Our daily column, 5 Things You Need to Know Today, will help you to get your day started and offer you some fodder for water cooler conversation.

1. Tonight AMC Theatre Framingham is hosting a preview screening of the 12th season of American Idol TV show. The sneak peek is scheduled for tonight at 7 and immediately afterward, at 8:30 p.m., the Idol judges — Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson — will beam in via satellite to answer fans' questions about the show in a Q&A hosted by the show's host, Ryan Seacrest. Audiences in movie theaters across the country will be watching the sneak-peek of the premiere. In addition to AMC Theatre Framingham, theaters in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Detroit, Nashville, Atlanta and Houston are also slated to participate. Questions for the judges and contestants may be submitted the day of the event via Twitter using #Idol. For access to the event, the public must RSVP. RSVPs are accepted on a first- come, first-serve basis.

2. Framingham High wrestling team will host Needham High tonight at 6:30 p.m.

3. Child love to sing? Sign them up for a free chorus class tomorrow, Jan. 10 from 4:30 to 5:30 at the Performing Arts Center of MetroWest. Class is for students in grades 2-6. Special guest for the class is George Akinkouye, a Nigerian-born songwriter will be teaching some African music to students. Any child who loves to sing....Can attend! No experience necessary! To register, please call 508-875-5554. Starting next week, the chorus will meet for 10 weeks at a cost of $160.

4.  The puck drops at 6:50 p.m. at Loring Arena for the Framingham High Flyers who will battle the Newton North Tigers.

5. Tonight is the last chance to audition for the musical FAME. Auditions will be held at the Performing Arts Center of MetroWest from 7-8 p.m. for students in grades 7-12. If you cannot make this audition, call and they will try to schedule a time that works in your schedule this week. Prepare either one 32-bar excerpt of a song, or two 16-bar excerpts of two different songs. Be prepared to dance. Bring a resume and headshot. Please call ahead if possible 508-875-5554.
Walk-ins are also welcome. $25 non-refundable audition fee to be applied to tuition of $375. Rehearsals will be Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. with shows on April 5-6-7.