THURSDAY, DEC. 23, 2010 >>

1. Tacoma's new burlesque troupe Gritty City Sirens will make its debut performance at at 9 p.m. inside The Swiss Dec. 23. Ava D'Jor, Tizzy Van Tassel, Rosie Cheexx, Funny Face Fanny and Polly Puckerup will offer "a night of glitz, glamor, humor and plenty of T&A!" says Van Tassel. Read our special burlesque report here.

2. John Fisher's prints are terrific. The colors and shapes are electric. They are photographs, but he calls them and the show Algorithmic Drawings. The photos are of industrial scenes with streaks and bursts of light created by long exposures of moving lights and perhaps other techniques. The photos were all taken in Seattle and Tacoma. Alec Clayton reviewed the show here. Check it out from noon to 5 p.m. at Mineral gallery in Tacoma.

3. You're sick and tired of driving through the neighborhood looking at the homes of people who think they deserve an award for their light displays. You deserve to take a night to go see ZooLights, which is lit from 5-9 p.m. tonight. Billed as the region's biggest walk-through light show, ZooLights at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium includes animated light sculptures, live entertainment, snacks, animal encounters, and the Paul Titus Carousel. While enjoying your stroll, be thankful you're not in charge of this holiday light display.

4. Dream of line dancing the Chasse, the Grapevine or the Weave? Or, do you have high hopes of being swept off the dance floor by that special someone? Big Whisky Saloon offers beginner and intermediate dance lessons every Thursday Night starting at 7:30 p.m. $5 gets you a drink and a lesson. Who knows, you might be paired with a cutie-pie.

5. The holidays are traditionally a time for giving back, and in that spirit, Hell's Kitchen is hosting their annual "Customer Appreciation Night." Beleaguered, cash-strapped attendees will be pleased to hear that admission tonight will be free, food will be free and drinks will be sold at preposterously low prices - $3 for well drinks and beers. (Ho, ho, ho.) Live music will include I Defy, Neutralboy, South 11th, Psycho 78 and Klondike Kate beginning at 8 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Happy hour!