FRIDAY, JAN. 18 2013 >>>

1. At 8 p.m., the Backstage Bar and Grill and Puddin' Pie Productions will combine rock music and comedy into one Rockin' Comedy Extravaganza package featuring two bands and five comedians. A line-up of comedians - including Travis Simmons "The Big Funny," Justin Hayes, Greg Baldonado, Jeremy Whitman and Eric "Puddin" Lorentzen - start off the night followed by Hookerfist, a Tool tribute band, and local rockers C.F.A. The event is a NWCZ Radio sponsored listener's party, with on-air host Darrell Fortune playing emcee. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

2. Bates Technical College will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic march on Washington D.C. and "I Have a Dream" speech with an 11:30 a.m. program that will remember the past and celebrate the future. Spoken word poet Lucas Smiraldo, also known as Vanilla Soul, and local activist and leader from the Civil Rights era Dr. Moses Harris will join Master of Ceremonies and former Bates President Lyle Quasim for the event, which will also feature speeches from Commander Sergeant Major Sherman Fox and Dr. Harris' daughter, Frances Lizette Renée Harris.

3. Members of the Saint Martin's University community will gather at 6 p.m. inside the Worthington Center for its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration honoring the legacy of the prominent human rights activist. Featuring a Southern-style dinner, the evening will include remarks by Tyler Calvi, the University's student body president, and University President Roy F. Heynderickx, Ph.D. A powerful performance by spoken word poet Chas Jackson will round out the evening.

4. The Social Bar and Grill hosts local creative writing publication Wrist Magazine's launch party Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. Beats provided by DJ Mr. Melanin while you can meet the staff and local authors and nosh on culinary treats and sip on some of the best craft cocktails in town. Tacoma winery 21 Cellars will be in the house too.

5. Talented Tacoma photographers command the Madera Architectural Elements Showroom once a month, illuminating their work and creativity with the visually aided enhancement implied by the name of the series, TRIPOD Slide Shows. Created by Tacoma artist Lynn Di Nino, the night of digital slides features three local photographers and one creative theme.  The next TRIPOD Slide Show slides into Madera from 7-8:30 p.m. featuring 15-minute slide shows by photographers Becky Frehse, Ann Darling and L. Lisa Lawrence under the theme "Footloose and Fancy Free, all over the World."

LINK: Friday, Jan. 18 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

AROUND AND AROUND >>>

The Weekly Volcano fired up its Electric Salchow Stage Saturday night for the last time this season, hosting local rock band SweetKiss Momma for a night of Southern rock and couples skates. That's right. Besides rocking the Franciscan Polar Plaza louder than the previous five bands, SweetKiss Momma called for two couples skates, one funky skate and actually reversed the flow of the skaters during its two-hour set at the downtown Tacoma ice rink, which ended its run Sunday.

SweetKiss Momma will release its sophomore album in March — an album recorded in Nashville with accomplished producer Ken Coomer. SweetKiss lead singer Jeff Hamel smiles ear to ear when discussing the finished product. A record release show will happened, but it's not on the books yet.

Below are pictures and videos from the SweetKiss Momma performance.

Note: Apologies to BODYBOX, the band that rocked the Polar Plaza Dec. 29. I'll post photos and videos from that show if I can figure out how to open my locked hard drive.

LINK: More SweetKiss Momma on Ice photos

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Clouds and sun, hi 47, lo 39

Saturday: Mostly cloudy with a few showers, hi 45, lo 38

Sunday: Cloudy with a little rain, hi 44, lo 33

>>> FRIDAY, JAN. 4-SATURDAY, JAN. 5: BROADWAY'S NEXT HIT MUSICAL

Broadway's Next Hit Musical looks hilarious. It's song. It's dance. It's audience participation. Most importantly, it's improvised. The crowd gets to choose four different song titles, vote on the Broadway's next hit musical and then watch as the talented crew improvs an entire musical based on the winning title. With a witty cast, plot twists and an assortment of situations, each night is different and each night will certainly be memorable. - Nikki McCoy

• The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., $9-$26, 512 Washington St., Olympia, 360.753.8585

