FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2011 >>>

1. Sometimes opportunities come from strange places. Like the Weekly Volcano's 5 Things To Do, not that these tidbits are strange, of course. But, you know - and once again we digress. Anyway, opportunities. Funk and fish ‘n' chips, together, at once.  Another installment of Thaddy P's fish fry goes down at O'Malley's Irish Pub tonight. We're talking all-you-can-eat fish and chips and DJ Thaddy P spinning funk, hip-hop-New Wave, old school - that's damn near everything. Great opportunity tonight.

2. Two weeks ago, 30 filmmaking teams spent a frantic 72 hours putting together a short film - writing, casting, shooting and editing - on the fly. The teams received four elements from organizer The Grand Cinema that must be included in the finished film. The results are sometimes funny, sometimes serious, sometimes creepy, but always more accomplished than the tight schedule would suggest. The 72-Hour Film Competition Viewing Party will be at 7 p.m. inside the rialto Theater. See what's possible on a big screen with only 72 hours, plenty of coffee and a lot of imagination.

3. The Lance Buller Trio will perform your favorite jazz classics while you enjoy a grilled ribeye steak and Manhattan beginning at 7 p.m. inside Maxwell's Speakeasy in Tacoma.

4. A doll comes to life, love triangles, illusions, doubles - the story of Coppelia is just as intriguing and fanciful today as it was in 1870. Ballet Northwest presents this classic tale of bizarre love at 7:30 p.m. inside the Washington Center.

5. You know what the first Friday of the month means. No, not when you finally make this month's rent payment. Nope, it means First Fridays at the Tempest Lounge when DJ Broam and Bobby Galaxy spin variations of the righteous bass, beginning at 9:30 p.m.

PLUS: Check out the Weekend Hustle for more events today such as Retrospect, Tim Conway and a bunch of stage shows.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Movies open today