THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Sunny, hi 47, lo 35

Saturday: Mostly cloudy with chance of rain, hi 47, lo 35

Sunday: Partly cloudy, hi 50, lo 39

>>> FRIDAY, FEB. 8-SUNDAY-FEB. 10: ARTS OLYMPIA SHOW AND SALE

Now in its 22nd year, the annual Arts Olympia Show and Sale this weekend at the Capital Museum Coach House promises, according to hype for the event, to be the best ever. And we're inclined to believe said hype. The three-day show comes under the header The Creative Edge and will include the work of nearly 40 local artists. This one's a no-brainer - which is probably why, year after year, the Arts Olympia Show and Sale keeps coming back for more. - Weekly Volcano

• Capital Museum Coach House, Friday, Feb. 8 5-8 p.m. opening reception, Saturday, Feb. 9 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 10 noon to 4 p.m. 211 W. 21^st Ave., Olympia, artsolympia.org

>>> FRIDAY, FEB. 8-SATURDAY, FEB. 9: PIZZA MAN

The flier for Pizza Man looks like a classic '70s porn cover - a funky chartreuse background and violet colored lines swoop around a circular shot of what appears to be a pizza boy being accosted by two "hungry" women. What becomes of two girls - one who lost her job, one who lost her boyfriend - when they invite the pizza man in for a beer? What starts as an eating frenzy to fill the void of their recent losses, the girls begin a frenzy of another type, and the pizza man is in for a terrifying treat. Naughty, dark humor makes the play unsuitable for children, and perfectly suitable for good-humored adults. An admiral Prodigal Sun Productions cast and original music score add to the story, making this another Midnight Sun must-see. - Nikki McCoy

• Midnight Sun, Friday, Feb. 8 and Saturday, Feb. 9, 8 p.m., $12-$18 sliding scale, no one turned away, 113 N. Columbia St., Olympia, 360.250.2721

>>> FRIDAY. FEB. 8-SUNDAY, FEB. 10: THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS, THE MUSICAL!

Everyone likes a good joke and being in on the joke is certainly better than BEING the joke. Well, usually. Certainly, people that take themselves too seriously are a drag and theater people who take themselves too seriously are often insufferable. Thankfully, Tacoma Musical Playhouse not only likes a good joke, with their latest production - The Musical of Musicals, the Musical! by Eric Rockwell and Joanne Bogart - they ARE the joke. TMP's cast embraces the self-deprecating lyrics and dialogue and camps it up for the audience. It's a great show! Read Joann Varnell's full review of The Musical of Musicals, the Musical! in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

• Tacoma Musical Playhouse, through Feb. 10, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $20-$29, 7116 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.565.6867
  

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 9: OLYMPIA ROCK SHOW

Dubbed on fliers and Facebook simply as the "Olympia Rock Show," the line-up of Mom's Rocket, Hellbelly and Novadose speaks for itself Saturday at McCoy's Tavern. Expect heshers, rockers and tall boys to be sloshing around near the stage, using the pool table as the occasional seat to stabilize, then heading back into the crowd for more sweaty Oly rock. Mom's Rocket song, Fist Full of Love, with its Chris Cornell influence, is not only a bitchin' tune, but the title itself seems to encompass the Oly metal/rock scene, where gruff voices shouting "I'd kill for you man," and over-hearty slaps on the back of leather jackets, mean "I love you." - NM

• McCoy's Tavern, 9 p.m., $3, 420 Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.352.0696

>>> FEB. 9: FUN IN THE SNOW

Are you a little ticked off snow hasn't graced the lowlands? Metro Parks Tacoma has you covered with a snow-related happenins going down this weekend. Saturday is Metro Parks' "Family Snow Days," which invite family groups of two or more to head up to Mt. Rainier for a day of sledding and fun in the snow. Of course, families must provide their own sleds and equipment, but the transportation and abundant chances for memory making are provided. - WV

• Family Snow Day, Saturday, Feb. 9, Pre-registration required by calling 253.594.7847, $20 for family of four, $4 per additional person, trip departs at 9 a.m. from the Portland Avenue Park & Center and return at 5 p.m., find more info at metroparkstacoma.org/outdoor

>>> SATURDAY, Jan. 5: RETRO SKATE NIGHT

Go old school in Puyallup Saturday at another Retro Skate Night at Tiffany's Skate Inn. Retro is all the rage these days, from Atari to tube socks, and Retro Skate Nights at Tiffany's - featuring tunes from the '70s, '80s and '90s - are probably better than both of those things. Get funky from 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. — WV

• Tiffany's Skate Inn, 7-10 p.m., $7, 113 N Meridian, Puyallup, 253.848.1153

>>> SATURDAY, FEB. 9-SUNDAY, FEB. 10: ARTIST CRAFT FAIR

For two days, Tacoma is for Lovers and King's Books present an Artist Craft Fair with a Valentine's theme. How sweet is that? A multitude of artists will have tables featuring arts, crafts, jewelry, caramels, letterpress prints, and more, all under the roof of King's Books. So not only can you find the coolest Tacoma artisan crafts, you can find a copy of Wonder and participate in Tacoma Reads Together, too. The event is a super power trio - support local arts, increase brain power, enjoy candy and gifts. Boom. - NM

• King's Books, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free, 218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.8801

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
After yet another round of dental surgery (yay), I'm seeing Pizza Man at the Midnight Sun. Sunday, my wife and I are seeing living legend Bill Cosby perform at UPS. Jell-O Pudding!

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
Recuperating.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
Let me tap into my bag ol' fun and see what I'm doing this weekend. Looks like I'm hustling the usual gin and tonic or whiskey coke pouring gig on Friday. A dinner date with the hubs at The Olympic Club Saturday, followed by a rock show at The Hub. Sunday, I feel like spending money - so we'll see where that takes me. Perhaps a new coffee pot, or some gardening tools, or a bag of weed. ...

JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
Saturday, I have some work to do for D.A.S.H. Center for the Arts. Later that day I'll be checking out "Upper Echelon", the next battle Alliance Battle League is putting on at Backstage Bar & Grill. These events are all-ages. Then that night, Beanz & Rize will be rocking the Juice Radio 7th Anniversary Show at the Harmom Taproom Underground. Door is $5 and the show starts at 9 p.m.

JACKIE FENDER Food Writer
Same ol' jazz - slanging drinks all weekend. I'lll also be working on a big art/craft fair for Peace Out's big fundraiser.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
This weekend is full of win. Friday, as part of my day job, I'll be attending the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts Graduate Series class complete with a catered dinner, usable lesson plans, and a ticket to the Ed Asner as FDR show. Saturday, the husband, toddler and I have a dinner date with one of our favorite families. Finally on Sunday, my husband is taking me to see Bill Cosby for an early birthday present!

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: Photographer
I'm bar-hopping tonight, snapping photos for the Weekly Volcano. The rest of the weekend I'm uking out on the four stringer, doing taxes, keeping it real and writing a book.

ROCKFORD ROWLEY All-Ages Music Columnist
This weekend I will be putting the albums Strike Gently by The Virgins as well as Comedown Machine by The Strokes on pre-order. Though not Tacoma-made, these are two highly-anticipated albums that are worth keeping an eye on.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar