SUNDAY, DEC. 16 2012 >>>

1. The Sound of Music closes today at the Tacoma Musical Playhouse with a 2 p.m. performance. Marissa Ryder, a TMP regular, makes and sings a lovely Maria. Karen Early Evans provides operatic chops in the role of Mother Abbess. Jonathan Bill's an imposing Captain Georg and has a resonant baritone. Director Jon Douglas Rake's choreography is often straight from the movie, which is fine in this context. Will Abrahamse and John Chenault offer yeoman work on the set and lights, respectively. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of The Sound of Music in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

2. Now through Christmas Eve, the Harmon Tap Room is serving one of its seasonal beers - past and present - daily for the next 12 days. Participants who complete the difficult challenge of finishing the select beer a day will be handsomely rewarded with an engraved mug as proof of their brew dedication. So far, Harmon's One Hop Wonder, Vanilla Porter and Stryker Stout have been checked off. One of the days will include Harmon's Sour Cherry ESB that has been conditioned in a 21 Cellars barrel. Is today the day?

3. So the tree and the fairy lights are up, you have enough booze and unhealthy snacks to sink the Titanic, and your television is about to explode in a flurry of consumerism and romantic schmaltz. But there's something missing. That's right, folks: it just wouldn't be a happy holiday without some singing about God. And for that, there's no beating Handel's "Messiah," a piece for choir, orchestra and soloists that has delighted audiences worldwide for more than 250 years. As 18th-century music historian Charles Burney once said, "Messiah" has fed the hungry and clothed the naked, fostered the orphan, and enriched succeeding managers of Oratories more than any single musical production in this or any other country." We aren't totally sure what that means, so check out the 2nd annual "Messiah" sing along accompanied by the Peninsula Civic Orchestra at 4 p.m. inside the Fox Island United Church of Christ.

4. Matt Coughlin and the Growlers have labeled their style as "funktry" - a combination of funk and country, natch. Coughlin grew up in Montana, raised by a couple of hippies. "They're folkies from back in the day," says Coughlin. "They got me playing piano and playing the guitar and singing and whatnot. I carried that through high school, and found out that girls like it when you play guitar and sing." At 7 p.m., Matt Coughlin and the Growlers will help Doyle's Public House celebrate St. Practice Day, joined by another band Coughlin sometimes jams with - Phunkatron and the Double Deuce Horns, as well as the Buckshot Brass Band. It should be epic.

5. The Grit City Comedy club showcases Northwest comedians every Sunday night. Tonight at 8 p.m., Derek Sheen will over-share his personal failures and the most intimate details of his secret thoughts.

PLUS: Yes Yes No No Holiday Show and Rare Exports in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: Sunday, Dec. 16 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area