Dance

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Pacific Northwest Ballet: Nutcracker While it’s not a going-out-of-business sale, there’s a certain last-chance feeling to this year’s run of Nutcracker. Pacific Northwest Ballet premiered this production, choreographed by Kent Stowell and designed by Maurice Sendak, in 1983. PNB was just 11 years old at the time, and the goal was to create a world-class production. Thirty-one years later, I think we can say they succeeded. This time next year we’ll see George Balanchine’s iconic choreography set to new designs by Ian Falconer (of Olivia the Pig fame). What will I miss about this annual holiday production? The careful storytelling, with key elements of the drama laid out multiple times, so even the smallest audience members can follow the E.T.A. Hoffmann tale. The antique-store density of Sendak’s set design—I’ve seen it many times, and still find new things to marvel at in the details. The vintage quality of the theatrical tricks, especially the stage-within-a-stage for the trip to the Pasha’s kingdom, with its unrolling panorama and old-fashioned waves (complete with leaping dolphins on the piccolo flourishes!). And the charming way that the Pasha’s court “applauds” using ASL, waving their hands above their heads. If you don’t already have tickets, try to get some. SANDRA KURTZ McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St. (Seattle Center), 441-2424, $35–$136. See pnb.org for near-daily schedule. Ends Dec. 28.

International Ballet Theater: Nutcracker They’re taking their show on the road. Meydenbauer Theater, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue, 425-284-0444. $25–$50. Runs Fri.–Sun. plus Dec. 22 & 23; see IBTbellevue.org for exact schedule.

Next Fest NW If you’re not in the mood for a Nutcracker, here’s new work by Ariana Bird, Luke Gutgsell, and others. Velocity Founders Theater, 1621 12th Ave., velocitydancecenter.org. $12–$18. 8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 12–Sun., Dec. 14.

Emerald Ballet Theater: Nutcracker With live music from the Rainier Symphony. Northshore Performing Arts Center, 18125 92nd Ave. N.E., Bothell, 425-984-2471, emeraldballet.org. $20–$35. 2 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends Dec. 14.

Next Dance Cinema Dance onscreen, part of the Next Fest NW (through Dec. 14). Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave., velocitydancecenter.org. $6–$11. 2:30 & 4 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13.

DASSdance: Mini-Nutcracker A family party, with breakfast. Washington Hall, 153 14th Ave., 800-838-3006, dassdance.org. $15–$20. 11 a.m. Dec. 13, 14, 20.

Classical, Etc.

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Music by Sean Osborn Premieres of new chamber works by the clarinetist/composer. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N. $5–$15. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 10.

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Seattle Symphony The premiere of Mason Bates’ Cello Concerto written for Joshua Roman. Mirga Gražinyte-Tyla also conducts suites by Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $20–$120. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 11; noon Fri., Dec. 12; 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13.

Eleonora Karpukhova Music by Rachmaninoff, including several Etudes-tableaux. Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave., 425-829-1345, russianchambermusic.org. $10–$20. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Dec. 12.

Northwest Boychoir The traditional Festival of Lessons and Carols at venues all over Seattle, Dec. 12–14 and 19–23; see nwboychoir.org for complete info. $10–$25.

Seattle Men’s Chorus For many, it wouldn’t be Christmas without their holiday show. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 388-1400, flyinghouse.org. $28–$78. 8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 12; 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 14; 7:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 21–Mon., Dec. 22.

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Inverse Opera A reprise of their staged, theatrical Messiah, launched last year. Isaac Studio at Taproot Theatre, 208 N. 85th St., 800-838-3006. $25–$30. Runs 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat. plus some matinees; see theinverseopera.com for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 20.

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The Met: Live in HD Opera from NYC at a moviehouse near you. This week, Wagner’s generously proportioned comedy Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg. See fathomevents.com for participating theaters. 9 a.m. Sat., Dec. 13; encored 6:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 17.

Seattle Symphony “A Spirit for the Holidays” is their family concert. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $15 and up. 11 a.m. Sat., Dec. 13.

Northwest Youth Harp Ensemble Holiday favorites. Seattle Public Library, Ballard, 5614 22nd Ave. N.W. Free. 2:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13.

Seattle Pro Musica French Christmas music. Chapel at Bastyr University, 14500 Juanita Dr. N.E., Kenmore, seattlepromusica.org. $12–$38. 3 & 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13.

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Unsilent Night Phil Kline’s participatory ambient music event/walkabout starts and ends at On the Boards, 100 W. Roy St. See ontheboards.org for full info, including the download. Free. 5:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13.

Northwest Chamber Chorus “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” narrated by David Pichette. Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, 7500 Greenwood Ave., N., 800-838-3006, northwestchamberchorus.org. $12–$22. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13.

Ancora From this women’s choir, “Walking in the Air.” Trinity Lutheran Church, 1200 10th Ave. E., 800-838-3006, ancorachoir.org. $12–$15. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13.

Market Street Singers go “Down the Chimney.” Ballard First Lutheran Church, 2006 N.W. 65th St., marketstreetsingers.com. Donation. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13.

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Seattle Mandolin Orchestra

Messiah like you’ve never heard it (unless you went last year). Epiphany Parish Seattle, 1805 38th Ave., 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13; Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 7 p.m. Sun., Dec. 14. $15–$20. seattlemandolin.org.

Seattle Choral Company “On Christmas Night.” St. Mark’s Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E., 363-1100, seattlechoralcompany.org. $25. 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13, & Fri., Dec. 19.

Magical Strings The 36th annual Celtic holiday concert. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13; Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue, 7 p.m. Mon., Dec. 15. $12–$28. magicalstrings.com.

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Northwest Boychoir Apprentices A nice thinking-out-of-the-box idea: Holiday choral music accompanies classic film footage. Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave., nwchoirs.org. $8–$12. 2:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 14.

Master Chorus Eastside “Christmas in the Northwest” includes music by local composers. Pine Lake Covenant Church, 1715 228th Ave. S.E., Sammamish, 425-392-8446, masterchoruseastside.org. $15–$20. 3 p.m. Sun., Dec. 14.

Candlelight Concerts Serene trios for the once-popular grouping of flute, viola, and guitar. University Christian Church, 4731 15th Ave. N.E., 522-0169, candlelightseattle.org. Freewill offering. 7:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 14.

Pacific Northwest Viols Period-instrument holiday music to shop by. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., Free. 7 p.m. Tues., Dec. 16.