SUNDAY, NOV. 27, 2011 >>>

1. The mere sight of Portland blues guitarist Robbie Laws on stage generates a jolt of energy, whether he's fronting a band or jamming alone on his electric guitar. Smiling, always smiling, he creates a sound that's sensual and strong, delicate and precise, technically impeccable and emotionally pure. A lot of people play blues music, but not many play it as distinctively as Laws does. Laws has been honored with 21 Portland Cascade Blues Association Muddy Awards, nine of which were for "Best Electric Guitarist." Catch him at 7 p.m. at The Spar in Old Town Tacoma.

2. Olympia's Downtown for the Holidays is a day filled with fun and entertainment, from noon to 4:30 p.m. Most activities are centered in and about Sylvester Park, which will include free horse-drawn wagon rides with Mrs. Claus, a holiday parade (3 p.m.), and a tree-lighting ceremony.

3. "Young people have such fresh ideas and so few very public venues in which to share their work," says Tacoma Poet Laureate Josie Emmons Turner. In an effort to help remedy this, Turner has set up a day for young poetry and prose writers to share their work at King's Books. The 90-minute open-mic event starts at 2 p.m., but those interested in participating in the reading should sign up starting at 1:30 p.m. Writers are encouraged to select material that showcases their best work, so be advised that you're expected to bring it.

4. The Museum of Glass exhibition of collaborative work by John Miller and a dozen or so friends is cute and well crafted. Some of the pieces - all giant goblets - are beautiful, most are inventive, and a lot of them are funny. The exhibit, Gathering: John Miller and Friends, combines traditional glass art with a wide variety of art genres such as Pop Art and Color Field painting and Surrealism. MOG is open from noon to 5 p.m.

5. Xibalba, Alpha & Omega, Cowardice and Wreck play an all-ages show at The Red Room in downtown Tacoma.

PLUS: ZooLights and Franciscan Polar Plaza in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: 2011 South Sound Holiday Happenings