We had so much fun the first time, b is throwing another reader party, at 8 p.m. Jan. 28 at the 8×10. Here’s what’s happening:

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This sexy anonymous couple is similar to what you’ll see during Restaurant Week. Maybe. {thanks, istock}

1. Baltimore Winter Restaurant Week
By now you know the drill: Nearly 100 Baltimore restaurants offer special three-course menus for $20.10 (lunch) or $35.10 (dinner). But the winter incarnation holds a special place, as it warms the f—ing freezing cockles of our hearts. Starts Friday, runs through Feb. 7. Check out the list of participating restaurants at baltimorerestaurantweek.com. JORDAN BARTEL, B

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Xtranormal lets you choose your character {screen capture from xtranormal.com}

I didn’t grow up aspiring to be in advertising. As a young adult, I’d always longed to make the Great American Movie. But as I got older, I quickly realized that I liked having a car. And having multiple pairs of pants. And not having to steal toilet paper from fast food restaurants. So I turned to one of the few disciplines you can still go to be creative and make a living without selling your organs on the black market. Besides prostitution, anyway.

I’m talking about the ol’ advertising shuck and jive. The marketing hustle. The art of the sale. See, agencies are stocked with arty douchebags, emo English majors, and would-be poets who sold their souls to live in a better tax bracket. And I’m proud to be one of them.

That said, I still liked to daydream every once in a while. Ponder what coulda/woulda/shoulda been. Fantasize about that movie career. Then I ran across Xtranormal. It’s a simple, drag-and-drop editing interface you can access through your browser that allows you to make crude little animated movies with nothing more than a bunch of text. Select your animated actors. Choose your setting. Move the camera around. Add music.  And BOOM, in no time you’ve got yourself a little piece of moo-vee magic.
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{Bethel AME is one church whose events will be featured on MorningChurchAnnouncements.com, Thanks, Baltimore Sun}

As 2010 began, some people resolved to spend more time getting in tune with their spirituality. For those going to church or church-related events, it’s not only about worshiping as they see fit, but also about fellowship and spending time with others of the same faith.  In order to do that, one needs to know where to go and have a reason to show up. Read the rest of this entry »

Hail, hail, the Mormon fundamentalist gang’s all here: the “Big Love” clan {thanks, HBO}

1. ‘Big Love’ season premiere
There’s an end to my TV drought (no thanks, “Jersey Shore”). And this season, the controversial story line about polygamy grows to include a controversial story line about creepy Alby’s closeted homosexuality. I’m breathless. 9 p.m. Sunday, HBO. ANNE TALLENT, B

2. CA Talent Show
We expect the board, staff and resident artists at Creative Alliance to be talented, because, well, they work at a place called Creative Alliance. So don’t miss this free night of poetry, film, music and “avant sound-scapes.” Oh, and there’ll be puppets and musical saws. 7 p.m. Thursday. 3134 Eastern Ave., Highlandtown. creativealliance.org. JORDAN BARTEL, B

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It’s not very often I get to listen to Christmas music anymore since people who shall remain nameless (*cough*mr.gallo*cough*) rather listen to 24 hours straight of Miley Cyrus than anything with holiday cheer.

So when I do, I like to mix it up a bit with a modern take on old classics and new tunes. I just started making a Christmas playlist and here’s what I have so far:

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” - Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan
“Are You Coming Over For Christmas?” - Belle and Sebastian
“Blue Christmas” - Bright Eyes
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” - Coldplay
“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” - Death Cab for Cutie
“12/23/95″ - Jimmy Eat World
“Christmas Tree” - Lady Gaga
“Winter Wonderland” - Phantom Planet
“When I Get Home for Christmas” - Snow Patrol
“Only at Christmas Time” - Sufjan Stevens
“Silent Night” - Alexi Murdoch
“Snow Angel” - Tori Amos

If you have suggestions or want to share yours, leave them in the comments or e-mail me at marissa@bthesite.com.
Here are some great sites to help you with your holiday playlists:

Woxy Holiday Mixer: Streams old and new Christmas tunes and can buy the mp3s
Amazon’s 25 Days of Free: The shopping site unveils one song each day until Dec. 25 that you can download for free (where I got the Lady Gaga and Tori Amos tracks).
Last Christmas: A blog dedicated to covers of one of the best Christmas songs ever made.
“All I Want for Christmas” dance remix: Popeater.com posted a (necessary) remix of the Mariah Carey tune.
Used Wigs’ Favorite Modern Holiday Songs: Introduced me to a bunch of covers and originals I didn’t know existed. My Christmas is now complete.

Time to Squidfire it up {thanks, Squidfire}

1. Squidfire’s Holiday Art Mart
Looking for unique holiday gift ideas? There will be plenty of DIY art and clothing options from more than 60 vendors at Squidfire’s Art Mart. There’s also no dealing with the weather, became the event is at Du Burns Arena in Canton. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. Free. BRIAN KRISTA, B

2. Unsilent Night
For a (fairly) new holiday celebration that doesn’t reek of commercialism, join this parade of boomboxes (CD, cassette, MP3 all OK) blasting parts of Phil Kline’s “Unsilent Night.” No boombox? That’s OK, too. 6:45 p.m. Saturday at Penn Station; afterparty at Metro Gallery. Free. mobtownmodern.com ANNE TALLENT, B

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b is throwing its first official reader party 8 p.m., Dec. 3, at the 8×10 in Federal Hill.

The Herd of Main Street and Bad Liquor Pond will be performing, as well as a special acoustic set by Shannon McNally.

You’ll also get to meet some of your favorite b staffers (including yours truly).

To be put on our guest list, e-mail “8×10″ to contests@bthesite.com with your name and number of tickets. Or text “8×10″ to 70701 with your name and number of tickets. Max number of tickets is two per person. Seating is limited, so admittance will be on a first come, first serve basis.

We can’t wait to see all of guys for a night of free music!

Ravens get pumped for the Steelers {thanks, The Baltimore Sun}

1. Ravens v. Steelers
After dropping all three games against their bitter AFC North rivals a year ago, the Ravens finally get a chance to get some payback against the Steelers. Fans across America will be watching this ‘Sunday Night Football’ showdown, and you should be, too. 8:20 p.m. Sunday, M&T Bank Stadium. MATT VENSEL, B

2. Bazaart
For gifts that are unique, handmade and local — and a shopping experience that’s the antidote to the big-box store — this is it. Preview party, 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, $20. Sale, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, free. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, Federal Hill. ANNE TALLENT, B

3. ‘Ninja Assassin’
Yeah I know, how stereotypical — one of the Asians in the newsroom picks out a martial arts movie. Let me be clear, the action in this movie looks sick and the stylized camera work seen in the movie’s trailers totally gets me in the mood for some good ass-kickery. Be ready to catch a ninja star with your face this Wednesday. TIM WONG, B

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While scouring the free music on amazon.com, my interest was piqued by the album “I Love the ’80s.”
YES! Free ’80s music! Amazon obviously knows my penchant for cheesey synthesizers.
But then I clicked on it.
It’s all music from the 1880s AND the album is credited to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s music director Marin Alsop.
Oh, Marin. Not only do you bear a striking resemblance to comedian Eddie Izzard, but you also make jokes about classical music.
Well done.