Sat, Dec 13
Tune-Yards
In Tune-Yards, Merrill Garbus has created a joyous rhythmic cacophony of slanted indie pop that’s weird, colorful, and immensely danceable. is year she followed up 2011’s Village Voice Pazz and Jop poll–topping breakthrough album Whokill with Nikki Nack, which furthers her exploration of worldly beats and animated wordplay. Moore Theatre, $24.

Thru Dec 12
Damien Jurado
The greatest respect fans can show soft-spoken songsmiths is the silence of focus, so expect an appropriate hush as Damien Jurado grabs his guitar and takes the Fremont Abbey stage. The cozy confines should make for extra-intimate shows featuring material from his 2014 album, Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son. Fremont Abbey Arts Center, sold out.

Fri, Dec 12
Say Hi
Seattleite Eric Elbogen has been crafting catchy indie rock for more than a decade as Say Hi, but his latest record, Endless Wonder (Seattle Met’s Album of the Month this past June) took him in new directions. Instead of a traditional analog instrumentation palate, he went with a low-key electronic-led mix that simultaneously sounds more mature and better for hip shaking. Barboza, $12.

DANCE

Dec 12–14
Next Fest NW 2014: New West
Velocity Dance Center’s Next Fest NW pushes contemporary dance in visceral directions by providing spatial, technical, and promotional resources to select small dance teams so they can fully realize their varied artistic visions. This year’s theme, New West, asks dancers to react to modern culture in the western states. Velocity Dance Center, $18.

MUSEUM

Thru July 27
Here and Now: Native Artists Inspired
Where did the inspiration for the Seattle Seahawks logo come from? The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture has the answer. In November the artifact in question—a transformation eagle mask crafted by the Kwakwaka’wakw people of British Columbia—landed at the Burke as part of Here and Now: Native Artists Inspired. The exhibit celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Bill Holm Center by showcasing 30 new works presented alongside the artifacts in the Burke’s collection that served as inspiration. There are no plans to keep the mask in Seattle beyond the run of the exhibit, so gaze at this piece of Seahawks history before it flies back home. Burke Museum, $10.

COMEDY

Thur, Dec 11
Maria Bamford
There’s no barrier with Maria Bamford. She lets the voices and characters in her head pour out in bursts of twitchy, manic hilarity and meaningful emotional honesty. Her standup performance at the Neptune last year explored society’s issues with mental health in a deep and personable way without sacrificing comedic punch. Neptune Theatre, $25.

Dec 11–13
Steve Rannazzisi
As Kevin MacArthur on The League, Steve Rannazzisi plays the ever hapless everyman. When he’s not screwing up the flex spot in his lineup, he’s screwing up with his family. Rannazzisi’s standup touches on the same playfully macho sense of fatherhood confusion. But please, don’t ask him for advice about your fantasy football team. Parlor Live Seattle, $30–$35.

SPECIAL EVENTS

*UPDATE: SAM Lights has been rescheduled for December 18 due to weather concerns.*
Thur, Dec 11
SAM Lights
Seattle Art Museum combines a night of visual art, music, food, and hands on activities, wraps it all in decorative paper, and calls it SAM Lights. Hundreds of candles light the way through a dreamy version of the Olympic Sculpture park. Decorate shadow puppets and cut paper lanterns with local artists, enjoy baklava from the food cart Bikelava, be serenaded singer-songwriter Lydia Seamons, fiddle and banjo duo Ben Hunter and Joe Seamons, and the D20 Brass Band. Olympic Sculpture Park, free.

FOOD & DRINK

Thur, Dec 11
Nog Ball
After years of serving its wildly popular aged eggnog only on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Sun Liquor is finally bottling and selling the tasty holiday libation. In the spirit of the season, Sun Liquor hosts the Nog Ball, featuring an early bottle release, Top Pot eggnog doughnuts, and more. Sun Liquor, sold out.

THE SPORTING LIFE

Sun, Dec 14
Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Seahawks conclude a brutal three-game stretch at home against the rival 49ers. After a loss to Oakland, San Francisco looks like it might be falling apart, but the squad would certainly love to spoil the Seattle's playoff hopes. Another blowout home win versus the rival Niners would build momentum as the Hawks eye a second Super Bowl run. Televised on FOX.