THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>
WEATHER REPORTFriday: Clouds and fog, hi 39, lo 29
Saturday: Morning fog then partly cloudy, hi 43, lo 29
Sunday: Morning fog then partly cloudy, hi 44, lo 28
Aside from their good looks and talented musicians, including upright bass, harmonica and trumpet players, The Dusty 45s also bring an element of theater to the stage, with story-telling, animated gestures, and surprises, like a trumpet that comes ablaze with fire. Known to jump from country twang, to blues, jazz, or good ole rock 'n' roll, the 5-piece Americana band keeps the crowd engaged like no other. The Dusty 45's are making a rare stop in Olympia this Friday. Catch them if you can. - Nikki McCoy
The Grand Cinema will screen Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as part of its Click! TV Family Flick series, which hits the big screen at 10 a.m. - for free - on a first come, first serve basis. It might not be Gene Wilder's best role, but it's certainly his most memorable - and those Oompa Loompas are just as creepy-licious as ever. Based on the children's book by Roald Dahl. Check out: The tune Wonka plays to open his musical lock. Mrs. Tee-Vee says it's Rachmaninoff, but actually it's the overture from Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro." — Weekly Volcano
Your dog is lame. His "big trick" involves chewing through your records (country, specifically). Man, you really loved that first Taylor Swift album. Fortunately, your dog is handsome, so his creature comforts remain secure. The stars of Stunt Dog Experience earn their keep the old-fashioned way: They work for it. They fly like sugar gliders, weave through obstacles like show ponies and perform acrobatics that would challenge Olympic athletes. Check it. — WV
Caspar Babypants makes his way back to the Tacoma area Saturday, this time landing at the Lakewood Pierce County library. The kindie-rock star is Chris Ballew of Presidents of the United States of America. With simple, sweet and goofy songs you can dance to - not a far stretch from PUSA - Caspar Babypants tones it down in content and instruments to appeal to the kids. As Weird Al Yankovic so rightly states on Ballew's website, "Caspar Babypants is one of the few children's recording artists I can listen to without wanting to stab myself in the eyes." — NM
WINERAM is an original, six-part web documentary exploring the world's top wine regions. Colin West, host of the series, has now teamed up with Olympia pro photographer, Casey Grant. The two of them will be leaving Jan. 21 to spend three to four months in Australia turning the web series into a full feature documentary, Vintage. Sunday, a launch party will feature a film premiere of Episode 3 of The WINERAM Experience from New Zealand and a debut of the latest work they have produced together. It's also Grant's dirty 30 birthday party, and while it's not confirmed, rumor has it he's accepting birthday spankings. - NM
CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
I'm seeing Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks at Tacoma Little Theatre, attending Alec Clayton's reading/signing at Orca Books and indulging in foie gras (finally!) at Marrow Kitchen.
REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
I've been holed up in my house all week, so I worry that I'll explode once the weekend comes. Just putting that out there so people know. I may explode.
ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
Our son and his in-laws will be visiting. I have no idea what we'll do, but I'm sure it will be joyful ... and wet and cold. I shall start the weekend with Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks at Tacoma Little Theatre. Saturday afternoon actors will be reading select scenes from my new novel, Return to Freedom at Orca Books. Sunday night I will interview a bunch of drag queens who perform at Jakes on 4th.
NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
I'm taking my little dudes to the mountain so they can learn to snowboard. Or as the youngest calls it "surfing the snow." Hot tubbing and book reading are also in the plans for this mama.
JACKIE FENDER Food Writer
Friday night will be a meeting of minds at Wrist magazine's introduction shindig at The Social, which will involve plenty of tasty cocktail envy on my behalf. Workity shmork over the weekend and adult Peace Out fun on Saturday afternoon.
JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
I am excited to spend the whole weekend hanging out with my toddler and husband without any big plans Friday or Saturday. After church on Sunday, I will be reviewing Tacoma Musical Playhouse's production of The Musical of Musicals, the Musical.
JENNI PRANGE BORAN Features Writer
We're taking our 5-year-old to Supernova to get a real non-Mom haircut. He's starting to look like Chaka from Land of the Lost.
STEVE DUNKELBERGER Photog About Town
Grand Cinema's Family Flix of the original Willy Wonka as well as Musical of Musicals at Tacoma Musical Playhouse Saturday and resting Sunday with some work on the book and Xbox 360 with the chillons.
ROCKFORD ROWLEY All-Ages Music Columnist
This weekend I'm spending some quality time with my textbooks, computer and a great cup of coffee - no room for cream. The latter component will probably be provided at Bluebeard Coffee.
LINK: Even more local events that we recommend
LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar