The Week Ahead: Highlights for Dec. 3-9

Festivals

Winter Festival

TODAY Crafts from 120 vendors, entertainment, food, bake sale, quilt raffle. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today, Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle (206-783-2244 or www.phinneycenter.org).

Holiday Carousel

ENDS 12/30 Ride the grand carousel; proceeds benefit Northwest Center programs serving children with developmental disabilities. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday through Dec. 30, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 24, closed Dec. 25, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Dec. 30, Westlake Park, 401 Pine St., Seattle; $2 (206-623-0340 or www.downtownseattle.com).

Winterfest

ENDS 1/1 Holiday-train display, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, Center House; carousel, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Fisher Pavilion, $1; ice rink, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Fisher Pavilion, $5/adult, $3/ages 6-12, ages 5 and younger free, $2/skate rental; Seattle Center (206-684-7200 or www.seattlecenter.com).

Bellevue Magic Season

ENDS 12/31 Snowflake Lane nightly light show with falling snow, live toy soldiers, carolers, music-and-light show, 7 p.m. daily through Dec. 24, nightly Celebration Lane performance through Dec. 31, along the sidewalks of Bellevue Way and Northeast Eighth Street; Design in Light architectural mosaic of lights, Northeast Sixth Street Pedestrian Corridor; Downtown Bellevue Glitters light display on buildings, trees, plazas and construction sites in downtown Bellevue; 106th Avenue Northeast and Northeast Sixth Street, (425-453-3113 or www.magicseason.com).

Concerts

Panic! At The Disco, Jack's Mannequin and Cobra Starship

TODAY A triple bill of some of the hottest new bands in rock. 7 p.m. today, Everett Events Center, 2000 Hewitt Avenue, Everett; $28 (866-332-8499 or www.everetteventscenter.com).

Roosevelt Jazz Band "Ellington Jazz Nutcracker"

TODAY Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn swing the sugar plums. Proceeds support one of the finest high-school jazz bands in the country. 2 p.m. today, Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle; $15-$20 (206-292-ARTS or www.ticketmaster.com).

All-American Rejects

WED The Rejects are one of rock's most entertaining, fun bands. Motion City Soundtrack, The Format and Boys Like Girls are also on the bill. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, WaMu Theater, 800 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle; $39.50-$65 (206-628-0888 or www.ticketmaster.com).

Deck The Hall Ball: Gnarls Barkley, My Chemical Romance, The Shins and more

THU The lineup this year is stellar, headlined by the goofy duo Gnarls Barkley and featuring the very hot young band My Chemical Romance. The rest of the bill is like a Who's Who of modern rock: The Shins, Snow Patrol, Taking Back Sunday, Jet, Angels and Airwaves, and the folky singer-songwriter Pete Yorn. 5 p.m. Thursday, KeyArena, 305 Harrison St., Seattle; $37.50 (206-628-0888 or www.ticketmaster.com).

Classical Music

Early Music Guild: The Tallis Scholars

TODAY 8 p.m. today, Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle; $20-$38 (206-325-7066 or www.earlymusicguild.org).

Seattle Symphony: Ravel's La Valse

TODAY All-classical program including Ravel's "La Valse" and excerpts from "Swan Lake" and "Cinderella." 2 p.m. today, Benaroya Hall, S. Mark Taper Forum, 200 University St., Seattle; $40-$94 (206-215-4747 or www.seattlesymphony.org).

Seattle Men's Chorus: Joy!

TODAY, SAT 8 p.m. today at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle, and 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Rialto Theater, 310 S. Ninth St., Tacoma; $15-$65 (206-388-1400 or www.flyinghouse.org).

Northwest Chamber Chorus "Mother & Child"

TODAY, SAT New music director Mark Kloepper directs the respected Northwest Chamber Chorus in a program of holiday classics new and old, including Gorecki's "Totus Tuus," and other works by Richard Nance, Herbert Howells, J.S. Bach and Edvard Grieg. 3 p.m. today at Plymouth Congregational Church, 1217 Sixth Ave., Seattle, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 8398 N.E. 12th St., Medina; $14-$18 (206-523-1196 or www.scn.org/northwestchamberchorus).

Seattle Symphony: Holiday Pops with the John Pizzarelli Quartet

THU-NEXT SUN 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. next Sunday, Benaroya Hall, S. Mark Taper Forum, 200 University St., Seattle; $21-$79 (206-215-4747 or www.seattlesymphony.org).

Nightclubs

Chop Suey 1325 E. Madison, Seattle (206-324-8000).

TODAY Prefuse 73, Foscil, DJ Colin. The wildly creative Scott "Prefuse 73" Herren chops up electronic and hip-hop beats.

Dimitriou's Jazz Alley 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle (206-441-9729).

TODAY Count Basie Orchestra. With Butch Miles on tubs, you know the band's gotta swing, and those arrangements of "Splanky" and "L'il Darlin'" are still as great as ever. William H. Hughes conducts and plays trombone, but the Count himself, of course, will be there in spirit.

Highway 99 Blues Club 1414 Alaskan Way, Seattle (206-382-2171).

WED Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers. Honky tonk meets rockabilly.

Jules Maes Saloon 5919 Airport Way S., Seattle (206-957-7766).

THU The Turn-ons. Where garage meets glam.

Neumos 925 E. Pike St., Seattle (206-709-9467).

WED Dan the Automator, Chali 2na, Common Market. Dan "The Automator" Nakamura is best known for his production work with Kook Keith. 2na is the barrel-voiced MC from Jurassic 5. Common Market is one of the top hip-hop duos in the Northwest.

Showbox 1426 First Ave., Seattle (206-628-3151).

THU The Blood Brothers, And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead. Seattle's screamo stars the Blood Brothers are back with "Young Machetes."

The Sunset 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., Seattle (206-784-4880).

TUE Dead Science, Weird Weeds, Jana Hunter.

The Triple Door 216 Union St., Seattle (206-838-4333).

TUE New Riders of the Purple Sage. Classic country 'n' western.

Dance

Pacific Northwest Ballet presents "Nutcracker"

ENDS 12/28 Pacific Northwest Ballet has rolled out its gorgeously intricate "Nutcracker" for its annual holiday run. Based on an 1819 tale by E.T.A. Hoffman, the ballet brings to life a girl's dream of growing up, complete with threatening critters, candy-colored dress-up clothes, and a handsome prince. Sets and costumes by children's illustrator Maurice Sendak and choreography by former co-artistic director Kent Stowell lend PNB's version a slight edge of mystery and poignancy that deepens its beauty and sense of wonder. Its complexity rewards repeated viewings, and many audience members do come back as part of a holiday tradition. 1 and 5:30 p.m. today, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 5:30 p.m. next Sunday. McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St., Seattle; $18-$108 (206-441-2424 or www.pnb.org).

Theater

"Babar & Father Christmas"

ENDS 12/17 The lovable storybook elephant celebrates the Yuletide in a charming seasonal puppet show by the Carter Family Marionettes. 1 and 3 p.m. today, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday-next Sunday. Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave. N.E., Seattle; $8.50-$10.50 (206-523-2579 or www.nwpuppet.org).

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"

ENDS 12/24 Seattle Public Theater's annual holiday offering, based on a popular children's book, about how a town comes to accept an unconventional family. Opens 7 p.m. Thursday. 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. next Sunday. Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W. Green Lake Drive N., Seattle; $14-$24 (206-524-1300 or www.seattlepublictheater.org).

"Black Nativity"

ENDS 12/27 "Joy to the world ... " Intiman Theatre reprises its annual seasonal production, based on a Langston Hughes treatment of the story of Christ's birth. With Seattle gospel queen Patrinell Wright leading the rousing choir, and plenty of soul-boosting music, dance, sanctifying and sermonizing. 2 and 7:30 p.m. today, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. next Sunday. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St., Seattle; $10-$42 (206-269-1900 or www.intiman.org).

"Bye Bye Birdie"

ENDS 12/31 "So put on a happy face... " The 1960 Broadway musical, about what happens to little Sweet Apple, Ohio, when an Elvis-like pop idol and his entourage visit for a publicity stunt. 2 and 7 p.m. today, 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. next Sunday. Village Theatre, Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N., Issaquah; $25-$49 (425-392-2202 or www.villagetheatre.org).

"Children of Eden"

ENDS TODAY Stephen Schwartz's musical explores generational conflict and resolution, via Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel and other figures from the Book of Genesis. Final performance 2 p.m. today. Civic Light Opera, 7400 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle; $25-$35 (206-363-2809 or www.clo-musicaltheatre.org).

"A Christmas Carol"

ENDS 12/24 ACT Theatre remounts its dandy, festive adaptation of Charles Dickens' ubiquitous holiday morality tale for the 31st year. The capable thesps Terry Edward Moore and David Pichette alternate in the role of Scrooge. 1 and 4 p.m. today, 6 and 8:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 4 p.m. next Sunday. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., Seattle; $15-$44 (206-292-7676 or www.acttheatre.org).

"The Dina Martina Christmas Show"

ENDS 12/30 The whacked-out chanteuse, with the makeup job from hell and a bag full of bizarre Xmas goodies to hand out, holds forth in her (likely to be) hilarious seasonal show at Re-Bar. 8 p.m. today, 8 p.m. Thursday-next Sunday. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St., Seattle; $20 (206-325-6500 or www.ticketwindowonline.com).

"The Judy Garland Christmas Special"

ENDS 12/16 As an exercise in theatrical necrophilia, and questionable taste, this late-night version of a TV Christmas special featuring Judy Garland in her waning years could be really ghastly, big campy fun or both. Good sign: The mah-velous drag actor Andrew Tasakos will be filing Judy's pumps. 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave. N., Seattle; $10 (206-382-4250 or octheater.com).

"Late Nite Catechism"

ONGOING In this long-running clerical romp, Aubrey Manning portrays a nun teaching Catholic dogma to a class composed of audience members. This is great entertainment for those of all faiths. 2 p.m. today, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. next Sunday. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., Seattle; $24.50-$29.50 (206-292-7676 or www.acttheatre.org).

"Love Lessons"

ENDS 1/27 A new Century Ballroom show (with plenty of swing dancing) crafted by those accomplished merrymakers, writer David Scully and director David Koch. Dance lesson included; dinner optional. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Century Ballroom, 915 E. Pine St., Seattle; $25-$60 (206-324-7263 or www.centuryballroom.com).

"The Maze Project"

ENDS THU Every stack is a stage. This intriguing new multimedia, interactive and "site specific" piece, which takes place all over the Central Branch of the Seattle Public Library, was created by performance artist-choreographer Kristen Tsiatsios. 2-3 p.m. today, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday. Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle (206-386-4636 or www.themazeproject.com).

"Memory House"

ENDS 12/17 Kathleen Tolan's bittersweet play spends an evening in the New York apartment of a woman and her adopted teenage daughter, who is about to leave the nest. Excellent performances by Jeanne Paulsen and Sharia Pierce. A Seattle premiere, directed by Allison Narver. 2 and 7:30 p.m. today, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday-next Sunday. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Leo K. Theatre, 155 Mercer St., Seattle; $10-$48 (206-443-2222 or www.seattlerep.org).

"The Sorcerer's Apprentice"

ENDS 1/27 The world premiere of a new musical for youths based on an ancient Greek fable, with a jazzy, New Orleans-style score. The top notch production team includes playwright OyamO, composer Carman Moore and choreographer Donald McKayle. 2 and 5:30 p.m. today, 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday-next Sunday. Seattle Children's Theatre, Charlotte Martin Theatre, 201 Thomas St., Seattle; $16-$32 (206-441-3322 or www.sct.org).

"Teatro ZinZanni: Dinner & Dreams"

ONGOING One Reel's unique dinner-theater extravaganza, a zany variety-circus event served up with a multicourse meal designed by top Seattle chef Tom Douglas, uncorks a bawdy, mirthful evening of romance and munching performed in an elegant antique cabaret tent. 5:30 p.m. today, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 5:30 p.m. next Sunday. Teatro ZinZanni, 2301 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $104-$155 (206-802-0015 or dreams.zinzanni.org).

Books

Ed Viesturs

SUN The Bainbridge Island mountaineer-author discusses his new book, "No Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World's 14 Highest Peaks." 3 p.m. Sunday, Eagle Harbor Book Co., 157 Winslow Way E., Bainbridge Island; free (206-842-5332 or www.eagleharborbooks.com).

Freeman Dyson

MON Physicist discusses his new book of essays, "The Scientist as Rebel." 7:30 p.m. Monday, Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle; $5 (206-652-4255 or www.townhallseattle.org).

