‘A Winnie-The-Pooh Christmas Tail’
Dec. 6-8, 14-15 and 21-23
Valley Youth Theatre
525 N. First St.
602-253-8188
A special “Friend-and-Relation” tells Christopher Robin a story about a Christmas Eve a long time ago when Eeyore, the old, gray donkey who lives alone in the thistle corner of Hundred-Acre Wood, was miserable. When Eeyore lost his tail, Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet organized their friends to do a search. Tickets are $20 each. For tickets, visit www.vyt.com.
‘We Wish You The Merriest’
Phoenix Metropolitan Men’s Chorus
7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14
2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15
Madison Center for the Arts
5601 N. 16th St.
602-664-7777
Celebrate the holiday season as the Phoenix Metropolitan Men’s Chorus performs songs. To learn more, visit www.themadison.org.
‘The Nutcracker’
Ballet Arizona
Dec. 13-15 and 19-24
Symphony Hall
75 N 2nd St.
602-381-1096
Experience the magic of the holidays with the ballet choreographed by Ballet Arizona artistic director Ib Andersen as the Phoenix Symphony plays the music of Tchaikovsky. See 150 performers and 100,000 Swarovski crystals in the tale of Clara, a girl who receives a special nutcracker for Christmas, then travels to the Land of Sweets. For tickets, visit balletaz.org/performance/the-nutcracker-2019.
‘The Nutcracker’
Phoenix Ballet
Dec. 13-15 and 19-23
Orpheum Theatre
203 W. Adams St.
602-262-6225
Phoenix Ballet, internationally known dance stars and top students from the Master Ballet Academy will perform Slawomir Wozniak’s holiday classic, “The Nutcracker.” They will bring to life the magical ballet with dancing mice, snowfall on stage and the elegant Sugar Plum Fairy, among other sweets-inspired characters. For tickets, visit phoenix.ticketforce.com.
Frances Smith Cohen’s ‘Snow Queen’
Center Dance Ensemble
2 & 7 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 7, 14, 21
2 & 5 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 8, 15, 22
Herberger Theater Center
222 E. Monroe St.
602-252-8497
The production brings to life a mystical world of sprites, ice maidens and gypsies as young Gerda tries to rescue Kai out of the Snow Queen’s Crystal Palace. The story is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s winter fairytale about the struggle between good and evil. There will be a Lunch Time Dance Theater Performance at 12:10 p.m. on Fridays, Dec. 6 and 13 for $7. Bring or buy a lunch. For tickets, visit herbergertheater.ticketforce.com.
‘Fractured Land’ and ‘Free Solo’
11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14
Heard Museum
2301 N. Central Ave.
602-252-8840
The Scene and Heart Film Series presents the documentary “Fractured Land” at 11:30 a.m., which follows Aboriginal leader and attorney Caleb Behn as he struggles with protecting his traditional territory under Treaty 8 in northern British Columbia. “Free Solo,” a documentary about free soloist climber Alex Honnold as he prepares to climb the face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without a rope, will show at 1:30 p.m. Learn more at heard.org/events.
A Chorale Christmas
Phoenix Chorale
Saturday, Dec. 14; Monday, Dec. 16 and Tuesday, Dec. 17
Three locations
602-253-2224
The Grammy-winning Phoenix Chorale performs songs about peace, joy and hope. Expect old favorite songs, as well as new “classics” and sing-alongs. Tickets start at $40 per adult, $35 for senior citizens and military members and $20 for students. Shows are Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 100 W. Roosevelt St.; Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Camelback Bible Church at 3900 E. Stanford Drive; and Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Brophy Chapel at 4701 N. Central Ave. For tickets, visit www.phoenixchorale.org.
Fused Glass & Enamel Holiday Ornaments Class
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14
Shemer Art Center
5005 E. Camelback Road
602-262-4727
Lauren Toth will show you how to make holiday ornaments with fired-on permanent enamels. Learn to mix and “dot” paint the enamel and finish at least three to four ornaments on clear fused glass with a wire hanger to take home the week after the workshop. The cost is $55 plus a $20 fee for materials paid to the instructor the first day of class. Visit shemerartcenter.org for details.
Holiday Jazz & Wine In The Garden
4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15
Japanese Friendship Garden
1125 N. 3rd Ave.
602-274-8700
Stroll through the garden while jazz vocalist Kim Weston and her Jazz Trio perform on the upright bass and keys. Indulge in wine, beer and sake with happy hour prices and try warm breads from Hotko Bread Co., dips from The Fig and mini charcuterie boards from The Knife. You can see the waterfalls, pine trees and koi fish. The cost is $10 per adult, $8 per senior citizen (ages 62 and older) and $7 for military members and students. You must be at least 21 years old to attend. To learn more, visit www.japanesefriendshipgarden.org.
‘Jingle Bell Ball The Nash Vocal Jazz Ensemble’
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19
The Nash
110 E. Roosevelt St.
602-795-0464
Listen to The Nash Vocal Jazz Ensemble sing the music of Cole Porter, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Kenny Loggins, Duke Ellington, Jimmy Webb, Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Sara Bareilles and other legendary artists. Tickets are $20 and $10 for students ages 25 and younger if they present identification. For information, visit thenash.org.
Holiday Concert Night
8 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21
Fiddler’s Dream Coffeehouse
1702 E. Glendale Ave.
602-997-9795
Hear music celebrating the holiday season. First up is High Strung, a local folk music band specializing in “Old Time Music” and featuring the sounds of the hammer and Appalachian dulcimers starting at 8 p.m. Then at 9:15 p.m. hear Begged and Borrowed, formerly known as The Strand,” a local Celtic/traditional/folk music duo with a special focus on acoustic music. Admission is $8. Learn more at fiddlersdream.org.
Orpheum Theatre Free Public Tour
Noon and 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31
Orpheum Theatre
203 W. Adams St.
602-495-7139
Take a free, one-hour tour of this historic theater guided by a docent. The theater has been artfully restored. No RSVP is required. Meet under the marquee at noon or 1:30 p.m.
