Pianist Jim Fischer will headline a pair of benefit concerts for Friends of the Carpenter, a Vancouver-based ministry for the homeless. Each of Fischer’s concerts will spotlight guest vocalists and ensemble musicians. He will perform with the Clark College Chorale on Sunday afternoon and Vancouver’s Touch of Class Chorale Sunday evening.
When: 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Vancouver School of Arts and Academics’ Royal Durst Theatre, 3101 Main St., Vancouver.
Admission: $15 in advance, and $20 at the door.
Telephone: 360-750-4752.
On the Web: friendsofthecarpenter.org.
The benefit concert is one of several holiday happenings taking place throughout Clark County this weekend. Other options include a play that attempts to ties a variety of Christmas stories and a pair of productions of “The Nutcracker.”
- Magenta Theater thinks big with latest production
Magenta Theater’s latest comedy attempts to tell “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!).” In the play, three actors eschew Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” in favor of trying to tell every Christmas story and share Christmas traditions from around the world.
When: The play continues through Dec. 19. Shows are at 7 tonight, Thursday, Friday, Dec. 12 and 18-19, as well as 2 p.m. Dec. 12.
Where: Magenta Theater, 606 Main St., Vancouver
Admission: $10-$15.
Telephone: 360-635-4358.
On the Web: magentatheater.com.
- Rheingans jazzes up holiday season
Pianist Thomas Rheingans rings in the season by performing a variety of holiday classics. Rheingans will feature songs such as “Valley of the Bells,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Linus and Lucy.” The concert is a benefit for the Community Voice Mail program.
When: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. today.
Where: Washington State School for the Blind’s Emil Fries Auditorium, 2214 E. 13th St., Vancouver.
Admission: $12 for the 2 p.m. performance or $16 for the evening performance.
Tickets through Brown Paper Tickets, 800-838-3006 or brownpapertickets.com.
On the Web: liveatthefries.com.
- Local performances of ‘The Nutcracker’ begin
The holidays are here again, which means it’s time for productions of “The Nutcracker.” A pair of Clark County dance troupes present their takes on the classic tale this weekend.
Northwest Classical Ballet’s production features all new choreography from director Maricar Drilon.
Vancouver Dance Theatre is also presenting “The Nutcracker.” The semi-professional troupe is made up of dancers ranging in age from 5 to young adults.
A third Clark County version of “The Nutcracker” is coming later this month. Columbia Dance’s production will debut Dec. 18 at the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics’ Royal Durst Theatre.
When: Northwest Classical Ballet performs at 4 and 7:30 p.m. today.
Vancouver Dance Theatre performs at 2 and 7 p.m. today, as well as 2 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Northwest Classical Ballet performs at Prairie High School, 11500 N.E. 117th Ave., Vancouver.
Vancouver Dance Theatre performs at Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E. 18th St., Vancouver.
Admission: $11 for the Northwest Classical Ballet performance.
$12, and $10 for children 18 and younger and seniors 65 and older for the Vancouver Dance Theatre performance.
Telephone: 360-571-3311 for Northwest Classical Ballet.
On the Web: nwclassicalballet.com or vancouverdancetheatre.com.
- ‘A Christmas Carol’ is just the start at dramatic reading
Living history actor Al LePage will present a dramatic reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The popular tale follows the miserly Scrooge as he learns about the meaning of Christmas with the help of three ghosts.
LePage, playing the role of Englishman Thomas Hutchinson, will also perform traditional English Christmas Carols.
Organist Heidi Kohne will perform organ music between scenes, and fellow living history actor Tom Laidlaw will portray Peter Skene Ogden for a discussion about the past and present before the performance. Ogden was a fur trader and explorer in the 1800s.
The program will benefit FISH and the Salvation Army.
When: 3 p.m. Sunday.
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 4300 Main St., Vancouver.
Admission: $10 through Brown Paper Tickets, 800-838-3006 or brownpapertickets.com.
On the Web: greatstoriesalive.com.