• Fulcrum Gallery, 5 p.m., free, 1308 S. MLK Way, Tacoma
  

>>> FRIDAY, JAN. 4-SATURDAY, JAN. 5: OLY MOUNTAIN BOYS

The Oly Mountain Boys are stomping their way into the Yew Year. With nine shows booked in the South Sound over the next two months, the bluegrass masters start with a show tonight at The New Frontier Lounge in Tacoma and Saturday at The Pig Bar in Oly. The five piece uses all the bluegrass faves - harmonious vocals, mandolin, guitar, banjo, fiddle and bass - to hone a sound that's their own. Plus, they know how to dress. Have you seen the hats they wear? -NM

• The New Frontier, w/Rusty Cleavers and Michael Gee, Friday, 9 p.m., $5, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253. 572.4020

• The Pig Bar, Saturday, 8 p.m., no cover, 619 Legion Way SE, Olympia, 360.943.6900

>>> FRIDAY. JAN. 4-SUNDAY, JAN. 6: MONSTER JAM

For every adult male that never outgrew smashing his matchbox cars into each other, the Tacoma Dome brings back Grave Digger, Bounty Hunter, Captain America and more, in (ahem, let me change to my commercial announcer voice) an OUTRAGEOUS display of monster truck POWER, watch them FLIP, JUMP and SMASH!!  Fun for the whole family, get there early and get up close and personal with the trucks and drivers in the PARTY PIT! This weekend ONLY at the MONSTER JAM ROCK THE DOME BATTLE OF THE MONSTER TRUCKS. BE THERE!! Well, that was obnoxious. I'm sure the real event will be much more entertaining than those commercials. Maybe. - NM

• Tacoma Dome, Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 2 p.m., Sunda, 1 p.m. $10-$22, 2727 E. D St., Tacoma, 253.272.3663

>>> FRIDAY. JAN. 4-SUNDAY, JAN. 6: PUYALLUP HOME SHOW

For three days inside the Puyallup Fairground's Showplex, the Puyallup Home and Garden Show will serve up the best in home design, landscaping and decorating. Produced by Trade Shows Northwest, a company that makes its living putting events like this together, according to hype the Puyallup Home and Garden show promises to provide "homeowners with wonderful ideas on enhancing their home´s comfort and functionality, as well as the overall look and appeal of their home." Expect product demonstrations and guys in Janet Jackson headsets slinging vinyl siding. It just might be enough to inspire you to make that kitchen island or storm door a reality. — Weekly Volcano

• Puyallup Fairground's Showplex, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4-Saturday, Jan. 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, $7-$8, Ninth and meridian, Puyallup, 253.874.8711

>>> SATURDAY, Jan. 5: RETRO SKATE NIGHT

Go old school in Puyallup Saturday at another Retro Skate Night at Tiffany's Skate Inn. Retro is all the rage these days, from Atari to tube socks, and Retro Skate Nights at Tiffany's - featuring tunes from the '70s, '80s and '90s - are probably better than both of those things. Get funky from 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. — WV

• Tiffany's Skate Inn, 7-10 p.m., $7, 113 N Meridian, Puyallup, 253.848.1153

>>> SUNDAY, JAN. 6: LAST SKATE

Sunday is the last day to bundle up, pinch your cheeks until they glow and strap on a pair of silver skates, Hans Brinker, for a glide across the frozen expanse at Tollefson Plaza. The Franciscan Polar Plaza, located on the corner of Pacific Avenue and South 17th Street ends today. Hit the ice from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. — WV

• Franciscan Plolar Plaza, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., $4-$8, 17th and Pacific avenue, Tacoma
  

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
Amanda and I will be celebrating our fifth anniversary as a couple by going on our first-ever ski weekend.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
I'd be a fool to miss the Santee show on Saturday, which also features personal favorites of mine People Under the Sun and I Like Science. That's a crazy solid lineup. If you haven't seen People Under the Sun and their gauntlet of vintage synthesizers, you're missing quite a sight.

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
I shall watch the Seahawks whup up on Washington (I hope, I hope, I hope,) and I'll write a chapter or two in the next great American novel.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
Playing catch up on housework, staying under blankets as much as possible and paying bills. You know, recovering from the holidays.

JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
Tonight I'm hosting a nice little local hip-hop show at The Loch's. Catch W.O.L.F. Gang, Sic Ill, J.U.I., Gho$t Kapone, Cauze-N-Efekt, 36uh0! and D.J. Reign. It's only $5 and the doors open at 9 p.m. Saturday from 1-2 p.m. I'll be teaching some spoken word/poetry at D.A.S.H. Center for the Arts. Contact the Center to enroll or just stop on by. Saturday, I'll also be at Awall's video shoot. I don't want to give too much away. Stay tuned!

JACKIE FENDER Food Writer
Just good ol' work. I'll be slinging booze, writing and returning emails and ideally getting January's Wrist issues out on the stands.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
For the first time in weeks I don't have a single thing planned other than church and football! We've already taken the Christmas tree down and organized all the toddlers new toys. If the weather is nice we may let the boy ride his new tricycle outside or take the dogs for a walk. Otherwise, I need to make a new lining for my pea coat and figure out what it means to be defiantly creative and do some of that.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: Photographer
I will be strapped to my Xbox 360 with my kids touring the Disney games. Also, I'm talking the female offspring to see Children's Hour at Lakewood Playhouse.

TIMOTHY GRISHAM Music Writer
I am still a bit miffed that the world did not end last month. I really planned on it, and spent way too much on gifts for family that I would never see again. But alas, I did see them again, and now I have to do the yearly ritual of returning unwanted gifts at a mall I hate going to. While I am there I am going to catch Django Unchained to easy my psychotic state, or amplify it depending on how you look at it.

ROCKFORD ROWLEY All-Ages Music Columnist
This weekend, I will be scouring antique stores in an attempt to furnish my apartment.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

TUESDAY, JAN. 1 2013 >>>

1. Here at the Weekly Volcano we take our showers warm. We're kind of wimps. But there are plenty of tough, adventurous, rosy-cheeked folks out there who live on the edge, no doubt partaking in activities like today's Polar Bear plunges at Long Lake in Lacey (noon) and Point Defiance boat launch in Tacoma (11:30 a.m.). According to hype, the New Year's Day cold-water fiasco presents a chance to get 2013 off on the right foot.

2. If you have yet to check out the ice skating adventures in currently being offered in Tollefson Plaza, today might just be your chance to do so. With its stay recently extended through Jan. 6, The Franciscan Polar Plaza, located on the corner of Pacific Avenue and South 17th Street, is a covered outdoor rink is about half the size of a hockey rink. It will have real ice and hold about 150 skaters at a time. And it's pretty awesome.

3. Nursing a hangover? Find your way to The Grand Cinema in Tacoma for a great movie in a dark room. Anna Karenina, Hitchcock, Lincoln, Silver Linings Playbook and The Big Picture are currently playing. In Olympia, the place to hit is the Capitol Theater, where Side By Side and The Perks of Being A Wallflower are playing.  

4. There's a ton of football on today. New Year's Day is synomous the pigskin. Browse the Weekly Volcano's bar listings and find the perfect place to watch whatever game interests you.

5. So far, it's a pretty nice day. And since one of your New Year's resolutions undoubtedly involves being healthier (read: less fat), try an enjoyable walk through one of Tacoma's parks or along the Ruston Way waterfront. In Oly, a jaunt around Capitol Lake is always a good time. Or, if you're looking for more than just a walk, in Tacoma get in on at the Metro Parks New Year's Day Dance inside the new STAR Center.

LINK: Tuesday, Jan. 1 arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

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

MONDAY, DEC. 31 2012 >>>

1. A legitimate excuse for frivolous hedonism comes but once a year, so we say make the most of it. Don a silly hat (everyone else will look stupid, too), pop a magnum of champagne and blow your horn: 2012 is finally done. Check out the Weekly Volcano's New Year's Eve Command Center for South Sound parties and events.

2. The Children's Museum of Tacoma will host a parade through its awesome space at noon. Expect noisemakers, "sparklers" and more. Aaaah.

3. ZooLights at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium is as much of a holiday tradition as the choking down an eggnog latte that contains never real egg or real nog. A stroll through the magnificent light display sounds really soothing tonight, instead of, you know, drinking and falling down. The lights flip on at 5 p.m.

