WEDNESDAY, DEC. 19 2012 >>>

1. The annual holiday party season can be a long and arduous one. It's like holiday parties always go one of two ways: either they are the most epic throwdown of the century, where legendary work-gossip anecdotes are born, or there are painfully awkward. Tonight at 7 p.m. the Mad Hat Tea Company hosts a Pre-Madness-Open-Shop-Party Thingy that could be epic - because it has rules: "You must bring a warm heart and a warm thought for others. You may bring fancy cookies, an hors d'oeuvre, beer, wine and a servant or two to follow you around the party whilst holding your glass, plate and napkin. A resting area for all servants will be provided. You may not bring the past, meatloaf, a blue tooth on your head and tea. Feel free to wear a hat and or pearls."

2. The TEARS Foundation staff and volunteers will hold a candlelight vigil in honor of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting at 6 p.m. at Carson Elementary School, 8615 184th St. E., Puyallup. The vigil will include music, prayer, naming of victims and a moment of silence to honor the families. Candles will be provided along with green and white ribbons representing Sand Hook's school colors.

3. Tis the season for holiday parties! From 7-10 p.m. Fish Tale Brew Pub will host its 13th Annual Holiday Brass Bash. There will be horns-a-hooting, Santa-a-sitting, nibble noshing and all for a good cause. This fundraising party benefits the Thurston County Food Bank. Cash, checks and non-perishable food donations are accepted. Last year Fish Tale raised $800 and collected more than 200 food items. They're hoping to squash that with a new record. Andy Omdahl and his talented group of horn-playing pals will fill the pub with Holiday music and cheer.

4. Bronn and Katherine Journey go off on the harp in their annual Christmas Concert at 7:30 p.m. inside the Olympia High School.

5. R&B songstress Kim Archer performs at 8 p.m. inside The Mix. Now that sounds quite lovely.

LINK: Wednesday, Dec. 19 arts and entertainment events in the South Puget Sound

WINNING BIG >>>

181-35. This was the final score in the inaugural USARS Roller Derby National Championship. The contenders in the final bout were Oly Rollers vs. San Diego Starlettes. The two teams made it through to the end of an eight-team bracket, including bouts against Tacoma's Underground Derby League All-Stars.

The winner?

South Sound heroes, the Oly Rollers!

"We made history," says Ashley Culbert, aka Layla Lawdown, with pride in her voice. Lawdown (former police offer) has been skating for two years. She, along with nine other Oly Roller derby girls, made their way to Fresno, Calif., for the championship that ran Dec 14-16.

The Oly Rollers won the Seltzer Cup trophy, named in honor of the creator of the sport, Leo Seltzer. The Olympia team's name will be engraved on the trophy and displayed to the public throughout the year at the National Museum of Roller Skating in Lincoln, Neb.

Culbert explains how this championship differs from the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), which the Oly Rollers were named national winners in 2009.

"It's faster - a higher game," says Culbert. "You have to be more athletic because of how fast and hard hitting it can be."

USARS has been around longer than WFTDA, and holds more merit in the sports community, she says.

"USARS is going to take it (derby) very far," says Culbert. "This is the first step. If we're going to the Olympics, they are going to take us there."

Culbert says there were - amazingly - no injuries, and that the OIy team skated very cohesive.

"It felt amazing," Culbert says. "It felt really good to be part of something that was truly for the skater and for the sport."

Compass Rose greets you with pleasantries aplenty. From cute and quirky gifts for baby, to unique and beautiful jewelry and even high-end cookware, you can mark nearly everyone off your list.

Then. You. Have. To. Wrap.

The employees at Compass Rose in downtown Olympia are happy to wrap any purchase.

Yes!

They are so happy in fact, they once made a "wrap" video where a patron comes in the store asking if they wrap, and a few of the lady employees began busting out rhymes about finding the perfect gift, Northwest style, and of course, wrapping gifts.

"We're even bringing an extra person on just for gift wrapping this season," says Liz Van Dyke, employee.

"Cuppow is our favorite thing right now," says Van Dyke. "It's quintessential for Oly because it's an adult sippy cup lid for mason jars! And for around $10 it's the perfect white elephant or stocking stuffer."

