FRIDAY, NOV. 19>>>

1. Hey, parents! It's Parent's Night Out at the Children's Museum of Tacoma. It's a chance to drop off your squirts between 6-9:30 p.m. to let the Children's Museum feed, teach and entertain them - while you go out and do something much more fun! Registration is required, but the good news is Parent's Night Out happens every third Friday, so jump on December, January and February. Ages 3-10.

2. The Puget Sound Piano Trio is back, y'all! David Requiro, Maria Sampen and Duane Hulbert (a 5 Things to Do Today regular, of late). After a fifteen-year absence, the Trio will bust out a free concert tonight at 7:30 p.m. inside Schneebeck Concert Hall at UPS.

3. The Hive Dwellers, Spencer Kelley and Trevor Dickson. Good coffee. Interesting statue controversy. Enough said. Or maybe not quite enough. K Record's icon Calvin Johnson is behind the Hive Dwellers, and the action starts at Amocat Café in Tacoma at 6:30 p.m. Your $5 cover will go to the Goddess of Commerce Gateway Project.

4. Every year the Barefoot Collective helps put on Footfalls, which is a chance for area dance companies to jointly show their chops under the umbrella of one awesome show. This year, the Barefoot Collective, MLK Ballet and BQDanza will be a part of the action going down at Studio 3 inside the Broadway Center. If you happen to miss it today, Footfalls runs again tomorrow - which is nice.

5. Billy Roy Danger & the Rectifiers will literally rock the dock tonight at Rock the Dock. If you know Billy Stoops of Junkyard Jane - and most Tacoma music fans do - you know Billy Roy Danger & the Rectifiers. Coincidentally, we're pretty sure we saw Stoops in full-spandex biking attire the other day at Stadium Thriftway, but that's really not important. The real question is: How many wasted people will jump in the Thea Foss tonight?

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Rainy and miserable, hi 43, lo 37

Saturday: Exactly the same,with a slight chance of snow showers, hi 43, lo 31

Sunday: Partly sunny, but cold, hi 39, lo 28

>>> FRIDAY, NOV. 19: GODDESS OF COMMERCE GATEWAY PROJECT BENEFIT

The gradual coolifying of Amocat is about to get a serious bump on Friday when Calvin Johnson's project, the Hive Dwellers, performs. Also on the bill will be solo sets from two of the people behind two of the best bands in Tacoma: Trevor Dickson of the Nightgowns and Spencer Kelly of Basemint.

• Amocat Cafe, 6 p.m., $5, 625 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.228.7271

>>> FRIDAY, NOV. 19: SAFE STREETS DEMONSTRATION

Friday Tacoma's nonprofit Safe Streets campaign will hold two rallies in T-Town, allowing members of the community a chance to get together, construct signs with "anti-crime slogans" and demonstrate their vigilance in two neighborhoods:  Orchard Plaza at 56th and Orchard and the Shell station at Center Street and Tyler. If you really want to go all out, sign making parties - including refreshments - start at 3:30 p.m. at the Madrona Pointe and Orchard Hills apartment complexes.

• Tacoma, 4-6 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 56th and Orchard and the Shell Station at Center Street and Tyler Street, Tacoma, safest.org

>>> SATURDAY, NOV. 20: 'NESIAN FEST AT HELL'S KITCHEN

While this one may not fit the bill of shows you typically associate with Tacoma punk and metal institution Hell's Kitchen, that's all the more reason to take note. On Saturday, local hip-hoppers Island Trybe will headline the first ‘Nesian Fest, which the group also happened to organize - with the goal being a celebration and creative gathering of Pacific Islanders throwing it down in the local hip hop scene. With at least five other performers on the bill, the first ‘Nesian Fest will undoubtedly be one of the most impressive collections of talent the weekend has in store.  

• Hell's Kitchen, 8 p.m., 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.232.5519

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

MATT DRISCOLL Editor (aka - the guy to blame)
Drinking in my underwear. Also, I'll be preparing for next week's trip to the in-laws house for Thanksgiving by doing all the things I'm not allowed to do there ... like drink in my underwear

PAUL SCHRAG Senior Contributor
I'm sleeping and watching Red Dwarf. And fantasizing about the Neurosis show at Neumo's on New Year's Eve.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Features Writer
Friday, I'll be at the Amocat Cafe, watching the Hive Dwellers, Trevor Dickson and Spencer Kelley. The next day, I may be attending a Four Loko prohibition party. I cut my teeth on Four Loko last weekend, and can't wait to get back into that cocaine-like saddle. Sunday, I'm having Thanksgiving dinner with my friends.
NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
I don't mind the usual gifts of winter - holidays, nasty weather, shorter days. But what I do mind is the winter gifts that keep on giving - germs, infections, viruses - and the constant sharing of said gifts between the grubby little hands of babes. So, instead of the planned babysitter and a weekend of rock 'n' roll with Built to Spill and the Olympia Record Show, I will be wiping oozing eyes, allowing my sleeve to double as a snot rag and watching Toy Story 3 forthe hundreth time - all while doling out a year's worth of kisses. Sigh.

