ENTERTAINMENT

Things to do this weekend: Dec. 4-6

Rasputin Todd
rtodd@cincinnati.com
J.J. Brutvan was in full baseball gear waiting for his turn at batting practice during 2013’s festivities at Redsfest.

Dec. 4-5: Redsfest, 3-10:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday, Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown. Meet players and coaches, kids fun zone, Reds Hall of Fame exhibit and memorabilia gallery, autograph and photo booths, Reds merchandise, interactive games and more. Benefits Reds Community Fund. 513-381-7337; www.reds.com/redsfest.

Dec. 4-6: Christkindlmarkt, 6-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Courtyard by Marriott Hamilton, 1 Riverfront Plaza, Hamilton. Vendors with German items, such as wax ornaments, beer steins, pyramids, nutcrackers, wooden toys, Rookwood pottery, Gluhwein, German beer and food. German music and dancing. 513-258-2360.

Christmas Town at the Creation Museum.

Dec. 4-28: Christmas Town, 5-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Creation Museum, 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg. Featuring free live nativity, lights and live dramas. Free. 800-721-2298; creationmuseum.org.

Dec. 4-6: Holiday on the Hill, 5-10 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, Price Hill. Price varies per event. 513-251-3800, ext. 105; www.holidayonthehill.org.

Dec. 4-11: Victorian Holiday Village, 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, 5-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Ohio National Financial Services, One Financial Way, Montgomery. Greater Cincinnati tradition features variety of holiday activities. Houses decorated with holiday scenes, thousands of lights and free family entertainment. Free. 513-794-6100; www.ohionational.com.

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Dec. 4-5: Christmas Saengerfest, 7-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Over-the-Rhine. See award-winning choirs from World Choir Games and visit various venues in Over-the-Rhine. Beer from Christian Moerlein and food from Taste of Belgium, Servatii’s and more. Shop at holiday market. Tour churches, hall and brewery. Shuttle buses available. Per day: $25, both days: $50; ages 12 and under free with adult. 513-509-2694; www.christmassaengerfest.com.

Alisa Weilerstein.

Dec. 4-5: Prokofiev + Cello Majesty, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Husband-wife duo Rafael Payare (conductor) and Alisa Weilerstein (celloist) create introspective, melodic night of Shostakovich and Prokofiev at the Orchestra. Program includes Shostakovich’s dramatic Cello Concerto No. 2 and Prokofiev’s popular Symphony No. 5. $12 and up. 513-381-3300; www.cincinnatisymphony.org.

Dec. 4-6: CCM Dance: Fall Dance Concert, 8-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday, Patricia Corbett Theater, University of Cincinnati, University Heights. CCM Ballet Ensemble presents mixed bill of 5 pieces choreographed and restaged by CCM Dance faculty members Deirdre Carberry and Andre Megerdichian, as well as by guest choreographers, Diego Salterini and David Hochoy. $15, $10 non-UC students, free UC students. 513-556-4183; ccm.uc.edu.

Charlie Brown.

Dec. 4-13: A Charlie Brown Christmas, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, 2-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. Presented by The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. $7-$25 plus fees. 800-745-3000; www.thechildrenstheatre.com.

Dec. 4-5: Holiday Delights Showcase, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, 5-6 p.m. Saturday, Sharonville Cultural Arts Center, 11165 Reading Road, Sharonville. Theater. Children from Tri-state sing in hour-long performance of holiday music. $10. 513-554-1014; www.sharonvilleculturalarts.org.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Dec. 4: Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 4 and 8 p.m., U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway, Downtown. Band plays progressive rock, symphonic and heavy metal, with influences from classical music. The Christmas Attic Winter Tour. Benefits St. Joseph’s Orphanage, Toys for Tots and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. $35.50-$73 plus fees. 800-745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com.

Dec. 4: Letters Home, 7:30 p.m., Aronoff Center, Jarson-Kaplan Theater, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. Production inspired by The New York Times Op-Ed article “The Things They Wrote” and HBO documentary Last Letters Home. Without politicizing, play gives audiences powerful portrait of soldier experience in Afghanistan and Iraq wars. $30. 513-621-2787; www.cincinnatiarts.org.

Dec. 4: 30th Anniversary of Panorama of Cincinnati, 5-8 p.m., Cincinnati Art Galleries, 225 E. Sixth St., Downtown. Paintings from Cincinnati’s Golden Age of Art (1850-1930s). Exhibition continues through Dec. 31. Benefits Cincinnati Museum Center. $100. Reservations required. 513-381-2128; www.cincyart.com.

Red Wanting Blue.

Dec. 4: Acoustic Evening with Red Wanting Blue, 8:15 p.m., Ludlow Garage, 342 Ludlow Ave., Clifton. Assigned seating. $20, $15. 513-616-2640; www.liveattheludlowgarage.com.

