FRIDAY, DEC. 2, 2011 >>>

1. Nothing gets the weekend going like a good party! And today, Tacoma Metal Arts will throw just such a party with its two-year anniversary bash planned for 5 - 9 p.m. Expect jewelry demonstrations, good and drinks, and even a chance to do a bit of hyper-local holiday showing with handcrafted jewelry by Tacoma Metal Arts students and teachers on hand and on sale.

2. It's the hottest party of the year, bitches! The one and only Steve Dunkelberger - photographer, journalist, Tacoma icon, geocaching nut - only has one birthday a year, and tonight at Jazzbones he'll be celebrating 2011's rendition. Expect music from Deborah Page, the Dignitaries, Voxxy Vallejo and China Davis - with proceeds generated from the $7 cover benefiting AAUW, Emergency Food Lifeline, Tacoma Art Place and YWCA. Why? Because that's the kind of solid dude Steve Dunkelberger is.

3. The Jet City Fix hops in the way back machine tonight and plugs in at Hell's Kitchen. Get some.

4. The performers of the Olympia-based TUSH! burlesque troupe are simply dazzling. And they also know how to put on one hell of an event. For these reasons and plenty of others tonight's TUSH! Burlesque Holiday Soiree and Calendar Release Party at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts Black Box Theatre will almost certainly be nothing short of spectacular. Pre-event hype promises, "[a] glitzy, glittering, glamorous evening of delight awaits you; let TUSH! enchant you as only they can!" It's also your first chance to buy the 2012 TUSH! calendar, an opportunity to dine on the provided appetizers and sweets and an opening for you to get your dance on with DJ Ira Coyne. Hell yes. The actions starts at 8 p.m.

5. It's another big night for comedy in Tacoma, as Tim Harmston plays the Tacoma Comedy Club, Comedy Underground presents Sam Demaris at Big Whisky Saloon and Kyle Kinane steps to the stage at the Grit City Comedy Club.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight

LINK: This week's freebies