MONDAY, DEC. 3 2012 >>>

1. FlowerHouse Tacoma, an installation by Duncan Price in the Hilltop neighborhood a few blocks west of downtown, lights up the dark days of winter with an unexpected glow. Made possible through a grant from the Tacoma Artists Initiative Program (TAIP), Price has transformed his home into a colorful urban conservatory. While a traditional hothouse reveres cultivated blooms, FlowerHouse illuminates invasive species with 28 photographic panels featuring resilient brambles, dandelions and thistles depicted on a heroic scale. It's up through Dec. 31 at South 15th and South G Street.

2. The Pacific Northwest Chamber Orchestra will perform classical favorites such as Bizet's "Prelude to Carmen" and Tchaikovsky's "Capriccio Italien," as well as selections from "The Polar Express" and longtime holiday favorite "Sleigh Ride" in a 7:30 p.m. free concert inside the Centralia College Corbet Theater in Centralia.

3. Jazz saxophonist Kareem Kandi will be joined by Rob Hutchinson on bass and Andre Thomas on drums at 8 p.m. inside The Royal Lounge in Olympia.

4. It's Monday, which means Dj Melodica brings his Monday Showcase show to Magoo's Annex in Tacoma's North End neighborhood. Joining Melodica tonight behind the decks will be DJ Continental Breakfast and the band Green Tea out of Olympia. It should be a funky, groovy time beginning at 9 p.m.

5. It's karaoke with a live band. Earn your rockstar status tonight during Rockaraoke at Jazzbones beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: Monday, Dec. 3 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area