Calendar Submissions

The entertainment calendar is published Wednesdays and Saturdays on a space-available basis. Submit entertainment items at least a week before publication dates to calendar@reporternewspapers.com.

Events

Sococulture: For information about cultural events throughout South King County, visit www.sococulture.org.

Renton Youth Symphony Orchestra: 3 p.m., Dec. 20, Carco Theatre – 1717 Maple Valley Highway. 425.430.6700.

ShoWare Center Grand Opening: 4-9 p.m. Jan. 2. Come celebrate the opening of Kent’s new events center. Cost: Free. ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St., Kent. 253-856-6999 or www.showarecenter.com.

Auditions

“Lost In Yonkers” audition: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Jan. 4; 7-9 p.m. Jan. 5. Open auditions for Neil Simon play. Prepare 1-2 minute monologue; bring headshot and resume. Call for details, audition appointments. Renton Civic Theatre, 507 S. Third St. 425-226-5529 or boxoffice@rentoncivictheater.org.

Theater

Evergreen City Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”: Dec. 20-21. Cost: $18-$38. IKEA Performing Arts Center, 400 S. Second St., Renton. www.evergreencityballet.org.

“Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus”: Through Dec. 20. Cost: $17-$22. Renton Civic Theater, 507 S. Third St. 425-226-5529.

Disney’s “High School Musical”: Jan. 9-11. One-act version of the popular play presented by Hi-Liners DownStage Center. Cost: $10. Carco Theater, 1717 Maple Valley Highway, Renton. 206-617-2152 or www.hi-liners.org.

“The Wonder Bread Years”: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24. Part stand-up comedy, part theater production, show offers a hilarious salute to the baby-boomer generation. Cost: $15-$17. Auburn Performing Arts Center, 700 E. Main St. 253-931-3043 or www.auburnwa.gov/arts.

“Lost in Yonkers”: Feb. 20-March 7. Call for cost. Renton Civic Theatre, 507 S. Third St. 425-226-5529 or boxoffice@rentoncivictheater.org.

“Goldilocks and the Three Bears”: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Feb. 28; 1 and 3 p.m. March 1. Storybook Theater presents a twist on the classic folktale. Cost: $9. Carco Theater, 1717 Maple Valley Highway, Renton. 877-827-1100 or www.storybooktheater.org.

Nightlife

Cascade Lanes, Lounge and Casino: Performers: Dec. 20, Kickstart; Dec. 27, LaGrange; Dec. 31, Old School Dropouts New Year’s Eve Party; Jan. 3, The Jet City Players; Jan. 10, Energy; Jan. 17, Thunderhead; Jan. 24, Kickstart; Jan. 31, The Jon Casey Band. No cover. 17034 116th Ave. S.E., Renton. 425-226-2035.

Museums

Renton History Museum: Free tours: 11 a.m. the third Saturday of the month. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Closed on holidays. Admission: $3 for adults; $1 for children; free for ages 7 and younger and members. 235 Mill Ave. S. 425-255-2330 or www.rentonhistory.org.

Galleries

Seahurst Art Gallery: Events: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays through December, holiday open house. Exhibits: Ongoing, rotating displays of paintings, pottery and jewelry by local artists. Hours: Noon-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. 15210 10th Ave. S.W., Burien. 206-244-7844.

Seattle events

Handel’s “Messiah”: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20; 3 p.m. Dec. 21. Performance by the Tudor Choir with Seattle Baroque Orchestra. Cost: $19-$25. Town Hall Seattle, 1119 Eighth Ave. 800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com.

The Pajama Men—“Versus vs. Versus”: 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays through Dec. 20. Fast-paced physical comedy duo to perform. Cost: $12-$18. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., Seattle. 800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com.

“Orpheus’s Lyre”: 1 p.m. Dec. 21. Intimate performance for music lovers of all ages. Presented by Early Music Guild. Cost: $5-$10. Town Hall Seattle, Town Hall Seattle, 1119 Eighth Ave. 206-325-7066 or www.earlymusicguild.org.

