Holiday Season Line Up

Even with the holidays (and finals) fast approaching, the Boston art scene hasn’t stopped thumping. While, for many, our schedules are already spread too thinly over the next few weeks attending holiday parties, preparing our final presentations or getting holiday shopping done, there is still a wealth of creative opportunities to explore in Boston.

Some of the best of performing art comes alive during the holiday season. Here’s a line up of the best of what’s happening in Boston over the next two weeks. Check these out if you have some free time.

December 9
The Youth pro Musica performs a holiday concert. Harvard string ensemble accompanies. Call (617) 666-6087 for details. An Evening With William Jefferson ClintonAt Temple Beth Avodah. Call (617) 527-0045 for details.

December 10
The Mills Gallery at the Boston Center for the Arts presents a sale and free exhibit ”Rest Room: Privacy & Consciousness.” Call (617) 426-8835 for details.WBOS Holiday Concert With Indigo Girls and Aimee Mann. Orpheum Theatre at 7:30 pm. Benefit for Native American environmental issues. Call (617) 931-2000 for details.

December 11
The Nutcracker at the Sanctuary Theatre. For the 14th year, the company promises a Nutcracker that focuses “on the dancing rather than the usual mime and theatrics associated with other productions.” Call (617) 824-8000 for details. See Coldplay and OK Go rock the WBCN Xmas Rave. Orpheum Theatre at 7:30pm. Call (617) 679-0810 for details.

December 12
See Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy ”A Skull in Connemara.” Ends Dec. 15. Playing at the New Repertory Theatre. Call (617) 332-1646 for detailsMix 98-5 Holiday Hoedown 2002 featuring Sheryl Crow, Susan Tedeschi, Lifehouse and Sixpence None the Richer. Orpheum Theatre at 7:00pm. Call (617) 679-0810 for details.

December 13
Take part of a true Bostonian tradition – see Holiday Pops by the Boston Pops at the historic Symphony Hall. Call (617) 266-1200 for details.

December 14
Alarm Clock Theatre Company presents ”With Friends Like These … An Evening of World Premiere One-Act Plays by Local Playwrights.” Dec. 5-7, 12-14 at the Arlington Center for the Arts. Call (781) 391-6145 for details Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers take over the Fleet Center starting at 7:30pmLos Straitjackets appears wearing Mexican wrestling masks with the Pontani Sisters at ”Rock and Roll Christmas Party.” Paradise Rock Club. Call (617) 423-6398 for details.

December 15
Christmas in Newport – The Breakers and Brunch benefiting the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Ticket price of $100 ($43 tax deductible contribution) includes transportation from Boston to the Breakers, brunch, mansion tour and a performance by the Chamber Singers of Swanhurst Chorus.A Royal Christmas at FleetCenter. This year’s production stars: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer and Charlotte Church. Performance begins at 3:00 PM

December 16
The Christmas Revels celebrate the Solstice at 8pm with traditional folk music, dance, songs, and rituals from Armenia and modern-day Georgia. Performances through Dec. 29 at Sanders Theatre. Call (617) 496-2222 for details.

December 17
Visit ”Small Works,” a sale and free exhibit of multimedia art by 59 Cambridge artists. The five-week run ends Dec. 20 at Sacramento Street Gallery. Call (617) 349-6287 for details.

December 18
“Jimmy Tingle in the Promised Land” is his new one-man show at his new theater. Jimmy Tingle’s Off Broadway, Davis Square. Call (617) 591-1616 for details.

December 19
See how the IMAX version of Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man compares to the real deal. Showtimes: 2:15pm and 5:30pm at Simons IMAX Theatre. Call (800) 296-7600 for details.

December 20
Finals are over! Take part in some true local culture by visiting your nearest bar or pub. Congratulations, you’ve earned it!