SUNDAY, DEC. 12, 2010 >>>

1. This time of year heralds many things, including Seasonal Affective Disorder, ugly sweaters, Rankin Bass TV specials and, for music aficionados, the sweated-over year-end "best of" lists. In a similar spirit, Tacoman Andrew Childs has assembled his own Best of Tacoma 2010 compilation CD, which he'll be releasing at The New Frontier Lounge beginning at 6 p.m. To commemorate the release, Brotherhood of the Black Squirrel will perform, comp artist Trees Without Leaves will make their live debut, a piñata (courtesy of the crafty "Tacoma Gets Smashed") will be destroyed in faux-effigy, all proceeds will go to charity, and there will be an ugly sweater contest. Because, you know, the holidays.

2. It's the night before Christmas inside the Olympia Little Theater - at 1:55 p.m. – so the story begins in darkness, both literal and metaphorical. Jacob Marley, played with empathy by Christopher Cantrell, is in Hell. Providentially, there's a way out, but it's nigh on impossible: He must find a way to get Ebenezer Scrooge (Dennis Rolly), the only man in London stingier than himself, to recognize the error of his ways by Christmas morning.

3. Celebrate the holiday season with the South Sound Classical Choir as they "Bring Light to Our World with Song," singing holiday favorites old and new, and featuring works by Mendelssohn, Faure, Bach, Rutter, Lauridsen, Ticheli and more beginning at 3 p.m. inside the First United Methodist Church of Tacoma.

4. The D.A.S.H. Center's winter recital/fundraiser dinner show begins at 4 p.m. inside the REACH/Goodwill Industries Building. The $10 admission fee goes to help support the center's mission of bringing quality arts education to under-served youth at an economically efficient price.  

5. The Tacoma Cult Movie Club is a collective of people who enjoy cinema on the outer fringe of the spectrum. They'll convene at 7 p.m. inside the Acme Grub Cage to enjoy a double feature based on a theme "It Came from Japan" with assorted shorts, trailers, film serials, and the lifeblood of the TCMC: the raffle.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound