Diversions from Nov. 23, 2006

Ticketmaster events are sold at Macy’s and Iggle Entertainment, both in Hermitage; ticketmaster.com; and at 330-747-1212.



A Christmas Carol



• Major Productions presents “A Christmas Carol” at 7 p.m. Dec. 20 in Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio. Tickets: 330-841-2931 and online: www.packardmusichall.com

• Academy Theatre, Meadville, presents “Scrooge! The Musical,” the story of how the Christmas spirit works its way into the heart of the miserly Ebeneezer, is on stage at 8:15 p.m. Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 and 2 p.m. Dec. 3, 9 and 17. Tickets: 814-337-8000.

• “The Musical Christmas Carol,” the tale of how a lonely, greedy miser is overcome by the Christmas spirit, lights up the stage of Byham Theater, Pittsburgh, Dec. 8-23. Tickets: 412-456-6666 and online: www.pittsburghCLO.org

• Great Lakes Theatre Festival presents “A Christmas Carol,” Nov. 24-Dec. 23 at Ohio Theatre, Cleveland. Tickets and info: 800-766-6048 and online: www.playhousesquare.com

Christmas



• Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, will be decked out for the holidays for its first Christmas open house from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Also shown will be carousel memorabilia, selections from the Butler’s Americana collection, Hummels and glass bells. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will be on hand from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday for photos. Classic holiday films will be screened in Beecher Auditorium. Punch and cookies will be free, and Winslow’s Cafe will feature special lunch items. Info: 330-743-1711 and online: www.butlerart.com

• Festival of Lights, featuring Christmas displays from 5:30 to 10 p.m. nightly opens today at Yellow Duck Park, Canfield, Ohio. Admission is by person or carload. Online info: www.yellowduckpark.com

• Olde Fashioned Christmas at the Mill features Victorian Christmas displays, roasted chestnuts, unique gifts, craft demonstrations and entertainment by harpist Kirk Kupensky, bagpiper Mark Pringle, juggler Kevin Delagrange, balloon artist Joe Sullivan and folk ensemble One String Short from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Lanterman’s Mill, Youngstown. Info: 330-740-7107.

• Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, presents the Neapolitan Presepio, which sets the Nativity in an 18th-century Italian village, Friday through Jan. 7. The museum also will be decorated with seasonal displays and will feature weekend concerts and Christmas paintings by Edward Coley Burne-Jones. Info: 412-622-3131 and online: www.cmoa.org

• Holiday film classics, family gatherings, improvised Christmas carols and Hanukkah celebrations — nothing will be sacred when the sketch comedy group “Second City” performs at 8 p.m. Dec. 13-15 and 7 and 10 p.m. Dec. 16 in O’Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh. Tickets: 412-316-1600 and online: www.ppt.org

• “Polar Express” chugs into the Omnimax Theatre of Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland, Dec. 8 through Jan. 18. Ticketmaster. Info: 216-694-2000 and online: www.GreatScience.com

• Clayton, the home of industrialist Henry Clay Frick, is decorated for the holidays through Jan. 7 based on the domestic roles of women during the late 19th century. Clayton is part of the Frick Art and Historical Center, Pittsburgh. Info: 412-371-0600 and online: www.frickart.org

• Hale Farm and Village, Bath, Ohio, will offer lantern tours of homes decorated for Christmas during the Civil War era Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16. Reservations are required. Info: 330-666-3711 and online: www.wrhs.org

Christmas music



• Silver Cornet Band tunes up for a Christmas concert at 8 p.m. Friday at Barrow-Civic Theatre, Franklin. Free, but a donation of canned goods for the Salvation Army is requested. Tickets and info: 814-437-3440, 800-537-7769 and online: www.barrowtheatre.com

• The University of Pittsburgh Men’s Glee Club presents its holiday show at 8 p.m. Dec. 1 in Heinz Chapel, Pittsburgh. Heinz Chapel Choir presents Christmas concerts at 8 p.m. Dec. 2 and 8, and 3 p.m. Dec. 3 and 10. Tickets and info: 412-624-4125 or online info: www.music.pitt.edu

• Enjoy “Christmas Around the World” with the Moscow Boys Choir at the Erie Civic Center at 8 p.m. Dec. 7. Tickets: 814-864-5681 and online: www.eriecivicmusic.com

