BREAK FROM CHRISTMAS CHAOS >>>

You know you're already humming "If I Were a Rich Man" in your head. If you aren't, I am.

Once again, Olympia's Capitol Theater screens the classic musical film Fiddler on the Roof Christmas day. But beyond simply watching, you will be immersed in the total If-I-Were-A-Rich-Man experience - you will have the chance to sing along.

Or at least you can move your lips to the words to pretend like you're singing along. That part is up to you.

If you've never seen the film before, it is an adaptation of a popular Broadway musical. The plot revolves around a 1905 village in the Ukraine ghetto of Anatevka and the rich and often humorous cast of characters who live there - including, of course, a dude who likes to play his fiddle on a roof.

But what is a show on Christmas without giving back? Along with enjoying the snazzy tunes and general revelry with your fellow show-goers, the Olympia Film Society and Temple Beth Hatfiloh ask you to bring warm coats and blankets to donate to the Emma Goldman Youth & Homeless Outreach Project, or EGYHOP. EGYHOP is a mission dedicated to delivering direct service items and resources to youth, homeless and those with low income in Olympia at absolutely no cost to recipients. Coats and blankets can be used, but must be clean and in good condition.

There will also be a costume contest, if you wish to join in. Wear your best Fiddler-related costumes. If you are an especially convincing Ukrainian peasant, you may even win a prize.

CAPITOL THEATER, TUESDAY, DEC. 25, 5 P.M., 206 FIFTH AVE. SE, OLYMPIA, 360.754.6670

MONDAY, DEC. 24, 2012 >>>

1. After 17 years of Stardust holiday schmaltz-fests, Harlequin Productions director Linda Whitney outsourced her holiday revue-writing to James Hindman and Ray Roderick of Miracle or 2 Productions, authors of 2003's A Christmas Survival Guide. From a critical standpoint, it's a welcome change, especially since this anthology's aimed squarely at cynical adults weary of the hustle, bustle, and rabid commercialism of 21st-century holidays. It plays to the Whitneys' principal strengths: live pop music, technical design and intelligence (in no particular order). It also introduces diminutive spitfire Amy Shephard, newly returned from grad school at Exeter, to the Harlequin stage, where she joins revue regulars Antonía Darlene and Christian Doyle. It hits the stage for a special Christmas Eve performance at 2 p.m. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of A Christmas Survival Guide in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

2. If you didn't get all the holiday adrenaline out of your system fighting for your life during the holiday shopping season, lace some jingle bells into your sneakers and make a run for it today at the Just For Fun, Jingle Bell Run at 1:30 p.m. in Wright Park. The 5k run or walk costs $10 to participate. Bring non-perishable food for the food bank or old running shoes for the mission. The first male/female finishers will win shoes from South Sound Running. WAIT! It's sold out! Well, go grab a coffee and listen to the bells bounce by.

3. As you know the Franciscan Polar Plaza outdoor ice skating rink in downtown Tacoma is open to those who want to travel in circles. What you might not know is it's open on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

4. At 4 and 6 p.m. Capital Christian's presents a "Come As You Are" Christmas Eve service at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Olympia. This celebration of Christmas is a free, fun-filled night of music and celebration for all ages.

5. Mosquito Hawk - after half the band rocked the Scorpions last night at the Brotherhood Lounges 10^th Anniversary Bash - will join Gunslinger at 9 p.m. inside the Le Voyeur in downtown Olympia.

LINK: Monday, Dec. 24 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, DEC. 23 2012 >>>

1. From 4-9 p.m. at The Swiss, seven bands come together at a benefit show for a local woman, Nicole Skoog, a 31-year-old who suffers from a debilitating condition called occipital neuralgia. Blues Redemption, Crazy Texas Gypsies, Dean Reichert, Raphael Tranqilino, James King and the Southsiders, Rod Cook (Vicci Martinez Band) and Paul Green will rock the blues to help offset the costs of surgery and recovery that are not covered by insurance. Doug Skoog is Nicole's father, and is also a member of Blues Redemption and Crazy Texas Gypsies. He writes an explanation of Nicole's condition, "It is a rare congenital abnormality that causes numerous occipital and cranial nerves to run though the muscles below her scalp.  Several car accidents many years ago and a worker's comp injury has triggered severe muscle spasms that have limited the blood supply to these nerves, triggering the inflammatory process and producing scar tissue that further enhances her pain.  She suffers from chronic daily migraines every waking moment.  Her life the past 12 months has been taken away from her and she has been unable to do what she loves, which is working as an ER Trauma RN helping others." Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on this benefit in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

2. The Lonely Night: Luminous Solo Dance Works presents four solo dance artists — Myrionymos Marionette, Mirror Milk, Douglas Ridings with Stephen Fadrich on piano and Bridget Scott with live musical accompaniment White Gourd at 6 p.m. inside the Midnight Sun Performance Space in downtown Olympia.

3. The Redroom in Tacoma hosts an all-ages rap show featuring Endgame, Knowthead, 100 Proof, J wise and Shane Mackinnon at 7 p.m.

4. Local comedians who have taken their shows to other states have returned home to make their families' holidays a littl ebit funnier. The Tacoma Comedy Club has convinced the comedians to drop by at 8 p.m. for a "Home For The Holidays" comedy show. Brilliant!

5. It has been 10 years since The Brotherhood morphed from the dank, labor bar into one of Olympia's beloved hotspots; 10 years of soul nights, dance parties and more bands than you can ever want to count. To celebrate that auspicious occasion The Brotherhood is throwing a 10-year bash featuring the highlights of the 2012 "Night of the Living Tribute Bands": The Cure and The Scorpions. Tying the event together will be the ever-raucous R&B tunes slapped down by the bar's longtime resident madman, DJ Wildman James. The cover charge benefits the Thurston County Food Bank. It all goes down at 9 p.m.

PLUS: Holiday stage performances in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: Sunday, Dec. 23 arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

C.I. Shenanigans Tacoma - Northend. KC Brakes presents pop folk rock night. All Ages. 7-10 pm. NC.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Ethan Tucker Band. 9:30 pm. NC.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. SweetKiss Momma and Folsom Prism. 8 pm. $6.

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. Innocent Bystander, Emily Randolph, Champagne Sunday, The Rallies. All Ages. 8 pm. $5.

O'Malley's Irish Pub Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Hot Roddin' Romeos, Hard Money Saints, The Repo Man. 9 pm. NC.

• The culture of rockabilly is such a peculiar one, to me. This is a group of people (kinda like those mod weirdos) who bond over a very specific aesthetic - this antiquated genre of music, which has grown over the years to morph slowly with punk, creating this style all its own. With song titles such as "Six Inch Heels and Dynamite" and "Kitten's a Tiger," you'd hardly need to listen to know that the perpetrators, Hot Roddin' Romeos, are pure rockabilly through and through. Their music is nothing but blistering, skittering rockabilly punk, complete with the requisite tattoos, stand-up bass, curled lips and generous amounts of pomade. Saturday, they'll be joined by fellow rockabilly devotees, Hard Money Saints, which should effectively turn O'Malley's into a case study in this very particular subculture. - Rev. Adam McKinney
  

The Red Room Tacoma - Downtown. Redroom Christmas Party, with Crooks To Kings, Cowardice, Sojourner, Earth Mother. All Ages. 7 pm.

Rocket Records Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. C.F.A. album and comic book release party. All Ages. 3 pm. NC.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. Tatoosh Christmas Bash. 8 pm.

Tollefson Plaza Tacoma - Downtown. Electric Salchow Stage at Polar Plaza: Monday Ukulele Ohana's Holiday Show. All Ages. 7-9 pm.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. Tingstad & Rumbel. All Ages. 8 pm. $12-$18.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Anus Disease, Future Disorder, Kill Closet, American Wrecking Co., Murder Your Gods, Infernal Legion. 9 pm.

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

South Sound Sidekick series offers advice from experts living in the, well, South Sound. It posts every Friday. We had legal advice from Jim Foley regarding the legalization of marijuana, and we all know the law won't get straightened out for another year, so in the meantime, where and how do we get safe access to marijuana? Pot activist Jeremy Miller weighs in on the medical end of the weed spectrum.

Jeremy Miller writes,

High, my name is Jeremy Miller. I have been a local cannabis activist/lobbyist in the Olympia area for more than 20 years. In 2003, I decided to take my activism up a notch and started the Olympia Hempfest to help raise awareness of the social injustice of cannabis prohibition. In 2007, I opened a medical cannabis information center and worked with the Olympia police department to help educate and develop policies to protect medical cannabis patients. In 2010, I ran for state representative and started the world's first Cannabis Farmers Market. Let me just say that we have come quite a long way since. I'm glad to see so many seeds that were planted long ago - by myself and many others - sprouting so rapidly here in Washington.

Here are a few questions and answers regarding medical marijuana. 

Where can I find a doctor? Try CannaHealth with clinics in Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia, or 4Evergreen in Seattle, Tacoma and Kennewick.

What are some of the qualifying conditions? The conditions are cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy/seizures, chronic pain, spasticity disorder(s), cramping/muscle spasms, migraine headaches, hepatitis C, Crohn's disease, glaucoma, arthritis, nausea, anorexia, and asthma.

What documents will I need? Bring medical records that diagnose your condition.

How much will it cost? On average, it costs about $100 for a one-year authorization.

Where can I find a community of other medical users? Stop by the Cannabis Farmers Market at 1912 Center St. in Tacoma. It's the largest source of medical cannabis in the state. It is a great place to meet others.

I'm sure that everyone still has many questions. Unfortunately I can't predict the future and the Washington State Liquor Control Board has until Dec. 13, 2013 to finish the rule-making process. At that point I will be able to have more information for you to stay safe in this new world we find ourselves living in. I hope to see everyone down at the 10-year anniversary of the Olympia Hempfest July 27 and 28. Keep an eye on www.olympiahempfest.com.

LINK: Smoking marijuana in Washington state advice

LINK: How to harvest geoducks

LINK: Speeding ticket advice

LINK: DUI advice

LINK: Music business advice

LINK: First tattoo advice

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Cloudy with a few showers, hi 42, lo 36

Saturday: Cloudy, a little rain, chilly, hi 43, lo 37

Sunday: Chance of rain, hi 43, lo 33

>>> FRIDAY, DEC. 21: END OF THE WORLD PARTIES

It's time for the end of the world, and all the accompanying parties. Music is especially heavy this weekend with the impending doom hovering over us like a teenager hovers over his laptop in a heated game of World of Warcraft. Tonight, the parties are popping off around the Sound, but here are two to put on your radar. The Dwell Hole in Tacoma is having another rager. Titled "Mayans Meet Mad Max," where "end of the world Mad Max Mayan death cult attire is encouraged." The line-up features The Fun Police, Shogun Barbie, Jip Sea Party and guests. In Olympia, the party will be at McCoy's for Mona Reels, Tone Dust, Black Floyd and The Hard Way, who invite you to "celebrate the end of civilization in style." — Nikki McCoy

• McCoy's Tavern, 9 p.m., $3, 420 Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.352.0696

>>> FRIDAY, DEC. 21-WEDNESDAY, DEC. 26: DANCING LIGHTS MARINE CHRISTMAS SHOW

Dancing Lights Marine Christmas Show continues at Percival Landing in Olympia daily until Dec 26. This is certainly one for the whole family, from 7-8:30 p.m., Dora The Friendly Sea Dagon will greet kids and an exceptional computer-animated light show with music, featuring a 50-foot yacht decorated with more than 15,000 lights will delight young and old. Click here to see last year's performance. - NM

• Percival Landing, through Dec. 26, 7-8:30 p.m., Columbia Street, downtown Olympia

>>> FRIDAY. DEC. 14-SUNDAY, DEC. 23: THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson has been around since the early 1970s and has been performed by countless elementary, middle, and high schools, church groups and community theaters. The first stage production was by the Seattle Children's Theatre in 1982 and a TV version starring Loretta Swit followed in 1983. It portrays the six Herdman children and the mayhem that follows after they attend Sunday school for the first time in search of refreshments. They end up with the lead roles in the Christmas pageant even though they have no understanding of the Christmas Story. Read Joann Varnell's full review of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

• Lakewood Playhouse, through Dec. 24, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $18-$24, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd. SW, Lakewood, 253.588.0042

>>> FRIDAY. DEC. 14-SUNDAY, DEC. 23: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

What do you want from a Christmas play? If you're like most people, you want sparkly lights, a jolly Saint Nick with a real beard, tiny tots with their eyes all aglow, and a reminder of the true, commercial-free meaning of Christmas (brought to you by Coca-Cola). If the lobby smells like chocolate and peppermint, so much the better. You want the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping and year-end crunches at work to feel more like the wonder and excitement your kids lavish on the season. You want the kaleidoscopic bounty under the tree to mean more than a breath-shortening Visa bill. In short, you want some damn Christmas magic, thank you very much, and you'll get it from Miracle on 34th Street, Tacoma Little Theatre's big-hearted paean to the man with the bag. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of Tacoma Little Theatre's Miracle on 34^th Street in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

• Tacoma Little Theatre, through Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $12.50-$24.50, 210 N. I St., Tacoma, 253.272.2281
  

>>> SATURDAY. DEC. 22: PROCTOR FARMERS MARKET

With the Proctor Farmer's Market winding down for the winter, this Saturday will be your last day to purchase goods until they re-open the second Saturday January through March. This times perfectly with the last weekend of the holiday shopping season, and this farmers market is a great place to find gifts. Especially awesome is the fact that the market is offering gift wrapping and gift baskets, perfect for last-minute shoppers. Any purchases made at the market can be brought to the market booth for free wrapping, where the gifts will be arranged in a reusable wicker basket complete with a raffia bow and gift tag. Pre-made Holiday Harvest Gift Baskets loaded with fresh produce, artisan goods and market merchandise are also available for $35. - NM

• Proctor Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., North 27th and Proctor, Tacoma, website

>>> SUNDAY, DEC. 23: THE BROTHERHOOD LOUNGE 10TH ANNIVERSARY

What's better than celebrating the birthday of a good friend? What about celebrating the birthday of a good friend that consistently provides you with drinks and a place to play shuffleboard? OK, OK ... what if we throw in The Cure and Scorpions tribute bands and DJ Wildman James? If you astutely observed that absolutely nothing is better than the aforementioned scenario you're a lot smarter than your parents give you credit for. And you can experience it this weekend. Help the BroHo celebrate its anniversary in style this Sunday. The cover charge benefits the Thurston CountyFood Bank. — Weekly Volcano

• The Brotherhood, 9 p.m., $3, 119 Capitol Way N., Olympia, 360.352.4153

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
We're attending a Yuletide potluck at a good friend's house and celebrating either the winter solstice, the birth of Christ Our Lord, the advent of the 14th b'ak'tun, or the end of a dismal, emotional week, whichever seems more pressing.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
I will be decorating balls for Jesus.

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
Our son and his in-laws will be visiting. I have no idea what we'll do, but I'm sure it will be joyful ... and wet and cold.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
Friday, after serving up a holiday happy hour, I'll cruise around town and check out all the end-of-the-world parties. Saturday, there will be 20 Talottas in my house eating, drinking and being merry. Sunday is The Brotherhood's 10-year anniversary party, which the grandparents graciously offered to babysit for. Monday eases right into the holiday, hopefully hang-over-less and full of bliss.

JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
Tonight at 5 'til 8 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. I'll be teaching Spoken-Word/Poetry & Hip-Hop at the D.A.S.H. Center for the Arts. Classes are for third-grade up to 20 years. We're still enrolling - now is a perfect time to sign-up! Also tonight at 9 p.m., Beanz and Rize will be playing the Blue Nose Music End of the World Party. I believe it's a free show. Check out Awall A.K.A. 2-Piece, K Dueski, King Scrub, Shao Sosa, and others performing. Sunday, I'll be at the Graffiti-Garages taking in all the exciting hip-hop culture, the fun starts at 1 p.m.

NIC LEONARD Music Writer
I plan on having a relaxing evening at home tonight with a bottle of bourbon. Saturday I plan on finishing up what's left of that bottle while watching the UW vs Boise St bowl game. Sunday will be another joyous day of bourbon while watching football

JACKIE FENDER Food Writer
Tonight will be filled with holiday goodness like baking cookies and Zoolights with the kids. All that goodness is followed by a weekend of work and not much else save for wrapping presents.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
This weekend, the husband, toddler and I will be taking a road trip to see family for the holidays. We'll be leaving our dogs, cat and home under the watchful care of friends and taking bets on whether Tacoma or Denver gets a white Christmas.

TIMOTHY GRISHAM Music Writer
I will be plunging myself into the sixth ring of Hades as I finish my holiday shopping. Pondering, "what does it all mean?" will follow; then I will prep myself for the biggest family event of the season. ... I will probably not go out other than that, for I am a moron and live on Olympia's Westside, where traffic during the weekend before Christmas is so bad that I would rather cut off a toe than venture out in it needlessly. This is all if the world does in-fact continue past today.

JENNI PRANGE BORAN Features Writer
We are doing the Zoolights with the son tonight, Harmon fish and chips to follow. The rest of the weekend will be filled with last minute holiday details (read: buy the champagne and chocolate chips and crackers that we bought last week in preparation, but have since eaten).

NIC LEONARD Music Writer
My cousin is moving out here this weekend from Detroit so I will be showing him around the beautiful city of Olympia. We will most likely be hitting up the Everybody Weekend show at Le Voyeur on Saturday night as well as other various local bars.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Photog About Town
I might be going to the End of the World ball tonight just so I have a reason to wear my tux. Saturday at 7 p.m. the Monday Ukulele Ohana will perform at the Polar Bear Plaza because nothing says the holidays like ice skating to ukulele Christmas songs.

ROCKFORD ROWLEY All-Ages Music Columnist
This weekend, I will be catching up on some much needed rest, as well as doing some last minute holiday shopping. And just like most weekends, I will inevitable end up at Bluebeard drinking drip coffee and Mexican Coke.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

DOOMSDAY, DEC. 21 2012 >>>

1. As the Weekly Volcano mentioned last month, Tacoma's Wingman Brewers and Tacoma's 21 Cellars teamed up to produce beers with unique flavors distinct to Tacoma - specifically making beer with wine must - the quite flavorful and useful "leftover" grape skin, seeds and stems from wine mashing. At 2 p.m. the beers - White Betty and Black Widow - will be released inside the Wingman tasting room.

2. The Model Train Festival, downtown Tacoma's biggest model railroad exposition (taking into account, of course, the relatively small size of the subjects at hand because they are, of course, models), opens this morning and runs through Jan. 1. Every floor of the Washington State History Museum will be filled with operating modular layouts.  New this year is the Polar Plaza Express - a ride-on train that will travel between the Washington State History Museum and the Tacoma Art Museum. Remember to look both ways before crossing, and keep your pennies to yourself.

3. The Approach, a local band that blends reggae, metal and hip-hop, will shot a video at 8 p.m. inside Medi's Pizza & Pasta on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue. The Buddy System will open.

4. The McTuff Trio - comprised of Joe Doria, Andy Coe and Byron Vannoy - grab world-renowned saxophonist Skerik for an 8 p.m. performance at The Olympia Ballroom. Dubbed the "soulstice," the party will be packed with McTuff fans who aren't afraid to get their dance on. Expect long jams that cross the barriers of jazz with powerful keyboards, rhythmic drums, screaming sax and sometimes fuzz-distorted guitar. Also expect a trippy light show.

5. Ocean Grooves hosts homeboy DJ Donald Glaude for his annual Christmastime show in Tacoma, this time at Jazzbones beginning at 8 p.m.. Joining the world-renown DJ will be Tommie Sunshine and Mr. Clean.

LINK: Friday, Dec. 21 arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

The end of the world is here, and with it, apparently, our last day on this Earth. But worry not, friends. Though the end is nigh, the South Sound has a few End of the World parties to cushion ourselves against impending doom - and whatever it is the Maya predicted will consume us all.