Van Dyke underscores their love of the product by pointing out a Christmas tree decorated in Cuppows. It's adorable.

Another gift idea Compass Rose is excited about is their French line of cast iron cookware, which comes in a variety of bright bold colors. It's on the higher end of gift giving at $100-$400, but well worth the smiles and delicious meals to be had. It's a gift that keeps on giving.

Compass Rose isn't afraid to wrap. Any size purchase can be wrapped. Compass Rose has a variety of wrapping paper such as Christmas sweater print and earth tones, and colorful shiny ribbons to reflect your style or gift.

COMPASS ROSE, 10 A.M. TO 9 P.M. DEC. 17-20, 9 A.M. TO 9 P.M. DEC. 21, 9 A.M. TO 8 P.M. DEC. 22, 10 A.M. TO 7 P.M. DEC. 23, 9 A.M. TO 4 P.M. DEC. 24,  416 CAPITOL WAY, OLYMPIA, 360.236.0788

MONDAY, DEC. 17, 2012 >>>

1. Oh yes, it is winter. Instead of allowing your hostility toward cold and snow and Mother Nature build and build (a destructive practice that may surely only result in tragedy, namely the increased proliferation of strip malls and other nature-defying-structures across our fair South Sound), make your peace. Experience the beauty of nature during the colder months. Join a park ranger to learn the art of snowshoeing and discover how plants, animals, and people adapt to the challenging winter conditions at Mount Rainier. Snowshoe walks daily at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Warning: Call 360.569.6575 for more information, because Mother Nature is freaking out today.

2. Only eight more shopping days left ... so begins the jolliest (and undeniably the most stressful) time of the year. Especially these days, with the economy wallowing in the shitter. Santa has local gift ideas for your mom/aunt/significant other/sibling/bus driver/favorite local vagrant/bossman/whomever over on his Santa Says Blog.

3. Tired of boring old posters on your living space walls? The folks at State of the Arts Gallery in Olympia, which specializes in selling art created by Northwest and regional artists, has some interesting alternatives as part of its 21st Annual Deck The Walls & More show, which is open today from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. - normally closed on Mondays.

4. 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.

5. MLKBallet presents Mistletoes - a holiday fundraiser extravaganza featuring a cupcake and wine walk, raffles, holiday crafts, classic holiday movies and performances from MLKBallet students from 6-8 p.m. at urban Grace, 902 Market St. All proceeds from the $10 suggested donation benefit MLKBallet's tuition free dance training program.

LINK: Monday, Dec. 17 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Amocat Cafe Tacoma - Triangle District. Amocat Live! featuring the Amocat House Band. All Ages. 7 pm.

Black Lodge Olympia. Smooth Sailing, Into The Storm, Gladiators Eat Fire, A God Or An Other. 9 pm.

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

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Tin Man, Bodybox, Dave Hannon. 8 pm. $5.

Karma Indian Cuisine & Lounge Puyallup. Steve Stefanowicz. 8 pm.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Adrians Motown Discotek. 9 pm.

The Lochs Tacoma - Downtown. Riff Raff, Slowdance, The Breaklights, Sky Pilot. 8 pm. $8.

Maxwell's Restaurant + Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. Lance Buller Combo. 7 pm.

Metronome Coffee Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Tacoma Noise Rodeo. Obscure Robot vs. Infrared, Black, Kord, plus a 45-minute freeform collective jam finale. All Ages. 8 pm.

Morso Wine Bar Gig Harbor. Americana Music Series, featuring Kelly Joe Phelps. 8 pm. Sold out.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Camp666 presents Awesomeparty2012 featuring CFA, Mahnhammer, Scooterhorsey and the premier of "and my head explodes episode 2." 9 pm.

Northern Olympia - Downtown. Mtns, Angelo Spencer, Arrington De Dionyso. All Ages. 9 pm. $6.

Northern Pacific Coffee Co. Tacoma - Parkland. Heidi Stoermer, Jenny Snipstead featuring Andrew Crook. Show will include special duets and holiday sing-alongs. All Ages. 7 pm. $4.

The Pig Bar @ South Bay BBQ Olympia - Downtown. Science! CD Release Party. 8 pm. NC.

Spar Cafe Olympia - Downtown. Paul Mauer. 8 pm. NC.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Three Skinny White Samoans. 9 pm.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Hella Sunshine, Silver Bullet, Kramer. 9 pm.

Urban Onion Restaurant and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Casey Heath Benefit featuring Fitz of Depression, The Dirty Birds, C Average and DJ Slimrock. All Ages. 9 pm. $5.

The Pig Bar @ South Bay BBQ Olympia - Downtown. Science! CD Release Party. 8 pm. NC.

LINK: Friday, Dec. 14 live music in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Morning showers, hi 43, lo 35

Saturday: Rain and breezy, hi 44, lo 36

Sunday: Chance of rain, hi 44, lo 40

>>> FRIDAY, DEC. 14: "MESSIAH"

You can hate on the holidays all you want, but there's no denying they bring a wealth of artful yearly traditions. Tacoma Symphony Chorus' take on "Messiah" in St. Charles Borromeo Church fits this bill. As pre-event hype acknowledges, "Chorus Director Geoffrey Boers always brings a fresh take to Handel's beloved work," and there's no reason to expect this year to be any different. Four vocal soloists - soprano Denise Lees, mezzo-soprano Melissa Plagemann, tenor James Brown and Benjamin Harris - will join Tacoma Symphony Chorus and Orchestra, creating an event that's almost to put the whole family in the spirit.

• St. Charles Borromeo Church, 7:30 p.m., $25, 7112 S, 12th St., Tacoma, 253.591.2013

>>> FRIDAY, DEC. 14: "PRESSING ON"

Currently at Pacific Lutheran University's Mortvedt Library is "Pressing On," an exhibition to celebrate 30 years of the existence of the Elliott Press. The exhibition consists of broadsides (hand-printed posters), hand-made books and other printed pieces by students who learn and work at the Elliott Press. Pieces include work by Oregon writer Kim Stafford and Copper Canyon Press founder Tree Swenson - both alumni of the Press, along with many other illustrious local artists, writers and editors, including yours truly. Read Kristin Kendle's full feature on the exhibit in the Weekly Volcano's Events section.

• Mortvedt Library, through Feb. 27, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Pacific Lutheran University, 121st Street and Park Avenue, Tacoma, 253.535.7500
  

>>> FRIDAY, DEC. 14-SUNDAY, DEC. 16: YES YES NO NO HOLIDAY SHOW

Yes Yes No No: The Solace-of-Solstice Apogee/Perigee Bestial/Celestial Holiday Show by award winning playwright Tony Kushner and directed by John Ficker is happening this weekend at the Midnight Sun in Olympia. Featuring Pamela Arnt, Dave Beacham, Brian Jansen, and Elizabeth Lord. The evening also includes Weekly Volcano's Christian Carvajal reading Front Row Center with Thaddeus Bristol by David Sedaris.  The Forever Young Rock & Roll Choir of Senior Services for South Sound will also perform. The group, known for it's Joey Ramone covers and alternative choral style will sing four songs during the first portion of the play, including "Happy X-Mas (War is Over)" by John Lennon and "River" by Joni Mitchell. "They're totally stoked," says Chris Quimby, co-director of the choir. "They're so excited about it, we love to perform and they love learning knew songs. Its good for them too, it's brain activity and cognition. We feel honored to be in this play - we were just floored when we were asked us to do this." See the seniors and the rest of the local talent as part of the Save the Sun series of benefit shows to keep the Midnight Sun open and entertaining. - Nikki McCoy

• Midnight Sun performance Space, Dec 14 and 15 at 8 p.m. and Dec 16 at 2 p.m., $12-18,  113. N. Columbia, Olympia, brownpapertickets

>>> FRIDAY. DEC. 14-THURSDAY, DEC. 20: RARE EXPORTS: A CHRISTMAS TALE

Dear God. I just watched the trailer for RARE EXPORTS: A CHRISTMAS TALE, and I'm begging for more. It looks so demented and awesome and action-packed and touching and totally unlike any Christmas movie ever. Good thing we all have a chance to see it at The Grand Cinema in Tacoma. I know "demented and awesome" are rather vague descriptions, but the rated R Finnish movie in English sub-titles is just that. Here's an excerpt from a press release, "On Christmas Eve in Finland, Santa Claus is unearthed in an archaeological dig. Soon after, children start disappearing, leading a boy and his father to capture Santa and, with the help of fellow hunters, they look to sell him back to the corporation that sponsored the dig. And then there's Santa's elves, who are determined to free their leader..." I got chills just reading that again! The Grand has played the movie the last two years with such roaring success that they hope to make it a holiday tradition where you can also get your picture taken with "demented Santa." - NM

• The Grand Cinema, Dec 14-20, 7:15 and 9:15 p.m., (no 9:15 on Tuesday, Dec, 18) $4.50-$9, pictures with Santa Friday and Saturday 6:30 p.m., 606 S. Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, 253.593.4474

>>> SATURDAY, DEC. 15: DRUNKEN TELEGRAPH HOLIDAY SHOW

When I was 8, I received the best Christmas present of my life. My brother was going through puberty complete with standard zits and angst. Of course, I thought he hated me with the spit wads and angry outbursts he hurled at me. But gazing at the tree that magical Christmas morning, I saw a glimmering Polly Pocket pendant tucked into the branches. It was from my brother. Life was grand. As an adult, my best gift has been sexy panties and a cute wooden stash box for my weed. Anyway, self-indulgent writing has taken over. ... The point of this blurb is to let you, dear readers, know you can hear storytellers tell THEIR tales of the greatest gifts they've ever received. Saturday at Medi's Pizza & Pasta, there will be sharing at the Drunken Telegraph Holiday Show, as well as pizza and beer.  After hearing five stories about the greatest gift, from a movie poster to a present from beyond the grave, there will be a story slam. Get there early and sign up to share your own five-minute story about the greatest gift. — NM

• Medi's Pizza & Paste, 7 p.m.,  $5, 2710 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.2531

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
I'm in the Prodigal Sun holiday revue, pretending to be a mean theater critic. Then we're off to Bellevue for dinner at Din Tai Fung and a 48FPS, IMAX screening of The Hobbit.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
Friday, I'll be attending my friend's graduation (I swear it's been in the works for a million years); afterward there will be much drinking and merriment.

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
I'm going to a mass wedding at the state capitol to witness a lot of gay and lesbian friends getting married.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
Slinging booze tonight, followed by the Urban Onion's benefit show for the Heath family featuring Fitz, C Average and Dirty Birds. Saturday, I'm hitting the Fantastical Festivus Faire then headed to Portland for strippers and bands Mosquito Hawk and Black Pussy. Sunday will be moping around until it's time to feed bellies with love at Casey's memorial. Oh, and some writing.

JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
I think Friday I'll chill with the Family and just do the Chanukah thing. Saturday, I'll go out to The New Frontier Lounge and see Tacoma's Favorite DJ voted by Weekly Volcano readers, DJ Melanin. The fun starts at 9 p.m. and it's free!

JACKIE FENDER Food Writer
Round 3 of the Shift your Shopping Tours is going down Saturday night. Not to mention the usual slinging on moonshine breakfast drinks in the a.m. and getting some highly anticipated Wrist issues to distribution sites so that readers can get their local creative literary fix.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
Seeing as I'm so desperate for Winter Break to begin, I'm going to pretend this weekend is a mini break before the real deal. Saturday we will be taking the toddler to Teatro Zinzanni for the Big Top Rock show featuring Caspar Babypants, jugglers, acrobats, carnival atmosphere AND Top Pot Doughnuts. Afterward, we will go to a holiday party where one of my 2-year-old's many crushes will be present. Sunday, I will be reviewing The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Lakewood Playhouse before rushing off to Puyallup for an adorable 3-year-old's birthday party! Then I will sleep the sleep of the dead to try and have enough energy for my last three days of school.

TIMOTHY GRISHAM Music Writer
I thought the world was ending 12.12.12, guess not. Although Paul McCartney fronting Nirvana certainly has the charm of the end of days. I guess since I was ill planned I will go see the Hobbit like every other nerd in the country. I will also be attending the Northern Craft & Rummage Sale on Saturday. It's free to enter!

