FRIDAY, NOV. 18, 2011 >>>

1. First it was Mickey Avalon. Today, Jazzbones welcomes "rapper" Dirt Nasty to Tacoma, founder of the Dyslexic Speedreaders (of which Avalon and Andre Legacy were also a part of), and - more importantly - Simon fucking Rex from former MTV fame. That's right. Dirt Nasty is Simon Rex, and these days his gig revolves around producing ridiculously funny hip-hop tracks pertaining to drugs, the '80s, cocaine, sex, even more drugs and the inability to dance ... not necessarily in that order. According to the show's billing, Dirt Nasty will come to T-Town prepared to bust out his "hits," including "1980." Cue the hook in your head: "I got a gold chain ... I'm on co-caine ..." Honestly, there's no way this show won't be entertaining. The Breaklites and DJ Pedro are also on the bill. 

2. Through three days, the Fair Trade Market, hosted by St. Leo Parish and Urban Grace Church, promises a guilt-free way to start your holiday shopping. Running Today, tomorrow and Sunday at Catholic Community Services the annual event is your chance to get in on, "baskets, ornaments, linens, musical instruments, food products and more from vendors such as Ten Thousand Villages, Theo Chocolate, Laughing Lotus, L'Arche, and many more," according to pre-event hype. 

3. Join the benefit and auction to honor the life of Staff Sergeant Nathan Wyrick, who grew up in our area, attended Franklin Pierce High School and was recently killed while serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, and the Remembering Nathan Wyrick Foundation, tonight at Varsity Grill. The event starts at 7 p.m., with all proceeds from the event being placed in trusts for each of Wyrick's four sons.

4. Tonight at Big Whisky Saloon in downtown Tacoma, Comedy Underground welcomes Seattle-based, Nashville born, national touring comedian Billy Wayne Davis - billed as, "the thinking man's hillbilly."

5. Tonight, for those on the outskirts, the band Moose Knuckle plays The Royal Bear. Stay classy, Algona.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound
LINK: Live music tonight

LINK: This week's freebies