“My Ántonia”: Through Dec. 21. Play depicts friendship and hardship on the Great Plains. Presented by Book-It Repertory Theatre. Call for cost. Center House Theatre, 305 Harrison St., Seattle. 206-216-0833 or www.book-it.com.

“A(n Improvised) Christmas Carol”: Thursdays-Sundays through Dec. 21. Performers take audience suggestions and use them to tell a new version of Dickens’ story. Presented by Unexpected Productions. Cost: $12. Market Theater in Pike Place Market, 1428 Post Alley, Seattle. 206-587-2414 or www.brownpapertickets.com.

Carter Family Marionettes—“Cinderella”: Through Dec. 21. Cost: $8.50-$9. Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave. N.E., Seattle. 800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com.

“boom”: Through Dec. 21. A nerdy marine biologist hopes to save life on Earth, and get a date, before the impending apocalypse. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 305 Harrison St., Seattle. 206-443-2222, 877-900-9285 or www.seattlerep.org.

Evergreen Classic Jazz Band: 12:30-4:30 p.m. Dec. 21. Presented by Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society. Cost: $8-$11. Ballard Elks Lodge, 6411 Seaview Ave. N.W., Seattle. 425-776-5072 or www.pstjs.org.

Seattle Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert—“Fruitcake”: Through Dec. 22. Cost: $20-$65. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle. www.flyinghouse.org.

“Plaid Tidings”: Through Dec. 23. Holiday edition of the musical comedy “Forever Plaid.” Call for cost, details. ArtsWest Playhouse, 4711 California Ave. S.W., Seattle. 206-938-0339 or www.artswest.org.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”: Through Dec. 24. Presented by Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse. Greenlake Bathhouse Theatre, 7312 W. Greenlake Drive N., Seattle. 206-524-1300 or www.seattlepublictheater.org.

Womb Escape 2008 Xtreme Improv Tournament: 8:30 p.m. Dec. 26-27. Cost: $10 online; $12 at the door. 1428 Post Alley, Seattle. 206-587-2414 or www.unexpectedproductions.org.

“The Christmas Foundling”: Through Dec. 27. Presented by Taproot Theatre Company. Call for cost. Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., Seattle. 206-781-9707 or www.taproottheatre.org.

Christmas Carol Concert: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 27. Performance by the Tudor Choir. Cost: $20. Blessed Sacrament Church, 5041 Ninth Ave. N.E., Seattle. www.tudorchoir.org.

“A Christmas Carol”: Through Dec. 27. ACT Theatre’s 33rd annual production of Dickens’ classic tale. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., Seattle. 206-292-7676 or www.acttheatre.org.

“Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”: Through Dec. 28. Cost: $22-$81. The 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., Seattle. 206-625-1900, 888-584-4849 or www.5thavenue.org.

Oprah Winfrey presents “The Color Purple”: Through Dec. 28. Musical based on the novel by Alice Walker. The Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle. 206-292-2787 or www.theparamount.com.

Pacific Northwest Ballet—Stowell/Sendak “Nutcracker”: Through Dec. 30. PNB performs Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” ballet with choreography by Kent Stowell and costume and scenic design by Maurice Sendak. Cost: $24-$130. Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St., Seattle. 206-441-2424 or www.pnb.org.

Qwest Carousel: Through Dec. 31. Part of the KING 5 Holiday Wonderland in downtown Seattle. Cost: $2 donation. Westlake Park, 401 Pine St., Seattle.

Xtreme Theatresports New Year’s Eve Party: 10 p.m.-midnight Dec. 31. Audience members score competing improv teams. Stay for New Year’s party afterward till 2 a.m. Cost: $25 in advance; $30 at the door. Unexpected Productions, 1428 Post Alley, Seattle. www.unexpectedproductions.org.

Sheraton Seattle’s 16th annual Gingerbread Village: Through Jan. 4. Display, themed “A Superhero Holiday,” features elaborate gingerbread structures designed by top Seattle architects. Cost: Free; donations welcome for Northwest Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Lobby of Sheraton Seattle, 1400 Sixth Ave. 206-621-9000.

Trader Joe’s Silent Movie Mondays: 7 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 5-26. Series, titled “Oh the Horror!” features a different classic silent horror film each week. Cost: $12. The Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle. 206-292-2787 or www.theparamount.com.

