’Tis the Season

By Alex Wallace

Franc D’Ambrosio’s Christmas in New York

Dec. 2, 3-5 p.m.

Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., New Albany

Feel the magic of an NYC holiday as singer, actor and Broadway performer Franc D’Ambrosio paints a picture of what it’s like to celebrate the season in New York.

D’Ambrosio is known as “The Iron Man of the Mask” for his long-running performance in The Phantom of the Opera, and is also recognizable for his role as the son of Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone in The Godfather: Part III. For his one-night engagement at the McCoy Center, he will sing a variety of holiday standards, as well as well-known songs from Phantom and Godfather.

“(For) any holiday show, you want nostalgia, someone with a wonderful voice and someone who connects with the audience,” says Mike Morris, interim executive director for the McCoy Center. “Mr. D’Ambrosio has proven time and time again that he can do all three.” www.mccoycenter.org

BalletMet presents The Nutcracker

Dec. 7-23

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

What’s the holiday season without a Columbus tradition?

The Nutcracker was first choreographed in 1892, making it 120 years old this year. And BalletMet’s production of the much-loved holiday ballet is now in its 35th year, promising the same magical experience it has delivered for decades. This year, BalletMet is offering an update to the fond childhood memories of people who saw The Nutcracker years ago as children – its MetPremiere group is bringing together young professionals for a “Nutcracker Sweet” party, including the performance and a drinks-and-dessert reception with the dancers, on Dec. 14. Details are on the BalletMet website. www.balletmet.org

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas

Dec. 22, 8 p.m.

Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.

Beloved and celebrated band Mannheim

Steamroller brings the spirit of the season to life with its dazzling multimedia performance in an intimate setting. www.capa.com

Harlem Globetrotters

Dec. 28, 2 and 7 p.m.

Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.

The world-renowned basketball showoffs bring their act to Columbus. www. nationwidearena.com

Jazz Arts Group presents

Swingin’ the New Year

Dec. 28, 8 p.m.

Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St.

You won’t have a “Blue Christmas” after joining Byron Stripling, Bobby Floyd and a small band in a fun-filled musical ensemble, as part of Jazz Arts Group’s Inside Track series. www.jazzartsgroup.org

The Holidays with Aaron Diehl

Dec. 29, 7-9 p.m.

King Arts Complex, 867 Mt. Vernon Ave.

Columbus native Aaron Diehl performs songs from legendary jazz artists, mixing in his own personal style, as part of the King Arts Complex’s Jazz on the Avenue concert series. www.kingartscomplex.com

Under the Streetlamp

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Dec. 30, 3 and 8 p.m.

Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra teams up with the Hallmark Channel to present The Lost Christmas Eve, the band’s multi-platinum rock opera. www.livenation.com

First Night Columbus

Dec. 31, 5 p.m.-midnight

Downtown Columbus

First Night Columbus is an awardwinning, community-oriented, familyfriendly, alcohol-free event. There will be more than 40 performances, including jazz, funk and ragtime, as well as a children’s festival and much more. www.first nightcolumbus.com

ProMusica presents New Year’s Eve Concert

Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m.

Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.

ProMusica, the High Street Stompers and two members of the GrooveBarbers perform jazz, Dixieland and ragtime songs to end the year. www.promusica columbus.org

Body Worlds & the Brain

Through Jan. 6

COSI, 333 W. Broad St.

This traveling exhibition features more than 200 human specimens – full bodies, organs, transparent slices and more – to demonstrate the inner workings of the body and brain. www.cosi.org

More....

For a comprehensive list of other happenings around Columbus, check out www.cityscenecolumbus.com.

“It was absolutely incredible... the amount of detail. Very, very informative. The exhibit was just amazing.”

Now open 7 days a week with extended evening hours Thursdays–Saturdays, 5pm–9pm. Holiday hours Dec. 26–Jan. 6, open until 9pm everyday. www.bodyworlds.com

All the best holiday specials are on Classical 101, 89.7 NPR News and WOSU TV. Go to wosu.org for a complete list of holiday programming during the entire month of December.

With Michael McEwan