Holiday Happenings

This year's crop of seasonal selections

The Evergreen City Ballet & Orchestra’s Nutcracker—”It is that time again when toy soldiers battle giant mice, snowflakes glide through the chilly air, and the fantasies of the young at heart meet in a land of sweet dreams.” With choreographer Wade Walthall and conductor A. Brian Davenport. Performing Arts Center, 700 E Main, Auburn, 253-833-9039. $10-$20. 12/9-10 at 7:30, 12/11 at 1:30 and 7:30, 12/12 at 1:30 and 5:30.

16th Annual Holiday Open House—Alpacas and sheep and goats, oh my! A holiday dream come true: pony rides, story time with Santa, and one treat you’ll only find in the Pacific Northwest . . . Santa’s team of salmon! 12526 Avondale Rd NE, Redmond, 425-885-5678. 12/2-5, 12/11-12 noon-4; pony rides available 12/5, noon-3:30. 12/9-12.

The Dina Martina Christmas Special—She’s baaack . . . with a hilariously entertaining and sometimes touching holiday ride filled with song, dance, stories, special guests, and festive gifts for lucky audience members. Also featured is Miss Martina’s charming and talented daughter, Pheobe “pocket full of smiles” Martina. On the Boards, Behnke Center for Contemporary Performance, 100 W Roy, 292-ARTS. $15 Thu and Sun, $18 Fri and Sat, $2 discount for students, seniors, and groups of six or more. 12/9-12 and 12/16-18 at 8.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

If Ornaments Had Lips—Written and performed by Lauren Weedman and directed by Shawn Belyea, this black holiday comedy tells the story of Debraa, whose modus operandi is to dive into the dark depths of the season by forcing all her holiday guests to listen to her explain the emotional significance of each and every ornament that hangs on her tree. On the Boards, Behnke Center for Contemporary Performance, 100 W Roy, 292-ARTS. $10 Thu and Sun, $12 Fri and Sat, $2 discount for students, seniors, and groups of six or more. 12/9-12 and 12/16-19 at 9.

Union Gospel Mission’s Gift Drive—Long’s Drugs is teaming up with Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission to scrape together some holiday gifts for the homeless. Participate by dropping off art supplies, baby/children’s items, calculators, pens, perfume/cologne, socks, tote bags, disposable cameras, hair accessories, cosmetics, razors, soap, brushes, deodorant, and shampoo at participating Long’s Drugs stores in Ballard, Bellevue, Burien, Edmonds, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Lynnwood, Northgate, Seattle on Rainier S, and Tukwila. Call 723-0767 ext. 104 for more information. 12/9-15.

Holiday Gift and Craft Sale—Don’t miss this event that features handcrafted items beautifully displayed in a gallery setting in the heart of creative Capitol Hill. Free parking and admission. 526 19th E, 328-7158. Free. Mon-Fri noon-4:30, Sat-Sun 10-6. 12/9-17.

University Village’s Annual Sharing and Caring Tree—Now’s your chance to share the spirit of the season with children in need by selecting a gift wish ornament from the Sharing and Caring Tree. Shoppers can also purchase a child’s gift wish and return it unwrapped to the tree for delivery to the child’s home on Christmas Eve. Cosponsored by the University Sunrise Rotary Club and Boy Scout Troop #186, donating to University Food Bank, Central Area Motivational Program, and Fremont Food Bank. University Village, Center Court, 523-7104. Gift drop-off times: Weeknights 5-8, Sat 10-6, Sun noon-5. 12/9-19.

The Nutcracker Puppet Ballet—Whirling ballerina puppets! Frolicking Russian bears! Don’t miss out on this magical theatrical event. Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th NE, 523-2579. $8.50/$7 seniors/$6.50 children. Fri at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 1 and 3. 12/9-19.

Annual Holiday Art Sale—Check out the largest selection of holiday art and gifts in the Northwest, with thousands of items in all price ranges and media. Help support students and emerging and established visual artists. Free apple cider. Pratt Fine Arts Center, 1902 Main, 328-2200. Free. 12/9-19, noon-8. (12/18-19: discount weekend, with all items 25 percent off!)

Citizen Scrooge—Unexpected Productions brings back this much-requested hilarious cross between Orson Welles’ film Citizen Kane and the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Thu-Sat at 8, Sun at 7. 12/9-23.

Photos with Santa—No way will any Christmas ever be complete without a photo of your darling little child getting his picture taken while whispering into Santa’s ear. You can even bring your dog along, in case he wants to sit on Santa, too. Country Village, 23714 Bothell-Everett Hwy, 282-2767. Thu-Fri 3-6, Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5. 12/9-23.

The Art of the Holiday Season Tour—What’s better than a trip to Vancouver? A trip to Vancouver with a tour of selected group artist studios where you can buy one-of-a-kind works in ceramic, wood, glass, and other media. This tour of Vancouver features neighborhoods filled with festive lights and a visit to the home gallery of Trudy Van Dop, one of the most prominent galleries in Western Canada and home of an outstanding collection of contemporary Canadian fine art and crafts from across the country. Pickup from downtown Vancouver hotels, call 604-646-6636 for information. $56. 12/9-23, 5-9pm.

The Argosy Christmas Ship Festival—It’s the 50th year of the Argosy Christmas Ship Festival, so come aboard The Spirit of Seattle, the unofficial Christmas Ship, decked with hundreds of shimmering white lights. Aboard ship, joyous voices from the Northwest’s finest choirs sing holiday greetings; on shore, young and old gather around roaring bonfires hosted by Seattle’s Best Coffee. The Argosy Christmas ship Festival cruises to over 45 waterfront locations throughout Seattle, Lake Washington, and the Puget Sound area, and benefits The Seattle Times Fund for the Needy, which supports nonprofit agencies providing vital services to thousands of deserving families and youth in our community. Call 623-1445 or visit www.argosycruises.com for times and locations. Christmas ship: $26.50/$16.50 children; Argosy follow boats: $17/$12. 12/9-23.

Issaquah Reindeer Festival—Little did you know that Santa’s Reindeer Farm is located in Issaquah, complete with a two-story house, a runway for takeoffs and landings, play areas, and a row of spacious and cozy barns for the reindeer. Come visit with Santa during an evening event or listen to a story by an elf during a day event; check out all the reindeer, sit in the Grand Traveling Sleigh, hum to the South American reindeer tune, or watch Santa’s big kittens frolic and play. Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 SE 54th, 425-391-5508. Day events: $4. Wed-Sun 10:30-1:30; evening events: $6/$5 seniors and kids 2-15. Wed-Sun 5-7:30, plus Mon-Tue 12/20-21. 12/9-23.

Holiday Ceramic Sale—In the market for a tax-deductible gift? Get your checkbook down to Seward Park Art Studio, where they’re displaying and selling handcrafted pottery, sculpture, ornaments, tiles, and ceramic art in the interest of raising money for their non-profit ceramics studio. All purchase are 26 percent tax deductible. Seward Park Art Studio, 5900 Lake Washington Blvd S, 722-6342. Free. 12/9-24, Mon-Fri 1-8, Sat and Sun 10-6.

Northern Lights—Disneyland, eat yer heart out! Northwest Christmas Lighting presents the second annual season of the Pacific Northwest’s only drive-through holiday light park, a mile-long journey through one million bulbs incorporated into gigantic animated displays. Be on the lookout as local charities and non-profit organizations hand out Lightbucks coupons for $2 off regular admission, because 10 percent of the gross revenue from each coupon redeemed goes back to the charities and nonprofits. Marymoor Park, Redmond, 230-5280. 1-4 passengers, $10; 5-15, $15; limousine, $25; bus, $60. 12/9-26, 5-10.

The Holiday Survival Game Show ’99: Millennium, Shlumennium—This year’s incarnation features a wacky mixture of sketch-comedy and real-life game show with audience members vying for prize packages worth tens of dollars (playing game show favorites like Wheel of Karaoke, The Family Values Game, and the Really Tall Pyramid). And with the year 2000 rapidly approaching, the Game Show gleefully thumbs its nose at Father Time: Book a room at Ye Old Bed and Breakfast, circa 999! See the gorgeous contestants compete at the Miss Seafair Pageant of the Future! Marvel at the first Vegas version of the Birth of Jesus! Written by Eric Des O’del, Peggy Platt (Dos Fallopia), and composer/producer Lisa Koch (Dos Fallopia, Venus Envy). Presented by Tonguinchic/Way Out West Productions and Rain City Projects. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 709-7994. $17-$19.99. Tue-Sun at 8, Sat and Sun matinees at 2, no show 12/25. 12/9-26.