Blue Note Records 70th Anniversary on Tour: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8. The Blue Note 7 to perform. Cost: $28-$42. The Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle. 206-292-2787 or www.theparamount.com.

“Tomás and the Library Lady”: Jan. 9-March 1. An illiterate migrant boy learns about the magic of words with the help of the Library Lady. Recommended for ages 7 and older. Cost: $13-$33. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 201 Thomas St., Seattle. 206-441-3322 or www.sct.org.

UW World Series­—Peking Acrobats: 2 and 8 p.m. Jan. 10. Cost: $20-$35. Meany Hall at the University of Washington, 4001 University Way N.E., Seattle. 206-543-4880 or www.uwworldseries.org.

UW World Series­—Takács String Quartet: 8 p.m. Jan. 14. Cost: $20-$35. Meany Hall at the University of Washington, 4001 University Way N.E., Seattle. 206-543-4880 or www.uwworldseries.org.

“The Road to Mecca”: Jan. 15-Feb. 14. Play tells the story of an elderly woman’s struggle to maintain her independence. Cost: $10-$59. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 305 Harrison St., Seattle. 206-443-2222, 877-900-9285 or www.seattlerep.org.

“The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley”: 5 p.m. Jan. 16; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Jan. 17. Musical based on the children’s book series by Jeff Brown. Cost: $17-$35. The Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle. 206-292-2787 or www.themoore.com.

“Act a Lady”: Jan. 16-Feb. 14. Call for cost. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave., Seattle. 206-324-5801 or www.brownpapertickets.com.

“The Wizard of Oz”: Through Jan. 17. Presented by Seattle Children’s Theatre. Recommended for ages 6 and older. Cost: $15-$40. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 201 Thomas St., Seattle. 205-441-3322 or www.sct.org.

Paul Mesner Puppets—“Wiley and the Hairy Man”: Jan. 17-Feb. 1. African-American folktales told through puppetry. Cost: $8.50-$9. Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave. N.E., Seattle. 800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com.

Divine Performing Arts Chinese New Year Spectacular: 2 and 7 p.m. Jan. 18. Show features Chinese music and dance. Cost: $35-$105. The Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle. 800-910-8901 or www.theparamount.com.

“Well”: Jan. 21-Feb. 15. One-woman show tells the story of a woman’s ability to heal a neighborhood, despite her inability to heal herself. ArtsWest Playhouse, 4711 California Ave. S.W., Seattle. 206-938-0339 or www.artswest.org.

“An Evening with Garrison Keillor”: Jan. 22. Author and host of NPR’s “A Prairie Home Companion” Keillor to entertain. Call for cost. The Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle. 206-292-2787 or www.theparamount.com.

Smucker’s Stars on Ice “On the Edge”: 3 p.m. Jan. 24. Skaters include Sasha Cohen, Jeffrey Buttle, Todd Eldredge, Yuka Sato and more. See Web site for cost. KeyArena, 305 Harrison St., Seattle Center. 206-628-0888 or www.starsonice.com.

“Video Games Live”: 8 p.m. Jan. 24. Multimedia concert highlights music from popular video games throughout history. Cost: $25-$65. The Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle. 206-292-2787 or www.theparamount.com.

Greg Behrendt: 7 p.m. Jan. 24. Stand-up comedian Behrendt to perform. Cost: $29.50. The Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle. 206-628-0888 or www.themoore.com.

“Memphis”: Jan. 27-Feb. 15. New musical about the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. Cost: $22-$81. The 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., Seattle. 206-625-1900, 888-584-4849 or www.5thavenue.org.

Etta James and the Roots Band: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28. Cost: $35-$65. The Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle. 206-292-2787 or www.theparamount.com.

UW World Series­—Kodo: 8 p.m. Jan. 30-31. Japanese drum performance. Cost: $20-$40. Meany Hall at the University of Washington, 4001 University Way N.E., Seattle. 206-543-4880 or www.uwworldseries.org.

“Pharaoh Serket and the Lost Stone of Fire”: Jan. 30-March 7. Adventure tale set in ancient Egypt recommended for ages 8 and older. Cost: $17-$34. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 201 Thomas St., Seattle. 206-441-3322 or www.sct.org.

Savion Glover’s “Bare Soundz”: 8 p.m. Jan. 31. Glover and company to perform in concert-style tap dance production. Cost: $30-$55. The Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle. 206-292-2787 or www.themoore.com.

Ensemble Electra: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3. Performance sponsored by Early Music Guild and Trinity Parish Church. Cost: $10-$25. Trinity Parish Church, 609 Eighth Ave., Seattle. 206-325-7066 or www.earlymusicguild.org.

UW World Series­—Lar Lubovitch Dance Company: 8 p.m. Feb. 5-7. Cost: $38. Meany Hall at the University of Washington, 4001 University Way N.E., Seattle. 206-543-4880 or www.uwworldseries.org.

“L’Orfeo”: Feb. 6-8. Italian opera company La Venexiana performs Monteverdi’s masterpiece. Presented by Early Music Guild. Call for cost. The Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle. 206-628-0888 or www.themoore.com.

“Monkey Goes Fishing” Chinese hand-puppet play: Feb. 7-15. Call for cost. Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave. N.E., Seattle. 800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com.

“Moby Dick, or The Whale”: Feb. 10-March 8. Presented by Book-It Repertory Theatre. Call for cost. Center House Theatre, 305 Harrison St., Seattle. 206-216-0833 or www.book-it.org.

Disney’s “The Lion King”: Feb. 11-March 15. Cost: $19.50-$130. The Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle. 206-292-2787 or www.theparamount.com.

Louis C.K.: 8 p.m. Feb. 13. Stand-up comic to perform. Cost: $27.50. The Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle. 206-628-0888 or www.themoore.com.

David Crowe’s Laugh Lovers Ball: Feb. 14. Valentine’s Day comedy show features stand-up, sketch, music, audience participation and more. Call for cost. The Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle. 206-628-0888 or www.themoore.com.

“Verbruggen Plays Vivaldi”: Feb. 14-15. Seattle Baroque Orchestra to perform with recorder virtuoso Marion Verbruggen. Call for cost. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle. 206-322-3118 or www.seattlebaroque.org.

“A Rosa de Rio – The Rose of Rio”: Through Feb. 15. Features acrobatics, vaudevillian humor, contortionist tricks and cabaret music under the spiegeltent. Cost: $104-$170; includes five-course dinner. Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., Seattle. 206-802-0015 or www.zinzanni.org.

David Byrne: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18. Musician Byrne to perform. Cost: $45. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle. 206-628-0888 or www.ticketmaster.com.

The Blind Boys of Alabama: 8 p.m. Feb. 20. Gospel music group to perform. Cost: $25-$35. The Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle. 206-628-0888 or www.themoore.com.

“Chicken Sunday”: 11 a.m. Feb. 21. Play tells the story of three best friends from different cultures. Presented by Book-It Repertory Theatre. Cost: $10-$12. Center House Theatre, 305 Harrison St., Seattle. 206-216-0833 or www.book-it.org.

Susan Tedeschi with James Hunter: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22. Cost: $25-$50. The Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle. 206-628-0888 or www.themoore.com.

UW World Series­—Jupiter String Quartet: 8 p.m. Feb. 25. Cost: $33. Meany Hall at the University of Washington, 4001 University Way N.E., Seattle. 206-543-4880 or www.uwworldseries.org.

Locust and Cruz Control: Feb. 27. Seattle-based dance crews perform hip hop and modern dance. Call for cost. The Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle. 206-628-0888 or www.themoore.com.

Antony and the Johnsons: 8 p.m. Feb. 28. Cost: $27.50. The Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle. 206-628-0888 or www.themoore.com.

Piffaro: 8 p.m. Feb. 28. Renaissance band Piffaro to perform as part of Early Music Guild’s International Series. Cost: $20-$38. Town Hall Seattle, 1119 Eighth Ave. 206-325-7066 or www.earlymusicguild.org.

“The Jungle Books”: 11 a.m. April 25. Presented by Book-It Repertory Theatre. Cost: $10-$12. Center House Theatre, 305 Harrison St., Seattle. 206-216-0833 or www.book-it.org.