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Photog About Town
I'll be hitting The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Lakewood Playhouse because I hear the narrator is amazing - because of the training she gained from her father. Then comes Saturday for the Lighted Boat Parade down the waterfront with a stop at Rock the Dock for some nog.

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.

ROCKFORD ROWLEY All-Ages Music Columnist
This weekend I will be enjoying all I can before the start of winter quarter, at which point I will be substituting sleep with black coffee, writing and studying and, of course, the EPs of all my favorite Tacoma bands.

LINK: Even more local events that we recommend

LINK: Comprehensive South Sound Arts & Entertainment Calendar

FRIDAY, DEC. 14 2012 >>>

1. After 17 years of Stardust holiday schmaltz-fests, Harlequin 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 at 8 p.m. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of A Christmas Survival Guide in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

2. Tonight at 7 p.m. the Happy Sock Club will collect Happy Socks (colorful wool or cotton socks) and donations for The Toy Rescue Mission at Cork! Wine Bar. TRM serves Tacoma and Pierce County infants, children and teens during the holiday season every year. Everyone is welcome to attend, especially if you bring Happy Socks.

3. The Weekly Volcano is not here to make this stuff up. Truth happens. Reality pinches, rides up, makes you start and shiver in utter amazement. The Tacoma Noise Rodeo returns to treat the denizens of Sixth Avenue to experimental electronic music. No, not guitar feedback synced with loud Ultimate Fighting DVDs the neighbor kids cranks in his basement Friday nights. Rather, glorious modular synthesizers, patch cables and Commodore 64 machines producing extremely loudly, wicked alchemical magic, meaty pulsing rhythms, monster drone and giant washes of sound, all making you want to run a marathon while eating raw meat, naked. Epect Obscure Robot vs. Infrared, Black, Kord and a 45 minute free-form collective jam at 8 p.m. inside at Metronome Coffee.

4. Justin Stang, usually of Sideways Reign, and Jim Elenteny, ordinarily of Seattle band Nefarious Jones, unite to form the side project Science! We know three things about Stang and Elenteny: they were voted Best New Band in our 2012 Olympia poll, they're holding a CD release party at Southbay Dickerson's BBQ at 8 p.m., and their project is called Science! so they're approved, we suspect, by Thomas Dolby.

5. Downtown Olympia was rocked Dec. 3 by the senseless murder of one of its own, Casey Heath. Tonight at 9 p.m. inside the Urban Onion Restaurant & Lounge, Heath's longtime friends are throwing a benefit to help with the funeral costs, but more importantly, bring together the Downtown Olympia Community to remember a dear friend. Fitz of Depression, The Dirty Birds and C Average will join for an incredible night of music. There will be a suggested donation of $5.

LINK: Friday, Dec. 14 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THE WEEK OF DEC. 13-19, 2012 >>>

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

We here at the Weekly Volcano have mourned the earth's impending demise throughout its final year, yet somehow this ritual felt incomplete without a wake. Ragnarok deserved one final, defiant exclamation point. We resolved to knock items off our respective bucket lists before meeting our collective Maker. We brainstormed a blowout so intense it'd give Lindsay Lohan the sweats. Christian Carvajal discusses the End of the World and the Volcano's night of debauchery.

Unless you live in a land of perpetual sunshine (in which case sun-madness might be an issue), the holiday season can have a tendency to bring about a little bit of the S.A.D.s. Particularly when it comes to something like New Year's Eve - a bullshit holiday that we thankfully won't even have to deal with, thanks to Mayan prophecy. But! If, for some reason, the Mayans were wrong, then we might have to deal once more with this absurd holiday. Rev. Adam McKinney offers some tips for tap-dancing on the brink of New Year's Eve insanity.

Camp666 presents Awesomeparty2012, a soiree featuring the much-anticipated debut of Scooterhorsey as well as the beloved Mahnhammer and C.F.A., plus the premier of And My Head Explodes Episode 2. But wait, there's more! You will also have the chance to win a date with Tacoma's "Most Eligible Bachelor," Alex Henderson from Dirty Oscar's Annex. Nikki McCoy's interviewed Camp666 co-founder Joe Korbuszewski about his awesome party.