4. The Middle Floor Merchants inside Sanford & Son Antiques will host a New Year's Eve Prefunk offering snacks and a special "Happy New Year" gift bag to the first 50 shoppers that spend $25 or more in its shops. It kicks off at 6 p.m.

5. First Night is a coordinated international phenomenon with hundreds of cities worldwide manifesting (relatively) drunk-free celebrations that allow people not interested in being totally smashed to come out of their homes to celebrate New Year’s. In Tacoma, past celebrations have included giant puppets, parades, pirates, racing pigs, rolling heads, music, performers, fireworks, medieval sword fights and more. First Night is back with a Mayan calendar theme this year, as well as a scavneger hunt, giant snake, fire and tons of music. Venues for this year’s offerings are all about Broadway — the Rialto Theater, Theater on the Square, the Pantages and indoor and outdoor spots from Seventh to 13 streets. Click here for the First Night Tacoma full schedule.

LINK: Monday, Dec. 31 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

PUCKER UP PEOPLE >>>

For days now, you've been waiting for your posse to come up with a plan for New Year's Eve. Meanwhile, they were waiting for your brilliant plan, and there you are, all gussied up with no place to go when the ball drops. Before you end up watching your mate fall asleep in front of The Twilight Zone marathon, check out the following South Sound events and ideas for tonight.

New Year's Eve: How to survive it

The List: South Sound New Year's Eve parties

First Night Tacoma: The world didn't end, so First Night is a go!

Punk Rock NYE: Broken Oars headlines a huge punk show

Studio 54: You should be dancing at the Tacoma Art Museum

Rock Stage: Duchess of Downtown hosts a great stage

Campus MLK: The organization hosts a cool event in the Graffiti Garages

The New Frontier Lounge: Great indie rock show

New Year's Day: Hangover breakfast

New Year's Day: Polar Plunge!

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight in the South Sound

SUNDAY, DEC. 30 2012 >>>

1. The Weekly Volcano has a humble mission. We only want to be your conscience; we only want to influence everything you do. To entertain yourself, that is. Now, we have been talking among ourselves, and we have reached a decision about what you should do Sunday night. Every week we watch you tell lies around town. You don't just love it. You won't start working on it ASAP. You didn't send the email. So we have decided you need to know what's true and what's not. At 8 p.m. the Tacoma Comedy Club hosts Jay Hollingsworth's True Comedy Show. Immediately following each comedian's act, Hollingsworth will probe the comics with questions to reveal what's true and what's fiction in their material. We suggest you attend.

2. The Model Train Festival - downtown Tacoma's biggest model railroad exposition (taking into account, of course, the relatively small size of the subjects at hand because they are, of course, models) - runs through Jan. 1. Every floor of the Washington State History Museum will be filled with operating modular layouts. 

3. Harlequin Productions brings A Christmas Survival Guide to the stage one last time at 2 p.m. It plays to Harlequin's 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. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of A Christmas Survival Guide in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

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. The poster for LyonPride Music's 13th Annual Holiday Bash shows a topless woman in a Santa hat riding another topless woman dress as a reindeer. Exactly what goes down tonight at The Backstage Bar and Grill is unknown. What is certain is the Mentor, Coven and The Dead Hookers will rock it, World Champion Pole Dancer Pantera Blacksmith with work it and there will be prizes for tattoos and raffles. Something will happen beginning at 7 p.m.

LINK: Sunday, Dec. 30 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

HIT THIS STAGE >>>

The ball drops in Times Square. People on TV are singing. Fireworks go off in the distance. Strangers are kissing. You're already in your pajamas when you and your dog, wearing matching party hats, exchange a glum look as the remote slips from your fingers and falls between the couch cushions. Is this how you want to celebrate the start of a brand-spanking-new year?

Anyone who says that New Year's Eve isn't worth the hype is just a loser in denial - it's like when ugly people say that true beauty is on the inside. Let's face it: New Year's is a big deal, and since it only comes around once a year, no amount of planning is too much to ensure a smooth and festive transition from old to new. The Weekly Volcano posted a guide to South Sound New Year's Eve parties three weeks ago. It's been constantly updated, including Masa's DJ party, Varsity Grill's live band karaoke and burger contest, and Morso's Spy Party.

