TUESDAY, DEC. 24 2013 >>>

1. Christmas in Las Vegas. It has a nice ring to it - the most unholy city in the world on the holiest holiday. What's a Vegas kinda Xmas all about? There will be a long line for $1.59 pork sandwiches. I'm sure you could expect ringing jackpots and clanking coins as the sounds of Xmas. It's also hella expensive. If you'd still like to get your Christmas on with a tub of nickels in hand, shrimp cocktails and cheap Heinekens, may we suggest the Red Wind Casino. Crooner Chris Anderson will be in the house. Expect to hear many great holiday standards by singers from Frank Sinatra to Bobby Darin. Anderson hails from Eatonville, and is in his 20s, but has a voice and style that come straight out of another era. And there isn't a cover charge.

2. Whether you want to channel your inner Winter Olympics sports nerd, capture the magic of the season in a vibrant urban venue or just have a wintery and sporty adventure, break out the ice skates, people, because the Franciscan Polar Plaza, in partnership with the Tacoma Art Museum, is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Bring family and friends to Tacoma's holiday ice rink for holiday fun and a good time right in the heart of downtown Tacoma.

3. See the ultimate sad sack Charlie Brown and his sad sack little Christmas tree find the holiday spirit in the Christmas classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas, at a dreamy locally renowned theater. Break out the "peanuts" to take in this charming Tacoma Musical Playhouse production, and watch young and aspiring local actors from the theater's innovative and premiere education program show their stuff in this quaint and heartfelt little show, which begins at 2 p.m. 

4. Other, non-North American English-speaking countries know the play 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 would actually come true. The Herdman clan will be on hand to teach you all about the true spirit of Christmas by lying, cheating, stealing, smoking and other wholesome endeavors at 3 p.m. in the Tacoma Youth Theatre. It's a feel-good season of joy for everyone. Or something.

5. Take a driving tour of Fantasy Lights in Spanaway Park, where carloads of travelers can see more than 300 stunning displays of lights and imaginative animation over a two-mile stretch of Spanaway Lake Park from 5:30-9 p.m. 

MONDAY, DEC. 23 2013 >>>

1. In the same way that sharks must keep swimming to keep breathing, it seems Melanie Owen andJoseph Barton must spread their talents across various musical projects in order to stay alive. Owen travels between Denver and Seattle with her band, The Groovetramps, fronts Cedar Avenue Blues Band in Denver and does duo work with other blues players. She guest fronts with The Thommy Knoxvilles in Denver, the Armed & Dangerous Blues Review in Seattle and plays bass for the Joseph Barton Trio - yes, her musical partner. Barton has played for numerous Denver bands such as The Clam Daddies, The Train Wreckers and Tempa & the Tamtrums. Currently, in addition to The Groovetramps and his trio, Barton and plays bass with Armed & Dangerous Blues Review and other Seattle and Denver bands. These frequent flyer points freaks will showcase their old school blues and Americana at 8 p.m. in The Swiss - if they don't collapse first.

2. Whether you want to channel your inner Winter Olympics sports nerd, capture the magic of the season in a vibrant urban venue or just have a wintery and sporty adventure, break out the ice skates, people, because the Franciscan Polar Plaza, in partnership with the Tacoma Art Museum, is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Bring family and friends to Tacoma's holiday ice rink for holiday fun and a good time right in the heart of downtown Tacoma.

3. Make Monday the day you check out Zoolights or Fantasy Lights - both South Sound institutions. Zoolights, the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium's holiday light show and extravaganza, offers a stroll through more than half a million lights, crafted whimsically throughout the zoo from 5-9 p.m. Take a driving tour of Fantasy Lights in Spanaway Park, where carloads of travelers can see more than 300 stunning displays of lights and imaginative animation over a two-mile stretch of Spanaway Lake Park from 5:30-9 p.m. 

4. See the ultimate sad sack Charlie Brown and his sad sack little Christmas tree find the holiday spirit in the Christmas classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas, at a dreamy locally renowned theater. Break out the "peanuts" to take in this charming Tacoma Musical Playhouse production, and watch young and aspiring local actors from the theater's innovative and premiere education program show their stuff in this quaint and heartfelt little show, which begins at 7 p.m. 

