Arts & Performance

December 1–2 Friends of the Minnesota Orchestra transform the atrium, lobby and mezzanine of Orchestra Hall into a hub of eight to nine activity stations where kids and parents can partake in arts and crafts and learn about this year’s production of Peter and the Wolf, given life and humor on stage by prop-assisted actors, while also trying out the instruments they’ll soon be hearing—no extra charge. All ages. $12. Start times vary; check online for details. Read more about Peter and the Wolf

December 1–23 We all know that the best presents are homemade, but whether we’re lacking the time or expertise, sometimes homemade goods are just simply too difficult to pull together. Thanks to Minnetonka Center for the Arts, you can take that overwhelming trip to the crowded mall off your schedule. Minnetonka Center for the Arts hosts Arts of the Holidays, a show and sale of handmade art and fine crafts curated specifically for holiday gifts. All ages. Free. Read more about Arts of the Holidays

“Minnesotans, Irish-American or not, are so open to Irish music—how melodic it is,” Katie McMahon says. For the 13th year, the Irish soprano and harpist will fill the O’Shaughnessy with traditional European Christmas music, Corda Mór dancers in tow and accompanied this year by choral ensemble Kantorei for an Austrian-German selection. Icy weather notwithstanding, audiences always bring the holiday warmth. “In Minnesota, they just don’t stop for snow,” says McMahon. Read more about A Celtic Christmas

November 12 and 19 For its two remaining Saturdays in November, this series features several up-and-coming artists from Minnesota and New York who show off their stuff at Pillsbury House Theatre in South Minneapolis. Now in its 19th year, the series features different artists and performers each night. This year, the event will include a tribute to former participant and spoken word artists Kirk Washington, who died in a car accident last year. Arrive early at 8 p.m. and share a meal with the artists before the show at no extra cost. Ages 16 and up. 8 p.m.–midnight. $15. Read more about Pillsbury House Theatre’s Late Nite Series

Get ready for a night of soulful tunes as singer/songwriter Chastity Brown performs at Red House Live from the Landmark Center. Brown, voted Minneapolis’ Best Folk Artist by City Pages in 2012, combines indie, roots and soul, rock, blues and country to channel themes of hunger, desperation and confidence. Read more about Chastity Brown

How
can we express the deep joy of the “most wonderful time of the year”? By
singing, of course! But what to sing? MCS offers two enchanting choices: from
the 18^th century, Vivaldi’s long lost but supremely exuberant Gloria; and from just a few years ago,
John Rutter’s When Icicles Hang,
settings of poems by Campion, Shakespeare, and that most prolific of
Elizabethan poets, Anonymous. Read more about Joyous Noel - a concert by Minnetonka Choral Society

Join us as we go "under the sea' for the holidays! Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved
stories and the classic animated film, Disney's The Little Mermaid is a
hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. This fishy fable will capture
your heart with its irresistible songs including "Under the Sea,"
"Kiss the Girl," and "Part of Your World."

Prince & Princess Day Matinees - December 4, 11 & 18! Come dressed and your favorite Disney Prince or Princess and take your photo with Ariel after the show! Read more about Minnetonka Theatre Presents: Disney's The Little Mermaid

Put on a happy face! Army-bound rock star Conrad Birdie's
farewell appearance in Sweet Apple, Ohio is the talk of the town. But it's a
teenage crisis for new "steadies" Hugo and Kim: she just won the
chance to give Birdie one last kiss before boot camp. Kids, parents and show
folk collide in this classic hip-swiveling musical comedy set at the dawn of
the sensational '60s. Bring the entire family to discover we've got a lot of
livin' to do!  Read more about Bye Bye Birdie

Artists in the group exhibition use a variety of media to explore how building adds to and disrupts local, national and international urban landscapes. Read more about Brick x Brick

The dancers bring African-American artist Jacob Lawrence’s paintings to life through stepping, South African gumboot and traditional Western African dance, vocals and drumming. Read more about Step Afrika!