• Shenango Valley Chorale, accompanied by the Shenango Valley Chorale Chamber Orchestra, presents Christmas concerts at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 in Wallace Memorial Chapel of Westminster College, New Wilmington, and at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 in First Presbyterian Church, 600 E. State St., Sharon. The concerts will also feature the Shenango Area Youth Chorus, under the direction of Julie Morris, and the Youngstown Fine Arts Brass. Shenango Valley Chorale Madrigal Singers’ “Old English Feaste” will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 through Dec. 3 at Tara, Clark. Madrigal reservations: 724-699-6948 or online: www.shenangovalleychorale.com

• Erie Philharmonic is “Home for the Holidays” at 8 p.m. Dec. 9 and 2 p.m. Dec. 10 in Warner Theatre, Erie. Tickets: 814-455-1375 and online: www.eriephil.org

• Mercer Community Band kicks off its 30th season with a Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 in Mercer High School auditorium. The band will be joined by vocal soloists Mary Tetrick Rumelfanger and saxophonist Fred Boles. Johnny Oakes will open the show at 6:15 p.m. with holiday selections played on accordion. Admission to the concert is $1 or a nonperishable food item, with all proceeds going to a local food bank.

• Warren Civic Music Association sets a waltz beat with a Viennese Christmas holiday show with the New Sigmund Romberg Orchestra and soloists at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio. Tickets: 330-841-2931. W.D. Packard Concert Band plays holiday favorites at 2 p.m. Dec. 3. Free.

• New Castle Music Club presents Handel’s “Messiah” at 3 p.m. Sunday in Mary, Mother of Hope Roman Catholic Church, New Castle. Harry Cunningham will direct the club’s 66th annual performance.

• Butler County Symphony Orchestra presents its holiday concert, “Red and White,” at 8 p.m. Dec. 2 at Butler Intermediate High School, Butler. Selections will include Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” and tunes from “The Nutcracker Suite.” Tickets: symphony box office and at the door. Info: 724-283-1402.

• Youngstown Symphony Orchestra presents a pops concert featuring Marvin Hamlisch, J. Mark McVey of Broadway’s “Les Miserables” and James McClellan at 8 p.m. Dec. 2 in DeYor Performing Arts Center, Youngstown. The programs includes holiday and Hamlisch favorites. Joe Augustine Quartet will be joined by vocalist Bill Cessna for a show of holiday favorites and originals by jazz pianist Augustine at 3 p.m. Dec. 10. Tickets: 330-744-0264 and online: www.youngstownsymphony.com

• Trans-Siberian Orchestra performs at 8 p.m. Dec. 1 and 3 and 8 p.m. Dec. 2 at Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, and 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 in Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh. Ticketmaster.

• Rockapella, a five-man vocal group that will perform holiday classics and songs of their own, takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 in Slippery Rock University’s Miller Auditorium. Tickets: 724-738-2091.

• Kenny Rogers croons Christmas carols and the hits at 8 p.m. Dec. 6 in Chevrolet Centre, Youngstown. Tickets: 866-4-GETTIX, at the Chevrolet Centre box office or online: www.gettix.net Online info: www.chevroletcentre.com

• “That Time of the Year,” a musical revue of 25 all-original Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s songs in rock, blues and jazz, makes merry at 8:15 p.m. Dec. 8, 9, 15 and 16 and 2:15 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17 in Meadville Community Theatre, Meadville. Reservations: 814-333-1773.

• Youngstown Symphony Chorus sings a holiday concert of carols and classical works at 4 p.m. Dec. 3 in First Presbyterian Church, Youngstown. Tickets: at the door. Info: 330-881-9517 and online: www.ysc-online.org

• The Oak Ridge Boys bring their “Christmas Cookies Tour” to Warner Theatre, Erie, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4. Ticketmaster, 814-452-4857 or 814-456-7070. Online info: www.erieevents.com The boys also sing at 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 1 in Palace Theatre, Greensburg. Tickets and info: 724-836-8000 and online: www.thepalacetheatre.org

• Jim Brickman offers a holiday concert at 8 p.m. Dec. 29 in Benedum Center, Pittsburgh. Tickets and info: 412-456-6666 and online: www.pgharts.org

• Seraphim presents a choral Christmas concert with dinner at 6 p.m. Dec. 9 in Mary, Mother of Hope Parish Center, New Castle, and a free concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 10 in Boardman (Ohio) United Methodist Church.

