1 Poet Laureate Thom Caraway 7 p.m. Friday, Salem Lutheran Church, 1428 W. Broadway Ave. Literary night with the Spokane poet, a Whitworth professor, who will be joined by fellow poets Kathryn Smith (a copy editor at The Spokesman-Review) and Maya Zeller, who teaches English at Gonzaga University. Part of the West Central Arts Festival. (509) 328-6280. Admission: FREE

2 Spokane Songwriters in the Round 7 p.m. Saturday, Grande Ronde, 906 W. Second Ave. An evening of original songs from three Spokane songwriters, Laddie Ray Melvin, Jackie McIntyre Fox and Kevin Watkins. (509) 455-8161. Admission: FREE

3 Comedian Lux Deveraux 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Red Lantern Room, 1406 W. Third Ave. Opening will be Freddy Walker with guest comedian Black Mo Fo. (509) 838-6688. Admission: $5

4 Inland Northwest Bluegrass Music Association Music Showcase 7 p.m. Saturday, Trent Elementary School, 3303 N. Pines Road. Live bluegrass and related acoustic music performed by local and regional bands. (509) 484-4668. Admission: $10 general, free for ages 12 and younger

5 Christmas Bureau Benefit Show 7 p.m. Saturday, 10814 E. Broadway Road, Spokane Valley. A live, improvised, family-friendly show made up based on audience suggestions. Proceeds support the Christmas Bureau. Presented by Improv Comedy at the Lake. (509) 990-2834. Admission: By donation

6 The 12 Raves of Christmas 8 p.m. Friday, The Hop! , 706 N. Monroe St. Name says it all. Featuring DJ Beauflexx, DJ Eddie P, DJ S-Doobie, DJ VeXxeM, Diskjockey Felon and Mikey Mac. (509) 328-5467. Admission: $10

7 Box City on Boxing  Day! 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Mobius Kids Children’s Museum, 808 W. Main Ave. Celebrate Boxing Day by building a box city across the museum floor. We will get out all our cardboard boxes and tons of supplies for decorating and building – you bring your imagination and if you have them, more boxes. (509) 624-5437. Admission: $10 adults, $7 youth 4-18, free for those 3 and younger

8 Holiday Treats Noon Saturday, Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. Auntie’s staff will be providing treats from the Smitten Kitchen Cookbook. Come have a taste and get ideas for some last minute Christmas gifts and enjoy learning to fold origami cubes and/or boxes with lids. (509) 838-0206. Admission: FREE

9 Belly Dancing 5:30 p.m. Friday, Red Lantern Room, 1406 W. Third Ave. Weekly event; this week’s dancers are Nickie B, Stephanie, Solari, Naira Kai and Vhaldis. (509) 838-6688.

Admission: FREE

!0 Like Lions 8 p.m. Friday, The Bartlett, 228 W. Sprague Ave. Like Lions, also known as Spokane-native- turned-Seattleite Patrick O’Neill, plays acoustic pop rock. Joining him will be Bristol and Kevin Long. www.thebartlett spokane.com. Admission: $10