Things to do this weekend: merry and bright

You guys would be so proud of me: I'm getting over my anti-Holiday-Atmosphere stance and putting up holiday decorations!

But if you want to see a real Seattle-style winter wonderland, head to the Green Lake Pathway of Lights. Now that's Holiday Cheer.

Courtesy Seattle Parks & Recreation Department

Every second Saturday in December, volunteers light up the water's edge with luminarias. The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department provides warm drinks and treats, as well as local musicians performing live at four sites around the lake. Might want to get there early -- on this night Green Lake is about as popular as it usually is on a sunny day. Details:

WHEN: Saturday, December 8, 5pm-8pm. Feel free to bring your own lights too!
WHERE: Green Lake Park, 7201 E. Greenlake Dr. North, Seattle
COST: Free!
MORE INFO: find out the musical line-up at Pathway of Lights

If you'd rather be inside on a frosty night, head over to the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center and warm up with Afro-Peruvian rhythms. Here's a snippet from rehearsals.

Tomorrow -- and tonight! -- the de Cajon Project arts organization presents dance, music and poetry in "De Inga y Mandinga," performances celebrating mixed-race heritage from the perspective of Peruvians of African descent.

The tribute features major Peruvian artists such as singer Marina Lavalle appearing in four performances, so you have multiple chances to immerse yourself in the show. Details:

WHEN: Friday, December 7, 10:30m and 7:30pm
Saturday, December 8, 2pm and 7:30pm
WHERE:  Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., Seattle
MORE INFO: LHPAC and de Cajon Project

And if you stop in for Expresso open mic tonight, it'll be easy for you to find your way back for de Inga y Mandinga tomorrow. Lots of opportunities to make a cold weekend merry and bright.

Art fair prep: Three things to remember

This time of year, many of the artists I know -- hi Clarissa Callesen! -- are knee-deep in art and craft fairs: buying as well as selling.

Clarissa Callesen's booth, PNA Winter Festival & Craft Fair

For those about to buy, I salute you. And I thank both artists and collectors for teaching me a few things when I visited the PNA Winter Festival and Craft Fair, a yearly Seattle show featuring more than a hundred vendors.

First: Make something.

You'll be there a while, so you might as well follow Gina McCauley's example and get some work done. Plus it's a conversation starter, if you're not the type to bite someone's head off if they ask a question.

Gina McCauley, aka Mama Snooter

Everyone's curious to know what artists do all day. You know, besides the whole bonbon-eating thing. Show them.

Second: Light 'em up.

Yeah, even if you're indoors, even if you're not selling jewelry that needs to sparkle a bit more. I know some exhibition places charge extra for electricity, but if not... hey, it's not just moths who can't resist bright lights.

Third: Deep, cleansing breaths.

If you can, claim the booth nearest to a source of fresh air. When the room gets stuffy, I bet you become the most popular artist around.

Best of luck to all my favorite art entrepreneurs! Where are you selling your wares this season? Let everyone know in the comments and on Facebook.

Thursday with LHPAC: Self-"Expresso"

Ever been to an open mic night... that wasn't in a bar... and didn't have a cover charge?

During "Expresso Open Mic" people of all ages take the stage at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center in Seattle.

All photos courtesy LHPAC & Freshest Roots

On the first Friday evening of every month, Freshest Roots hosts the free, family-friendly event at the LHPAC. After a little warm-up by the emcees...

... adults as well as kids can perform whatever they want, as long as they keep it clean. Teens and twenty-somethings mostly take the mic.

But so do kids closer to The Boy's age of (nearly) eight -- I'm told a little girl once got up and sang opera, and another kid played a tuba. Not strictly hip-hop or R&B singers at Expresso, although the older kids do lean that way.

Expresso Open Mic is fairly popular; usually between 75 and 100 people show up, in a room that can hold 150.  So if you're looking for some Friday night fun, here are the details:

WHEN: Tomorrow, December 7, and every first Friday
WHERE: Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., Seattle
PARKING: Yes -- and it's free!
MORE INFO: LHPAC event calendar and http://www.seattle.gov/arts/

After tonight, you have four weeks to get a babysitter. Or not -- let the kids take the mic.

FTC disclosure: I'm partnering with the LHPAC on a series I call "Thursdays with LHPAC," generally published on Thursdays. I am being paid an honorarium for my work. However, all opinions and views expressed in this series are my own.