5. We all love to sing. Singing is fun; singing is cool. However, life is cruel, and as much as we all love to sing, well, we can't.  We suck.  Or, to put this in a positive manner, there are those who can sing solo and there are those who should always, always, sing in groups. The larger the better. For those of you who fall into the second category, head to Olympia. The Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia present a "Messiah Sing-Along" so you can sing to your tone-deaf little heart's content at 7 p.m. in the Washington Center.          

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Monday, Dec. 23 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, DEC. 22 2013 >>>

1. The "War on Christmas" decried by Sarah Palin and Bill O'Reilly isn't evident in South Sound theater, which is producing a rich variety of appropriately jolly and family-friendly shows for the holiday season. Four out of the seven current productions end this afternoon. Weekly Volcano theater critics Joann Varnell and Christian Carvajal chime in with their thoughts on the productions here.

2. The only time we were forced to walk through that new H&M store in the mall we started to feel queasy, claustrophobic and like we were going to karate chop the next person we saw with a stupid bleach pattern on their jeans in the throat. Just because it's the holiday season doesn't mean anyone should have to go through this. Check out the Jada-Moon Gridley-created Gritty City Gift Fair, where local artists and crafters will offer their one-of-a-kind fairs for all from 3-8 p.m. at Fulcrum Gallery. Expect re-purposed silk, cashmere and wool to recyled silver and pearls, fashion, reclaimed wood, forged steel, sparkling gems, feathers, ceramics, glass and more.

3. Pacific Church in East Tacoma hosts "Gospel Christmas - a Christmas Musical Celebration" at 6:30 p.m. with a soulful sound and a timely message. After the show, enjoy the spirit of giving at "The Jesus Christmas Shop" stocked with a myriad of children's toys, winter coats and holiday groceries all for needy families.

4. Just as surely that every December stockings will be hung, malls will become volatile swarms of madness and It's a Wonderful Life will clog television schedules, The Nutcracker will be performed at local venues - including at 7 p.m. in Mt. Tahoma High school by the Washington Contemporary Ballet. Set to Tchaikovsky's most famous composition, the classic ballet about a little girl and a magical toy that comes to life one fateful Christmas Eve is as timeless as a sunset, and the WCB has been staging the ballet since 1998. So pack up the family and enjoy a night of sugar-plum fairies and rat kings. It's a holiday tradition that's as constant as getting handmade socks from Grandma. Tacoma City Ballet ends its Nutcracker run at 3 p.m. in the Pantages Theater.

5. Steve Cooley & The Dangerfields will fill The Spar in Old Town Tacoma with rockin' blues beginning at 7 p.m.

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Saturday, Dec. 21 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FRIDAY, DEC. 20 12013 >>>

1. So the tree and the fairy lights are up, you have enough booze and unhealthy snacks to sink the Titanic, and your television is about to explode in a flurry of consumerism and romantic schmaltz. But there's something missing. That's right, folks: it just wouldn't be a happy holiday without some singing about God. And for that, there's no beating Handel's "Messiah," a piece for choir, orchestra and soloists that has delighted audiences worldwide for more than 270 years. As 18th-century music historian Charles Burney once said, "Messiah" has fed the hungry and clothed the naked, fostered the orphan, and enriched succeeding managers of Oratories more than any single musical production in this or any other country." We're not totally sure what that means, so check it out at 7:30 p.m. in the St. Charles Borromeo Church when the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra presents its version with soprano Maria Mannisto, mezzo-soprano Melissa Schiel, tenor Eric Neuville and baritone Peter Tuff.

2. Where The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol and other traditional holiday shows have a plot, The Alternative Holiday Show does not. It's not a play, but instead a variety show with multiple acts determined to keep you giggling. Acts range from musical numbers to skits and even to poetry readings. Still, the acts are not random. There is a clear message that ties them all together. The Alternative Holiday Show seeks to poke a little bit of fun at the current state of our highly commercialized and a bit crazy holiday season. But don't count on finding any anti-Christmas scrooges here. The show is all in good fun. Catch it at 7:30 p.m. in the Midnight Sun Performance Space in downtown Olympia.

3. Danny Barnes and Matt Sircely, friends for more than a decade, reside on the Olympic Peninsula. When Barnes and Sircely play together, they swap original songs and showcase their love of many music forms - both roots-oriented and forward-thinking. Poetic songwriting framed with guitar, banjo and mandolin traverses the unexpected, conjuring great traditions in American music right before launching into something that's never been heard. Catch the duo with the Oly Mountain Boys at 8 p.m. in Southbay Dickerson's BBQ's Pig Bar.

4. Brad Upton in a past winner of the Las Vegas Comedy Festival and appeared recently at Caesar's Palace as part of the HBO Comedy Festival. Twenty-six years and 5,000 shows have made this Seattle based comic a much sought after performer and earned the respect of his peers. At 8 and 10:30 p.m. Tacoma Comedy Club celebrates Upton's new CD.

5. Metcalf Manor is a bed and breakfast on more than 6 acres of property located five minutes from downtown Olympia and downtown Lacey. There is a huge backyard with a fire pit and spa, but much of the property is wooded and there is a network of nature trails running through the woods. Quite lovely. Tonight at 9 p.m. No Body, Full Moon Radio, The Celestials and Trash Heap will turn the Manor into a rock and breakfast.

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Friday, Dec. 20 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THURSDAY, DEC. 19 2013 >>>

1. Other, non-North American English-speaking countries know the play 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 would actually come true. The Herdman clan will be on hand to teach you all about the true spirit of Christmas by lying, cheating, stealing, smoking and other wholesome endeavors at 7 p.m. in the Tacoma Youth Theatre. It's a feel-good season of joy for everyone. Or something.

2. Garfield Book Company is hosting an open holiday party today. From 2-6 p.m., attendees may enjoy refreshments, raffles, door prizes, giveaways and more. Chef/owner John Sundstrom of Lark restaurant in Seattle, as well as an author of Northwest recipes, will host a cooking demonstration from 3-4 p.m. Steve Roberts, author of Wine Trails NW, will host wine tastings accompanied by his book signing. This event is free to attend.

3. Break out the silver bells, South Sounders near and far. It's Christmas time in the city. Of course, downtown Tacoma has had you covered for all your holiday adventures all December long; however, tonight, precious hours before the BIG day, wouldn't it be cool to don your elfish grins and bring your last-minute holiday shopping and wish lists and pop on downtown for a variety of fun, shopping, great eats and drinks and holiday cheer? It's your pick(s) of fun: Art Mingle Thursday (tacomaartgroup.org), where the Tacoma Art Museum and other awesome local art venues open their holiday doors to welcome you from 5-8 p.m. Hop aboard the December Art Bus (tacomaartbus.com) at 6 p.m. for some mobile holiday goodness, treats and guest host Rudolph. Finally, if you are feeling adventurous, join friends for a skate off at Polar Plaza. Holiday perfection, if you ask us.

4. Weekly Volcano music critic Rev. Adam McKinney says there are vocal similarities between Kurt Lindsay and late cult singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley. The Rev. says, "Lindsay's voice, like Buckley's (though, of course, no one can truly touch Jeff Buckley, vocally), is simultaneously full of bravado and wounded timidity. It quivers with feeling, though it might be noted that Lindsay's voice often comes across as more lost, searching, which adds a nice element to what is largely music that errs toward modern rock, with some detours to friendly mixers like R&B and folk." See for yourself over a beer or three at 6 p.m. when Lindsay joins Jorge Olmos, Christopher Ward and Thene Singleton for an 8 p.m. show at Metronome Coffee.

