FRIDAY, NOV. 5, 2010 >>>

1. While the Weekly Volcano loves shopping in a boutqiue as much as the next girl, there's nothing like the rush we get from uncovering a hidden treasure at a local fashion party. So after you've thumbed through Vogue, Nylon, Elle, or wherever you go for your style fix, check the Ethereal Showcase at 8:30 p.m. in Tacoma's Opera Alley (729 Court C). The evening centers around the launch of Athena Renee Artistry, a local female owned business that excels at makeup services. When you're not having your face done at Ethereal, you'll enjoy the MLK Ballet troupe, burlesque, a fashion show featuring six local designers - including Vixens, Halter Hotties and Lisa Fruichantie - and music spun by Flat Black, Broam and Trevor Dickson. The $55 price tag includes cocktails with proceeds benefiting MLK Ballet.

2. The conceit of this production of Titus Andronicus, Shakespeare's bloodiest and most incoherent of plays, is that Shakespeare In the Parking Lot Theatre Company doesn't present the play in a parking lot but rather an empty storefront as part of Spaceworks Tacoma. Titus All Rightus! Check it out at 8 p.m. at 913 Pacific Ave. in downtown Tacoma.

3. Picture shoppers dancing in the street, vendors humming a tune as they weigh their shiny apples and L&I agents stomping toward smelly fish stands, tapping their clipboards to the beat. Sound absurd? Don't be too quick to discount it; this shit's totally going down at 8 p.m. inside the Rialto Theater. Tacoma Opera presents Gaetano Donizetti's comic opera of love and love potions The Elixir of Love - a bright and colorful comedy for these dull, rainy days. The story concerns peasant boy Nemorino's abject helplessness after he is  love-struck by the rich (and seemingly unattainable) village girl, Adina. To make matters worse, the local army sergeant, Belcore, also has his sights on the lovely Adina, making Nemorino's quest seem ever more futile.

4. The strength of a play cannot rely on a good script alone. Likewise, good actors cannot make up for terrible writing. Thankfully, eleemosynary, hitting the Tacoma Little Theatre stage at 8 p.m., features a great script with a trio of delightfully talented actors bringing it to life. Written by Lee Blessing, eleemosynary alternates between narration and dialogue to tell the story of three generations of women. It is a smartly written script that covers the range of emotions and family experiences. Read a full review of the show here.

5. The formula looks something like this: One part gay-friendly Hilltop club staring its fifth anniversary right in the face; two parts tasty cocktails; three parts remixes, mashups and electro messes; one part back patio with heat lamps; one part soul music expert DJ Bobby Galaxy; one part DJ Broam hot off his Tacoma Arts Commission Amocat Award; one part DJ Chrome Diego; three parts sparkling clean bathrooms; one part awesome. The sum equals First Friday dance party at 9 p.m. inside the Tempest Lounge.

LINK: It's Art at Work month!

LINK: Concerts go on sale today

LINK: New movies open

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound