Endless Forest Nutcracker Photograph by Jennifer Medina
As December rolls on, pretty much everything else grows increasingly holiday-themed. That's good news for the twinkles among us, bad news for the surly introverts, par for the course for the rest of us middling masses. Hopefully there's something in this week's offerings that floats your boat, or your sleigh and reindeer:
Thursday, December 15
The SantaLand Diaries at Stray Dog Theatre
Based on David Sedaris' hilarious first-person account of a holiday season spent as a Macy's Elf back in the 90s, this has become a holiday favorite on stages across the country. Runs through December 17, performances at 8 p.m. $20, $18 students and seniors. Stray Dog Theatre, Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee, 314-865-1995, straydogtheatre.org. View map »
Greg Osby at Jazz at the Bistro
Since moving from St. Louis to New York City in 1983, Osby's performed with greats including Dizzy Gillespie and Herbie Hancock. He's now known in his own right as an ambitious performer, composer, and post-bop saxophonist. Performances run through December 17. $30, $10 students with valid ID. Jazz St. Louis, Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington, 314-289-4030, jazzstl.org. View map »
Friday, December 16
Sponsored by the St. Louis Craft Mafia, this may be St. Louis' first knit-in: local arts and crafters are invited to get together and get social, while also raising money for Tenth Life Cat Rescue, and knitting hats and booties for Charity Stitch. Free, small cash donations welcome, as well as in-kind donations of pet food and kitty litter. 5:30-9 p.m. Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar, 314-494-4931, stlouiscraftmafia.com. View map »
Gentleman Jack Art, Beats + Lyrics (GJ AB+L)
Annual multimedia event combines live music, urban art, grafitti, DJing, emceeing and breakdancing. Participating artists include Mad Clout, Flux, Michi, Shannon McCollum, Gilbert Young, City of Ink, Occasional Superstar, Wak, Scarface of The Geto Boys, Ernie Paniccolli and Dubelyooand more. Must be 21+ to attend. Complimentary tickets available at gentlemanjackabl.com or Facebook.com/gentlemanjackabl. 7 p.m.-midnight. Neo on Locust, 2801 Locust, 314-570-9218. View map »
Saturday, December 17
The renovated Crown Square in Old North hosts a European Winter Market featuring handmade goods from local artists, as well as an appearance by author Amanda Doyle, who'll signs copies of her new Book, Finally! A Locally Produced Guidebook to St. Louis by and for St. Louisans, Neighborhood by Neighborhood. Free. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Old North St. Louis Restoration Group Gallery, 2700 N. 14th Street, onsl.org. View map »
The Endless Forest Nutcracker
Dance Project Saint Louis and Common Thread Productions remake this traditional holiday ballet, using a natural setting and a nonlinear storyline. $18-$37. 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. Tickets at Brown Paper Tickets. Pillsbury Chapel & Dale Williams Fine Arts Center, One College Park Drive, 314-849-5490, http://nutcracker.danceprojectstl.com.View map »
Sunday, December 18
The Missouri Botanical Garden hosts their annual Chanukah celebration at the Ridgeway Visitors Center. The event includes Israeli dancing and music, a Chanukah market featuring items from the Garden Gate Shop and local stores, and a menorah-lighting ceremony. Free with garden admission, $13 adults, $9 St. Louis City and County residents, $5 children ages 3–12.. Noon-4 p.m. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw, 314-577‑5100, missouribotanicalgarden.org. View map »
