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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Rainy and miserable, hi 43, lo 37

Saturday: Exactly the same,with a slight chance of snow showers, hi 43, lo 31

Sunday: Partly sunny, but cold, hi 39, lo 28

>>> FRIDAY, NOV. 19: GODDESS OF COMMERCE GATEWAY PROJECT BENEFIT

The gradual coolifying of Amocat is about to get a serious bump on Friday when Calvin Johnson's project, the Hive Dwellers, performs. Also on the bill will be solo sets from two of the people behind two of the best bands in Tacoma: Trevor Dickson of the Nightgowns and Spencer Kelly of Basemint.

• Amocat Cafe, 6 p.m., $5, 625 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.228.7271

>>> FRIDAY, NOV. 19: SAFE STREETS DEMONSTRATION

Friday Tacoma's nonprofit Safe Streets campaign will hold two rallies in T-Town, allowing members of the community a chance to get together, construct signs with "anti-crime slogans" and demonstrate their vigilance in two neighborhoods:  Orchard Plaza at 56th and Orchard and the Shell station at Center Street and Tyler. If you really want to go all out, sign making parties - including refreshments - start at 3:30 p.m. at the Madrona Pointe and Orchard Hills apartment complexes.

• Tacoma, 4-6 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 56th and Orchard and the Shell Station at Center Street and Tyler Street, Tacoma, safest.org

>>> SATURDAY, NOV. 20: 'NESIAN FEST AT HELL'S KITCHEN

While this one may not fit the bill of shows you typically associate with Tacoma punk and metal institution Hell's Kitchen, that's all the more reason to take note. On Saturday, local hip-hoppers Island Trybe will headline the first ‘Nesian Fest, which the group also happened to organize - with the goal being a celebration and creative gathering of Pacific Islanders throwing it down in the local hip hop scene. With at least five other performers on the bill, the first ‘Nesian Fest will undoubtedly be one of the most impressive collections of talent the weekend has in store.  

• Hell's Kitchen, 8 p.m., 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.232.5519

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

MATT DRISCOLL Editor (aka - the guy to blame)
Drinking in my underwear. Also, I'll be preparing for next week's trip to the in-laws house for Thanksgiving by doing all the things I'm not allowed to do there ... like drink in my underwear

PAUL SCHRAG Senior Contributor
I'm sleeping and watching Red Dwarf. And fantasizing about the Neurosis show at Neumo's on New Year's Eve.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Features Writer
Friday, I'll be at the Amocat Cafe, watching the Hive Dwellers, Trevor Dickson and Spencer Kelley. The next day, I may be attending a Four Loko prohibition party. I cut my teeth on Four Loko last weekend, and can't wait to get back into that cocaine-like saddle. Sunday, I'm having Thanksgiving dinner with my friends.
NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
I don't mind the usual gifts of winter - holidays, nasty weather, shorter days. But what I do mind is the winter gifts that keep on giving - germs, infections, viruses - and the constant sharing of said gifts between the grubby little hands of babes. So, instead of the planned babysitter and a weekend of rock 'n' roll with Built to Spill and the Olympia Record Show, I will be wiping oozing eyes, allowing my sleeve to double as a snot rag and watching Toy Story 3 forthe hundreth time - all while doling out a year's worth of kisses. Sigh.

JOE IZENMAN Music/Theater Critic
Oh, you know, the usual. Proctor Farmers Market. Playing cards and drinking beer. Watching some Doctor Who. Football and Dungeons & Dragos on Saturday. Oh yeah, and CLEANING LIKE A MAD BASTARD BECAUSE APPARENTLY WE ARE HOSTING THANKSGIVING NEXT WEEK. OH, GOD, WHY?
JENNIFER JOHNSON: Lifestyle/Leisure Writer
Friday going to Olympia to hear Ultramarathoner, Life in Motion 'Superhuman' Dean Karnazes speak. Saturday 7:30 a.m. hot yoga, a friend’s wedding, Shenanigans for dinner and Tempest 5-year anniversary throw-down.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
Would you believe I have nothing to review this weekend?  I get to hide from the weather and try not to giggle like a moron each time the word "horcrux" is uttered in Harry Potter and the Curse of Lifelong Typecasting.

RON SWARNER Publisher
The highlight of my weekend – besides hanging the turkey mobile above the kitchen table – will be joining Tacoma at the Tempest Lounge’s fifth anniversary party Saturday night. The rest of the weekend I’ll be doing my old man thing: puttering around the house. I’ll walk around turning lamps on and off, making coffee as well as calls to see which checks cleared overnight, visit the porch to see which plants I have killed and, well, just putter.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound