Try this: ‘Nutcracker,’ ‘Wizard of Oz,’ ‘Radio Christmas Sampler’

Tales from the trapper

Columbia Dance presents its local history-inspired “Nutcracker” with shows at 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Skyview High School, 1300 N.W. 139th St., Vancouver. A sensory-friendly show is 6 p.m. Friday. Audiences will see a holiday party in 1840s Fort Vancouver where a fur trapper’s tales inspire a dream of beavers stealing a top hat, a mystical woman conjuring the moon, shipwrecked castaways and salmon fighting the river’s current. Tickets are $23 for adults, $18 for children and seniors or $30 to view a livestream. Get tickets at columbiadance.org.

1950s Nutcracker

Northwest Performing Arts Alliance and Riverside Performing Arts present “A Tale of the Nutcracker,” at 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday at Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E. 18th St., Vancouver. This 1950s-themed show, inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” takes place on Christmas Eve. Clara awaits the arrival of her favorite aunt, who brings new toys from Meier & Frank, including a Nutcracker. This production blends acrobatics, classical ballet, jazz and tap with music by Tchaikovsky and Duke Ellington. Tickets are $20-$30 at 26320.recitalticketing.com/r/events/.

Over the rainbow

Journey Theater presents “The Wizard of Oz” at Washougal High School, 1201 39th St., Washougal, with shows at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday. Follow the yellow brick road in this delightful stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s novel, featuring the iconic musical score from the MGM film. Tickets are on sale at journeytheater.org or call 360-750-8550. Adult tickets are $18. Youth and senior tickets are $15. Tickets for all shows are $2 more at the door.

Silver bells

Bells of the Cascades handbell choir’s concert “Once Upon a December” is 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Salmon Creek Church, 12217 N.E. Highway 99, Vancouver. Hear new arrangements of familiar Christmas songs and other inspiring pieces. The program includes “Allegro Glorioso,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Savior of the Nations, Come,” “Fantasia on Forest Green,” “Meditations on the Theme of Peace,” “Inspiring Presence,” “The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came,” “Once Upon a December,” “Reverie” and “A Child Is Born.” Tickets at the door are $20 for adults, $5 for students and free for children under 7.

Sounds like Christmas

Re-Imagined Radio will broadcast “A Radio Christmas Sampler Vol. III” 1 to 2 p.m. Monday on KXRW-FM (Vancouver) and KXRY-FM (Portland). The show draws from “Dragnet Christmas,” “The Shadow,” “The Whistler” and “Gunsmoke.” At 7 p.m. Wednesday, see Re-Imaged Radio’s live performance of “A Radio Christmas Carol” at the Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Dickens’ classic tale is performed on stage with voice actors and Foley artists. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children. Get tickets at kigginstheatre.com.

… And more

For more details about these and other events — like Comedy on Tap at the Kiggins Theatre, Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic Night and the newest exhibits at Art at the Cave Gallery — visit events.columbian.com.