• University of Pittsburgh Men’s Glee Club will perform an a cappella concert featuring works by Biebl, Palestrina, Humperdinck and Durante, traditional carols and jazz arrangements of such classics as “White Christmas” and “Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” at 8 p.m. Dec. 1 in Heinz Chapel, Pittsburgh. Women’s Choral Ensemble will perform a holiday concert with sacred and secular songs at 8 p.m. Dec. 9. Tickets: at the door.

• Christmas Music Spectacular, a Radio City Music Hall-style show, will be staged 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9; and 3 p.m. Dec. 10 at Akron Civic Theater. Ticketmaster. Info: 330-535-3179 and online: www.akroncivic.com

• Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra presents a holiday show in Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14, 8 p.m. Dec. 15, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Dec. 16, and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17. Tickets: 412-392-4900 or online: www.pittsburghsymphony.org

• “Jingle Bell Swing” with British singer Helen Welch, Dave Banks Big Band and the Walsh Jesuit Show Choir, will perform classic and pop holiday songs done in big band, theatrical and jazz styles, 3:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at Palace Theater, Cleveland. Tickets and info: 800-766-6048 and online: www.playhousesquare.com

• “Swingin’ Christmas,” with Helen Welch and the Dave Banks Big Band performing the music of Ella Fitzgerald, Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin and others, will go on Dec. 4 and 11 at Carousel Dinner Theatre, Akron. Tickets: 800-362-4100 and online: www.carouseldinnertheatre.com

• TubaChristmas will feature more than 600 festively decorated tuba players, 4 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17 in Akron Civic Theater. Ticketmaster. Info: 330-535-3179 and online: www.akroncivic.com

• Akron Symphony Orchestra performs its holiday pops program at 8 p.m. Dec. 8 in Thomas Hall at the University of Akron. Ticketmaster. Info: 330-535-3179 and online: www.akroncivic.com

• Lira Ensemble of Chicago presents “A Polish Christmas” at 8 p.m. Dec. 10 in Cleveland Convention Center. Ticketmaster.

• Cleveland Orchestra presents Christmas concerts, Dec. 15-24; Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus, featuring soprano Twyla Robinson, mezzo-soprano Kelley O’Connor and bass-baritone Timothy Jones, present a Baroque Christmas with Bach’s “Magnificat” and portions of Handel’s “Messiah,” at 8 p.m. Dec. 19 and 20 in Severance Hall, Cleveland. Tickets and info: 800-686-1141, 216-231-1111 and online: www.clevelandorch.com

Christmas stage



• “A Little Princess Christmas” tells the rags-to-riches story of a little girl whose one Christmas wish is to have her father return home to her at 10 a.m. Friday in Palace Theatre, Greensburg. Tickets and info: 724-836-8000 and online: www.thepalacetheatre.org

• The classic movie “A Christmas Story” is brought to the stage as Ralphie’s quest for the Red Ryder BB gun comes to life at Erie Playhouse Nov. 30-Dec. 3, 6-10 and 14-17. Tickets and info: 814-454-2852 and online: www.erieplayhouse.org

• “Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold,” is a comedy that features a living Nativity of audience members, Friday through Dec. 31 in City Theatre, Pittsburgh. Tickets and info 412-431-CITY and online: www.citytheatrecompany.org

• Amanda Post offers a Christmas show at 8 p.m. Dec. 2 and 2 p.m. Dec. 3 in Warner Theatre, Erie. Ticketmaster, 814-452-4857 or 814-456-7070. Online info: www.erieevents.com

• Silver Cornet Band’s musical version of “A Wonderful Life,” is on stage at Barrow-Civic Theatre, Franklin, at 8 p.m. Dec. 7-9 and 2 p.m. Dec. 10. Tickets and info: 814-437-3440, 800-537-7769 and online: www.barrowtheatre.com

• Pittsburgh Camerata presents the “Christmas Story” in choral music and narrative during these shows: 8 p.m. Dec. 2 at Sixth Presbyterian Church, Squirrel Hill; 3 p.m. Dec. 3 at Mount Lebanon United Lutheran Church; 8 p.m. Dec. 8 at Smithfield United Church, Pittsburgh; and 8 p.m. Dec. 9 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Highland Park. Tickets: 412-421-5884. Info: 412-421-5884 and online: www.pittsburghcamerata.org

