SUNDAY, DEC. 15 2013 >>>

1. We are stoked about this show for two simple reasons: Great bands in a great bar. The Brotherhood Lounge is celebrating its 11th anniversary at 9 p.m. with an open invitation to have fun. Headlining the show will be the Resident Kings. It's a pleasure to be typing the name "Resident Kings", because it has been a damn long time since they've played. The band, made up of Chief and Dirty Birds members, is Olympia hybrid-rawk at its best. Then band's songs range in style from heavy, classic rock to fast, punk garage with an unwavering thread of originality. Opening the show will be a Pixies tribute band. Oh, and there will be free pizza from Old School. See you there!

2. OK, while the winter solstice technically is the shortest day of the year, and nighttime falls at a ridiculously early hour, for some, the solstice means getting their party on and celebrating. In the Appalachia region, winter solstice means breaking out the instruments, sweet treats and excellent libations in a festival of dancing, music and storytelling. So why can't the South Puget Sound enjoy the same, right? Ah, but we can. The Puget Sound Revels performance brings traditions, energy and spirit right here to our own backyard in an electric, inspirational performance at 1 and 5:30 p.m. in the Rialto Theater.

3. The "War on Christmas" decried by Sarah Palin and Bill O'Reilly isn't evident in South Sound theater, which is producing a rich variety of appropriately jolly and family-friendly shows for the holiday season. Weekly Volcano theater critics Joann Varnell and Christian Carvajal chime in with their thoughts on five local productions here.

4. The genius of David Sedaris' essays lies not in his unrelenting mockery of all who surround him, but in the underlying fact that it is he, not they, to whom fate has been most cruel. Yes, all the people involved with Macy's annual Santaland extravaganza may be insane, selfish or idiotic. But it's Sedaris who dresses like an elf for a living, and who will be bereft of even that level of employment as of Dec. 25. Tacoma Little Theatre in partnership with The Changing Scene Theatre Northwest present The Santaland Diaries, a one-man show adaptation of Sedaris' most famous essay at 7:30 p.m.

5. Olympia "death rock" band Transfix will host a record release party for its debut album on Dutch Tilt Records at 9 p.m. in Le Voyeur.

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Sunday, Dec. 15 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area