Holiday Extravaganza—Village Theatre presents a spirited musical revue featuring traditional and favorite carols, pop hits, zany comedy acts, and exciting new music. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland, Kirkland, 425-893-9900. $18-$25. Tue-Sat at 8, Sat and Sun matinees at 2, Sun at 7. 12/9-26.

Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Nutcracker—PNB’s take on this holiday classic features the largest cast ever of PNB School students (205), along with captivating choreography by PNB Artistic Director Kent Stowell, and magical sets and costumes by the renowned children’s author and illustrator, Maurice Sendak. Seattle Center, Opera House, 292-ARTS. $12-$77. 12/9-16, Thu-Sun at 7:30, Sat matinee at 2, Sun matinee at 1; 12/17-24, Mon-Fri at noon and 7:30, Sat at 2, Sun at 1; 12/26 at 1 and 5:30; 12/27 at noon and 7:30; 12/28 at noon. 12/9-28.

Feast—This exhibit focuses on the one tradition that every holiday includes—food! ‘Feast’ includes work by such artists as Christopher Kroehler, Gary Nisbet, Lisa Poole, David Tupper, Nicola Vruwink, and more. Seattle Art Museum Rental/Sales Gallery, 1334 First, 748-9282. Free. Mon-Fri 11-5, Sat 11-4. 12/9-30.

The Teddy Bear Suite—Don’t miss your chance to hang out with the Teddy Bear family in their rustic holiday cabin! Four Seasons Olympic Hotel, 411 University, 621-1700 ext. 3259. Free, donations to Children’s Hospital gladly accepted. 12/9-31, 9-7.

Coupville Holiday Art Sale—Head on over to Whidbey Island and buy some art—paintings, fine crafts, jewelry, sculpture, ornaments, and much, much more. Gallery at the Wharf, 26 Front, Coupeville, 678-3396. Free. Thu-Sun 11-4. 12/9-31.

Bellevue: The Magic Season—Where else to celebrate the holidays than beautiful Bellevue? Here’s a sample of the treats downtown’s offering during its Magic Season celebration: Skating at the Wells Fargo Ice Arena under the big-top tent in Downtown Bellevue Park, one block south of Bellevue Square, 425-451-2455. $5 admission, $2 skate rentals. Overlake Hospital Garden D’Lights offers 3-D “blossoms” fashioned from nearly 200,000 lights, accompanied by musical entertainment and treats. Bellevue Botanical Gardens, 12001 Main, 425-451-3755. $3 donation. 5-10. Main Street Magic in Old Bellevue allows you to stroll through Old Bellevue while enjoying a neighborhood enriched with over 80 unique shops and boutiques, specialty restaurants, holiday lighting, and festive decor. Old Bellevue, Main, 425-453-1655. Santa’s Toyland Parade brings the jolly old man to town by horse-drawn carriage. The parade begins at the west drive of Bellevue Square 12/26 at 5:30, and free entertainment follows in the Center Court at 6:30. Bellevue Square, 425-454-8096. 12/9-1/3/00.

The Butchart Gardens—Head on up to Victoria this holiday season for a glimpse of some majestic gardens, filled with lights, decorations, and all the Christmas trappings. If your tummy starts rumbling after all that exploring, step inside the Dining Room or the Quarry Coffeehouse for some soul food or a hot cup of tea. Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto, Brentwood Bay, BC, 250-652-4422. $9.75/$5 ages 13-17/$2 ages 5-12. 12/9-16, 9am-9pm, 12/17-1/6/00, 9am-10pm. 12/9-1/6/00.

The Velveteen Rabbit—Remember that Margery Williams story about a velveteen rabbit who becomes a boy’s best pal, until the stuffed animal’s exiled from the house after the boy contracts scarlet fever? Whether you do or not, you don’t want to miss Burgess Clark’s stage adaptation of this timeless tale, as directed by Christine Sumpton. Set designer Edie Whitsett moves away from the traditional English nursery of earlier productions to impart an open, Scandinavian-inspired atmosphere. The puppets are an integral part of the staging, with all puppeteers fully visible and incorporated into the action on stage. Presented by Seattle Children’s Theater. Seattle Center, Eve Alvord Theater, 441-3322. Adult matinees $20.50/evenings $19.50; senior/student/child matinees $14.50/evenings $13.50. Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30. 12/9-1/15/00.

