THURSDAY, DEC. 27, 2011 >>>

1. Raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Comedian Marc Ryan feeds his rambunctious stand-up performances with Southern stereotypes and anecdotal snippets from his own upbringing, packing his bits with quips about Walmart, family woes and drunken follies. Catch Ryan at 8 p.m. inside the Tacoma Comedy Club.

2. Abracadabra! Hocus-pocus! Rama-lama-ding-dong! Local magician Jeff Evans will teach kids important lessons at 2 p.m. inside the Olympia Timberland Library. We're not going to guarantee you scantily clad assistants, but audience participation is enforced, so keep an eye on your watch - there's a fine line between David Copperfield and a pickpocket.

3. You're sick and tired of driving through the neighborhood looking at the homes of people who think they deserve an award for their light displays. You deserve to take a night to go see ZooLights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Billed as the region's biggest walk-through light show, ZooLights includes animated light sculptures, live entertainment, snacks, animal encounters and the Paul Titus Carousel. While enjoying your stroll, be thankful you're not in charge of this holiday light display. The lights flip on at 5 p.m.

4. The always entertaining Billy Stoops hosts an open jam at Stonegate Pizza tonight. Start your weekend a wee-bit early with a trip down to South Tacoma Way.

5. 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.

LINK: Thursday, Dec. 27 arts and entertainment events in the greater TAcoma and Olympia area