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

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Rain slush nightmare, hi 45, lo 43

Saturday: Rain, hi 43, lo 37

Sunday: Rain, hi 43, lo 37

>>> FRIDAY, JAN. 20: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE - ANNIE GRIFFITHS

Most parents these days know the joy of balancing family and a career. It's become a survival necessity, whether we like it or not. What does this have to do with photographing white-bearded wildebeest on the Serengeti? You would think very little, until stumbling upon the work and career of National Geographic photographer Annie Griffiths - who will be in Olympia Friday for another presentation of National Geographic Live at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. As the Washington Center website notes, "As perhaps the only photographer in history to pack her camera gear in Pampers, Griffiths has blazed a trail for other photographers, and other working parents. With warmth and humor, [her presentation Friday] explores the realities of juggling family and career as she travels the world for National Geographic."

• Carwein Auditorium, noon, free, Keystone Building, Room 102, University of Washington Tacoma, 1900 Commerce St., Tacoma, 253.627.2175

>>> FRIDAY, JAN. 20: VARSITY GRILL ICE BLOCK PARTY

Every year Varsity Grill in Tacoma hosts its Ice Block Party. It's on the patio. Get it!?! No, but seriously, you'll want to take note because this annual event offers beer lovers and/or straight-up alcoholics the chance at beer in all degrees of wintery awesomeness: the $20 fee gets you 9 winter beer tastings from some of the region's top winter brews. Plus there'll be prizes and giveaways. Plus beer experts and brewers will be all up in the house. Plus Rock-Bot live-band karaoke will be there to rock your face off and shit after it's all over. It's a no-brainer. And yes, wussy, tents and outdoor heaters will be provided.

• Varsity Grill, 5:30-9 p.m., $20, Rock-Bot Live Band Karaoke 8 p.m. to close, 1114 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.627.1229

>>> JAN. 20-21 & 27-29: LATE NIGHT CATECHISM:‘TIL DEATH DO US PART

I'm not Catholic, but my dad was. Or at least he grew up Catholic. From what I understand it involved a lot of guilt. And nuns. At any rate, one year, back in the day, he and my mom went to see some version of Late Night Catechism in Tacoma - likely at the Broadway Center, though I can't be certain of that. It sounded racy at the time, but I was, like, 12.  He seemed to enjoy it. As did my mom - who wasn't even close to Catholic. But that's only kind of important. What does this have to do with anything? Not much, other than Late Night Catechism: "Til Death Do Us Part will be at the Broadway Center this weekend and next, delivering the latest installment in the "sinfully funny series." This time Sister tackles relationships - with plenty of audience participation, naturally. - Matt Driscoll

• Theatre on the Square, Jan. 20-21 & 27-28 7:30 p.m., 3 p.m. Jan. 28-29, $39, 915 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5890

>>> SATURDAY, JAN. 21: DOCKYARD DERBY DAMES OPENING BOUT

Like an old friend returning from a lengthy retreat (read: court-ordered stay in rehab) the Dockyard Derby Dames cruise back into town this weekend, opening the club's sixth season in typical knockdown, drag-out fashion at Pierce College in Lakewood. Billed as "a night of rivalries, rematches and retribution," the season-opening bout pits the Hellbound Homewreckers and the Femme Fianna in what promises to be a heated competition full of women fully capable of kicking your ass, followed by the Marauding Mollys taking on the Trampires, which, well, you know the deal. The doors open at 5 p.m. with the first bout starting at 6 p.m. The Dockyard Derby Dames pride themselves on a family-friendly experience (that includes a beer garden for family members old enough to drink). Tickets are a few bucks cheaper via Brown Paper Tickets than at the door, so keep that in mind.

• Pierce College Health Ed. Center, 5 p.m. doors, 6 p.m. first bout, $12 adv, $15 door, children 5 and younger free; ages 6-12 years old $10, 9401 Farwest Dr SW
  Lakewood

>>> SATURDAY, JAN. 21: VAGABOND OPERA

Unschooled in the "neo-cabaret" musical genre? Don't fret - just check out Portland's Vagabond Opera - returning to Olympia this Saturday for a performance at the Olympia Ballroom that promises to be mesmerizing. Even more exciting: the show will act as a celebration of the Vagabond Opera's just-released fourth full-length record, as well as the release of local favorites Erev Rav's latest CD - with that band also on the bill. Truly offering music of the world, the six-piece Vagabond Opera reportedly dabbles in sounds spanning the globe - from European cabaret, to Balkan belly dance, to Old World Yiddish theater and beyond. There's a reason this mesmerizing troupe has shared stages with the Decemberists, Pink Martini and Al Franken and the Oregon Symphony. It's because they're awesome.

• The Olympia Ballroom, with Erev Rav, 8 p.m., $15, 116 Legion Way SW, Olympia, brownpapertickets.com

>>> SUNDAY, JAN. 22: AUDREY HEPBURN FILM FOCUS: MY FAIR LADY

The Broadway Center in Tacoma concludes its three-part Audrey Hepburn film-focus with Sunday's screening of the classic My Fair Lady, in which, as film lovers and old people will recall, Hepburn portrays Eliza Doolittle. The Broadway Center's Hepburn film focus series kicked off in 2011 with a screening of Roman Holiday on Oct. 23, and continued Nov. 13 with Breakfast at Tiffany's. Sunday's 3 p.m. screening of the George Cukor-directed My Fair Lady will wrap up the fun. But don't be too sad: the $12 admission scores you free popcorn as well.

• Theatre on the Square, 3 p.m., $12, 915 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5890

>>> WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Meat Market Photographer

I am going to be uking out with Jake Shimabakuo tomorrow and then hit Xanadu at Tacoma Musical Playhouse on Sunday.

MATT DRISCOLL Editor
I'll be dealing with the tree that just fell on our mudroom on Friday, laying low on Saturday, and Sunday celebrating an end-of-season party with one of the three fantasy football leagues I was in this year. I'm sure you're filled with envy.

JENNIFER JOHNSON Food & Lifestyles Writer
Friday Jake Shimabukuro at the Rialto Theater, Saturday gym and homework, Sunday church and mission farewell.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
I will either be huddled at home with my wife and my Nook or passed out in a dead tauntaun somewhere.

RON SWARNERN Publisher
After hitting the grand opening shindig at Anthem Coffee, it will most likely be family movie night. Then, instead of making my family uncomfortbale with my stories of the '70s, I'll hang with similar ilk at the Big Wheel Stunt Show Saturday night at Hell's Kitchen. Sunday, I will finally attempt to put the kid's toys together during the playoff games.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

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