FRIDAY, JAN. 7, 2011 >>>

1. In Olympia, the King's birthday has become synonymous with one man: Robert Washington - one of the world's top Elvis impersonators (see the film Almost Elvis) ... and a guy who just happens to be black. To some this is controversial. To Washington, it's simply his calling. "I don't really think about it. I'm not going to let my color prevent me from being the best," Washington told the Weekly Volcano in 2004. At 7:30 p.m. Washington will be back in Oly for the Elvis Birthday Bash at the Capitol Theater.

2. The Puyallup Home, Remodeling and Garden Show will assist homeowners in all stages of remodeling, landscaping and decorating their homes, with hundreds of exhibits, and product demonstrations, plus new products and expert advice from the pros from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Crowds will flow through gardens and around hottubs, yearn for kitsch, and fall prey to every kind of huckster. You know who you are.

3. Tacoma Little Theatre hosts To the Sea, two new short plays performed by an ensemble from Western Washington University at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Rich Brown directs the one-hour program, which includes a short play by Dan Erickson (Convention seen at TLT's 2009 festival of new works) and former TLT playwright-in-residence, Bryan Willis.

4. The Tacoma Comedy Club is off and running with a full head of steam, drawing national touring comics to the Gritty City on an almost weekly basis. Hell, the club even booked Skippy from Family Ties. This week, Clinton Jackson will be holed up, doling out the laughs to anyone interested. Sure, your kids might recognize Jackson from appearances on That's So Raven or iCarly, but we all know a good comic never turns down a little Nickelodeon money. You can't hold it against him. Check him out tonight at 8 and 10 p.m.

5. Things traditionally slow down for shows in the South Sound around this time of year, but don't worry, there are still some great places to dunk yer whiskers into some suds without any fear of encountering pesky MySpace kids and a DJ trying to sneak in a Smiths tune on ya. At 8 p.m., Olympia's home of absinthe - the Cryptatropa Bar - hosts DJs spinning metal. Satan, laughing, spreads his wings, oh Lord, yeah!

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Subscribe to our Restaurant RSS feed