THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Chance of sun, hi 48, lo 38

Saturday: Another chance of sun, hi 48, lo 38

Sunday: And back to rain, hi 48, lo 39

>>> SATURDAY, NOV. 5: MOMIX

MOMIX has dazzled Olympia before. And while the self-described dancer-illusionists of MOMIX may not catch many art and dance enthusiasts off guard in this, the troupe's third trip to the Washington Center, there's no doubt MOMIX will entertain and awe everyone wise enough to be in attendance. As far as pushing the envelope of dance goes, this is about as good as it gets. But a more helpful description for those new to the magic of MOMIX may be in order, so for that let's turn to the Washington Center's website, which says MOMIX, "has been transporting audiences from their everyday lives to a rich fantasy world in over 22 countries for 30 years. Through a magical combination of movement, illusion, sound, color, and light, Artistic Director Moses Pendleton integrates athletic dance, riveting music, outrageous costumes, inventive props, and pure talent to create a wildly entertaining, transcendent evening that is like no other." See you there.

• Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m., $11-$42, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia, 360.753.8585

>>> SATURDAY, NOV. 5: GET INVOLVED GALA

Project: U - a group of 20- and 30-somethings that parties in the name of United Way and community charities - will host the fancy-schmancy Get Involved Gala, a.k.a The GIG, from 8-11 p.m. this Saturday at the Tacoma Art Museum. With proceeds benefiting United Way of Pierce County's Community Solution Fund, party people will dress up, drink wine, nibble and win prizes while wearing their best cocktail attire. This is the inaugural GIG event, but Project: U has eyes on making it an annual premiere social/charity event. The Project: U asks attendees to wear cocktail dresses and at least slacks and ties for the gents. The Weekly Volcano is a proud sponsor. Be sure to say "hi" in the wine line.

• Tacoma Art Museum, 8-11 p.m., $35 here, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4258

>>> SATURDAY, NOV. 5: MICKEY AVALON

Rapper Mickey Avalon isn't the first musician to champion the motto, "Live fast, die young & look good in your grave" (as is printed proudly at the very top of Avalon's website). He's probably not even the most recent. But chances are Avalon is the only member of the esteemed, previously described crowd of self-destructive entertainers scheduled to play Jazzbones Saturday night. Reportedly a member of the Los Angeles-based graffiti crew CBS (Can't Be Stopped / City Bomb Squad), a one-time heroin addict and male prostitute, and a collaborator with former MTV VJ Simon Rex, it seems Avalon has experienced no shortage of excitement, drama, close calls and failures during his journey. These days he's experiencing a few of the positives life has to offer, most applicable to this space success within the world of music. A former member of rap group Dyslexic Speedreaders, and with a penchant for penning lyrics about the grittier side of life, Avalon's T-town gig should go off like gangbusters.

• Jazzbones, 8 p.m., 21+, $25, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169

>>> NOV. 5-6: ... Like There's No Tomorrow

It's snow porn at its finest. This weekend, Warren Miller Entertainment presents its 62nd winter sports film, ...Like There's No Tomorrow. Ski bums and snowboarding enthusiasts will surely flock to Tacoma's Broadway Center for a chance to catch this latest Warren Miller Entertainment joint, shot in India, New Zealand, Chile, British Columbia "and beyond," according  promotions. U.S. skiing legend and gold-medalist at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics Jonny Moseley narrates and hosts the film, which will show twice Saturday and once on Sunday.

LINK: Warren Miller Prefunc Party

• Pantages Theater, 5 & 9 p.m. Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday, $21, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5890

>>> SUNDAY, NOV. 6: FALL FOOD & CRAFTS BAZAAR

The Tacoma Buddhist Temple hosts a free Fall Food & Crafts Bazaar from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (food costs vary). Bobble Tiki loves the sound of that and was all set to go, until he discovered that Buddhism helps you wake up and find your true self.  Bobble Tiki has made a career of being both unconscious and shallow, so maybe this event isn't for him.

• Tacoma Buddhist Temple, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1717 S Fawcett Ave., Tacoma

>>> SUNDAY, NOV. 6: BACK TO BEALE ST. 2012 FUNDRAISER

Every year in Memphis the top blues act in the world gather for one of the biggest blues competitions known to man - on Beale Street, of course. Also, every year the South Sound Blues Association holds a competition (usually in June) to choose one lucky band to represent them and the entire region at said competition in Memphis. This, naturally, takes money - which is where Sunday's fundraiser at the Swiss in Tacoma comes into play. But the action isn't just about raising money - it's also about catching an amazing array of local blues talent. Starting at 4 p.m., Sunday's Back To Beale Street 2012 Fundraiser bill includes Jumpin' Josh and Felicia, Blues Buskers, Fingertips, Blues Redemption, the CD Woodbury Band and the Red Hot Blues Sisters. South Sound Blues Association members pay $8 at the door, everyone else doles out $10 - but it's all worth it.

• The Swiss, 4 - 10:30 p.m., $8-$10, 1904 Jefferson Ave., Tacoma, southsoundblues.com

>>> WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

ALEC CLAYTON Visual Arts CriticBusy, busy weekend for me. Friday night I'm going to see "Java Tacoma Episode 38," the live Tacoma soap opera at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Saturday night it's the Coffee Strong 3rd anniversary celebration, and Sunday morning it's the SAGE Olympia Sunday Brunch. For those who don't know, SAGE is a nationwide organization serving GLBTQ seniors and the Olympia chapter is the first on the West Coast.

NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
I'm filling a weekend shift at the bar while the hubby parties at the Red Fang/Mastodon show in Portland. Something tells me that all those one dollars bills I'm gonna make are going to find themselves a new home in Portland...

JOANN VARNELL: Theater Critic
After a busy weekend in Vancouver and a busy week running errands, I'm hoping that I don't have a ton to do. My one productive and Volcano related activity will be to catch the 2nd "Episode" of  "Java Tacoma" at Trinity Presbyterian on 6th Ave. We'll see what an original script from a local author has to offer.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Meat Market Photographer
Teaching my Night-time photography class for Tacoma Art Place on Friday, slots are still available. Then shooting Joan Rivers at her meet and greet at Broadway Center. Saturday will bring some church training and the Java Tacoma Episode 38 show.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound