Top 10 things to do this week

1) “THE NUTCRACKER”

For the seasonal favorite "The Nutcracker," Dayton Ballet's artistic director Karen Russo Burke has created original choreography to accompany Pyotr Tchaikovsky's indelible score. The Dayton Philharmonic will join Dayton Ballet for its production of the holiday classic, which opens at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets, Dayton, on Friday, Dec. 15.

“The Nutcracker,” which is presented through Dec. 23, follows young Clara’s adventures in the wondrous Land of Sweets. This show features sets designed by Ray Zupp, costumes by Lowell Mathwich and additional dancers from Dayton Ballet II and the Dayton Ballet School.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. December 15, 16, 19 and 22, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 16, 17, 22 and 23, and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21. Cost: $17-$72. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

>> One of Dayton’s most beloved holiday traditions is on stage now

>> Photos of Dayton’s Hanukkah celebrations through the years

2) HANDEL’S “MESSIAH”

Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra's usual home stage is the Schuster Center — however, maestro Neal Gittleman and the musicians occasionally present special concerts in other venues. That's the case with the annual holiday show, Handel's "Messiah," at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Wilkinson St., Dayton, at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. The Dayton Philharmonic Chamber Choir will also perform. Cost: $31 adults, $29 educators, military and seniors 60 and older, $14 students. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

3) SUGARPLUM TEA

As a compliment to Dayton Ballet's annual production of "The Nutcracker," Dayton Ballet Barre hosts the special children's event, Sugarplum Tea. The annual daytime tea is presented at Dayton Woman's Club, 225 N. Ludlow St., Dayton, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. Cost: $15 per person. Dayton Ballet Barre supports the local dance company through audience development, fundraising, community outreach and volunteering. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

4) MS. PAT

Comedian Ms. Pat has never shied away from discussing her checkered past as a drug-dealing, teen mother of two young children in the 1980s or her life in the 1990s as a rehabilitated twentysomething with a husband and six kids. Her unusual life experiences were perfect fodder for joke-filled stories with universal appeal. More recently, she took a deeper look at her past in the autobiography, "Rabbit." Ms. Pat returns to the Funny Bone Comedy Club, 88 Plum St., The Greene, Beavercreek, where she is performing Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 21 through 23. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, and 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Cost: $10-$15 Thursday, $40-$45 Friday and Saturday. Call 937-429-LAFF (5233) or visit www.daytonfunnybone.com.

ICYMI: Basil’s on Market expands south

5) HOME FREE

It has been 17 years since Home Free formed in Minnesota. While many of the faces have changed, founding member Adam Rupp and the other singers continue to expand on the rich a cappella style it helped pioneer nearly two decades ago. Home Free, currently out on A Country Christmas Tour, returns to the area for a concert at Hobart Arena, 255 Adams St., Troy, at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cost: $25-$45. VIP packages are $120 and $220. Call 937-339-2911 or visit www.hobartarena.com.

>> 7 shows to get you in the holiday spirit

6) THE TIKE’S SHOPPE

While the Grande Illumination was weeks ago, there are still many reasons to go downtown for the 45th annual holiday Dayton Holiday Festival. The Tike's Shoppe, the annual shop run by kids for kids and priced for a kid's budget, continues in the Schuster Center's Wintergarden, Second and Main streets, Dayton, through Dec. 23. Hours vary. Wintergarden Wonderland, also in the Schuster Center, continues through December 31. The display is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Wintergarden Wonderland is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Virginia Kettering's Holiday Train Display, is running at Kettering Tower, 40 N. Main St., Dayton, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, through January 2. Cost: Free. Call 937-224-1518 or visit www.downtowndayton.org.

>> DID WE SPOT YOU? Photos from the Ugly Sweater party at DK Effect

7) BACH’S LUNCH

The Dayton Philharmonic Carillon Brass will take center stage for the latest installment of the DPO's Bach's Lunch series. The concert, at the Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St., Dayton, on Friday, Dec. 15, features performances at 10 a.m. and noon. Carillon Brass features Charles Pagnard (trumpet), Alan Siebert (trumpet), Aaron Brant (French horn), Chad Arnow (bass trombone) and Tim Northcut (tuba). Complimentary coffee from Boston Stoker will be available. Dave Boston will be selling box lunches of traditional turkey and cheddar croissants during these concerts. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

8) MICHALE GRAVES

Michale Graves was still a teenager in 1995 when he replaced Glenn Danzig as vocalist for horror-punk band the Misfits, which reformed after more than a decade apart. Graves has been pursuing a solo career since 2000. His latest album, "When Worlds Collide," was released in 2016. Graves, currently on his Beginning of the End tour, performs at Rockstar Pro Arena, 1106 E. Third St., Dayton, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21. Bundy & the Spins, GeeGee's Punk Rock Allstars and the Transylvania Hell Hounds y will also perform. Cost: $10. Visit www.rockstarproarena.net.

9) “HOME ALONE”

"Home Alone" is unlike any other Christmas movie, which isn't surprising considering the beloved comedy came from the fertile minds of filmmakers John Hughes and Chris Columbus. The tale of young Kevin McCallister fending for himself again boredom, hunger and burglars has become a holiday staple. The Family Movie series concludes with "Home Alone" at The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St., Dayton, at noon Sunday, Dec. 17. Cost: $2 adults, free children 12 and younger. Call 937-222-SHOW (7469) or visit www.neonmovies.com.

>> Get to know this all volunteer group giving toys to needy kids this year

10) NORTH OF NOWHERE SOUTH

A lot of local Brainiac fans were disappointed they couldn't make the trip to New York on Dec. 9 to see the surviving members of the band play a live set for the in-production documentary on the beloved Dayton act. If you're in that camp, you're in luck because the group has agreed to one more performance at the Yellow Cab Bldg., 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. The occasion is North of Nowhere South, the annual benefit concert for the education fund of Izzy Frederick, daughter of the late Jeremy Frederick. The show also features reunions by local acts Sunken Giraffe and Flesh Bats. Haunting Souls, which was originally scheduled to perform, had to cancel due to personal reasons. Visit www.yellowcabtavern.com.

About the Author