Elizabeth Kolbert

TUE Seattle Arts & Lectures and the North Cascades Institute present an evening with the journalist and author of "Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change." Following the lecture, New York Times journalist and National Book Award winner Timothy Egan will lead a discussion with Kolbert, K.C. Golden and Steven Gardiner. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle; $15-$60 (206-621-2230 or www.lectures.org).

Robert Wrigley

TUE The well-regarded Idaho poet reads from his book "Earthly Meditations: New and Selected Poems." 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Open Books: A Poem Emporium, 2414 N. 45th St., Seattle; free (206-633-0811 or www.openpoetrybooks.com).

David Margolick

WED Nextbook presents an evening with the Vanity Fair contributing editor discussing Billie Holiday's classic song in a lecture titled "Strange Fruit: The Voice of Protest." 7 p.m. Wednesday, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., Seattle; $6-$8 (888-219-5222 or www.nextbook.org).

Charles Frazier

FRI The National Book Award-winning Southern writer ("Cold Mountain") discusses his new historical novel, "Thirteen Moons." 7:30 p.m. Friday, Elliott Bay Book Co., 101 S. Main St., Seattle; free (206-624-6600 or www.elliottbaybook.com).

Visual Arts

Events

"Art Under $100 Show"

SAT Wine, appetizers and holiday shopping are featured in the this art event in Seattle's South Park neighborhood. 4-10 p.m. Saturday, South Park Arts, 8201 10th Ave. S., Seattle; free (206-763-6201 or www.southparkarts.org).

Kirkland Arts Center's 45th-Annual Holiday Arts Sale

ENDS 12/21 Holiday art sale featuring works by 30 Kirkland Arts Center faculty members. Kirkland Arts Center Gallery, 620 Market St., Kirkland; free (425-822-7161, ext. 107 or www.kirklandartscenter.org).

Seattle Art Walk, First Thursday

THU 5-8 p.m. Thursday. Pioneer Square, 119 First Ave S., Seattle; free (206-667-0687 or www.cityofseattle.net/arts/FirstThursday).

Museums

Bellevue Arts Museum

Calligraphy by Mohamed Zakariya (ends Feb. 18). "Dim Sum at the On-On Tea Room," a retrospective of jewelry by Northwest craftsman Ron Ho (ends Feb. 18). 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday, 510 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue (425-519-0770 or www.bellevueart.org).

Experience Music Project

"DoubleTake: From Monet to Lichtenstein," Paul Allen offers a first peek at his art collection, including canvases by van Gogh, Rothko, Turner, de Kooning, Picasso, Renoir and more (ends Jan. 1). 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday through Sunday, 325 Fifth Ave. N., Seattle (206-367-5483 or www.emplive.com).

Frye Art Museum

"Klompen," a clever, coin-operated sound sculpture by Trimpin (ends Jan. 21). "Little Women, Little Men," Folk Art Portraits of Children from the Fenimore Art Museum (ends Feb. 4). Also showing: "Spectatorship and Desire: Loss," paintings from the museum's collection (ends March 4). 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, 704 Terry Ave., Seattle (206-622-9250 or www.fryeart.org).

Henry Art Gallery

ENDS 12/31 "Up To Date: Monsen Collects Contemporary." 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, 4100 15th Ave. N.E., Seattle (206-543-2280 or www.henryart.org).

Museum of Glass

ENDS 5/27 "Transparently Built," four artists — Jean Shin, Jo Yarrington, Mildred Howard and Anna Skibska — made large-scale installations for the museum. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on third Thursday of each month, with free admission 5-8 p.m., 1801 E. Dock St., Tacoma (866-468-7386 or www.museumofglass.org).

Museum of History & Industry

ENDS 12/17 "Picturing the Century: One Hundred Years of Photography," a fascinating traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution highlights photographs from the National Archives that chronicle a century of American life. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. First Thursdays 10 a.m.-8 p.m., 2700 24th Ave. E., Seattle (206-324-1126 or www.seattlehistory.org).

Galleries

Davidson Contemporary

ENDS 12/23 Paintings by Camille Patha. Opening reception, 6-8 p.m. Thursday. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 310 S. Washington St., Seattle (206-624-7684 or www.davidsongalleries.com).

Howard House Contemporary Art

ENDS 1/6 "Never Always," new sculpture and photographs by admired Northwest artist Dan Webb. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 604 Second Ave., Seattle 206-256-6399 or www.howardhouse.net).