogart - they ARE the joke. TMP's cast embraces the self-deprecating lyrics and dialogue and camps it up for the audience. The production hits the stage at 2 p.m.

4. Best-selling author Darren Shan will read from and sign copies of his new book Zom-B Underground at 3 p.m. inside King's Books. After a zombie outbreak in the UK, B wakes up in a military complex with no memory of the last few months. B has to piece together the new world and find some allies. 

5. Traditions Cafe in Olympia hosts a benefit show for Out of the Woods Family Shelter featuring Back Porch Swing, appetizers, desserts and more at 7 p.m.

LINK: Sunday, Jan. 27 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

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

NIBBLING AROUND THE GARDEN HOES >>>

The Tacoma Home and Garden Show may or may not be your idea of a hootin' and hollerin' good time. But, let me tell you, whether you're looking for some new roofing material, a cool hose, beautiful greenery or some professional landscaping services to set up that greenery, there are vendors to help you achieve your homestead goals.

Yesterday, I dropped in one the massive tradeshow inside the Tacoma Dome. The show offers ideas for home improvements that I hadn't considered.

They also have grub.

Now granted, if you find yourself hungry at the convention you're stuck with the onsite McKinley's Grill. Not a bad choice but nothing special. You'll also find a snack bar with the usual suspects such as hot dogs, burgers and popcorn items.

However, if you're looking to get your green thumbs on some delectable bites on the home front, The Tacoma Home and Garden Show has a few foodie finds.

My first discovery was Chris's Country Essence - the place to "bee." Located just a jump away in Puyallup, Chris is all about the bee. Though the booth featured honey-infused hair and skin products, there is also a lovely assortment of honeys available. I snagged a jar of amber hued pumpkin honey for a measly $13.

For the carnivorous Sissy's Specialty Food out of Centralia has elk, alligator, turkey and beef jerky, as well as a plethora of pepperoni sticks available. Sissy's chipotle flavor packed a punch that stayed with me during my entire visit.

Though less local than some of the other vendors, Seattle based OMG Olive Oils sported a lovely assortment of dipping oils of the balsamic and olive oil variety.

A double threat to your taste buds was A Taste of Eden. Its booth looked like two separate entities. The first half featured fresh baked breads such as strawberry rhubarb, banana bread and more. I settled on a loaf of blackberry fudge bread ($8). Um yea! Once home, I tore open the bag and dove into the sweet, moist morsel with its aroma of fresh blackberries and rich chocolate. Hello bread, good-bye waist.

The other half of A Taste of Eden's booth featured its line of Olive Branch infused dipping oils and seasonings. I scooped up a small bottle of its habanero infused olive oil. I'm bringing the heat to future meals.

You will also run across Garlic Gourmay and its wide variety of garlic seasonings and jars of pickled garlic and olives. The GG puts tasty spins on traditional food items such like habanero-pickled garlic and jalapeno stuffed olives.

So there you have it. Home and garden shows aren't just for tool freaks.

TACOMA DOME, TACOMA HOME AND GARDEN SHOW, 11 A.M. TO 8 P.M. FRIDAY, JAN. 25, 10 A.M. TO 8 P.M. SATURDAY, JAN. 26, 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M., SUNDAY, JAN. 27, $10 ADULTS, $8 SENIORS, 16 AND YOUNGER FREE, $16 TWO-DAY PASS, 2727 E. D ST., TACOMA, OTSHOWS.COM/THS

LET'S PARTY >>>

The Weekly Volcano's annual Best of Olympia party is one month away, which means you need to hit the "+" button on your electronic calendar and set Wednesday, Feb. 20 as the night you will be partying with the Olympia community. Type in "Capitol Theater" as the Location. Select 6 p.m. as the Start Time. Select 9 p.m. as the End Time. In the Notes field, type: "This is a free event featuring the Tush Burlesque Troupe, emcee Elizabeth Lord, bands Mosquito Hawk and Science!, films, beer and wine, raffle prizes, Best of Olympia winner announcements and more." 

There, you're set. You'll enjoy a cornucopia of Olympia culture packed into one early evening. Bonus: You'll know the 2013 Best of Olympia winners before the rest of the world. We'll announce the winners and distribute copies of the special issue the night before it hits the streets.

