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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Partly sunny, cold, hi 37, lo 25

Saturday: Partly sunny, hi 39, lo 30

Sunday: Partly sunny, hi 43, lo 33

>>> FRIDAY, DEC. 31: THREE DOG NIGHT

The song is actually called "Joy To The World," but that doesn't mean it's not about a bullfrog named Jeremiah with some mighty fine wine. Similarly, Three Dog Night may be at a point in their career where New Year's Eve is spent at the Emerald Queen Casino, but that doesn't mean you should be embarrassed to show your love for the band. Hell, you love the ladies; you love to have your fun. You're a straight-shootin‘ son-of-a-gun. This show's for you.

• Emerald Queen Casino, 8 p.m., free, 2024 East 29th St., Tacoma, 253.594.7777

>>> SATURDAY, Jan. 1: CORPUS CALLOSUM

Corpus Callosum are a seven-piece traveling sideshow. Their music is made using arcane and unusual instruments like wine glasses and Stylophones, and it sways and hums in a style similar to fellow anachronistic acts like Beirut and DeVotchKa. The show is rounded out by their emphasis on performance. Puppets, stilt walking, cardboard sets - it adds up to a dizzying interpretation of a school recital, a talent show, a carnival. Do you ever see those vouchers with the elephants and clowns and red balls adorned with stars and regret always missing the circus when it unceremoniously blows through town? Here is your chance to experience that eerie magic before Corpus Callosum pack it in and leave for yet another town, more eyes and ears to be met with wonder.

• The Den @ urbanXchange, 7 p.m., donations accepted, 1932 Pacific Ave, Tacoma

>>> Jan. 1- 2: "JOE'S DINER"

On the first two days of '11, check out the South Sound's "first all star acting company" as they delve into the Christian Doyle creation and newborn area favorite, Joe's Diner. Doyle, the name behind The Outfit Theatre Company, promises with Joe's Diner an evening of slapstick, improv, zany situations and guest stars. OK -  we came up with the "zany" part, but you know we're right.

Lakewood Playhouse, 8 p.m. Jan. 1, 2 p.m. Jan. 2, $14.50, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd., Lakewood, 253.588.0042

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

STEPH DEROSA Features Writer
This week I'm out at the beach in Westport, Washington.  I've rallied some super cool eight-year-old girls for a special New Year's Eve weekend that will include a few clam digs, lots of sugar, and I'm sure many, many very loud Hannah Montana dance parties in the living room.  I would elaborate more on the splendid details of my girlie weekend by the sea, but I have a Disney All Star Party game calling for me upstairs on the Wii.  Laterz.

PAUL SCHRAG Senior Contributor
I'm going to fuck with drunk people and celebrate the mightiness of Jah.

*

REV. ADAM MCKINNERY Features Writer
New Year's Eve, I will be attending an impromptu show at the Hilltop Hollows. Currently, the only band on the docket is Skeleton Rebellion, one of my friend Tristan Marcum's bands. There will surely be drinking and much merriment. I've begged them to learn the theme song to Doug and, if they do, I can die a happy man (and be reborn in 2011 as, once again, a miserable man).

JOE IZENMAN Music/Theater Critic
Through the glory of having Friday off (from my day job... here at the Volcano I do very little and have most days off), I can joyously attend The Red Hot for lunch to make sure I don't miss out on The Abyss, one of the finest beers known to man. This shall prepare me to rock the crap out of the Pantages lobby with Deborah Page for First Night. After that? Who can say? Movies at the Grand? Buying comic books? Eating cupcakes? ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN.

BRETT CIHON Meat Market Correspondent/Features Writer
I'm ringing in the New Year up north. Local Seattle band Mystery Ship is playing a show at the the Blue Moon bar, and I plan for an evening of beers and classic rock. On Saturday I'm heading back to Olympia for a Meat Market night out. 

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
New's Year's Eve is gonna be a blur of First Night activities. I'll hit up The Peabody Waldorf for the early Gritty City Sirens' Burlesque show, then it's over to the Club SOTA stage for Pickwick, Robert Dealing and Ravenna Woods courtesy of The Warehouse Presents. At midnight I'll get a kiss from the fab Mr. Varnell and our cutie progeny.  I'll spend Saturday in my pajamas trying to nap as much as possible or maybe head to the mountains to play in the snow. On Sunday I'm going to pretend I don't have to work the next day.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
Despite repeated begging, no one invited me to a New Year's Eve rager. So instead, my girlfriend and I are watching movies with her sister, who doesn't drink to excess. It's PATHETIC. I'm kinda mad at you right now, Oly cool friends.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Photographer
Hitting First Night with Jen Fab before the Vicci Martinez show at Jazzbones and some Hell's Kitchen tunes since there will be a free show.

ALEC CLAYTON: Visual Arts Critic
 Avoiding drunks.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

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