A Christmas Carol—You all know the story… Scrooge (the penny-pinching man in devil’s clothing) tries to ruin Christmas for all the good people of the Cratchit family, and eventually rediscovers the true spirit of Christmas. David Pichette and Peter Silbert alternate in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. A Contemporary Theater, 700 Union, 292-7676. 12/10-24: $31-35/$25-29 children and seniors. 12/26: $20-24/$16-$20. Call for showtimes. 12/10-12/26.

Holiday Zoobilee—There’s no better place in Seattle to experience all things wild than the Woodland Park Zoo. Get your photo taken with Santa in his zoo-themed winter stomping grounds. ZooStore, near the south gate at N 50th and Fremont N, 684-4800. Free. 12/9, 12/18-19, 9:30-3. Or, watch a mini-performance of The Nutcracker performed by the Olympic Ballet while chomping on brunch. Rain Forest Food Pavilion, near the West Gate at N 55th and Phinney, 684-4800. Cost is in addition to zoo admission: $18.95/$9.95 ages 3-10, free ages 2 years and under. 12/10, 12, 18 and 19 at 9.

WinterFest—Produced by the Anacortes Arts Festival, this holiday shindig features artists working in glass, jewelry, music, painting, photography, pottery, prints and drawings, wearable art, wood, pillowmaking, quilting, and bonsai. Port of Anacortes Warehouse, First and Commercial, Anacortes, 360-293-6211. Free. 12/10-12, 10-6.

The Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition—Caroling groups garbed in traditional (and some very out there!) costumes sing carols on the streets of downtown Seattle, followed by a program where audience members vote for their favorite group. The event benefits Pike Market Senior Center/Downtown Food Bank. Westlake Center, Fourth and Pine, 467-1600. Free. 12/10, 5-7.

A Seattle Christmas Festival—Your favorite Christmas carols as well as contemporary holiday songs are presented in a variety of musical styles—big band/swing, gospel, jazz, and classical. Charity donations are presented to SIDS Foundation of Washington, Seattle Children’s Home, and New Beginnings. Calvary Temple, 6810 Eighth NE, 525-7473. Free, but donations gladly accepted. 12/10-12 at 6:30.

The Messiah—The Northwest Community Chorale and Korean Community Presbyterian Church Choir present Handel’s classic, dramatic Messiah. Canyon Hills Community Church, 22027 17th SE. 12/10 at 7:30. Also at First Presbyterian Church, 1013 Eighth. 12/11 at 7:30. Free. For both concerts call 525-8228 for information.

Leavenworth Tree Lightings—Grab your kids and join the Children’s Museum for a day of Bavarian-style winter fun! There’s sleigh riding, ice skating, and old-time caroling. Tickets include transportation, snack, and bus activities. Catch the bus on Saturday morning at 9am in Seattle Center’s Lot 2. To reserve your tickets call Children’s Museum, 441-1768. $21/$16.50 children. 12/11.

17th Annual Christmas Fun Run and Walk—Wanna get in some exercise before the big Christmas dinner? Head on over to the City of Kent Parks and Recreation Department’s Fun Run and Walk, a 5K run to make you look your holiday best. Parking lot behind the City of Kent Maintenance Shops, James and Russell Road, Kent, 253-856-5050. $10 run/walk only, $15 with T-shirt; day-of prices: $20/$25. 5K run at 9:50am, 10K run at 10am. 12/11.

Sankta Lucia Celebration—Gotta love IKEA! The Swedish designers of fab furniture join with Pacific Lutheran University’s Scandinavian Cultural Center to celebrate the Swedish tradition of Sankta Lucia. The festivities begin with a storytelling of the meaning of Sankta Lucia, followed by the Lucia train that features PLU’s newly-crowned Lucia and her attendants who perform traditional Swedish songs. After you gobble down gingersnap cookies and gl�(a traditional beverage), you can go bargain hunting. In front of IKEA, 600 SW 43rd, Renton, 425-656-2980. 12/11, 10-2.

Franklin High School Quaker Band’s Annual Holiday Gift Fair—Over 100 local arts-and-crafters, live music, baked goods, and a raffle. This is a fund raiser for the band, so show some support! Franklin High. Franklin Commons, 3013 S Mount Baker Blvd, 760-4600. Free. 12/11, 10-5.

Vashon Island Holiday Art Tour—Vashon Island welcomes art lovers with its biannual self-guided tour of the island’s many studios and galleries. Artists open their studios to the public for viewing and purchasing of their latest works, and galleries display special exhibits of local talent. This rural art experience began over 20 years ago as a potter’s tour—now it includes functional and decorative pottery, whimsical ceramic tiles, paintings, mixed media, sculptures, jewelry, glass, and wearable art. Vashon Island, 463-1231 or www.vashonisland.com/holidayarttour. Free. 12/11-12, 10-5.

Maggie’s Cook Books—Come on down to Maggie’s for a cookie tasting of recipes from early American cookbooks such as Mrs. Roroer’s Cookbook (1886), Fannie Merritt Farmer (1914), Home Cookbook (1887), and others. You might end up finding the perfect cook, wine, or garden book for your holiday loved ones. Maggie’s Cook Books, Lyon’s Antique Mall, 4516 California SW, 933-5994. Free, but please bring a food donation of can or dry goods for the Junction Community Food Bank. 12/11 at noon.

Santa Saturdays—Bring your kids to Santa’s lair. He’s setting up shop in Pike Place Market’s Down Under arcade and Sanitary Market. Pike Place Market, 682-7453. Free. 12/11, 12/18, noon-3.

Musical Holidays on the Hill—Free music here we come! The Seattle Flute Society plays A Classic Holiday concert: This 20-member flute choir offers an array of music drawing from holiday classics by Handel, Vivaldi, and Saint Saens, as well as livening up some Hanukkah and Christmas stand-bys. Free. 12/11 at 7:30. Discover the origins of Advent and Christmas carols with Tracey Waring and Pamela Mortensen, as these two lead an evening of music and discussion entitled Here We Come A Caroling. 12/14 at 7. Join in the fun of a Holiday Celebration with the folks from Music on the Hill. Bring your kids to hear stories of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas. 12/18 at 10. All events take place at St. George, 2212 NE 125th, 669-6813. 12/11, 12/14, 12/18.

Matt Messina And His Orchestra—Popular Pacific Northwest composer Messina performs his new symphony, “A Christmas.” Benaroya Hall, 200 University, 325-7066. $18. 12/11 at 7:30.

Christmas in France—The Benevolent Order for Music of the Baroque (B.O.M.B) performs Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Midnight Mass & Nativity Pastorale, for voices and chamber orchestra, directed by Kim Pineda and featuring soprano Kris Gould and baritone David Newman. The concert also includes Charpentier’s Sonata for Eight Instruments featuring viola da gamba virtuoso Elizabeth Liddle. The Church at 6556 35th NE, 325-7066. $15/$12 students, seniors, and members of Early Music America. 12/11 at 8, 12/12 at 3.

A Child’s Christmas in Wales—Join the Northwest Chamber Chorus for its annual Christmas concert featuring traditional carols, audience sing-along, actor Frank Corrado reading Dylan Thomas’ beloved poem, and Britten’s dramatic Rejoice in the Lamb for chorus and organ. Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, 7500 Greenwood N, 523-1196. $16 preferred seating, $14 general, $12 seniors and students. 12/11-12 at 8.

Seattle Flute Society Flute Choir—Magnolia Lutheran Church’s “Celebrate the Arts” series presents the Flute Choir’s program of lively holiday music featuring holiday classics by Handel, Vivaldi, and Saint-Saens, as well as Hanukkah and Christmas favorites. Magnolia Lutheran Church, McGraw and 31st W, Magnolia Village, 284-0155. Free. 12/12 at 3.

Medieval Christmas Music—Presented by The Medieval Women’s Choir (under the direction of Margriet Tindemans), this performance features popular Christmas music of the 12th through the 15th centuries from Spain, England, Germany, Finland, and France. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth, 325-7066. $15/$7 seniors and students. 12/12 at 3.

Simple Gifts: Handmade Dances for the Holidays—Kaleidoscope, the Northwest’s very own modern dance company made up of 8-14 year olds, dance their choreographed butts off to their choice of music and costumes. In addition to all of this, they promise to share the spotlight and invite the audience on stage for a festive community romp! Roosevelt High School, 1410 NE 66th, 363-7281. $3/$2 seniors and children. 12/12 at 3.

