FRIDAY, DEC. 31 >>>

1. Well, it's New Year's Eve in Tacoma. You know what that means: it's time for First Night. Check out details here. And check out the Rev. Adam McKinney's take here.

2. You've waited a long-ass time for this - the legendary Sonics play the Capitol Theater in Olympia tonight to ring in 2011. The Dirty Birds and November Witch open the show - which promises to be amazing.

3. Bring in the New Year with style, flavor and a little crooning. The Two Crooners are at Pacific Grill Event Center tonight - check here for the details.

4. Check out the Atomic Outlaws' new singer, Calvin Muma, and the band's new direction tonight at Hell's Kitchen - where there'll be a free New Year's Eve show also celebrating one year of the new, Pacific Avenue Hell's Kitchen location.

5. Sure, you could bring in the New Year with some fancy champagne toast and some pressed khakis, or you could venture out to Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill in Spanaway and do something more true to yourself - celebrating the coming of 2011 with Tacoma's own Church of Hate. Nothing says happy New Year like makeup and fake blood.