LONGEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR >>>

1. Pour At Four wine bar in the Proctor District hosts its final wine tasting of the year from 5:30-8 p.m. Tonight's theme is "Feed the Hungry." They have teamed up with Odom/Southern Distributors and the TNFL program to raise money for local food bank programs. While the tasting is complimentary, each bottle sold will provide 2.5 meals for someone in need.

2. Michael Sherman and DEFCON1 are the "I Heart House" DJs tonight at the Surreal Ultra Lounge in downtown Tacoma. They two will spin house in the Cabana room beginning at 9 p.m. Surreal will be throwing around $2 beers as if it's Christmas.

LINK: More things to do tonight

LINK: Go eat something

FRIDAY, DEC. 10, 2010 >>>

1. Nationally-touring Singer-songwriter Camille Bloom returns to the Mandolin Café for an all-ages show beginning at 8 p.m. There's a $10 cover.

2. The Waldorf's Marimba band will jam at Two Five Trees in Tollefson Plaza beginning at 4:30 p.m. this Friday at 4:30!

3. Up to 30 Native American artists and vendors will participate in the Holiday Native Arts Fair from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. inside the Longhouse Education and Cultural Center in Olympia. The fair will also feature fry bread and Indian tacos, which is nice.

4. The TCC jazz band will perform awesome standard big band tunes, and some holiday favorites at 7:30 p.m. inside the TCC Building 3 Auditorium.

5. In the grand, and unusual, tradition of skinny English boys bopping about in even skinnier ties to American soul and jazz music, local DJs Bobby Galaxy and dAb offer a night of soul, funk, jazz and rare grooves under the tag Rare Groove beginning at 9:30 p.m. inside the Tempest Lounge.

LINK: New movies open today

LINK: Concerts go on sale

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

THURSDAY, DEC. 9, 2010 >>>

1. The Portland Guitar Duo - James Manuele and Foti Lycouridis - will perform Classical and Romantic literature on original, authentic guitars from the 1800s at 7 p.m. inside the Olympic Room at the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch.

2. Tacoma wants your feedback. Or, at the very least, the bigwigs are giving you a chance to offer it up at the Pacific Avenue Streetscape Charette -  discussing the conceptual ideas for the Pacific Avenue Streetscape Project - of which Phase One will theoretically improve the right-of-way from Seventh Street to 17th Street. We saw on Facebook Marty Campbell will be there, so you know it's a pretty big deal. You're highly encouraged to "wayfind" your way to this Charette from 9 a.m. to noon inside the Tacoma Art Museum.

3. MLKBallet Presents: Mistletoes! - a holiday fundraiser extravaganza featuring a cake and wine walk, raffles, holiday crafts and performances from MLKBallet students and "The Move!ng Company" from 6-8 p.m. inside the Washington Building in downtown Tacoma. All proceeds benefit MLKBallet's tuition free dance training program.

4. Dream of line dancing the Chasse, the Grapevine or the Weave? Or, do you have high hopes of being swept off the dance floor by that special someone? Big Whisky Saloon offers beginner and intermediate dance lessons every Thursday Night starting at 7:30 p.m. $5 gets you a drink and a lesson. Who knows, you might be paired with a cutie-pie.

5. The Foss Waterway Seaport hosts a holiday party - complete with the St. Martin's University Chorale, a visit by the Argosy Christmas Ship, coffee, hot cider and cookies -on the Seaport's waterfront esplanade beginning at 7 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

TUESDAY, DEC. 7, 2010 >>>

1. If you're looking for a celluloid high, check out the 35^th annual Banff Mountain Film Festival at 7 p.m. inside the Rialto Theater. The festival features the best in "mountain" film from all over the world, from white water to heli-kayaking, summitting a high peak to mastering fresh powder.

2. Check out the Northwest Pastel Society's 24^th Annual International Open Exhibition from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. inside the American Art Company in downtown Tacoma.

3. Madera Architectural Elements has artisan made gifts less than $100 through the holiday season. Stop by their showroom at 2210 Court A in downtown Tacoma to score original pieces from local artisans.

4. Project:U, the United Way of Pierce County program run by 20- and 30-somethings, is hosting a fundraiser and toy drive from 4-10 p.m. at CORK! A Wine Bar.  The Sixth Avenue wine bar will donate 20 percent of all sales proceeds from tonight to the United Way of Pierce County in the fight to improve the lives of all in Pierce County. Awesome.

5. DJ Omar spins after the comedy show at 10 p.m. inside Jazzbones.

LINK: More arts and entertainment ideas in the South Sound

SUNDAY, NOV. 28, 2010 >>>

1. Once you get over the falling on your ass part, snowboarding can be really awesome. Or, at the very least, it can provide a good excuse to, well, fall on your ass. But we digress. At 6 p.m., the 3rd Annual Gnar Ball goes down at the Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe in the quintessentially Tacoma McKinley neighborhood. Expect lots of snowboarding flicks (snow porn), lots of swag, lots of giveaways and, best of all, music from Mike of Neutralboy. If you like tying one on, but like tying one on even more in a stocking hat with earflaps, the 3rd Annual Gnar Ball at Top of Tacoma may just be gnarly enough for you.

2. You might think eight middle-aged women wearing bonnets milking cows, a thirty-foot-tall kangaroo, The Nutcracker on wheels, his and hers chocolate mummies wearing Santa hats, 10 leotarded dudes literally jumping around screaming "Wheeeeee!" every time their feet leave the ground and many more odd and wonderful participates converging on the downtown streets of Olympia would result in an orgy of debauchery not fit for print. But you might just have a twisted mind. It's actually Olympia's Downtown for the Holidays' parade, which begins at 3 p.m. on Capitol Way starting near the Olympia Farmers Market and ending at Sylvester State Park. The parade is only a slice of the Olympia holiday glee as there's also Holiday CraftXnw market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., gingerbread cottages competition, Olympia Highlanders Pipes and Drums, choirs, Santa, and the tree light at 4:30 p.m.

3. 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, which is lit from 5-9 p.m. tonight. Billed as the region's biggest walk-through light show, ZooLights at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium 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.

4. Ever dream of a local bar to call your home away from home? One with a  warm, cozy interior, friendly bartenders and an open spot at the counter just for you? Well, if any bar in Olympia is the place where everybody knows your name, it just might be McCoy's Tavern. Hell, if you go there long enough - and we're talking everyday for 25+ years - they'll even attach a plaque of your name to the bar. On Sundays they offer $1 pints and free pool.

5. DJs spin deep house beginning at 9 p.m. inside the Gruv Lounge and Nightclub on Sixth Avenue.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

BLACK FRIDAY, NOV. 26, 2010 >>>

1. Although the holidays are a time for joy and light, Weekly Volcano curmudgeon music columnist Bobble Tiki will spend hours trying, unsuccessfully, to string lights around his hut in some presentable fashion all day today. Bobble Tiki's fingers will grow raw and numbed as family members shout orders through a bullhorn.  This is Dante's second circle of Hell for Bobble Tiki. Typically, the Volcano staff will drive by Bobble Tiki's hut tonight, point and laugh. However, after his third eggnog, it's not safe. That's when we head to Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium's Zoolights exhbit. Billed as the Northwest's premier light display, ZooLights includes seas of dazzling lights and breathtaking displays of ice-skating puffins, a preying eagle, tiger cubs, the Narrows Bridges and the massive flame tree, among others. The lights pop on from 5-9 p.m.

2. Remember when you used to dress your dolls up and make them act out scenes from Footloose? There they were all lined up on the bed, and G.I. Joe with the kung fu grip was causing trouble and Barbie was fighting with Cabbage Patch while their passive-aggressive little stuffed animal children hid their eyes. Yep, you've always been strange. But the point of this is you're still a fan of physical agility and humor. Vashon circus/music duo Lelavision - the troupe that combines Cirque de Soleil and Stomp, and then adds its own unique vision for a humorous, musical, theatrical and dance performance unlike any other - returns to the Museum of Glass for family-friendly performances at 1 and 3 p.m. Catch their science meets musical dance with a Cabbage Patch in your pocket. Freak.

3. We love the holidays, but let's face it: shopping at this time of year can suck. Snagging your nails in a catfight over a cashmere scarf, ruining your skin in the moisture-sucking mall air, and growing monster knots of tension just to cross each gift off your list makes for a stressful season. Enter the Jada-Moon Gridley-created Gritty City Gift Fair, where local artists and crafters will offer their one-of-a-kind fairs for all at Speakeasy Arts Cooperative from 1-8 p.m.

4. Other, non-North American English-speaking countries know the film of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by an alternate title: The Worst Kids In The World. That should tell you about the quality of the characters in question, and the odds that the title will actually come true. The Herdman clan will be inside the Lakewood Playhouse at 8 p.m. to teach you all about the true spirit of Christmas by lying, cheating, stealing, smoking and other wholesome endeavors. It's a feel-good season of joy for everyone. Or something.

5. DJ Omar mash things up at the Gruv Lounge and Nightclub beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: It's Art at Work month!

LINK: New movies have opened

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

TURKEY DAY, NOV. 25, 2010 >>>

1. DJ Switch will spin at Jazzbones beginning at 9 p.m.

2. Oh, sure, you could sit around this morning and watch bad football. That's what's expected of you. But why not exceed expectations? Try Gig Harbor's Turkey Trot - a 5K or 10K run or walk designed for the whole family. Kicking off at 8 a.m., giving you a chance to actually work up an appetite for the turkey and stuffing that awaits, the Turkey Trot will fill Gig Harbor's downtown waterfront with athletic show-off types, all to the benefit of F.I.S.H. Food Banks, the local Gig Harbor food bank and college scholarships.