Wonky Tonk.

Dec. 4: Wonky Tonk, 10 p.m., Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside. With Coconut Milk, The Wilderness. Free. 513-542-3603; www.northsidetav.com/cincy.

Dec. 4: Modern Living: Objects and Context Opening, 5:30-9 p.m., The Carnegie, 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington. Free. 859-957-1940; www.thecarnegie.com.

Dec. 4: Ink Bleeds 5: Art of Modern Rock, 6-11 p.m., Art Academy of Cincinnati-Pearlman Gallery, 1212 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine. Features nationally recognized local rock poster artists BLDG, James Billiter, The Lodge, Brian Methe, Keith Neltner, Powerhouse, Tommy Sheehan, Rob Warnick and We Have Become Vikings. Live music by Temple, The Recreation and The Tillers. Art Chantry lecture at 7 p.m. Free. 513-562-6262; www.artacademy.edu.

Macy’s Downtown Dazzle.

Dec. 5: Macy’s Downtown Dazzle, 6:30 p.m., Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown. Santa rappels down the side of the 525 Vine Building office tower to the Macy’s rooftop at Fountain Square to kick off holiday fireworks display. The 20-minute family-friendly program also features holiday music. Theme: Give Back for the Holidays (Choir begins 5:45p) Free. 513-421-4440.

Dec. 5: Caroling in the Quarter, noon-7 p.m., Over-the-Rhine. Local choirs and roving carolers perform throughout neighborhood, spreading holiday cheer. Free. 513-241-2690; www.otrchamber.com.

Dec. 5: Holiday in the Village, 5-7 p.m., City of Montgomery. Tour Montgomery and visit holiday stops like North Pole Workshop, Snowman Station, Winter Wonderland and Victorian Holiday Village. See website for more information. Free. 513-891-2424; www.montgomeryohio.org.

Dec. 5: Holiday Lights, 5-7 p.m., Bridgewater Falls Lifestyle Shopping Center, 3385 Princeton Road, Fairfield Township. Tree lighting by township dignitaries, carriage rides, music, petting zoo, and free giveaway for kids while supplies last in this traditional and family-friendly event. Free. 513-490-7419; www.shopbridgewaterfalls.com.

Dec. 5: Holiday Tree Lighting, 4-6:30 p.m., Anderson Towne Center, 7500 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township. Entertainment, kids’ games, community groups, shopping, refreshments and more. Santa on hand to take requests and visit with children. Tree lighting ceremony starts at 6 p.m. Free. 513-688-8400; www.atcstores.com.

Holly Jolly Trolley.

Dec. 5: Metro Holly Jolly Downtown Trolley, noon-5 p.m., Westin Hotel, 21 E. Fifth St., Downtown. Ride trolley to see downtown sights from Fourth, Fifth, Pike and Elm streets. Boarding in front of Westin Hotel on Fifth and Vine streets. Free. 513-421-4440; www.downtowncincinnati.com.

Dec. 5: Old Seminary Square Christmas Walk, 5-8 p.m., Old Seminary Square Neighborhood, Russell Street, Covington. 10 homes will fully decorated in holiday fashion. Ticket holders visit homes, discover history and enjoy refreshments. Holmes High School Choir provides Christmas Carols. $20. 859-261-1266; www.oldseminarysquare.org.

Dec. 5: Santa’s Workshop, 1-3 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. 513-621-4400.

Dec. 5: The Nutcracker, 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. Cincinnati Ballet’s Otto M. Budig Dance Academy. Journey through land of sweets with Spanish coffee, Chinese tea and Sugarplum fairies. Free. 513-287-7000; www.cincymuseum.org.

Dec. 5: Clay Alliance Holiday Fair, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Clifton Cultural Arts Center, 3711 Clifton Ave., Clifton. Variety of hand-made gifts from over 30 artists. Pieces to fit every budget. Free. 513-497-2860; www.clayalliance.org.

Dec. 5: Ohio Valley Hutchinson Jingle Bell 5K, 10-11 a.m., Voice of America MetroPark, 7850 Voice of America Park Drive, West Chester Township. Voice of America Park lake. Put on reindeer antlers, elf ears, or Santa suit and join family-friendly 5K run/walk. Benefits Florida College. $20, $15 ages 9-17, free ages 8 and under. Registration required. 513-867-5835; hutchinsonjinglebell5k.weebly.com.

East Row Historic District of Newport, Ky.

Dec. 5-6: East Row Victorian Christmas Home Tour, noon-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Carnegie Events Center, 401 Monmouth St., Newport. Pick up ticket/map at Carnegie Event Center. Benefits East Row Historic Foundation. $18, free ages 12 and under. 859-653-0118; www.east-row.org.

