THURSDAY, DEC. 29, 2011 >>>

1. Looking at Allan Boothe and hearing him sing are two completely different things. To see him, he's a tall, handsome guy with a goofy laugh and an affable manner, but to see him perform is to see a bundle of nerves. As Humble Cub, Boothe is buoyed by a bed of choppy, layered sound, which serves to carry his nerviness through into something resembling indie pop. But when he performs, all of the tics and eccentricities stand front and center. Catch Boothe tonight at the New Frontier Lounge along with Oh Dear!, Belmont Whips and Not From Brooklyn. And tomorrow catch the full-on Humble Cub at the New Frontier with James Hilborne and the Painkillers.

2. You know where you wont find Tim Tebow tonight? The Tempest Lounge on Tacoma's Hilltop, where "Religious As Hell" will offer up a dance night of post punk, Goth, dark wave and shoegaze.

3. The always entertaining Billy Roy Danger & the Rectifiers will be at Stonegate Pizza tonight. Start your weekend a wee-bit early with a trip down to South Tacoma Way.

4. Unless you're some kind of stiff, you like to laugh. And people in Tacoma who like to laugh seem to enjoy Nate Jackson's Super Funny Comedy Show, which happens every Thursday at the Varsity Grill on Broadway.

5. In Olympia, DJ Drastic spins at Jezebels. In rough and tumble Lacey, gyrate to DJ Kewlaid at The Play Pen.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight

LINK: This week's freebies