JOE IZENMAN Music/Theater Critic
Oh, you know, the usual. Proctor Farmers Market. Playing cards and drinking beer. Watching some Doctor Who. Football and Dungeons & Dragos on Saturday. Oh yeah, and CLEANING LIKE A MAD BASTARD BECAUSE APPARENTLY WE ARE HOSTING THANKSGIVING NEXT WEEK. OH, GOD, WHY?
JENNIFER JOHNSON: Lifestyle/Leisure Writer
Friday going to Olympia to hear Ultramarathoner, Life in Motion 'Superhuman' Dean Karnazes speak. Saturday 7:30 a.m. hot yoga, a friend’s wedding, Shenanigans for dinner and Tempest 5-year anniversary throw-down.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
Would you believe I have nothing to review this weekend?  I get to hide from the weather and try not to giggle like a moron each time the word "horcrux" is uttered in Harry Potter and the Curse of Lifelong Typecasting.

RON SWARNER Publisher
The highlight of my weekend – besides hanging the turkey mobile above the kitchen table – will be joining Tacoma at the Tempest Lounge’s fifth anniversary party Saturday night. The rest of the weekend I’ll be doing my old man thing: puttering around the house. I’ll walk around turning lamps on and off, making coffee as well as calls to see which checks cleared overnight, visit the porch to see which plants I have killed and, well, just putter.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

THURSDAY, NOV. 18>>>

1. Just when you thought the farmers market season had faded to an end, the Tacoma Farmers Market and Multicare Health System come to the rescue with an official Pre-Thanksgiving Farmers Market this Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. at South Fourth and I Street in Tacoma. According to hype, 15 vendors will be dealing in most of the tasty, fresh, local stuff you've come to expect from the Tacoma Farmers Market, while live performers dabble in folk and bluegrass action.

2. It's the one-year anniversary of Tacoma Metal Arts Center - and they're having a party! Everyone is invited to catch jewelry demonstrations, munch on food, sip beverages, and revel at all the goodness Tacoma Metal Arts Center has to offer. Expect hands-on activities from 4-7 p.m., and an artist reception from 5-8 p.m.

3. Like a good throttling to kick off your weekend? Start tonight at Hell's Kitchen - where Tacoma punks the Americommies will no doubt engage in all sorts of blasphemy ... to the delight of all in attendance.

4. The Tacoma Weavers Guild is celebrating 75 years of existence this year - something you're aware of if you've recently visited the downtown Tacoma Public Library's Handforth Gallery - where "The Art of Weaving" is currently on display, or the library's Northwest Room, where there's a historical display to commemorate the Guild's impressive achievement. Tonight, as part of Art Walk, there's an opening reception for both displays. Expect weavers aplenty.

5. That reminds us! Let us not forget it's Third Thursday Art Walk today in Tacoma. There are numerous sights to see and experiences to be had throughout the City of Destiny this evening. In case you're new at this, here's a decent place to start.

MORE THAN JUST FILMS AT THE OLYMPIA FILM FESTIVAL >>>

Not only did the powers behind the 27th Annual Olympia Film Festival organize one of the best such events to date, they threw in extra treats like last week's Gossip show and this Saturday's Faun Fables performance at the Capitol Theater. Part performance, part spectacle, all art, and like just about nothing else I can think of, Faun Fables is not for everyone - but there's no denying the immense creative and theatrical Dawn McCarthy (the imagination and voice behind Faun Fables) has more than enough presence to hold a spotlight.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 17>>>

1. Add "slam" to almost anything and it becomes just a little cooler. In truth, however, the event planned for tonight at the Rialto Theater in Tacoma - Art Slam - really doesn't need anything to spice it up. Expect art of all kinds, coming at you from all directions. Expect projected works by the likes of RR Anderson, Laurie Davenport, Brad Dinsmore, Carla Barragan, Shirley Benton, Colleen Black and a ton of others. Expect live spoken word, music and dance from Antonio Edwards Jr., Josh Rizeberg, Elliot Trotter, Dawn De Castillo, Tammy Robacker and - yes - more. It's non-competitive, super-awesome, and it starts at 7 p.m.

2. Join author Judith Adler Hellman at the University of Puget Sound's Wheelock Student Center for a lecture on Mexican immigration. The author of three books on Mexico, Hellman's lecture is titled, "The Real World of Mexican Migrants," and will provided insights into the experiences immigrants from Mexico face in this country - from the trip itself to work in an "informal economy."

3. Duane Hulbert performs the Piano Concerto No.4. tonight at Tacoma Community College. Busting out two of Beethoven's most impressive works, the Grammy nominated UPS piano professor will be joined by the TCC Orchestra, who will hold their own with Symphony No. 5 in c minor.

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 hits theaters Friday. In fact, the Volcano's film critic Rev. Adam McKinney has already seen it - with his review scheduled to run in tomorrow's paper. Tonight, The Brave Foundation hosts what sounds like an epic Harry Potter themed celebration at the Temple Theater in Tacoma. From 6:30-9:30 p.m., costume contests, prizes, guest appearances, total geek outs, and a showing of the previous Harry Potter flick will rile the masses in anticipation of Deathly Hallows' debut.

5. Get your groove on close to the water tonight, as DJ Contagious spins at Rock the Dock's "Old School College Wednesdays."

THIS WEEK IN AWESOME >>>

In case you don't get out much, or by the off chance this is your very first time online (tip: the porn is somewhere else) Olympia legend Calvin Johnson and his band the Hive Dwellers will be in T-Town Friday, playing a show with a talent Johnson knows plenty about as the main man behind K Records, Spencer Kelley of Basemint. Trevor Dickson of the Nightgowns is also on the bill, providing the proverbial icing to the indie rock cake. The event seems destined to be boffo, a term I'm pretty sure only Calvin Johnson himself can use with any legitimacy.

The show - an all ages event at Tacoma's Amocat Café - will benefit the Goddess of Commerce Gateway Project, a grassroots organization close to Amocat Café owner Morgan Alexander's heart hell-bent on improving the St. Helens area streetscape - and MOST IMPORTANTLY making sure local artist Marilyn Mahoney's Goddess of Commerce statue is installed near 6^th Avenue and Baker Street.

It's very serious. So serious they brought in Calvin Johnson.

Anyway, this is awesome news - because the show is going to be fantastic. We'll have more in Thursday's paper, but until then whet your appetite with this piece of Internet scavenged goodness ...

JOSH DOLGIN IS SOCALLED >>>

Tonight at 10 p.m. the Olympia Film Festival features a screening of the documentary film The 'Socalled' Movie - about Montreal-based musical genius Josh Dolgin - aka Socalled. It looks pretty awesome.

See below ...

1. National Geographic does more than just put out those yellow magazines with pictures from far-away places. They also produce an array of public programs, including the one heading for the Washington Center for the Performing Arts tonight. Join Emmy award-winner Michael Davis, billed as "one of today's freshest voices in documentary filmmaking," to discuss both is work - including films about war refugees in the Balkans and child soldiers in Africa - to his past, a child refugee himself from civil war in Rhodesia (modern day Zimbabwe).

2. The Washington State Arts Alliance busts out an advocacy training workshop today at the Museum of Glass. It's called "Fill Your Toolbox: Advocating for Arts & Culture." Chances are, if you go you'll learn something.

3. Score more "Free Shorts" today at the Olympia Film Festival with the second installment of the traditional happening. Today, some unconventional animation, an aging cupid and some inspirational surfers. Starts at 4 p.m.

4. Like reading, but hate to be called a square? Try hanging out with Tacoma's infamous Banned Book Club - it meets tonight at 7 p.m. at the Tempest on Hilltop. November's controversial selection is Truth & Beauty: A Friendship by Ann Patchett.

5. It's Trivia Tuesday at Paddy Coyne's in downtown Tacoma. Teams of two - six (so if you only have ONE friend, you can still play!) will match trivia wits starting at 7 p.m. There's a $2 entry fee per person, but the winning team is handsomely rewarded.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

FRIENDLY REMINDER >>>

That's right. In six short days Doug Martsch, his beard, and the rest of moderately legendary Idaho band Built to Spill will be back in Olympia for the first time in a long time - playing an extremely worthy benefit show at the Capitol Theatre with Calvin Johnson's Hive Dwellers and Scarf. The show, which is presented by Friends of Mia and will valiantly raise money for local families dealing with cancer, will mark the last stop on a lengthy Built to Spill tour - and will surely be memorable. The Volcano's Rev. Adam McKinney is currently putting the final touches on a preview of the show to be published in this Thursday's paper. 

Until then, watch this ...

More info on Sunday's Built to Spill show in Olympia can be found at the Olympia Film Society website.

NOW WITH MORE PUBERTY >>>

Straight off his total panning of Unstoppable, Volcano film critic Rev. Adam McKinney will be forced to sit through the latest Harry Potter movie this week - with his review of the film scheduled to print in Thursday's paper.

This Potter flick, of course, is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Not sure how good it will be - but judging from the trailer it seems Harry Potter gets an ever-so-slight touch of five o'clock shadow in this installment. Exciting.

While we're on the Potter tip, it's worth mentioning there will be a large Harry Potter release party Wednesday night at the Temple Theater in Tacoma.