Check out ‘The Nutcracker,’ tree lightings and 9 Best Bets this week
With Thanksgiving out of the way, it’s time to dive into the holiday spirit. Here’s a look at what’s going on this week.
‘The Nutcracker’
What is Christmas without Clara battling the Mouse King with Nutcracker Prince? The Carolina Ballet’s telling of the quintessential family holiday tradition “The Nutcracker” once again turns the stage into the Land of Sweets with the Sugar Plum Fairy. The can’t-miss production — staged this month at three venues across the Triangle — features 100-plus local children with live symphony orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s famous score, grand magical illusions and magnificent costumes and sets.
Bonus: Carolina Ballet’s fifth annual Nutcracker Treats program is back for the month of December —showgoers (and the public at large!) can partake in special Nutcracker-themed desserts and cocktails at area venues to celebrate the season (even a beer collab with Trophy!).
Extra bonus: The Carolina Ballet will host a warm and fuzzy donation drive, Give the Gift of Socks, with area nonprofit Note in the Pocket. Donate one of the most overlooked items each year: new socks for K-12 kids in need. The Ballet will offer guests $15 off tickets to either Nutcracker performance on Friday, Dec. 20, with the donation of two pairs of new socks (call the box office 919.719.0900 for more information). Dec. 7-29 at UNC Memorial Hall, DPAC and Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, dates and times vary. From $30. carolinaballet.com
Tree lightings
If you missed the first round of holiday tree lightings across the Triangle, there are more chances to get lit in the Bull City and Downtown Raleigh.
▪ In Durham, join Paperhand Puppet Intervention and Batala Durham drummers in CCB Plaza (Dec. 6, 7 p.m.) for a festive danceable tree (er, tower) lighting — bringing new meaning to rockin’ around the Christmas tree. Post-tower lighting, keep the party going as you follow puppets and drummers up Blackwell Street. americantobaccocampus.com
▪ In Raleigh, head to the Capitol with Gov. Roy Cooper for the State Tree Lighting and Holiday Open House (Dec. 12). Festivities kick off at 5 p.m. with luminaries and holiday music by Raleigh Concert Band and dance by Alicia’s School of the Performing Arts. The ceremony will officially begin at 6:15 p.m. as the governor and dignitaries descend on the South grounds. Cookies and hot chocolate will be on offer by the Junior Woman’s Club, and, of course, don’t miss Santa!
▪ The annual Capitol holiday open house will begin post-ceremony at 6:30 p.m. with a Wake Med Chorus serenade, as the public is invited in to peep dignified holiday decor (Executive Mansion open post-ceremony 6 to 9 p.m.; plus Dec. 13-14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Dec. 15, 1-4 p.m.).
▪ And… do you hear what I hear? Holiday music fans will want to stop by the Capitol between Dec. 12 to 14 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) for festive tunes in the rotunda. All Capitol and Mansion events are free and open to the public, with no reservations needed. ncdcr.gov
‘Cinderella’
Cinderelly, Cinderelly! Pop over to Raleigh Little Theatre and see if the glass slipper still fits. The RLT quintessential holiday rom-com classic is back for its 36th year to sparkle up your season. A sugarplum for the whole fam, the visually stunning musical merges elegant costumes and scenery with singing, dancing, conniving step-relatives (played by longtime actors Dennis Poole and Timothy Cherry in several performances, though not all) and resourceful fairy folk. Cantey V. Sutton Theatre, Raleigh. Dec. 6-22, times vary. Members $25.18, opening weekend $26, all other tickets $31. raleighlittletheatre.org
Meet the cartoonist
Flash back to Saturday morning cartoons — think Scooby Doo, Rugrats, Smurfs and the Flintstones. Now go back to The Beatles’ landmark film, “Yellow Submarine,” which was released Nov. 13, 1968. Artist Ron Campbell was the animator behind scenes in the film and many of those hit cartoons. He also was director of the 1960s Saturday Morning TV Beatles cartoon series — and he is still drawing. He will bring some of those iconic works to Studio 71 Frame Shop & Gallery in Hillsborough. His work will be up for sale, and he’ll paint original works with purchase of art. The exhibit is free. Dec. 6, 4 to 8 p.m.; Dec. 7, 12 noon to 5 p.m.; Dec. 8, 12 noon to 4 p.m. 243 S. Churton St., Hillsborough. 919-732-5569 or gallery71nc.com
Pop-up Art Festival of Lights
Celebrate the start of Hanukkah with a viewing of the N.C. Museum of Art’s Hanukkah lamps, and create your own sculptural lantern to take home. NCMA, West Building, Judaic Gallery, Raleigh. Dec. 8, noon. Free. ncartmuseum.org
Tom Green
Tom Green rose to public acclaim, thanks to his groundbreaking eponymous MTV “The Tom Green Show.” He helped change television, thanks to his pre-social-media man-on-the-street-style pranks. The seasoned screen and stand-up act takes the stage for a night of laughter. Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main St., Cary. Dec. 6, 7 and 9:15 p.m.; Dec. 7, 6:30 and 9 p.m.; Dec. 8, 7 p.m. Tickets 18+, $25-$75. improv.com/raleigh
Hot cider and nuts
We see your chestnuts roasting on an open fire, and raise you hot nuts and cider. Get festive at Raleigh City Farm. Crack and roast wild foraged nuts around the fire while enjoying tunes from local musicians The Bluegrass Hoppers and Daniel Osborne. Sip from the make-your-own hot spiked cider bar with wild foraged add-ins and local spirits by Fair Game Beverage Company and TOPO Organic Distillery. Local baked goods and crafts will be on offer at market tables, plus the opportunity to make your own historic decorations for the Farm tree. Buy your own fir to take home and deck at the Farm’s open tree lot, from High Country Firs. 800 N. Blount St., Raleigh. Dec. 7, 5-8 p.m. Early bird admission, no cocktail, $5; early bird with cocktail $10, kids 2 and under free. facebook.com/raleighcityfarm
Selfies with Santa
Tee up an epic holiday season with Santa selfies, candy canes and holiday vibes for the whole fam at Drive Shack Raleigh. Kids eat free with BayPlay purchase. Game face, on! 6901 Play Golf Way, Raleigh. Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. driveshack.com
Tiki Time
Nothing screams winter like a Tiki Party. Celebrate Hi-Wire Brewing’s first birthday in Durham with this winter Tiki party featuring a whole pig roast by Steve Goff from The Blind Pig Catering, limbo and hula contests, an inflatable palm tree slide, a Hawaiian word spelling bee (a-l-o-h-a!), tunes from the Live Steel Band and, of course, Tiki-inspired drinks. It’s fun to be 1! 800 Taylor St., Suite 9-150, Durham. Dec. 7, 4-9 p.m. Free to enter.
Sleigh Rides and Cider
Cider rules indeed at this festive affair with horse-drawn carriage rides, hot apple cider (obviously), live music, holiday games and crafts, plus a visit from Ole Saint Nick himself. Historic Oak View County Park, 4028 Carya Drive, Raleigh. Dec. 7, 5-7 p.m. Free. wakegove.com/sleighrides
First Friday
’Tis the season for… art! Don’t miss the final First Friday of the year with a host of events and exhibits. Our pick? Perhaps some winter treasures at Wintertide at V L Rees Gallery, followed by a First Friday cocktail roundtable at Vidrio. Raleigh, Dec. 6. Locations and times vary. Mostly free. downtownraleigh.org/first-friday-raleigh/about
This story was originally published December 4, 2019 at 9:30 AM.