THURSDAY, DEC. 2 >>>

1. Talk energy and the economy today at the Harmon Brewery and Restaurant with George Mobus PhD from the University of Washington, Tacoma. Part of the Pacific Science Center and KCTS9 sponsored Tacoma Science Café series, which goes down regularly on the first Thursday of the month, this month's informal chat with an incredibly smart science type will look at "how the economy is like a living thing: both rely on energy." Free, all ages, 7-8:30 p.m.

2. Feel the spirit of Flamenco tonight at the New Frontier when singer Vicente Griego, guitarist Gerado Alcala and dancer Savannah Fuentes do what they do best. These guys are good. Trust us.

3. Massive productions are usually impressive on a lot of levels, but a dead-on a cappella ensemble performance is nothing short of mind blowing. Tonight at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia join Sweet Honey In The Rock - who've been doing the a cappella thing on a world renowned level for over 30 years. Founded by Bernice Johnson Reagon, Sweet Honey In The Rock's music is described as "Rooted in a deeply held commitment to create music out of the rich textures of African American legacy and traditions," and featuring a "stunning vocal prowess that captures the complex sounds of Blues, spirituals, traditional gospel hymns, rap, reggae, African chants, Hip Hop, ancient lullabies, and jazz improvisation." Starts at 7:30 p.m.

4. If there's one thing the youth of today are missing out on it's morbid-ass playground rhymes. Where would we be without gems like: "Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother forty whacks. When she found what she had done, she gave her father forty-one"? Theater Artists Olympia officially opens its production of Blood Relations tomorrow, based on the Lizzie Borden story. But EVEN BETTER, tonight there's a $5 preview for the cheapskates out there or those short on holiday cash! Get a taste of T.A.O. tonight at the Midnight Sun in Olympia for cheap. Starts at 8 p.m.

5. The one-of-a-kind Steve Poltz will perform at Morso Wine Bar in Gig Harbor tonight - an impressive booking put together by the also one-of-a-kind Michael ONeill. The Volcano's Ron Swarner has a good Steve Poltz story. The rest of us may not, but we could after tonight. At the very least this is a show to catch.