• “A Christmas Story,” based on the film, takes the Cleveland Play House stage at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays Nov. 30 through Dec. 23. Info: 216-795-7000 and online: www.clevelandplayhouse.com

Classical



• Austrian conductor Manfred Honeck leads the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra through two performances that include a viola concerto by Bach at 8 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh. Violinist Joshua Bell assists the orchestra in playing tunes by Brahms at 8 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2, and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh. Tickets: 412-392-4900 or online: www.pittsburghsymphony.org

• Members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Joshua Bell perform at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30 in Hard Rock Café, Station Square, Pittsburgh. Violinist Chris Wu and former symphony cellist Owen Young are among those who will perform. The repertoire includes the music of Mendelssohn and selections from “The Red Violin.” Tickets: 412-392-6070.

• Vienna Boys Choir sings at 8 p.m. Nov. 30 at Thomas Hall, University of Akron. Ticketmaster. Info: 330-535-3179 and online: www.akroncivic.com

• Cleveland Pops presents a Christmas concert at 2 p.m. Sunday in State Theatre, Cleveland. Tickets and info: 800-766-6048 and online: www.playhousesquare.com

• Cleveland Orchestra and pianist Stephen Hough play Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff and Wagner at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday in Severance Hall, Cleveland. Tickets and info: 800-686-1141, 216-231-1111 and online: www.clevelandorch.com

• Titusville Council on the Arts presents Pittsburgh Symphony Brass at 2 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Christian Activities Center, Titusville. The concert is followed by a Christmas reception and art auction. Tickets: $10 for adults and $5 for students. Info: 814-827-2381.

• Violinist Andrés Cárdenes and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra perform works by Bach, Bruch and others at 8 p.m. Dec. 9 in Scottish Rite Cathedral, New Castle. Tickets: 800-743-8560 and online: www.pittsburghsymphony.org

Comedy



• Steve Lott gets a lot of laughs at 8 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Funny Farm Comedy Club, Liberty, Ohio. Tickets and info: 330-759-HAHA and online: www.funnyfarmcomedyclub.com

• Improvising at the Improv, Cleveland: Untamed Shrews, 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, and Harry Basil, 8 p.m. Nov. 29 and 30 Reservations: 216-696-4677 or online: www.clevelandimprov.com

• The Improv’s Homestead club offers Jaime Kennedy at 8 and 10 p.m. Friday, 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday. Info: 412-462-5233 and online: www.improv.com

• Getting the last laugh in Jr.’s Last Laugh, Erie: Steve Caouette featuring Dan Swartwout and Gail Litz, at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Info: 814-461-0911 and online: www.jrslastlaugh.com

ä Tickling the Funnybone, Pittsburgh: Bill Scott with Kevin Hurley and Tom Kupiec, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Info: 412-281-3130 and online: www.funnybonepgh.com

• Hilarious at Hilarities, Cleveland: Greg Warren, Tuesday through Dec. 3. Info: 216-443-1000 and online: www.pickwickandfrolic.com

Dramatic stage



• Oakland Center for the Arts, Youngstown, falls in “Luv” with Murray Schisgal’s play at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Dec. 1 and 2, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: 330-746-0404

• Theresa Gambacorta brings her one-woman show, “La Magnani,” in which she portrays Academy Award-winning actress Ann Magnani, to Carnegie Library Lecture Hall, Oakland section of Pittsburgh, at 8 p.m. Dec. 6. Tickets: 412-394-3353 or online: www.proartstickets.org. Online info: www.calliopehouse.org

• Pittsburgh Public Theater presents “The Secret Letters of Jackie and Marilyn,” based on the book of the secret letters of Marilyn Monroe and Jacqueline Kennedy, through Dec. 10 at the O’Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh. Tickets: 412-316-1600 and online: www.ppt.org

• “A Picasso” by Jeffrey Hatcher, in which a French Ministry of Culture official interrogates Picasso in 1941 about the authenticity of three of his works as German troops occupy France, is on stage through Dec. 10 in City Theatre, Pittsburgh. Tickets and info 412-431-CITY and online: www.citytheatrecompany.org

• Hugh Whitemore’s “Pack of Lies,” based on a 1961 espionage investigation, unspools intrigue at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Dec. 1, 2, 8 and 9 in Kennedy’s Cabaret, Cleveland. Tickets and info: 800-766-6048 and online: www.playhousesquare.com

• Main Course Murder is back to killing people off for the fun of a dinner theater crowd. This year, MCM is singing with “The Contraltos” at 7 p.m. Fridays in Holiday Inn MetroPlex, Liberty, Ohio. Info: 888-447-0606.

