MATT DRISCOLL: MY SECOND SANTARCHY >>>

Like false winter storm watches and Black Velvet on Pappi Swarner’s breath, some things just go with the season.

And it tis the season to be jolly, in case you haven’t heard.

That’s right. It’s the holidays once again, meaning the malls are packed with desperate consumers and credit card balances are reaching for the heavens.

It means it’s also time for Santarchy â€" which in Tacoma is taking place as we speak.

In case you didn’t catch on last year â€" when Tacoma held its first annual Santarchy shindig â€" Santarchy is a now 15 year old celebration that began in San Francisco. Back in 1993, a pack of Christmas rebels dressed in Santa attire brought bags of havoc to local bars. It was such a good idea (and good time, I presume) that a tradition was started. 15 years later that tradition has turned into a worldwide phenomenon. Not only did Tacoma hold its first ever Santarchy celebration last year, but bigger cities like Seattle and Portland have regularly held similar (lamer) Santarchy get-togethers.

Santarchy, at its core, is something of a big F-U to all the things that suck about Christmas. The commercialization. The shopping. The faux religious fervor. Santarchy (combining big fat St. Nick with a heaping helping of anarchy) is the non-believer’s answer.

It’s also a great chance to get loaded, as many a Santa is doing as we speak. The madness started at the Swiss tonight at 6:30 p.m. â€" and thanks to two rented buses â€" the Santas will continue a path of drunkenness all night long. Be on the look out for some of these inebriated Kris Kringles if you’re out and about tonight.

And remember: He knows if you’ve been drinking, and he knows if you are tanked. He knows if you drink beer or wine, so just chug for goodness sake.

LINK: Previously on Spew

RON SWARNER: OPENING NIGHT >>>

il Trattoria di Merende is a wonderful restaurant but before you make reservations for tomorrow night, you need to know one thing. Jeff Bishop and Ian and Julia Martin-Lombardi’s brand new place offers Italian rustic cuisine, not Italian-American food. You won't be able to order overloaded platters of red sauced spaghetti and meatballs. Don't ask for lasagna. There's no grated cheese shaker on the table and you probably won't go home with tomorrow's lunch.

Daniel Blue and I stopped by Merende (meaning “small bites”) opening night â€" Thursday, Dec. 11 â€" in downtown Tacoma (former Vin Grotto space). The menu is, of course, Italian â€" flat breads, pasta and carne with special emphasis on small plates to be shared.  They offer locally produced, organic ingredients as much as possible inside a sleek decor with straw and terracotta colors, brick down the north side, blue under-lit bar and modern lighting.

Merende's small bite plates are designed to drive your taste buds wild. Warm mushroom risotto ($6) is so creamy it's like a sauce. Other small bites include top-notch sautéed calamari calabrase, white bean salad and garlic seared white prawns.

Merende does serve tagliatelle with ragu alla bolognese ($16) but the dish is deep, complex, and delicious. We "oohed" and even "aahed" over the fig jam, Rogue Valley Gorgonzola and proscuitto served on a crackery flat bread ($12) â€" sweet, yes, but balanced with the salty proscuitto.

I composed my next dinner visit mid meal: Sicily's eggplant dish Caponta with the arugula and frissee salad, followed by the Barolo beef short ribs. Be still my heart!

The wine list isn't encyclopedic â€" what a relief! â€" but it contains true gems among the 15 whites, 19 reds and 11 limited wines. We chose the Barolo "Castiglione" 2004. It sang an aria so moving it stopped our conversation mid-sentence.

Merende is a treat because you don't have to face any odd architectural wonders or bizarre ingredient pairings: just thoughtfully presented dishes that ring clear and pure. As Mr. Blue remarked, "Man, this is so goooood!"

There's room for the generally light desserts ($5-$7), but we skipped the seven items for a nightcap. I have my eye on the Caprese torta for next time.

[il Trattoria di Merende, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday, 4-11 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 4-10 p.m. Sunday-Monday, 813 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.722.1993]

LAUREN NAPIER: YOUNG GUNS 7 IS TONIGHT >>>

Where can one find both a lineup of the local rock and roll youth â€" mind you, half of the band members must be 18 and younger â€" and a large support system? At the Young Guns Showcase: a monthly event at Club Impact. The venue provides a night where, as Derek Smith â€" a representative of the club â€" says, “starter bands can have a chance to play a show.” It allows those who are passionate about music (even though they might be too young to get a show at another venue) to play and experience firsthand the thrill of being on stage. The show is reasonably priced, and a dollar is even knocked off if you bring a can of food. “Quality is not what we expect from these youth … a good time is,” says Smith. Among those playing this week are Starstruck, an all-girl rock band that has played alongside the Dollyrots; Jar, whose foundation is the musical relationship between two brothers and a love for classic rock tunes; and At Night, a five-piece from Gig Harbor that boasts their live show is often unpredictable. Those attending should come expecting an adventure and a most enjoyable night out.

[Club Impact, 7 p.m., all ages $7, 754 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.274.1583]

JENNIFER JOHNSON: HOT LINEUP AT HELL'S KITCHEN TONIGHT >>>

It’s another awesomely stacked bill at Hell’s Kitchen this Saturday night. My first thought on seeing this lineup was “Nice. Top Heavy Crush is my Saturday night.” Then seeing Glimpse on the bill, I thought, “Whoa, they haven’t played out in a while. That’s gonna rock.” And it will. Around since 1999, Glimpse has seen fits and starts in national and local popularity. Once in heavy regular rotation, the band’s shows became less frequent as they toured the states, took time off to write, and band members developed other musical projects (The Joshua Cain Band, for instance). One thing that’s remained consistent is the band’s ability to serve up songs with infectious hooks that flat-out rock; each could be deemed a single. Glimpse is a perfect pairing with Top Heavy Crush â€" chunky guitars, catchy lyrics, chest-thumpin’ bass, and on-fire drumming. Hot guys in tight black pants and eyeliner playing ferocious rock and roll? I’m in.

[Hell’s Kitchen, 9 p.m., $7, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

SUZY STUMP: BANDITO BETTY LOU WHO LEAP 13 >>>

RON SWARNER: BEAUTIFUL ANGLE HOLIDAY PARTY & POSTER SALE >>>

You see their posters everywhere â€" on rundown buildings, cement walls and lampposts.  Intriguing, powerfully thought provoking, emotional and mostly eye pleasing, the posters are distinctive in their abrupt style. The point is often hard to grasp without close inspection. Some scream loudly with political, religious and social messages.

They are Beautiful Angle.

And they know how to party, too.

Beautiful Angle's annual Holiday Party & Poster Sale consumed the Black Water Cafe last night. They rewarded their many admirers with discounted posters. Oh Yeah Hell Yeah entertained the packed house. 

I was one of the first 50 to exchange my $5 for this year's commemorative Beautiful Angle poster. The money benefit the Layla House, an orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

LINK: ViVA South Sound arts and entertainment calendar

BANDITO BETTY LOU WHO LEAP 14 >>>

And on the 14th day Bandito Betty Lou Who rested.