MONDAY, DEC. 9 2014 >>>

1. The Alaskan band Historian is reminiscent of Tacoma's Pioneers West, with their wounded animal lead vocals, mixed with the sort of populist guitar rock of Handsome Furs. Historian delivers a tough indie rock, surging with bruised masculinity. Catch the band at 8 p.m. in the all-ages venue Northern in downtown Olympia.

2. You're sick and tired of driving through the neighborhood looking at the homes of people who think they deserve an award for their light displays. You deserve to take a night to go see Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Billed as the region's biggest walk-through light show, Zoolights includes animated light sculptures, live entertainment, snacks, animal encounters and the Paul Titus Carousel. While enjoying your stroll, be thankful you're not in charge of this holiday light display. The lights flip on at 5 p.m.

3. How do you escape the pressures of the holidays, like, really quickly? Bundle up, drop your packages in the trunk, pinch your cheeks until they glow and strap on a pair of silver skates, Hans Brinker, for a glide across the frozen expanse at Tollefson Plaza. The Franciscan Polar Plaza, located on the corner of Pacific Avenue and South 17th Street. The covered outdoor rink is about half the size of a hockey rink. It will have real ice and hold about 150 skaters at a time. It's open from 4-9 p.m.

4. Watch out, Quentin Tarantino and Christopher Nolan: A new generation of directors wants your jobs. These aspiring filmmakers will showcase their efforts at the first TCC Student Film Showcase. A team-taught class at Tacoma Community College's Gig Harbor campus launched a film event that will raise funds for student veterans in honor of TCC's former Veterans' Affairs coordinator, the late Bill Harrington. With the volunteer assistance of TCC alumnus and film school grad Bryan Schroeder, instructors Christie Fierro and Mike Blair took students through the basics of film production in one quarter. Collaborating with Peninsula School District and the Gig Harbor Film Festival, they also set up the film showcase from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Gig Harbor's Uptown's Galaxy Theater. The venture received an outpouring of community support. Net proceeds will benefit TCC's veterans through the Bill Harrington Fund, who passed away earlier this year. Read Melissa Renahan's full feature on the TCC Student Film Showcase in the Veterans section.

5. Tacoma's own Swing Reunion Orchestra sets the stage full of holiday spirit at 7:30 p.m. during Tacoma Musical Playhouse's annual Big Band Christmas.

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Monday, Dec. 9 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area