Etc.



• Broadway singer and television actress Shirley Jones performs with the help of a 12-piece orchestra at 8 p.m. Saturday in Palace Theatre, Greensburg. Tickets and info: 724-836-8000 and online: www.thepalacetheatre.org

• The Grove City College Orchesis Dance Troupe will present “Orchesis: Back to the Future” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 and 2 and 2 p.m. Dec. 2 in Ketler Auditorium of the Pew Fine Arts Center on campus. The student-led group annually performs a fall show with student-choreographed and performed dances. Free with tickets available in the Student Union, beginning Monday.

• “Miniature Railroad and Village,” a display of handmade scale replicas of historic sites that highlight the heritage of western Pennsylvania, returns Friday to Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh. Admission to the exhibit, which includes a trip back to the time when a gallon of gas was 27 cents, is included with the price of admission to the center. Info: 412-237-3400 and online: www.carnegiesciencecenter.org

• Ellis Marsalis Trio, the ReBirth Brass Band and Chris Thomas King join in “A Celebration of New Orleans Music” Dec. 7-10 in Manchester Craftsman’s Guild, Pittsburgh. Tickets: 412-322-0800 and online: www.mcgjazz.org

• The French film “To Be and To Have,” the story of a dedicated man who teaches children of all ages in a one-room schoolhouse, continues the Jack Erhardt International Film Series at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 in the Sebastian Mueller Theater in McKelvey Campus Center at Westminster College, New Wilmington. Free.

• Pittsburgh Folk Music Society presents part of its 2006-07 Calliope concert series at Carnegie Lecture Hall, Oakland: the Wailin’ Jennys roots trio at 8 p.m. Dec. 2. Tickets: 412-394-3353 or online: www.proartstickets.org. Online info: www.calliopehouse.org

• See WWE Raw chafe at 8 p.m. Monday in Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh. Ticketmaster. Info: 412-642-1800 and online: www.mellonarena.com

Karaoke



• Today: Blue Ice Karaoke show starts at 10 p.m. at Yank’s Place, Idaho Street, Farrell; Hawkeye has more than 80,000 tracks to choose from at 9:30 p.m. in Jerry’s Tavern, Sharpsville; Sam Tonelli hosts karaoke at 9 p.m. in Harry’s, Sharpsville; and Blue Moon Entertainment shines at 9:30 p.m. in the New England Tavern, Greenville.

• Friday: Blaire Audio is at Leftheris Tavern, Masury, at 9:30 p.m.; Tunesmith tunes up at 9:30 p.m. at Sidebar & Grille, Mercer; host Chuck Nelson from Nelson’s DJ Service has games, prizes and dancing at 9:30 p.m. at Barto’s Bar & Grill, Brookfield Avenue, Masury; and Simply Ed Karaoke starts at 9:30 p.m. in Thunder Alley at Quaker Steak and Lube, Sharon. Dusty spins in Chestnut Street Cafe, Sharon.

• Saturday: Dusty goes wild at 10 p.m. in Chestnut Street Cafe, Sharon; Chuck Nelson spins at 9:30 p.m. at Barto’s Bar & Grill, Masury; Hawkeye is at 9 p.m. Saturday in Farrell Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5286, 1233 Idaho St.; and the Jai-Alai in Hermitage presents Screaming Karaoke at 9:30 p.m. Blaire Audio is back at Leftheris Tavern, Masury, at 9:30 p.m. Blazing Entertainment fires up from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at PaPa Louie’s Motocross Cafe & Finish Line, Brookfield.

• Sunday: Karaoke tunes purr at 9 p.m. in Alley Cat Lounge, Greenville; Blue Ice Karaoke starts at 10 p.m. at Another Corner Tavern, Sharon; and Hawkeye is back at Jerry’s Tavern, Sharpsville.

• Monday: Marshall B. and Gary C. from Blaire’s Audio host at 9:30 p.m. in RJ’s Bar and Grille, Masury.

• Tuesday: Karaoke tunes purr at 9 p.m. in Alley Cat Lounge, Greenville; sing with Sandy at 8:30 p.m. at Tony’s Pizza and Pub, Sharon.

• Wednesday: Sound Effects by Joe are at 8:30 p.m. at Danny’s Country Inn, Sharpsville; Dusty keeps it spinning at R.P. McMurphy’s, Masury, formerly Barney’s, at 10 p.m.; Blue Ice Karaoke starts at 10 p.m. at Danny’s Too, Greenville; Chuck Nelson hosts at 9:30 p.m. in Barto’s Bar & Grill, Masury. Blazing Entertainment reignites from 8 p.m. to midnight at Papa Louie’s Motocross Cafe & Finish Line, Brookfield.

Local bands



• Penn State-Shenango History Club hosts the 2nd Annual Make-A-Wish Foundation Benefit Show beginning at 2 p.m. Dec. 16 in Sharon Hall’s Great Hall. The concert features the Proposal, A Voice Like Rhetoric, A Dramatic Ending, Jacob Hope, Minkus, Via Transit, Paperback Fiction, Safety in Darkness, Operation Super-Catch and Missing Since November. Admission is a suggested donation of $10 or more. Information: 724-301-3783

• Wild Turkey plays wild post-Turkey Day bashes at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Clark House, Clark.

• Alias Eggs Extract plays ’70s psychedelia and space rock ala Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream and Hawkwind at 10 p.m. Saturday in the Chestnut Street Cafe, Sharon.

• Hern Brothers Band keeps on rocking at 9:30 p.m. Friday at JW’s in the Radisson Hotel, Shenango Township, and 10 p.m. Saturday in Stateline Tavern, East Palestine, Ohio. Online band info: www.hernbrothers.com

• Variety on the Square presents Chuck Thorpe & Friends, playing country, bluegrass, folk and gospel at 7 p.m. on Fridays at 110 N. Pitt St., Mercer. There is an admission charge.

• Max and Terry, bring their eclectic blend of the blues and the Dead to Tully’s Irish Pub, Sharon, at 9 p.m. Monday. Info: 724-981-3123 and online: www.quakersteakandlube.com

• Joe “The Wet Sprocket” performs solo acoustic tunes by, of course, Toad The Wet Sprocket, along with a mix of popular and obscure songs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Downtown Coffee Cafe, Hubbard. Club info: 330-534-1199.

• Tommy Chris sings hits from the ’60, ’70s and ’80s from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday at Gallo’s Italian Villa, 3601 E. State St., Hermitage. Panhandle JR plays boot skoot music with a splash of karaoke from 8:30 p.m. Friday to 12:30 a.m. Saturday. Steve and Diana play a variety of hits from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday. Vic Rangel plays your favorite oldies hits and dance music from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. Info: 724-346-5912.

• Savoy will play Saturday night at Drunken Jacks in Boardman, Ohio.

• Peppermint Twist sweetens the oldies at 8 p.m. Friday in the Titusville American Legion.

• Pipe Dreams dreams of “London Girls” at 9 p.m. Saturday in the Vernon Center Hall, Crawford County.

• Steve Vuich hosts the “Tangled Up in Blues” open blues stage at 10 p.m. Wednesdays in Clancy’s, Warren, Ohio. He hosts a turkey jam at 9 p.m. Thursdays in Tully’s Irish Pub, Sharon, and 10 p.m. Mondays in Shevie’s, Vienna. Vuich’s band, the River Saints, rock Friday in Nick’s Inn 62, Hermitage.

• Pie Rossi hosts an oldies sing-along at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Harry’s, Sharpsville.

• FX Project plays high-energy blues at 9:30 p.m. in Lake Tavern, state Route 46, Mecca, Ohio. Online info: www.thefxproject.com

Musical stage



• “Oliver!” wants some more as he journeys through the streets of London in search of love, through Dec. 3 at New Castle Playhouse, New Castle. Reservations: 724-654-3437. Tickets: at the door and online: www.TicketLeap.com. Info: 724-657-9369 and online: www.ncplayhouse.com

• A mother confronts her past when her daughter’s three possible dads return to a Greek island just as the girl is about to be married in “Mama Mia,” on stage Tuesday through Dec. 3 in Benedum Center, Pittsburgh. Tickets and info: 412-456-6666 and online: www.pgharts.org

