THURSDAY, JAN. 3 2013 >>>

1. Victoria B.C.'s Compassion Gorilla floats through its own little universe, a cultural synthesis held forcefully aloft by full-bodied vocals and a unique concoction of world beat, Latin folk, dub and psychedelic music rhythms. The band wraps audiences in a spell of dance, magic and melody with racy horn lines, brazen guitar harmonies, driving hand-percussion rhythms, and thick bass lines. However, it's always been about those incredible voices caught in the interplay of music and rhythm. Catch Compassion Gorilla with the Artesian Rumble Arkestra at 9 p.m. inside The Royal Lounge in Olympia.

2. Bundle up, pinch your cheeks until they glow and strap on a pair of silver skates, Hans Brinker, for a glide across the frozen expanse at Tollefson Plaza. The Franciscan Polar Plaza, located on the corner of Pacific Avenue and South 17th Street, from 4-9 p.m.

3. Think running and drinking don't mix unless there's a K-9 unit involved? Not true. For two years the Tacoma Runners - a group of T-town pavement pounders - have gathered at Tacoma watering holes at 6:30 p.m. to jog a 3-mile loop, followed by multiple drinks at the launch point. It's been a smashing success. This week's run starts and ends at Meconi's Pub in downtown Tacoma.

4. If it's laughs you're looking for find comedian Duane Goad at the Tacoma Comedy Club at 8 p.m. He's sarcastic.

5. If you're like most people, there's part of you that really enjoys shaking your ass without regret. Luckily, Masa hosts T-Town Thursday with Deejay Sessions. Sure there are $2 wells and $5 Jagers until midnight. And the ladies get in free. But, you don't care. You want to shake you ass to some Top 40 and hip-hop. It's cool.

LINK: Thursday, Jan. 3 arts and entertainment events in the greater TAcoma and Olympia area