‘Kansas Nutcracker’ to conclude holiday run

This is the final weekend to catch the Lawrence Arts Center’s production of “A Kansas Nutcracker.” Art exhibits, concerts and other activities — holiday-oriented and otherwise — fill out the pre-Christmas bill.

Miscellaneous

  • Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. today, Cafe Thyme, Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, Mo., (816) 697-2600.
  • “Bob the Builder LIVE!” 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. today, Kemper Arena, 1800 Genessee, Kansas City, Mo., (816) 931-3330.
  • Holiday decor demonstration, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. today, Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, Mo., (816) 697-2600.
  • Lawrence Community Barn Dance, 7:30 p.m. today, lessons 6:45 p.m., Woodlawn School, 508 Elm St., 749-1356.
  • Annual Vinland Living Nativity, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, Vinland Fairgrounds, 1/4 mile east of County Road 1055 on County Road 460, (785) 594-3568.

Art events

  • “Via ad Primum Spectaculum,” paintings by Evelyn Haaheim, with music installation by Kip Haaheim, through Jan. 31, Ad astra galleria, 205 W. Eighth St., 218-9208.
  • Photographs by Lawrence High School photography students, through Feb. 15, Watkins Community Museum of History, 1047 Mass., 841-4109.
  • “Out of the Woods,” furniture by Don Gauthier, Tom Huang, Marty Miller, Daryl Nickel, Will Orvedal and Rick Stein; wood turning by Gale Carter; boxes by Terry Evans; and photographs by Wally Emerson; ends Tuesday, Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., 843-2787.
  • Sculpture by Julian Harr; art furniture and paintings by Joelle Ford, ends Tuesday, Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., 843-2787.

Theater

  • “The Three Wisecats,” 11 a.m. today, City Stage, Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road, Kansas City, Mo., (816) 460-2020.
  • “Sarah Plain and Tall,” 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. today, 2 p.m. Sunday, Coterie Theatre, 2450 Grand Blvd., (816) 474-6552.
  • “The Gingerbread Boy,” 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. today, Lenexa Community Center, 13420 Oak, Lenexa, (816) 942-5552.
  • “A Christmas Carol,” 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. today, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Missouri Repertory Theatre, 4949 Cherry, Kansas City, Mo., (816) 235-1579.
  • “Merry Wives of Windsor,” 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. today, 2 p.m. Sunday, City Stage, Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road, Kansas City, Mo., (816) 460-2020.
  • “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” 2 p.m. today and Sunday, Theatre for Young America, 5909 Johnson Drive, Mission, (913) 831-2131.
  • “A Christmas Story,” 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. today, 2 p.m. Sunday, American Heartland Theatre, Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo., (816) 742-9999.
  • “A Tuna Christmas,” 6 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. show today, 2 p.m. show Sunday, Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy, 3028 S.W. Eighth Ave., (785) 357-5211.
  • “A Kansas Nutcracker,” 7:30 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday, Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., 843-2787.
  • “The Mineola Twins,” 8 p.m. today and 3 p.m. Sunday, Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo., (816) 531-PLAY, ext. 10.

Music

  • Melanie Dill children’s music hour, 10:30 a.m. today, children’s book area, Oread Books, level 2, Kansas Union, KU campus, 864-4431.
  • The Kicks, Primetime Heroes, 5 p.m. today (early show), The Bottleneck, 737 N.H., 841-LIVE.
  • Christmas with Octarium, 7:30 p.m. today, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terrace, Kansas City, Mo., www.octarium.org.
  • James Ward Ensemble, 8:30 p.m. today, Blue Room, American Jazz Museum, 18th and Vine streets, Kansas City, Mo., (816) 474-2929.
  • Billy Ebeling and the Late for Dinner Band, 9 p.m. today, Stu’s Midtown Tavern, 925 Iowa, 749-1666.
  • Key, The Essence, 9 p.m. today, Abe & Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth St., 841-5855.
  • Smokin’ Joe Kubek, B’ Nois King, 9 p.m. today, Grand Emporium, 3832 Main St., Kansas City, Mo., (816) 531-1504.
  • Forrest Whitlow and the Crash, Johnny Belt and The Buckles, 9 p.m. today, The Hurricane, 4048 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo., (816) 753-0884.
  • Big Metal Rooster, Cosmic Egg, 10 p.m. today, The Bottleneck, 737 N.H., 841-LIVE.
  • Annual Christmas Formal, featuring the 20-piece Jazzhaus Big Band, 10 p.m. today, The Jazzhaus, 926 1/2 Mass., 749-3320.
  • House concert (host Byron Wiley), 7 p.m. Sunday, Americana Music Academy, 1419 Mass., 830-9640.
  • Jeff Scheetz, Boomstick, 9 p.m. Sunday, Grand l Blue Magic, Fashion Show, 7:30 p.m., The Beaumont, 4050 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, Mo., (816) 561-2560.
  • Led Zeppelin 5 (featuring Be/Non), 10 p.m. Sunday, The Bottleneck, 737 N.H., 841-LIVE.
  • The Mums, 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Sunday, Eighth Street Tap Room, 801 N.H., 841-6918.