• Carousel Dinner Theatre performers are “Singin’ in the Rain” through Jan. 6 in Akron. Tickets: 800-362-4100 and online: www.carouseldinnertheatre.com

• “The Rat Pack: Live at The Sands” recreates a legendary evening at The Sands hotel when Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin performed. This version hits the stage Dec. 26-31 in Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh. Tickets: 412-392-4900 or online: www.pittsburghspeakersseries.org

Nutcracker



• American Academy of Ballet dances “The Nutcracker” at 1 p.m. Dec. 16 in Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio. Tickets: 330-841-2931 and online: www.packardmusichall.com

• Cincinnati Ballet performs “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7; 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 8; 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 9; and 1 and 6 p.m. Dec. 10 in Allen Theatre, Cleveland. Tickets and info: 800-766-6048 and online: www.playhousesquare.com

• Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre performs “The Nutcracker” Dec. 8-23 in the Benedum Center, Pittsburgh. Tickets: 412-456-6666 and online: www.pbt.org

• Children’s Ballet Theatre’s production of “The Nutcracker” goes on at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 2; 2 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 3; and 7 p.m. Dec. 1 in Akron Civic Theater. Ticketmaster. Info: 330-535-3179 and online: www.akroncivic.com

• Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra presents “The Nutcracker” at 3 and 8 p.m. Dec. 9 and 3 p.m. Dec. 10 in Barrow-Civic Theatre, Franklin. Tickets and info: 814-437-3440, 800-537-7769 and online: www.barrowtheatre.com

• “The Nutcracker” will be staged at 1 and 3 p.m. Dec. 16, 22 and 23 at Cleveland Play House Children’s Theatre. Info: 216-795-7000 and online: www.clevelandplayhouse.com

• “The Nutcracker” dances at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 17 in Warner Theatre, Erie. Ticketmaster, 814-452-4857 or 814-456-7070. Online info: www.erieevents.com

Pop



• Melanie sings at 8 p.m. Nov. 25 in Kent (Ohio) Stage. Online tickets: www.ticketweb.com Info: 330-677-5005 and online: www.kentstage.org

• Gary Puckett, Grass Roots and Sonny Geraci play at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Cleveland Agora. Ticketmaster. Info: 216-881-6911 and online: www.clevelandagora.com

Rock



• Guns N’ Roses, featuring lead singer Axl Rose, rock on at 8 p.m. Friday in Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland. Ticketmaster. Online info: theqarena.com

• Reel Big Fish will “Turn the Radio Off” at 7 p.m. Friday in Mr. Small’s Theatre, Millvale, Pa. Also enjoy the return of Dr. Octagon at 9 p.m. Dec. 1. See if Killswitch Engage is “Alive or Just Breathing” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Tickets: 800-594-TIXX and online info: www.mrsmalls.musictoday.com

• Dropping Daylight advises fans to “Brace Yourself” at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Cellar, Struthers, Ohio. Rivers Edge and Sotaro also play. Info: 330-750-0199 and online: www.thecellarrocks.com

• Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials liven up Turkey Day at 8 p.m. today in Moondog’s, Blawnox, Pa. Info: 412-828-2040 and online: www.moondogs.us

• Kottonmouth Kings hosts a “Joint Venture” with its fans at 7 p.m. Saturday in Peabody’s DownUnder, Cleveland. Ticketmaster. Info: 216-776-9999 and online: www.peabodys.com

• Pere Ubu performs at 9 p.m. Friday at Beachland Ballroom, Euclid, Ohio. Tickets and info: 216-383-1124 and online: www.beachlandballroom.com

• Blue Cheer performs with original members Dick Peterson and Paul Whaley and the Schwartz Brothers, at 10:30 p.m. Friday at Beachland Ballroom, Euclid, Ohio. Tickets and info: 216-383-1124 and online: www.beachlandballroom.com

Spoken word



• Former Secretary of State Colin Powell speaks at 8 p.m. Dec. 6 in Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh. Tickets: 412-392-4900 or online: www.pittsburghspeakersseries.org

• The Second Tuesday Open Poetry Reading hosted by Pig Iron Press continues at 8 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Bean Counter Cafe, 47 Federal Plaza E., Youngstown. There is no admission charge and presenters may sign-in at the door and are allowed eight minutes to recite. Info: 330-747-6932.

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