End of The World Party

Grab all your favorite party animals, it could your very last chance to mooch a drink off your friends! And if the world really does end at midnight - all drinks are on the house! The band Accidental Heroes rock it. 9 p.m., Rock The Dock Pub & Grill, 535 Dock Street, Tacoma, Facebook

The End of the World Ball

You could be trying to aim a telescope through our ever-present cloud layer to spot the incoming meteor hoard, or you could don your finest and go out in style at the End of the World Ball. Dress can be anything from semi-formal to tuxes and ball gowns to Venetian masks. Like any good ball, this one will be in a ballroom - the Gothic Ballroom at the Landmark Event Center. There will be light refreshments and a no-host bar, as well as a toy drive for unwrapped gifts, cash or checks for Toys for Tots ... although, this seems to imply that the event hosts think we all might survive the night. 8 p.m., $35-$40, Landmark event Center, 47 St. Helens, Tacoma, website

End of the World Holiday Tap Night + Live Music

Drink beer until the world ends. End of the World beers will include End of the World Chocolate Chili Imperial Stout and a Bloody Mary Pale Ale. Los Hermanos will provide the soundtrack. 5-10 p.m., no cover, Tacoma Brewing Co.: 625 St Helens Ave., Tacoma, Facebook

It's The End of the World As We Know It

Swing Wine Bar will be celebrating everyone's death with a party featuring guitarist Vince Brown and vocalist LaVon Hardison performing an "end of the world" set, plus a last supper. 8-10 p.m., no cover, Swing Wine Bar, 825 Columbia St. SW, Olympia, Facebook

End Of The World Hip-Hop Party

End Of The World Party, hosted by Josh Rizeberg with hip-hop artists Shao Sosa, K Dueski, Z Piece, Beans & Rize, Divous, King Scrub and Blue Nose Music. 9 p.m., Stonegate Pizza, 5421 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, Facebook

End of the World Party at the Top of Tacoma

Come hell or high water, head to the high ground and celebrate all that is 12/21/12. The Top will have apocalyptic drink specials to take the prepper edge off: $5 Polar Shifts, $3 Fireball Shots, $4 Mind Erasers, & $6 AMF(Adios Motha F&*%^$@)! 9 p.m., Top of Tacoma Bar & Cafe, 3529 McKinley Ave., Tacoma, Facebook

House Improvement - End of the World Edition

So the world may end this today ... or it may not. But why chance it? Come out and dance like there's no tomorrow. This month Free The Funk welcomes Big Chuck with residents Chris Savenetti and DJ dAb. 9:30 p.m., The New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, Facebook

2012 End Of The World Party

DJ Atom Ant will spin as a zombie costume contest goes down. 9 p.m., Lady Luck,
Lady Luck Cowgirl Up, 14114 Pacific Ave. S., Tacoma

End of the World Baby!

Magoo's Annex will offer weekly drink special pricing all day long, which means $3 micors, $2.50 wells, $2.50 margaritas and $3 cooler shots, as well as all call and top shelf liquor rolled back to 2011 prices. 3 p.m. until close, Magoo's Annex, 2710 N. 21st, Tacoma

Mayans Meet Mad Max Thunderdome Extravaganza

If you have nothing to do on your last night on Earth and no loved one to spoon with and cry then grab your bug-out bags and hunker down with the End of the World Survivors at the Dwell Hole with (and not limited to): The Fun Police, Shogun Barbie and Jip Sea Party. Expect Jim Jones Kool-Aid Specials and Heavens Gate Hale Bop Jello Shots. 7:30 p.m., $3, call 253.230.2503 for location of this house party, Facebook

Saturday

We Survived The End Of The World 5K
If you're alive, celebrate with all your running buddies. Come dressed in your best end of the world outfit, and try and beat the guy in front of you to the finish line. 9 a.m., $35, Fit4Life Parking Lot, 2943 29th Ave. SW, Tumwater, website

LINK: More live music and DJs tonight in the South Sound

THE WEEK OF DEC. 20-26, 2012 >>>

In this week's issue of the Weekly Volcano ...

Even though they have brains that work in creative overdrive, capable of producing beats, licks and lyrics you and I couldn't hold a candle to, musicians are just like us. Musicians still have laundry to do, they still have bills to pay and they still have holiday wishes. From used panties, to world peace and tow hitches, Nikki McCoy gathered a compilation wish list from some of the South Sound's best musicians.