What has caught Bobble Tiki's wooden eye is the return of the Duchess of Downtown Stage during First Night Tacoma - Angela Jossy's third year running her stage. Located on the hidden stairway between Commerce and Broadway, next to Mad Hat Tea Company, this stage is cool with its mini amphitheater seating and overhead viewing. Hot food vendors and local art will be close by.

Oh, and the three bands on this stage are killer.

Death By Stars kicks it off at 7:30 p.m. Guitarist Patrick Galactic recently rolled his car, but the show must go on for this electro-psychedelic three-piece.

Big Wheel Stunt Show, hot off its show tonight at Jazzbones, will rock a new song New Year's Eve, as well as dust off many an old BWSS classic, beginning at 9 p.m.

Back from recording in Nashville, SweetKiss Momma hits the stage at 10:30 p.m. showcasing its new songs - but still carrying the band's rootsy, Southern soul rock sound.

"I scoured all my lands for the bravest, the handsomest and the most rockinest knights in all the land and awarded this honor only to the most worthy," says Jossy with a laugh.

No, it's true. These bands do rock the good looks.

DUCHESS OF DOWNTOWN STAGE, MONDAY, DEC. 31, 7:30-11:30 P.M., NO COVER, 1113 BROADWAY ST., TACOMA

LINK: First Night Tacoma

LINK: South Sound New Year's Eve parties

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Cloudy, hi 44, lo 38

Saturday: Partly sunny with a shower, hi 43, lo 34

Sunday: Partly sunny, hi 40, lo 32

>>> FRIDAY, DEC. 28: BRIDLE SHOW

I read that it takes an average of two hours to create one inch of horsehair hitching, the art of twisting and knotting horse tail hairs in to intricate and detailed patterns and designs, often in the form of wearable art, horse bridles or decoration.

The process is so tedious and time consuming, that most of the folks still producing this fine art are found in prison, where, for many, there is no end to the hours in a day. While a handful of prisons have adopted the art, specifically, state prisoners in Deer Lodge, Mont. (MSP) have garnished praise for their craftsmanship and dedication to keeping the art alive.

This Friday, local artist Lisa Kinoshita presents Bridle Show at Fulcrum Gallery, where she will discuss her experience with the inmates of MSP and share the meticulous process of horsehair hitching which passed through more than a century of inmates. Prisoners are allowed to sell their art in the gift shop, often bringing in thousands of dollars while preserving the craft and providing a sense of self-worth.

"Hitching inside prison is a very special privilege, and inmates have to buy their own materials and do it in their limited free time, after their chores," explains Kinoshita. "The administrative staff says it helps calm the atmosphere, reduce tension and build inmates' self-confidence. I was very impressed by the fortitude of the artists I met."

Kinoshita has also done collaboration work with a few of the prisoners and has taken up the art of leather working as a parallel to the hitching.

"I had wanted to learn hitching, but eventually realized that - short of committing a serious crime in Montana - it would take too long for me to really learn the craft," she says. "So, I took up leather working instead - I'm a scant beginner - which also has centuries of history behind it, and is madly beautiful. The bridle in the show took 450 ft. of kangaroo leather to make, and I can't wait to start the next piece." - Nikki McCoy

• Fulcrum Gallery, 5 p.m., free, 1308 S. MLK Way, Tacoma
  

>>> FRIDAY, DEC. 28: IMMIGRANT PILGRIM

"Amocat is a great spot to see music because they have a room that's isolated from the rest of the venue that has great acoustics, tons of places to sit and it's right in front of a storefront window so people look in as performers are playing. They don't host a lot of music but when they do, they do it very well." This is the praise that Patrick Galactic gives the venue space where he and Chris Nunley will play Friday evening as Immigrant Pilgrim, where the two incorporate acoustic guitar with electro beats and atmosphere. "It's a lush sound, haunted almost," says Galactic. Adam Hendricks, a veteran singer-songwriter will be opening the show with his distinct brand of psychedelic folk-blues and handcrafted ales will be flowing all night. The show is free and all ages. - NM