The 2013 Best of Olympia Readers' Poll will remain open until this coming Thursday night. The important thing to remember is the 2013 Best of Olympia Readers' Poll is your chance to give recognition to the people, places and things in Olympia and Thurston County that deserve it. Vote now!

LINKS: Scenes from the 2011 Best of Olympia Party and 2012 Best of Olympia Party

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Cloudy with a little rain, hi 48, lo 41

Saturday: Mostly cloudy with some annoying rain, hi 46, lo 37

Sunday: Some rain here and there, hi 44, lo 39

>>> FRIDAY, JAN. 25: CLUSTERFLUFF: AN ECLECTIC GLITTER EXPLOSION

Rock Candy Burlesque promises a smile, a flip of the skirt and a grind of the hips. The Rock Candy is one of the many highlights of Friday's Clusterfluff: An Eclectic Glitter Explosion at The Royal Lounge in downtown Olympia. The burlesque troupe plans to not only showcase its curves, but some (hidden?) talent, too. A raffle for a Rock Candy calendar, special guests from Twin City Tease, as well as a meet and greet (plus photo ops) with the ladies will also be going down. The Rock Candy's motto is "hard, sweet and sticky." Enough said. - Nikki McCoy

• The Royal Lounge, 7 p.m., $12, 311 Capitol Way N., Olympia, 360. 705.0760

>>> FRIDAY, JAN. 25: ICE BLOCK PARTY

We can't think of a better way to celebrate winter than sampling nine different winter ales on Varsity Grill's heated outdoor patio. (Well, maybe being surrounded by snow bunnies in a remote mountain cabin with a hot tub and three weeks off work!) But, for being a Friday night in Tacoma, this is awesome. "It's one of our best parties of the year," says Razhida Pope, Varsity Grill general manager. To go with the delicious brews, expect tacos served outdoor street style, and heaping warm bowls of chicken corn chowder as well as dessert made with beer. After dinner, follow the party inside for live band karaoke. - NM

• Varsity Grill, 5:30-9 p.m., $20, $15 for Varsity Serious Beer Drinkers Club members, 1114 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.627.1229

>>> ALL WEEKEND: TACOMA HOME & GARDEN SHOW

Surely you have a few home improvements you've been meaning to make. Maybe, for instance, your retirement community building caught on fire. Need some inspiration to get the job started? This week the annual Tacoma Home & Garden Show returns to the Tacoma Dome, running through Sunday and bringing more garden demonstrations, bathroom renovation tips, vinyl siding samples, shag carpet displays, mulching systems and kitchen cabinet seminars than you'll find just about anywhere. This marks the 30th year of the Tacoma Home & Garden Show. — Weekly Volcano

• Tacoma Dome, Friday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $10 adults, $8 Seniors, 16 and younger free, $16 two-day pass, 2727 E. D St., Tacoma, otshows.com/ths

>>> SATURDAY, JAN. 25: WESTSIDE TAVERN ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY BASH

The Westside Tavern in Olympia went through some serious transformation during 2011. Gone are Big Buck Hunter and pull-tabs. They have been replaced by refurbished pool tables and the classy photography of Casey Grant featuring tattooed ladies and Olympia beer. Gone is the tattered blue paint on the outside of the building - inside and out. The ambiance has been mellowed by earthy paint tones, accented by red. Gone is the greasy spoon bar food. The Westside now serves homemade upscale menu items, such as portabella fries with sweet Chile sauce and pineapple express sliders. Saturday, new owners Dean and Lisa Damitio celebrate their first year of being the coolest bar on the Westside by offering a live electric acoustic set by Vaughn Johannes and food and drink specials all night. A super great staff is there to please, and they have a nice heated smoking patio, too. "It's a community place for people to come gather," says Dean, "which is exactly what we were hoping to achieve." — NM

• Westside Tavern, 8 p.m., no cover, 1815 Harrison Ave., Olympia, 360.915.7839

>>> SUNDAY, JAN. 27: SOUTH SOUND WEDDING SHOW

A large percentage of people get married at some point during their lives. Some people, like Newt Gingrich for instance, do it several times. Hopefully soon it will be legal for gay folks to marry too. The fact is, weddings are a big part of our existence. All the more reason to check out the sixth annual South Sound Wedding Show Sunday at Centralia's Great Wolf Lodge. Expect everything from wedding gown and tuxedo models to dancing demonstrations. Pro Tip: If you're South Sound Wedding Show date ditches you for one of the Great Wolf water slides, he's probably not the one. — WV