5. Besides being all fancy, the Hotel Murano is dang smart. It knows a good thing when it hears it. The Kareem Kandi Band is back to fill the lobby with jazz from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Thursday, Dec. 19 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, DEC. 15 2013 >>>

1. We are stoked about this show for two simple reasons: Great bands in a great bar. The Brotherhood Lounge is celebrating its 11th anniversary at 9 p.m. with an open invitation to have fun. Headlining the show will be the Resident Kings. It's a pleasure to be typing the name "Resident Kings", because it has been a damn long time since they've played. The band, made up of Chief and Dirty Birds members, is Olympia hybrid-rawk at its best. Then band's songs range in style from heavy, classic rock to fast, punk garage with an unwavering thread of originality. Opening the show will be a Pixies tribute band. Oh, and there will be free pizza from Old School. See you there!

2. OK, while the winter solstice technically is the shortest day of the year, and nighttime falls at a ridiculously early hour, for some, the solstice means getting their party on and celebrating. In the Appalachia region, winter solstice means breaking out the instruments, sweet treats and excellent libations in a festival of dancing, music and storytelling. So why can't the South Puget Sound enjoy the same, right? Ah, but we can. The Puget Sound Revels performance brings traditions, energy and spirit right here to our own backyard in an electric, inspirational performance at 1 and 5:30 p.m. in the Rialto Theater.

3. The "War on Christmas" decried by Sarah Palin and Bill O'Reilly isn't evident in South Sound theater, which is producing a rich variety of appropriately jolly and family-friendly shows for the holiday season. Weekly Volcano theater critics Joann Varnell and Christian Carvajal chime in with their thoughts on five local productions here.

4. The genius of David Sedaris' essays lies not in his unrelenting mockery of all who surround him, but in the underlying fact that it is he, not they, to whom fate has been most cruel. Yes, all the people involved with Macy's annual Santaland extravaganza may be insane, selfish or idiotic. But it's Sedaris who dresses like an elf for a living, and who will be bereft of even that level of employment as of Dec. 25. Tacoma Little Theatre in partnership with The Changing Scene Theatre Northwest present The Santaland Diaries, a one-man show adaptation of Sedaris' most famous essay at 7:30 p.m.

5. Olympia "death rock" band Transfix will host a record release party for its debut album on Dutch Tilt Records at 9 p.m. in Le Voyeur.

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Sunday, Dec. 15 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THURSDAY, DEC. 12 2013 >>>

1. Ho, ho, hold up  -  where's your ugly holiday sweater? Don't show up to Tacoma Runners Ugly Sweater Run tonight without one, because some sort of ugliness  -  be it a deck-the-halls display or a simple Santa face - is mandatory. The event will kick off with a 6:30 p.m. check-in at Slappy's Garage - North End Tavern. The Christmasy 3-mile run will wind through Tacoma's northend, with the runners returning to Slappy's to toss back a bunch of drinkies. You've finally got a use for that reindeer sweater grandma knitted you, so Febreeze off the mothball odor and come run around the Proctor District to spread some Christmas cheer.

Read more...

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 11 2013 >>>

1. We all have touchstones that bring the simple spirit of Christmas to our harried, mall-besotted souls. For some, it's that first burst of multi-colored light when the last string is strung. For others, it could be a long-treasured card or the smell of baking cookies. For us, it's the music. Northwest jazz and blues singer Maia Santell and her backing band House Blend perform their annual holiday concert and dance at 7:30 p.m. in Jazzbones. House Blend instrumentalists feature Ted Dortch on tenor saxophone, Jeff Ziontz on guitar, Ted Enderle on bass and Tim Malland on drums. The band's repertoire includes jazz, blues, swing, Latin, rhythm and blues and holiday favorites such as "Merry Christmas Baby," "Please Come Home For Christmas," "Santa Baby," Nancy Wilson's "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" and Mel Torme's holiday classic "The Christmas Song," to name a few. 

Read more...

