Best Bets: 'The Nutcracker' dances around Chicago, suburbs; Bret Michaels returns
Nutcrackers near and far
Tchaikovsky's classic Christmas ballet "The Nutcracker" abounds in many productions opening this weekend.
• "The Magic of the Nutcracker" by Dancenter North is at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $15-$36. (847) 263-6300 or dancenter-north.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6
• "The Art Deco Nutcracker" by A & A Ballet is at the Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $30-$50. (312) 753-3210 or aacenterfordance.org.
• "The Nutcracker" by Schaumburg Dance Ensemble is at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $25-$30; $19-$24 for students; $17-$22 for seniors. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 and 13; 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15
• "The Nutcracker" by Chicago Ballet Conservatory and presented by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra is at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $35-$50; $25-$40 kids and seniors. (847) 888-4000 or cbcnutcracker.com. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
• Moscow Ballet's "Great Russian Nutcracker" is at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $29-$99. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
Top dogs
See which breeds take the top prizes when the Skokie Valley Kennel Club sponsors the Rosemont Christmas Cluster Dog Show International this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $8-$10. (847) 692-2220 or skokievalleykc.org. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8
Winter celebration
Winter WonderFest returns with plenty of indoor attractions such as ice skating, inflatable rides and more starting this weekend at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. $20-$28; $10-$14 those under 42-inches tall and seniors ages 65 and older. (312) 595-7437 or navypier.org. Various times daily through Sunday, Jan. 12 (closed Christmas Day)
Holiday crafts
Exhibitors and vendors from around the country gather to sell seasonal crafts at the 39th Annual Lambs Farm Holiday Lights Gift & Craft Fair this weekend at Arlington International Racecourse, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. $8; Free admission for kids age 15 and under; $7 parking. (847) 385-7500 or arlingtonpark.com. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
Rocking Christmas
Fans of the heavy metal band Poison won't want to miss their invitation to "Bret Michaels' Christmas Party" tonight at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $69-$125. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6
Modern dance
Robyn Mineko Williams and Artists present "Echo Mine," a modern dance collaboration started with the late Hubbard Street Dance Chicago co-founder Claire Bataille. The world premiere is on Saturday at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $20-$50. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Singing clown
See the famed "Sad Clown with the Golden Voice" when the "Puddles Pity Party" plays on Saturday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $31-$39. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Elf endeavors
Freemont Street Theatre shows what happens when everyone at the North Pole contracts the Candy Cane Flu in "Holly the Elf Saves Christmas Eve." The family-friendly musical plays this weekend at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $16-$20. Dinner packages also available. (630) 584-6300 or pheasantrun.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7; 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8