Ye Merry Gentlemen—Performed by Seattle Men’s Chorus, this show features new arrangements of seasonal favorites like “O Holy Night,” “We Need a Little Christmas,” and “Angels We Have Heard on High,” as well as a new song SMC has commissioned in celebration of Hanukkah, “Over the Skies of Israel,” by Robert Seeley. Other holiday goodies: a “Silent Night” singalong, a pompon routine to “St. Nick at Night,” and a scenario asking: What if all your favorite TV theme songs were replaced by Christmas carols? Benaroya Hall, 200 University, 292-ARTS. 12/12 at 7, 12/13 at 8, 12/18 at 8, 12/19 at 2 and 7. 12/12-19.

Advent Music at St. James—Join the Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble as they present a special Advent program titled “Awake Jerusalem, Arise.” Special guests include the Seattle Baroque Orchestra (with stellar Ingrid Matthews as concertmaster, Byron Schenkman on harpsichord), Joseph Adam on organ, Lisa Cardwell Pont鮠as soprano, Kevin Helppie as baritone, and the Seattle Girls Choir. With J.S. Bach’s majestic Cantata 140, Wachet auf, Francis Poulenc’s Quatre Motets pour le Temps de N�/I>, Tavener’s Today the Virgin, Britten’s A Hymn to the Virgin and In the Bleak Midwinter, and Robert Scandrett’s Veni, Emmanuel. St. James Cathedral, 804 Ninth E, 782-2354. $20 suggested donation (reserved seats for early donation). 12/12 at 7:30.

Bronn Journey—The event you’ve been waiting for is here: Bronn Journey and his amazing Christmas harp music concerts, with so many dates and venues to choose from: Central Kitsap Presbyterian Chursch, 930 Nels Nelson Rd, Bremerton, 12/15 and 12/22 at 7:30; Scottish Rite Temple, 1155 Broadway E, 12/17 at 2 and 8; Auburn Performing Arts Center, 700 E Main, Auburn, 12/18 at 7:30; Village Theatre, 303 Front N, Issaquah, 12/20 at 7:30; Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore, Everett, 12/21 at 7:30; Shoreline Performing Arts Center, 18560 First N, Shoreline, 12/23 at 7:30. For information on all performances call 360-793-1610.

Music of Nature & Grace—Kick off the holiday season with a dose of instrumental music that lulls you into deep relaxation. Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel are back for their annual Eastside holiday concert series, playing some old holiday favorites, as well as selections of their original compositions. Everett Performance Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore, Everett, 425-257-8600. $14adv/$16. 12/16 at 7:30.

A Celtic-Balkan Christmas Concert—Presented by the City Cantabile Choir, this concert features a Christmas cantata scored for chorus, string quartet, and drums, directed by Fred West. Also enjoy Celtic songs highlighting the harp, pipes, and vocal styles of Irish and Scottish music, with guest artists Mary Sherhart (Balkan soloist), Trio Ruzice (soloist), Tom Deering (Macedonian tapan), Seumas Gagne (Celtic harp), Jeri Howe (Celtic harp), and Tom Creeghan (Uilleann pipes). Town Hall, Eighth and Seneca, 623-8632. $12adv/$15/$10 students, seniors, disabled, children under 12. 12/17-19, Fri and Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2.

24th Annual IDHA Party—Come on down to the International District Housing Alliance’s holiday bash. The goals of the party are to provide opportunities for elders to meet neighbors and to learn about community activities, but most importantly, IDHA wants the low-income elderly in the International District to feel welcome during the often lonely days of the holiday season. Donations for sponsoring an elder, raffle prizes, food, supplies, or cash would be greatly appreciated. FYI, IDHA is a nonprofit, community-based agency whose mission is to improve the quality of life for International District residents and Asian and Pacific Islanders of Greater Seattle by providing low-income housing and related services. Bush Hotel, 621 S Jackson, 623-5132. $5/$2 seniors. 12/18, 2-4.

Keep The Spirit Family Holiday Concert—This celebration sharing the music and dance of Christmas, Hanukkah, and the winter season is presented by Tickle Tune Typhoon in cooperation with the Whistlestop Dance Company. Museum of History and Industry, 2700 24th E, 632-9466 or www.tickletunetyphoon.com. $10. 12/19 at 1 and 3:30.

Victorian Christmas—Jump in a time-travel machine and transport yourself to a Victorian Christmas: The Tudor Choir and Players combine voice, brass, and organ to celebrate the Victorians of yesteryear who brought us Christmas as we know it today. St. Mark’s Cathedral, 1245 10th E, 322-3118. $18/$15 students and seniors. 12/18 at 8, 12/19 at 3.