Dec. 5: WinterFest, 1-4 p.m., The Grove Banquet Hall, 9150 Winton Road, Finneytown. Mapcap Puppet show, Santa, hay rides, games, crafts and storytelling. Donations for unwrapped toys benefit local families in need and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Benefits ArtsConnect. Free. 513-522-1410; www.theartsconnect.us.

Dec. 5: Oxford Holiday Festival, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Oxford Community Arts Center, 10 S. College Ave., Oxford. Craft fair, live reindeer, Kid Korner. Tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m., visit from Santa. Business open houses with treats and specials. Free. 513-523-8687; www.enjoyoxford.org.

Professional Bull Riders.

Dec. 6: PBR: Professional Bull Riders, 5:30 p.m., U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway, Downtown. Best up-and-coming bull riders in the world. $15-$75. 800-745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com.

Dec. 6: Moon Taxi, 8 p.m., Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. $20, $18 advance. 513-232-6220; www.tafttheatre.org.

Carrie Brownstein struck a guitar-heroine pose when Sleater-Kinney played Union Transfer in Philadelphia.

Dec. 6: Sleater-Kinney, 7 p.m., Bogart’s, 2621 Vine St., Corryville. $27.50. 513-281-8400; www.bogarts.com.

Dec. 6: Arrival of St. Nicholas, 6 p.m., MainStrasse Village, Main Street, Covington. Goose Girl Fountain. Saint Nicholas arrives on horseback. Each child receives gift and free hot chocolate and cookies. Free. 859-491-0458; www.mainstrasse.org.

Dec. 6: Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Holiday Concert: The Bells of Christmas, 7-9 p.m., Montgomery Assembly of God, 7950 Pfeiffer Road, Montgomery. Joint concert with Cincinnati Choral Society, Cincinnati Collaborative Ringing Project and UC president and cello soloist Santa Ono. Free. 513-549-2197.

Dec. 6: Chamber Players: Beethoven’s Piano Trio, 4 p.m., Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Showcasing music from Nielsen, Schulhoff and Beethoven. $35. 513-381-3300; www.cincinnatisymphony.org.

Toys for Tots program.

Dec. 6: Toys for Tots Benefit Concert, 2-3:30 p.m., Mount St. Joseph University, 5701 Delhi Road, Delhi Township. Auditorium. Westside Community Band presents Christmas concert. Bring new, unwrapped toy. Donations by cash or check also accepted. Benefits Toys for Tots. 513-328-4853; on.fb.me/1W7QSJk.

Dec. 6: Holiday Concert, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Miami University Middletown, 4200 N. University Blvd., Middletown. Finkelman Auditorium. Director Chris Brandenburg and associate director Dan Nichols leads Southwestern Ohio Symphonic Band holiday concert. Free. 513-727-3200; www.sosband.org.

Dec. 6: A Christmas Portrait, 3 p.m., Seton High School, 3901 Glenway Ave., West Price Hill. Auditorium. Christmas concert featuring traditional, classical and modern selections. Featuring local entertainer Nancy James. Free. 513-941-8956.

Dec. 6: O.F.F. Winter Market, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 20th Century Theater, 3021 Madison Road, Oakley. Cincinnati-area artisans, peddlers and food vendors. Free admission. 513-520-4635; www.theoffmarket.org.

Warren Bryson plays the leading role of Prince Freddy in Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati's production of "Cinderella."

Through Jan. 3: Cinderella, 7-9 p.m. Friday, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Saturday, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine. Fresh, fun contemporary take on classic fairy tale that demonstrates being smart is true beauty. Suitable for all ages. $28-$44. Reservations recommended. 513-421-3555; www.ensemblecincinnati.org.

Through Dec. 6: The Nutcracker Holiday Ballet, 10-11:30 a.m. and 7-9 p.m. Friday, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Saturday, 2-4 p.m. Sunday, School for Creative and Performing Arts, 108 W. Central Parkway, Over-the-Rhine. Directed by Patricia Rozow and Daryl Bjoza. $15, $13 seniors, $10 students, $5 SCPA students. 513-363-8100; www.scpak12.org.

After the turkey: 2015 holiday events are here

Through Dec. 6: Annie Jr., 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Mechanic Street Playhouse, 10 S. Mechanic St., Lebanon. Features over 25 students ages 6-18. Presented by Lebanon Theatre Company. $15. 513-228-0932; www.ltcplays.com.

Through Dec. 20: Rent, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Warsaw Federal Incline Theater, 801 Matson Place, East Price Hill. Inspiring musical about friends struggling with addiction, poverty, AIDS and love. Presented by Cincinnati Landmark Productions. $26, $23 seniors and students. 513-241-6550; www.warsawfederalinclinetheater.com.