MONDAY, NOV. 18 2013 >>>

1. The Northwest Repertory Singers are deep in practice for its annual mid-December holiday concert. This year it will bust out seasonal songs from a variety of countries and cultures, including Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and the American Southwest twice - Dec. 14-15 at Mason United Methodist Church. How does this news help you today? When the NWS practices, it goes big and invites the public. It's never too early for worldly carols and favorite songs of the season. OK, maybe it is, but whatever. Drop by the Mason United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. and check out its progress.

2. Do you believe ballet is the appropriate medium for exploring a universe that is in flux, where opposites don't stand against but hold one another in balance? Do you believe ballet is geometry where a pirouette is a perfect circle and a tendu (stretched foot) a line that reaches into infinity? Do you believe ballet is a tool to investigate creativity, which is everyone's birthright? Then MLK Ballet's open adult ballet class is for you. Drop by at 7:15 inside the Urban Grace Church and explore the universe.

3. Pianist Nate D., bassist Cameron and drummer Peter T. continue to explore the edges of jazz by hosting a jazz jam every Monday at 8 p.m. inside The New Frontier Lounge. Not all gigs qualify as a hang, but this one has the precise alchemy that draws the area's best players: a high level of musicianship, a relaxed atmosphere and a sympathetic intergenerational crowd.

4. Since the beginning of time, The Swiss has hosted live blues every Monday at 8 p.m. Factor in the free pool on Mondays and guitar legend Jerry Miller on the stage, and you have yourself a night.

5. Every Monday at 9 p.m. Jazzbones is packed to the brim with college kids. Party types. The type that wear tight shirts and trucker hats. Throngs of Chad Fratguys and Sarah Sororitysisters swarm the bar, line up for the bathroom and dance to the Rockaraoke - live band karaoke. The Rockaraoke band is skilled, too. Expect $2 PBR drafts, $3 Sinfire shots and $4 Smirnoff flavor vodka bombs.

LINK: Monday, Nov. 18 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area