DEVIL HORNS AND RED CARPET >>>

Typically, awards shows are the worst. Bobble Tiki would rather endure a no anesthetic root canal than tune in for the Grammies, Golden Globes or even Oscars. It's like watching paint dry ... only more boring and predictable. Saturday, however, an awards frenzy to end all awards frenzies will enrapture Hell's Kitchen in Tacoma, as the 2011 Tacoma Metal Choice Awards will be handed out - honoring Tacoma's top metal band as voted on by devil-horn waving fans of our area (via the Internets) throughout February. Billed as a "red carpet event," the Metal Choice Awards Saturday at Hell's Kitchen will feature scene stalwarts like Unhailoed, Devils of Loudon, Faces Pale, After the Fallout and Plague Ships - all of whom will no doubt be in fine form when it comes time for an acceptance speech. Also, expect surprise metal guests. It's going to be very Tacoma, and very awesome.

[Hell's Kitchen, Tacoma Metal Choice Awards with Unhailoed, Devils of Loudon, Faces Pale, After the Fallout, Plague Ships, 9 p.m., $5, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]