• Great Wolf Lodge, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., $8, 20500 Old Highway 99 SW., Centralia, southsoundweddingshowolympia.com

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
I'm seeing Or, at Harlequin Productions. Yes, the comma is part of the title — plus my friends' intriguingly named band, Dutch Professors.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
There are two fantastic shows this weekend at The New Frontier: Friday, with I Like Science, Glass Elevator, Oh Dear! and Battersea, and Saturday with Not From Brooklyn, the Harvey Girls and People Under the Sun. I'd find it hard to miss either.

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
Saturday night we're going to see Or, at Harlequin Productions in Olympia. It's a fascinating play about a cross dresser who survived the Nazis in Germany on wit and guts. Sunday, Gabi and I are doing the talkback after The Children's Hour at Lakewood Playhouse - a riveting play, to say the least.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
This weekend brings an extra shift at the bar Saturday night, which means I will be serving pre-funkers headed to the Royal Lounge for E 40. I also invited Jared Warren from Big Business to come visit me and have a drink on me, so we'll see. If he doesn't make it, I'm sure there will be an entourage from the Capitol Theater in search of libations before, during and after the Bones Brigade flick and Big Business double feature. Other than that, I should probably do some laundry.

JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
Friday night I'm going to check out the all-ages hip-hop line-up at The Loch's in downtown Tacoma. It's only $5 to get in. There are some good Seattle artists coming to perform on the bill. The show starts at 7 p.m. Saturday at 1 p.m. I'll be teaching my spoken word poetry class at D.A.S.H. The center is looking for 13- to 19-year-old poets who want to compete in slams. If ya know a young person who is good, send them to D.A.S.H. Saturday is also swim lessons for my little one. Later that day I'll be performing spoken word poetry at Hip-Hop 4 Homeless. This is an all-weekend event, Saturday and Sunday at the Olympia Ballroom. I'll be going-on during the Free Ya Mind segment of the show. Sunday, I'll be hanging with my Jewish community at Temple Beth El.

JACKIE FENDER Food Writer
This weekend will be a mellow weekend. I'll be writing and slinging booze some ... and otherwise floating around in a pregnancy-induced haze.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
I will spend this weekend rejoicing in completing the first semester of the school year while simultaneously lamenting that my SOTA intern is almost done with her J-term (and me). Of course, all that really means is I have no plans other than entertaining the toddler, spending time with the husband, and attending church on Sunday. The toddler keeps asking for a backpack so maybe I'll finally sew the fabric I cut out last weekend.

TIMOTHY GRISHAM Music Writer
Olympia is a swinging place when Leg. session is in. (Pun here: swinging from the rafters) So to celebrate the increase in temporary citizens, I plan on taking in a movie at Tacoma's Grand Cinema, then catching some form of live show (undecided yet as to what), and a meal somewhere away from downtown
Olympia. Curry Corner in Lacey sounds great.

NIC LEONARD Music Writer
Saturday night I will be checking out the Hip Hop 4 Homeless event at the Olympia Ballroom. Afterward, I'll be heading over to The Royal to open up for Bay Area legend E40. Go me!

ROCKFORD ROWLEY All-Ages Music Columnist
This weekend my friend and I are headed over to Cashmere, Wash. to visit some friends and attend a dessert party. We'll probably also visit Leavenworth, and enjoy the faux Bavarian town during its holiday season.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

YAY! >>>

Murray Morgan Bridge is the proper name of what some people call the 11th Street Bridge or City Waterway Bridge. It's that old steel bridge over the Thea Foss Waterway. Yeah, the one that has been shut down since 2007. The one that has spent the better part of 2012 under a big white tarp. The one that got tens of thousands of wire stolen from it in 2009.

And it's going to reopen next month. With a new pedestrian path. And a bike path. And an elevator connecting it to Dock Street.

Who was Murray Morgan? He was a Tacoma historian, author and columnist. He passed away in 2000.

The city of Tacoma and Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the bridge's opening with what they call Murray Morgan Bridge Week, which include a fun run across the bridge Feb. 14 and an officially opening ceremony Feb. 15. The city and chamber sent out a letter yesterday to Tacoma business asking them to join the fun. Part of the letter is attached below.

One of the businesses joining the celebration will be the Harmon Brewing Co. "We're brewing a special beer with 11 different hops and 100 IBUs in celebration of the bridge's 100 year anniversary," says Harmon co-owner Pat Nagle.

A list of businesses participating in Murray Morgan Bridge Week can be found here.

What will you do?

WEDENSDAY, JAN. 23 2013 >>>

1. Judging by the looks of John and Sherry Petersik of Young House Love blog fame, this annual prompt for spring cleaning - the Tacoma Home & Garden Show - is aiming for the young market. The Petersiks are one of those likable young couples that drives you nuts. Not only are they hopelessly photogenic (and charmingly self-deprecating) but they've managed to turn their love of fixing up their old house into a bankable career. If you're mad about keeping up with the Young Joneses, then this congregation of 750 trendy exhibitors will inflame those covetous inclinations from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Tacoma Dome. The popular Vintage Market returns this year as repurposed and shabby-chic items for the garden and home are spotlighted by more than 20 local vendors.

2. It's a busy day for O'Laughlin Trade Shows - the juggernaut behind today's Tacoma Home & Garden Show at the Tacoma Dome, AND the 26th annual Washington Sportsmen's Show and Sport Fishing Boat Show at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. Wednesday through Sunday, the Washington Sportsmen's Show will offer the best in dudes wearing flannel and exaggerated fishing stories. But, best of all, check out what's billed as the "one-of-a-kind" indoor "Steelhead River." It's hard to go wrong with an indoor river.Check it from noon to 8 p.m.

3. Vaughn Sherman's career as a fisheries biologist in the Pacific Northwest was cut short when he was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency. Such is life. At 7 p.m. inside the Wheelock Library, Sherman will read and sign his book Sea Travels - Memoirs of 20th Century Master Mariner, the autobiography of Sherman's uncle, J. Holger Christensen.

4. There's a public program tonight at the newly opened Science Dome at Pierce College. At 7:15 p.m. an interactive tour of our current night sky will be explored followed by the 25 minute fulldome movie, Two Small Pieces of Glass, a story about telescopes, Galilean Moons, Saturn's rings and spiral structure of galaxies set to music by the London Symphony Orchestra.

5. The Northern Pacific Coffee Company is the quintessential college hangout. Located on Parkland's Garfield Street - one block away from Pacific Lutheran University - this coffee shop hosts an open mic every Wednesday at 8 p.m. Though much more casual than the other open mics I've mentioned, I have seen incredible talent the last six years. The NPCC also has resident musicians throughout the week that perform traditional jazz music for the regulars. And much like the Antique Sandwich Company, the NPCC features a great selection of food and beverage options.

LINK: Wednesday, Jan. 23 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, JAN. 20 2013 >>>

1. Celebrate 40 years of records, skateboards, rock shirts and nag champa at Rainy Day's birthday celebration at 9 p.m. inside The Brotherhood Lounge. 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. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the $3 cover will benefit Planned Parenthood.

2. The Tacoma Socialism Conference fills the aisles of King's Books from 1-5 p.m. The free event focuses on "Capitalism in Crisis and the Socialist Alternative" and the social, economic, and political issues for Tacoma.

3. Brass Unlimited is sponsoring the free 15th annual "Sounds of Brass Concert" at 3 p.m. inside St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Tacoma. Featured ensembles are Brass Unlimited and a 15-member brass ensemble with percussion under the direction of John Falskow, TCC Music Dept. chair. Saxophonist Tracy Knoop will also be in the house. Music selections include portions of Stravinsky's “Firebird Suite,” “Fantastie Brilliante” by Arban and several Gershwin Preludes.

4. Immaculate Flave presents Extreme 2013, a full night of dynamic, live hip-hop, intricate wordplay and break beats at 7 p.m. inside the all-ages Olympia venue Northern. Scheduled to perform are Scarub of the world famous Living Legends crew, X-Kid, Sea One, Model Citizens, Steez, Akeem, Cauze & Efekt and DJ Pasquan.

5. Nikki Weatherhead hosts a 9 p.m. karaoke session at Bob's Java Jive. The spunky Tacoman never seems to lack energy or a smile even if the sign up sheet is less than full.

LINK: Sunday, Jan. 20 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area