SUNDAY, DEC. 8 2013 >>>

1. Generally, music intended for children is perky, chipmunk-y, condescending, cloying and unlistenable for anyone old enough to cut his or her own meat. Enter Kim Archer (cue: needle scratching across Bill Withers' "Use Me"). That's right, kiddies. Tacoma's R&B, soul and funk queen will strum from a doll chair and cause a clap riot from 1-2:30 p.m. at Gibson's Frozen Yogurt Shoppe in Tacoma's Stadium District. Good Mojo Records has released a full length, all original children's music, Music from Planet Cool, featuring the songwriting and vocal talents of Archer and Ivan Pla. The 10-track CD is an accompaniment to the series of books from Tacoma-based publishers Max 'n Me Studio called the Magic Friendship Series. They began as stories from the viewpoint of a 10-year-old autistic boy named Max. Pile the kids into the Family Truckster and head to the sweet tastes of Gibson's e for a Sunday afternoon CD release party.

2. Sugar and spice and everything free is the song for today's Let It Snow community festival, a merry, merry tradition that's ho-ho-hosted every year by the Tacoma Art Museum. The free community event lights up at 10 a.m. and includes dance performances and festive music. While the entertainment fills the main floor, free craft projects will be offered upstairs. Create a pop-up holiday card for family and friends, or buy something cool in the gift shop. Everything the Tacoma Art Museum envisioned this holiday season comes to fruition today.

3. On a scale of one to 10 (one being the worst, 10 being the best), there is a Southwestern Washington community tradition that takes holiday tree decorating to an 11. Better yet? These beautiful trees (along with fun festivities) are present for a great cause. The annual Festival of Trees benefits the children and families of Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and Health Center. Approximately 70 uniquely decorated trees set in a fairy-like holiday wonderland can be seen from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center.

4. The "War on Christmas" decried by Sarah Palin and Bill O'Reilly isn't evident in South Sound theater, which is producing a rich variety of appropriately jolly and family-friendly shows for the holiday season. Weekly Volcano theater critics Joann Varnell and Christian Carvajal chime in with their thoughts on four local productions here.

5. Little Bill has formed a big band for his Blues Vespers Christmas Blues Show at 4 p.m. in the Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Tacoma. 

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Sunday, Dec. 8 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FRIDAY, DEC. 6 2013 >>>

1. Dan Navarro, whose songs have been covered by Pat Benatar ("We Belong"), Dionne Warwick, Dave Edmunds, the Bangles and a host of others, was one-half of the very successful songwriting/performing team of Lowen and Navarro for 29 years, although as far as performances go he's had to go it alone in 2009 since Eric Lowen's diagnosis with ALS. At 8 p.m. in Gig Harbor's Morso Wine Bar, Navarro will take a break from yelling at lawmakers over intellectual property, performer and songwriter issues, to tease his album, Shed My Skin, which will be released early next year.

2. As you know, Comet ISON is "passing through" our earthly neighborhood. ISON is a giant ball of ice and rock discovered last fall by two Russian scientists using the 16-inch reflecting telescope of the International Scientific Optical Network (ISON). The comet is hurtling toward the sun from the outer solar system, and as it passes the sun, its fate is unpredictable. The warmth from the sun could break it up into disappearing pieces or cause it to shine bright enough to be seen during the day. Learn about Comet ISON and other celestial bad asses at 5 p.m. in the Pierce College Science Dome.

3. CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER: Mushrooms and mycelium are an element of natural systems that can take your gardening and food production to another level. Protein, medicine and myoremediation are just the tips of the iceberg of how mycology can be of benefit to our ecosystem and ourselves. Ja Schindler of Fungi For the People will discuss traditional and modern reasons and methods for working with mushrooms for food, medicine, and mycoremediation at 7 p.m. in King's Books.

4. The "War on Christmas" decried by Sarah Palin and Bill O'Reilly isn't evident in South Sound theater, which is producing a rich variety of appropriately jolly and family-friendly shows for the holiday season. Weekly Volcano theater critics Joann Varnell and Christian Carvajal chime in with their thoughts on four local productions here.

5. It's the first Friday of the month and that means only one thing: Dance Oly Dance. Head on over to TCTV Studio A on Olympia's Westside and dance to local music – on TV! Sadly, this will be the last Dance Oly Dance. Don't miss this last historic taping at 8 p.m.

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Friday, Dec. 6 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area