Above the busy port waters of Tacoma, just between the train tracks and the commotion of Pacific Avenue, a gem rises from the concrete, its two-story glass entrance beckoning sleekly at an inviting angle, the Tacoma Art Museum. Hidden within that gem is a magical place, a place where appearances can be deceiving, where masterpieces masquerade as wooden crates, the Tacoma Art Museum receiving dock. Jenni Prange Boren goes behind the scenes at the Tacoma Art Museum.

There's a battle going. It's a battle that may or may not touch your life, but one that will help to shape the future of digital rights. It's a battle between many top publishers and libraries. You can join this battle. You can make your voice heard. Pierce County Library's "STop Being Scrooge" campaign urges bookworms to unite against Scroogey publishers - publishers who are not selling e-books to libraries.

If you're anything like Jackie Fender, reveling in holiday cookie parties doesn't necessarily mean you want to slave away in the kitchen. Baking requires a different finesse than what Fender is endowed with. Rather than show up to the sweets shindig empty handed, or worse even, hands full of hideous mounds she passes off as "cookies," Fender hires a bakery. She has found five local bakeries that bake awesome holiday cookies.

When Weekly Volcano theater critic Joann Varnell headed to Lakewood Playhouse, she was so affected by the horrific event in Newtown, Conn. She wasn't prepared to laugh and she definitely wasn't in the Christmas spirit. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever opened up with Beth Bradley (Katherine Dunkelberger) narrating. The actors portraying the Bradley family were good and it was refreshing to see a blended family like many in society. Read her full review here.

PLUS: Music critics' picks for the week

PLUS: Details on the musical benefit for Nicole Skoog

PLUS: Josh Rizeberg's Q&A with hip-hop artist Jusz Nyce

PLUS: Alec Clayton's review of the Holiday Show at Childhood's End

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A TOURIST GUIDE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR >>>

By all appearances Sean Alexander is obsessed with drawing. He was a Foundation of Art Award nominee in 2008 and again in 2011. He is the former owner of the Helm Gallery. His work has been shown in many venues from galleries to books. One of his drawings can be seen in the current Foundation of Art exhibition at B2 Gallery, and lots of them can be seen in the new South Sound User's Guide, edited by Ken Miller and illustrated and designed by Alexander.

The cover illustration for the book is the South Sound's most visible icon - Mount Rainier. Most visible when it's out, that is. But on the South Sound User's Guide it is always out. It's a strong image. The mountain appears to be surrounded by low-lying clouds. Or it could be interpreted as rising out of water, which is, of course, inaccurate; but it makes for a nice image. Countless tiny vertical lines in the foreground could be seen as evergreen trees seen from a great distance or as fields of grass. Similar lines radiating from all directions indicate the rays of a glorious sun. The lines also look like swarms of sperm swimming toward an egg.  A similar radiating sun can be seen in many of his drawings.

The back cover features a drawing of an old style train in solid black with white lines. The background images and the wheels reverse that image with black on white. It's a cropped section of a larger drawing that appears in the section on Old Town Tacoma. Here again we see the ever-present mountain and the same sky.

The drawings throughout are playful and delightful, very much like children's book illustrations, with strong black and white contrasts and fine line work. His drawings illustrate scenes from all around the South Sound and nicely capture the flavor of the area.

Among my favorite drawings are:

The Elliot Air airplane on page ii of the introduction, executed with the same white-on-black line work as the Old Town train drawing.

The Bob's Java Jive drawing on page 8.

The Kiera's Kitchen duck on page 17 - love the flat duckbill.

The silly musical note illustrating Vicci Martinez' favorite live music spots in Tacoma on page 57.

The elegant little rat with his bow tie sitting on a slice of cheese on page 61.

The State Capitol drawing on page 139. Here the radiating lines from the sun are bolder, as is the heavy outline around the top part of the building. These stronger lines convey the largeness and importance of the Capitol.

Batdorf & Bronson's dancing goats in the Port of Olympia section on page 151.

The South Sound User's Guide is unique to the area and nicely different than any other travel guide. It is available at Kings Books and Orca Books and other venues throughout the area.

Full disclosure: I am one of many contributing writers, as are other Weekly Volcano scribes, and our publisher/editor, Ron Swarner, wrote the introduction.