To Do

THIS MONTH'S CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS

JL

By Jessica Laskey

Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink

Downtown Sacramento Partnership and Dignity Health Through Jan. 16, 2023 Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 2–9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Ali Youssefi Square, 7 & K streets • godowntownsac.com/icerink

The city’s favorite ice rink returns with a series of themed events. Tickets are $15 for general admission; $8 for children 6 and younger. Price includes skate rental. Show your ice rink wristband at participating businesses to receive discounts. Check the website for holiday hours.

Dancer Wen Na Robertson in Sacramento Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.” Photo by Maximillian Tortoriello.

Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink at 7 & K streets. Photo courtesy of Downtown Sacramento Partnership.

The Nutcracker

Sacramento Ballet Dec. 10–24 SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, 1301 L St. • sacballet.org

The beloved annual holiday tradition continues. This year’s newest stage production includes choreography by Sacramento dancers Nicole Haskins, Colby Damon and Julia Feldman. Tickets start at $35.

Holiday Concert

Sacramento Symphonic Winds Sunday, Dec. 11, 2:30 p.m. El Camino High School Center for the Arts, 2340 Eastern Ave. • sacwinds.org

Enjoy the season with holiday music to put a bounce in your step. Tickets are $15 for general admission; $10 for students and seniors; free for children 8th grade and younger. Tickets available at the door.

Sacred Heart Holiday Home Tour

Sacred Heart Parish School Friday, Dec. 2, noon–8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. East Sacramento Fabulous 40s • sacredhearthometour.com

Tour beautiful East Sacramento homes decorated for the holidays by local designers. Tickets include access to the café and holiday boutique featuring more than 25 local artisans. Tickets are $30 in advance; $35 day of tour.

Electronic violinist and dancer Lindsey Stirling at Hard Rock Live.

Lee Alexander McQueen and Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous

Crocker Art Museum Dec. 18–April 2, 2023 216 O St. • crockerart.org

This high-fashion exhibition features 50 creations, ranging from ball gowns to tailored coats, by British fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen, and 63 images by French photographer Ann Ray that give a behind-the-scenes look at McQueen’s creative process.

Holiday Hits with a Splash of Sass

Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus Dec. 9 & 10, 12 & 13, 7 p.m. Dec. 11, 3 p.m. Pioneer Congregational United Church of Christ, 2700 L St. • sacgaymenschorus.org

This funny, family-friendly concert features popular holiday favorites with class and sass under the direction of Christian Bohm. Tickets are $30 for general admission; $15 for students; $45 for VIP seating. All audience members required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Home for the Holidays

Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra Saturday, Dec. 10, 2 p.m. Memorial Auditorium, 1515 J St. • sacramentochoral.org

This holiday concert at the newly renovated Memorial Auditorium features guest tenor Salvatore Atti, puppets by Green Valley Theatre Company and a visit from Santa. Tickets are $18–$53.

Messiah Sing-Along

Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra Monday, Dec. 26, 2 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 2100 J St. • sacramentochoral.org

Come sing Handel’s “Messiah” (including the soloists’ parts) with conductor Donald Kendrick and organist Ryan Enright. Bring your own music or borrow a score at the door. Stick around for the free post-show reception. Tickets are $20 for general admission; $15 for students and seniors. “Gown with Mother Mary Print” by British fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen at Crocker Art Museum. Photo by Sarah Carmody. Courtesy of Barrett Barrera Projects & RKL Consulting.

Frozen New Year’s at Noon

Aerospace Museum of California Saturday, Dec. 31, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. 3200 Freedom Park Drive, McClellan • aerospaceca.org

Celebrate the New Year with Elsa and Anna from Disney’s “Frozen,” including songs, stories and “Frozen”-themed STEM activities with Amelia Bearhart and friends. Just before noon, ring in New Year’s Eve with a countdown party.

‘Tis the Season: A Celebration of Holiday Stories

B Street Theatre Dec. 3–24 The Sofi a, 2700 Capitol Ave. • bstreettheatre.org

In this celebration of holiday magic, audience members enjoy a charming and hilarious collection of stories that capture the excitement of what it’s like to be a kid during the holidays. Tickets are $24 for adults; $19 for children.

Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus in “Holiday Hits with a Splash of Sass.”

A Festival of Lessons and Carols

Capitol Chorale Friday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m. Pioneer Congregational United Church of Christ, 2700 L St. • pioneerucc.org

This festive concert includes works by Haydn, Mendelssohn and John Rutter, as well as local singers of all voice types.

Hard Rock Live

The Music of Paul McCartney, Dec. 2, 8 p.m. Amon Amarth, Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m. Lindsey Stirling, Dec. 19, 8 p.m. Nancy Sit, Dec. 25, 5 p.m. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain, 3317 Forty Mile Rd., Wheatland hardrockhotelsacramento.com/entertainment

Check out this stellar December lineup at the region’s newest entertainment venue. Tickets are $20–$189.

A Christmas Market

CLARA Studios and McKeever School of Irish Dance Saturday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. 2420 N St. • claramidtown.org

In the European tradition, this outdoor holiday fair includes local artisan vendors, live performances and festive food.

Winter Wonderland

Fairytale Town December 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 1–7 p.m. 3901 Land Park Drive • fairytaletown.org

Celebrate the season with Santa, holiday lights, festive décor, various vendors, arts and crafts, and snow! Tickets are $10 for nonmembers; $7 for members; free for children 1 and younger.

Pasquale Esposito – In the Spirit of Christmas

Notable Music and Arts Organization Friday, Dec. 9, 8 p.m. The Sofi a, 2700 Capitol Ave. • bstreettheatre.org

Pasquale Esposito performs a colorful repertoire of holiday favorites in new arrangements that allow the Italian tenor to demonstrate his vocal prowess. This PBS special touring production is accompanied by San Jose State University’s orchestra. Proceeds benefi t the nonprofi t Notable Music and Arts Organization, which provides music and voice instruction to the underserved. Tickets are $55 and $65.

Santa in Winter Wonderland at Fairytale Town.

One Night Only W/ Jack Gallagher

The Sofi a Saturday, Dec. 10, 4 p.m. & 7 p.m. 2700 Capitol Ave. • bstreettheatre.org

Join standup comedian, storyteller extraordinaire and Emmy-award winner Jack Gallagher for one night! His 45-year career includes appearances on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, “Late Night with Conan O'Brien,” a reoccurring role on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” numerous fi lms and performances on stages across the country. Tickets are $23, plus handling fee.

Holiday Choral Concert!

Sacramento Valley Concert Choir Tuesday, Dec. 20, 7–9 p.m. Arden Christian Church, 4300 Las Cruces Way • svcchoir.org

Enjoy lively holiday music at this free concert with classic pieces that include “Ose Shalom,” “The Christmas Waltz,” “Nutcracker Jingles” and “Riggin’ Up the Lights.”

Dragon Discovery at Sacramento Zoo.

“Truckin’” by Kathy Dana at PBS KVIE Gallery.

A Master Singers Christmas

Sunday, Dec. 11, 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 2100 J St. Sunday, Dec. 18, 3 p.m. Fremont Presbyterian Church, 5770 Carlson Drive Friday, Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m. Harris Center for the Arts, Folsom • mastersingers.org

Revel in the beauty of the holidays with Biebl’s “Ave Maria,” a choreographed “Noel” arranged by Todd Smith, “Hlonolofatsa” arranged by Daniel Jackson, and new renditions of seasonal carols. Tickets are $37 for adults; $10 for students.

Color Chorus: Distinct Voices

PBS KVIE Gallery Dec. 13–Jan. 27, 2023 2030 West El Camino Ave. • kvie.org

This group show includes work by Miles Hermann, Patris, Ed Forrest, Kathy Dana, Polly LaPorte, Andres Alvarez, Dwight Head, Leslie McCarron and the late Earl Boley.

Dragon Discovery

Sacramento Zoo Through Feb. 26, 2023 3930 West Land Park Drive • saczoo.org

Experience 14 towering animatronic dragons from all corners of the globe and learn how some animals carry traits similar to these mythical creatures of lore. The exhibit is free with paid admission thanks to sponsor First 5 California.

“Barbie” by Stephanie Pierson at Archival Gallery.

Christmas Angels & The Nutcracker

Deane Dance Center and Sacramento Civic Ballet Saturday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, 2 p.m. The Center at Twenty-Three Hundred, 2300 Sierra Blvd. • deanedancecenter.com

Enjoy the one-act ballet “Christmas Angels” choreographed by Don Schwennesen, followed by a traditional performance of “The Nutcracker” featuring Ana Konovaloff as the Sugar Plum Fairy and David Biers as the Cavalier. Tickets are $20 for general admission; $15 for students and seniors.

Holiday Show of Hands at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic School. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner.

Small Treasures Show & Sale

Elk Grove Fine Arts Center Through Dec. 29 First Saturday Reception, Dec. 3, 4–7 p.m. 9683 Elk Grove Florin Road • elkgrovefi neartscenter.org

Each artist has created a unique themed series of fi ve small treasures on 5-by-7 wooden panels that may be purchased individually or in groups. The show also includes items perfect for holiday gift giving, such as jewelry, pottery, art prints and ornaments.

WARHOLiday

Archival Gallery Dec. 1–31 Second Saturday Reception, Dec. 10, 5–8 p.m. 3223 Folsom Blvd. • archivalgallery.com

This group show features work inspired by Andy Warhol (whom some of the participating artists met when he came to town in 1981), as well as the gallery’s signature collection of vintage Santas on display in the front window.

Holiday Show of Hands

Saint John the Evangelist Catholic School Friday, Dec. 2, 4–9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. 5701 Locust Ave. • holidayshowofh ands.com

Shop for gifts—and for yourself—at this annual show of custom work by more than 150 crafters and artists, including gift items, décor and collectibles, as well as antiques, food and a silent auction. Early-bird admission on Friday is $10 from 4–5 p.m., and $5 from 5–9 p.m. Admission is free on Saturday and Sunday.

Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento. n