Weekly Volcano art critic Alec Clayton had high expectations when previewing the Foundation of Art exhibition at B2 Fine Art, and he was not disappointed. The show featuring works from 40 artists who have been nominated for this prestigious award over the past five years is a good deal edgier than B2's usual offerings, with works by often risky and politically savvy artists, many of whom - fittingly, as it turns out - have had shows at Fulcrum Gallery, which is owned and operated by this year's Foundation of Art Award winner, Oliver Doriss. Read Clayton's review of the show.

Behold Weekly Volcano theater critic Christian Carvajal's picks for the best in Olympia theater this calendar year, culled from more than 30 reviews.

PLUS: Music critics' picks for the week

PLUS: 12 Beers of Christmas

PLUS: Josh Rizeberg's hip-hop column

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THURSDAY, DEC.12 2012 >>>

1. Legend has it that sake, the Japanese wine made from fermented rice, was originally called kuchikami no sake, which means "chewing in the mouth sake." An entire village would gather to chew up nuts, rice and other tasty grains and then spit the result into a tub, where the enzymes in the saliva would ferment the liquid for several days - or so the story goes. Fortunately, today's sake is made with more sanitary procedures. Sake doesn't get any tastier than what's on the shelves at TWOKOI Japanese Restaurant. And our mouths are full of saliva when we think about drinking a different sake a day for 12 days in a row, which we will do at TWOKOI through Christmas Eve. During its "12 Days of Sake," you will receive 30 percent off the bottle.

2. After work and dinner, and while your better half gets the kids to bed, why not get some holiday shopping out of the way at Tacoma's Antique Row? Thursdays, now through Christmas, the 70 merchants that make up Antique Row offer free parking after 6 p.m. and have extended hours until 8 p.m. So pick up the perfect book for your niece, grab an original framed local art piece for your mom, or find that great shabby chic nightstand for yourself.

3. Tacoma's Blue Mouse Theatre kicks the holiday season off in style at 6 p.m. a visit from Sanata followed by the classic, It's a Wonderful Life. Patrons are asked to donate food and/or cash to FISH Food Bank of Pierce County. If the sight of friends bringing money to bankrupt George Bailey doesn't move you to give, you're worse than crusty old Mr. Potter.

4. For years, trumpeter Rich Wetzel and his big band has been popping up in local bars and restaurants, introducing folks to jazz of years gone by, as well as a few current numbers. The one constant is his big blowout holiday shows where he expands his band to 30 musicians and plays music from A Stan Kenton Christmas. This year expect more mellophones at the 7:30 p.m. show at Tacoma Community College. Tickets are $10-$15.

5. Ladies and gents, tonight at The Royal Lounge, before your very eyes, is a lineup of epic proportions.  Free Whiskey, Smoke, Subversive Minds, Kyle Miller, Puget and "maybe" a guest performance by "somebody else" will hit the stage at 9 p.m. That "somebody else" may or may not have just gotten home from touring with Mackelmore and Ryan Lewis. That "somebody else" may or may not be Olympia-based bad ass, Xperience (XP).

LINK: Thursday, Dec. 13 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

PERSONAL FREEDOM >>>

Hands clasped tight, a journey longer than most. Tears of joy and relief rolling down the cheeks of hundreds of witnesses, hoots and hollers and hugs, all felt in collective consciousness of civil rights. This will be the scene at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec 15 when 16 same-sex couples unite in holy matrimony at the State Capitol in Olympia. A reception and potluck with drinking and dancing will follow the ceremonies inside The Urban Onion in downtown Olympia. The date chosen for the monumental event is more than appropriate - it's Bill of Rights Day.

Tina Roose and Teresa Guajardo, together for more than 13 years, are the spearheaders of the event, choosing to make their wedding day an open invitation for the public to join in marrying their partner, or celebrating as a witness.

Long-time friends of the couple Wendy Morissette and Cam Combs plan to attend the ceremonies.

"Though we opted out of being one of the ‘getting marrieds,' we still wanted to go to support our friends - to take the kids and just get wrapped up in the celebration of it all," says Morissette, also stating that her and Combs wanted to preserve their 20th anniversary date next September to say their vows. 

"I look forward to just being able to soak it all up," she says, "to revel in all that queer joy at finally being able to marry - and being a part of history is always amazing."

LINK: Ceremonies schedule