It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
And that can only mean one thing.
Dust off your beret, Bainbridge, and pour some vino, because the island’s ballet seasonal staple, Olympic Performance Group’s annual production of “The Nutcracker,” is coming to you from vintage France this time around.
This year’s show once more reimagines the holiday classic, this time transporting the timeless tale of Clara and her special gift to 1940s France. Music and dancing — ballet, jazz, acrobatics, contemporary styles — and a plethora of other performers, too, await audiences adventurous enough for this new take on the Christmas classic, which will be staged at the North Kitsap Auditorium (1881 NE Hostmark St., Poulsbo) at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 and Sunday, Dec. 17.
Tickets, $20 each, $18 for seniors and $15 for youth, students and military, are available at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3101537 and also, while supplies last, at the door.
Is your idea of spirit a little more spartan?
Want the fun without the frills?
Bainbridge-based Island Theatre will present an evening of dramatic readings of holiday stories by some of the group’s favorite actors at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 and Sunday, Dec. 17 at the Bainbridge Public Library.
The program is free and open to the public; donations are appreciated.
The lineup includes pieces by such literary luminaries as David Sedaris (“Seasons Greetings”), Anton Chekhov (“At Christmas Time”), Leo Tolstoy (“Papa Panov”), W.H. Auden (“For the Time Being: A Christmas Oratorio”), Alfred Lord Tennyson (“Ring Wild Bells”) and Dylan Thomas (“A Child’s Christmas in Wales”).
Or, maybe you prefer a blue Christmas.
A very moody, blue Christmas.
Forest Beutel, a nationally touring musician since he was 18 years old, will rock the Treehouse Café at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 in a special free concert.
Donations are appreciated, doors open to those 21-and-older only.
Beutel is a one-man band extraordinaire, and is currently a leading figure in the genre called Americana Blues, drawing influences from roots music across the U.S.
His voice blends the high lonesome sounds of Hank Williams and Townes Van Zandt with gruff baritone vibrations akin to Tom Waits and Johnny Cash.
His banjo, harmonica, and voice combine to create a soulful and unique sound.
Visit www.treehousebainbridge.com or www.forestmarekbeutel.com to learn more.
Also, don’t forget that the holiday shows from both Ovation! Performing Arts Northwest (“South Pacific”) and Bainbridge Performing Arts (“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”) are on stage now!
The Bainbridge Blab is your one-stop spot to get the 411 on all things 98110. From South Beach to Agate Passage, Battle Point to Rolling Bay, we’ve got the straight skinny on Bainbridge Island: the latest chatter, babble and burble. News, too. Have a tip or a comment for the Blab? Email us at editor@bainbridgereview.com.