3. Head to the movies, yo!

4. Have your kids turkey-stoked, released from school all week and spinning amok with mounting visions of sugarplums, Barbie dolls and Xbox Kinect drilled a hole through the roof yet? There's a reason Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park will switch on the holiday light exhibits tonight from 5:30-9 p.m.

5. Moby Grape's guitarist Jerry Miller will rock the Westgate Bar and Grill beginning at 9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 24, 2010 >>>

1. The Grand Cinema screens 127 Hours, the harrowing true story of Aron Ralston, a rock climber whose arm was pinned to a Utah canyon wall by a boulder, at 2, 4:30, 6:50 and 9:10 p.m. "In desperation he amputated his own arm to free himself. James Franco stars in Danny Boyle's film, which is gruesome but not QUITE too gruesome to watch. It's rather awesome what an entertaining and absorbing film Danny Boyle has made here. Yes, entertaining," says Roger Ebert, who gave the film four out of four stars.

2. For whatever reason, most of you (and us) will be up until the wee hours tonight getting hammered. Like, seriously obliterated. Because there's no way we want to wake up before the parade is over. Not this year, Philbin. There's no shortage of places that want our business, but one of the better pre-Thanksgiving bumps will be at the new Gruv Lounge and Nightclub. Local boys J-Fresh and dAb will spin during Gruv's '80s old-school night beginning at 9 p.m. It'll almost be enough to make you forget how much you hate spending time with your family.

3. You knew there was a reason to hold on to the Christmas-light-laden and obscenely geometric printed green-and-red sweater. You once thought even the one with reindeer had potential. Now it's time to explore your closets because, ladies and gentlemen, the bad holiday sweater contest is back at Doyle's Public House beginning at 7 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for individuals, couples and groups.

4. Have you ever seen a grown man draw? It's not always pretty. Sometimes, it's beautiful. Tacoma's CLAW - or Cartoonists League of Absurd Washingtonians - meets every fourth Wednesday of the month at the Amocat Café. While the CLAW meets often and mysteriously, this one is "open to the public" - when "non members can be brought and introduced to the group." Sound intriguing? Show up at 7:30 p.m. and see it live.

5. Vicci Martinez and Danny Barnes plan an 8 p.m. show at Jazzbones.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

HUMP DAY HANG >>>

Traditionally, the night before Thanksgiving is one of those blotto pre-family-disaster nights when GAP-forward and booze-and-tattoo types grind out all that angst on the dance floor in an effort to escape the next day in a haze.  I'm in.

Maybe it’s because you’re young and have nothing better to do. For whatever reason, most of you (and me) will be up until the wee hoursWednesday  night getting hammered. Like, seriously obliterated here. Because there’s no way we want to wake up before the parades are over. Not this year, Philbin. There’s no shortage of places that want our business, but one of the better pre-Thanksgiving bumps will be at the new Gruv Lounge and Nightclub. Local boys J-Fresh and dAb will spin during Gruv's '80s old school night.

Gruv Lounge and Nightclub

Wednesday, Nov. 24, 9 p.m.
3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma
gruvtacoma.com

MONDAY, NOV. 22, 2010 >>>

1. Roots reggae describes a style that began taking off on the world stage in the early '70s; by the time it hit the pop charts with Bob Marley, numerous Jamaican studios and producers were regularly adding to the genre's already enormous discography. The cornerstone of that legacy was Studio One, known as the Motown of Jamaica. Founded by Coxsone Dodd in the late '50s, Studio One gave birth to legends such as Marley and the Wailers, Lee Perry, Burning Spear and Dennis Brown. DJ Jason Diamond spins roots reggae every Monday at 9 p.m. inside O'Malley's Irish Pub. Check it out, mon.

2. Shopping-mall North Poles have long been accused of harboring bad Christmas tidings: pinched hindquarters, peppermint-schnapps breath, bribery to skip the line and go straight to the lap. And that's just the elves. Certainly, the North Pole inside The Commons in Federal Way isn't like that. Bring the little ones to see Santa from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

3. Mandolin Cafe hosts an Open Mic at 6 p.m. with Denny Foreman and friends.

4. The theme for the Tacoma Cult Movie Club screenings tonight is "Talking Turkey." We have no idea what that means, but EXCITING! As always, besides the main theme flicks, TCMC screens trailers and shorts serials, as well as holds a raffle. It all goes down at 7 p.m. inside the Acme Grub Cage.

5. Imperial Dragon Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. The 16-piece S.R.O. swing bandwill play jazz from '30s and '40s from 7-9 p.m. inside the Imperial Dragon restaurant on Sixth Avenue.

LINK: It's Art at Work month!

LINK: More art and entertainment events in the South Sound