SATURDAY, JAN. 5 2013 >>>

1. Winters here are cold and wet, and it's better to admit that fact and find a way to enjoy the season than to stay home depressed. Ice skating, with its low requirements in start-up costs and athletic prowess, may be the perfect way to beat the winter doldrums. It's charming and, in Tacoma, it comes with live music. Tonight is the last edition of the Weekly Volcano Electric Salchow Stage at the Franciscan Polar Plaza ice rink. Back from recording in Nashville, SweetKiss Momma has the honor of being the last live band to rock it for the season. The band will fire up its Southern soul rock sound at 7 p.m. and perform for skaters until 9 p.m.

2. The Tumwater Pioneers arena soccer team makes its South Sound debut at Tumwater Indoor Sports at 7 p.m. against the Marysville Ruckus. The Pioneers are a semi-pro indoor soccer team competing in its first season in the Premier Arena Soccer League and feature athletes from the Olympia area including a number of current players and alumni from The Evergreen State College, Saint Martin's and South Puget Sound soccer teams.

3. Chris Thomas is best known as "The Mayor of Rap City." He worked on Run-D.M.C's and Public Enemy's national tours in the late '80s. His hip-hop know-how led him to BET's music video television program Rap City, which helped launch many music careers. He hosted the show, which began in 1989, until 1993. Rap City ended in 2008. Thomas, who is now in his 50s, still hosts programming for the Washing Wizards and his own "TV Icons of Comedy" tour. Thomas will join Shai, Jay Lamont, Damon Williams and Willie Brown for a comedy show at 8 p.m. inside Tacoma Temple Theatre.

4. True Holland and China Davis will rock the Westgate Bar & Grill at 8 p.m. in celebration of Marnie's birthday.

5. Musician Jesse Turcotte celebrated his birthday this week. If you have followed his birthday schedule in the past you know he typically celebrates it with a live music extravaganza at Doyle's Public House, the Stadium District pub where he pours spirits. Sue enough, this year isn't any different. Turcotte's band All Night Yard Sale - a Gyspy, Latin jazz funk thang - goes live at 9:30 p.m. with Turcotte on bass, Josh Hegg on guitar, Colby Sander on guitar and Jeff Berghammer on drums. If you follow live music in the area, you know these musicians are kind of a big deal.

LINK: Saturday, Jan. 5 arst and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area