'The Nutcracker,' Lights of December parade and other Boulder events for today
Dec. 3—Boulder Ballet's 'The Nutcracker' in Longmont: The seasonal favorite, featuring dancing sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers, hits area stages with new choreography this year. Embrace the holiday spirit with this heartwarming and visually stunning production for all ages, featuring a live score performed by Longmont Symphony Orchestra; 4 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday; Vance Brand Auditorium, 600 E. Mountain View Ave, Longmont; $22-$34; boulderballet.org.
Lights of December parade: For over 30 years, spectators have enjoyed floats created and decorated by local businesses, churches and civic groups. This year's parade includes marching bands, fire engines, holiday carolers and more; 6 p.m. Saturday, Pearl Street Mall, 1200 Pearl St., Boulder; Free; boulderdowntown.com.
Homes for the Holidays tour: For one day only, guests are being given the chance to walk through some of the most inspiring private homes in Boulder's Chautauqua Heights neighborhood. This self-guided tour features five distinct residences dating from 1897 to 1925; 9 a.m. Saturday, Highland City Club, 885 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder; $20-$50; historicboulder.org.
Particular's second-annual Holiday Faire: Local artists will present many fine pieces of original art perfect for holiday shopping and gift giving, which include jewelry, paintings, pottery, fabric art and more; 10 a.m. Saturday, Particular's Art Gallery & Teaching Studio, 401 S. Public Road, Lafayette; Free; particularsart.com.
Friends of the Library book sale: The sale will include books of all genres, DVDs, gently used puzzles, children's games and small gift items. Prices on all items range from 50 cents to $4, unless specially marked. All proceeds are used to support literacy programs at the Lafayette Public Library; 10 a.m. Saturday, Lafayette Public Library, 775 W. Baseline Road, Lafayette; cityoflafayette.com.
Arts Outside: Make a holiday ornament using elements from outside with instructor Martin Ogle; 10 a.m. Saturday, The Collective, Community Arts Center, 201 N. Public Road, Lafayette; Free; cityoflafayette.com.
Business Commitments to a Sustainable Future panel: Join a panel of industry leaders who will discuss the actions their organizations are taking, the challenges to progress they face and the further commitments they must make to support a more sustainable future for all; noon Saturday, Byron White Club Level, Folsom Field, 372 Stadium Drive, Boulder; Free; colorado.edu.
'Drifting North — Into the Polar Night' at Fiske: In this documentary, step out onto an ice floe in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, and watch and listen as scientists race the fading light to set up one of the most ambitious international climate collaborations ever, MOSAiC (Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate); 1 p.m. Saturday, Fiske Planetarium, 2414 Regent Drive, Boulder; $8-$12; calendar.colorado.edu.
Center for Community launch party: Construction has begun on the new expansive Center for Community Art Education building. Studio Arts Boulder invites locals to come celebrate this milestone and commemorate the beginning of this exciting project; 1 p.m. Saturday, Center for Community Art Education, 3750 Canfield St., Boulder; Free; studioartsboulder.org.
'Season of Light' at Fiske: This show traces the history and development of many of the world's most enduring holiday customs, all of which involve lighting up the winter season — from the burning Yule log, sparkling Christmas tree lights and candles in windows to the lighting of luminarias in the American southwest and the traditional ritual of the Hanukkah menorah; 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Fiske Planetarium, 2414 Regent Drive, Boulder; $8-$12; calendar.colorado.edu.
Charlie White at BOCO Cider: Boulder-based Charlie White is a guitarist and singer-songwriter who draws his inspiration from a wide range of influences, like folk, jazz and blues; 6 p.m. Saturday, BOCO Cider, 1501 Lee Hill Drive, Unit 14, Boulder; Free; bococider.com.
Billy Shaddox at MainStage Brewing: Billy Shaddox lives and makes music in Lyons. His vision is to create handcrafted albums personalized with intention and care; 7 p.m. Saturday, MainStage Brewing Company, 450 Main St., Lyons; bandsintown.com.
Wild Heart Dance and The Nomad Playhouse present 'The Gift': Enjoy an evening of dance while supporting and celebrating Wild Heart entering its 10th season of dance. As part of "The Gift," attendees will experience excerpts from past works, as well as a preview The Nomad's newest creation "The Ocean Inside," set to premiere in April 2023; 7 p.m. Saturday, The Nomad Playhouse, 1410 Quince Ave., Boulder; $30-$50; eventbrite.com.
Half Maxx at Muse: Half Maxx is a dynamic, funk-jazz-rock quartet based in Denver. Formed by musicians who convene regularly at the city's funk-jam sessions, the band brings a high-energy approach to jazz, with deep roots in funk, soul and classic rock; 7 p.m. Saturday, Muse Performance Space, 200 E. South Boulder Road, Lafayette; $15-$20; museperformancespace.com.
Champagne Drip at Boulder Theater: Champagne Drip, the musical incarnation of Los Angeles-based producer Samuel Pool, was born from the philosophy that innovation springs from inspiration. The statement ringing true throughout the years, Pool has proven himself to be a trailblazer within the bass music sector of electronic music. Australian bass musician Sippy opens the show; 8 p.m. Saturday, Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder; $20-$30; z2ent.com.
'Hansel and Gretel' with Boulder Opera: Join The Boulder Opera House for a special musical story time at the library. Performers will sing and read excerpts from their upcoming family opera series "Hansel and Gretel"; 2 p.m. Saturday, Lafayette Public Library, 775 W. Baseline Road, Lafayette; Free; cityoflafayette.com.
Ritmo Cascabel & The Sickly Hecks at Roots Music Project: The Sickly Hecks are at the forefront of a new wave of music, which draws from post-punk, alternative, garage, grunge and pop to create a powerful, sophisticated sound. Ritmo Cascabel combines cumbia, western and chicha sounds to create its own unique genre; 7 p.m. Saturday, Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl St., Suite V3A, Boulder; Free; eventbrite.com.
Erin Stereo at Rosetta Hall: Erin Stereo is known for spinning house music designed to ignite and delight the dance floor; 10 p.m. Saturday, Rosetta Hall, 1109 Walnut St., Boulder; rosettahall.com.