• Amocat Cafe, 5:30 p.m., free, 625 St. Helen's Ave, Tacoma, 253.242.3370

>>> FRIDAY. DEC. 28-TUESDAY, JAN. 1: MODEL TRAIN FESTIVAL

There are some hobbies better kept to yourself. You know, the ones you do alone in your basement late at night. And then there are some truly cool hobbies, like model railroads. These should be celebrated and dragged out in the open for all to admire. This is why the Model Train Festival, downtown Tacoma's biggest model railroad exposition (taking into account, of course, the relatively small size of the subjects at hand because they are, of course, models), is being held through Jan. 1, instead of like, a half hour. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy every floor of the Washington State History Museum filled with operating modular layouts. — Weekly Volcano

• Washington State History Museum, through Jan. 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.3500
  

>>> FRIDAY. DEC. 28-SUNDAY, DEC. 30: A CHRISTMAS SURVIVAL GUIDE

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. — Christian Carvajal

Read Christian Carvajal's full review of A Christmas Survival Guide in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

• Harlequin Productions, through Dec. 30, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $25-$38, 202 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.786.0151
  

>>> SATURDAY. DEC. 29: COMIC BOOKS SIGNING

Nerdy Stuffs is just that. It's store full of nerdy stuff, especially comic books. Join other nerds for Nerdy Stuff's first-ever comic book signing. Dang, I just wrote "nerd" four times. Make that five. Anyway, this Saturday, Tim Seeley - creator of Image Comics hit, Hack/Slash, as well as co-contributor of many others including GI Joe, Love Bunny and Mr. Hell - will be in-store for a signing and meet and greet. Also present will be Chuck Messinger, author of Stink, and local writer Marie Frances, who wrote the successful Night Hawk. Steve Frank, who wrote the horror cult comic, Zombies Vs. Cheerleaders and Nathan "Rock" Quarry, famed UFC and MMA Fighter and creator of Zombie Cage Fighter will also be there. A Q & A will be available for all the nerdy fans as well as special signed prints. - NM

• Nerdy Stuffs, 1-4 p.m., free admission, 115 176th St., Spanaway, 253.267.1850

>>> SATURDAY, DEC. 29: RETRO SKATE NIGHT

Go old school in Puyallup Saturday at another Retro Skate Night at Tiffany's Skate Inn. Retro is all the rage these days, from Atari to tube socks, and Retro Skate Nights at Tiffany's - featuring tunes from the '70s, '80s and '90s - are probably better than both of those things. Get funky from 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. — WV

• Tiffany's Skate Inn, 7-10 p.m., $7, 113 N Meridian, Puyallup, 253.848.1153

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
My only plans this weekend are to read, hit the gym (to burn all those holiday carbs), and spend some gift card money. Thanks, Santa!

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
I think I'm going to try and set a record for sleeping.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
A little reading, a lot of writing and a possible stop by the Pig Bar Saturday night to see the Illustrious Danny play. Oh, and a coin toss to see whether we should put my cat down because he keeps pissing on my bed, the crotchety old man orange tabby that he is.

JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
Friday, Beanz & Rize will be guests on Screwed Loose Radio, a successful syndicated hip-hop show put-on by Diggs Bozon. The show is on NWCZradio.com & gojuiceradio.com. Just to make sure ya know, Beanz & Rize is my new hip-hop group with MC Coo Beanz. Our self-titled album is out now on bandcamp and we have three sweet videos on YouTube. Get-hip! Have a good weekend Family!

JACKIE FENDER Food Writer
Nothing interesting here. Serving up breakfast goodies over the weekend, sleeping, reading and writing. Riveting I know.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
Friday and Saturday, the husband, two year old and I will be DRIVING home from Denver. Hopefully the boy will do as well on his drive TO Denver as he does home. A highlight along the way will be to stop at a gas station outside of Twin Falls to pet the alpacas and buy more chips and snacks. Sunday we will go to church and then do N O T H I N G the rest of the day (well, other than watch football).

NIC LEONARD Music Writer
Unfortunately all I'm doing this weekend is working.

ROCKFORD ROWLEY All-Ages Music Columnist
This weekend a friend and I will be apartment hunting in downtown Tacoma. Hoping for hardwood floors and a great view! And I will of course be sniffing out some good live music in north end.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar