12 Things to Do this Weekend

TODAY -- Pulling strings: KIPPY LOU SCOTT, the former Miss Washington who is a world-renowned harpist, will perform as part of “Fridays at the First,” the 2012 Advent Series at Olympia First Christian Church. Her program includes fresh interpretations of classical and seasonal favorites. Free refreshments are served in the church library starting at 11:30 a.m. Friday; the concert is at noon. Oh, and you’re welcome to bring your lunch. The church is at 701 Franklin St. SE in downtown Olympia.

TONIGHT-SUNDAY -- Sugar plums dancing on stage: Two local ballet companies launch their renditions of Tchaikovsky's 'THE NUTCRACKER’ tonight. BALLET NORTHWEST has performances at 7:30 tonight and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (as well as next weekend) at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $23-$30 adults, $19-$26 seniors and students, $14-$18 for youths. For more information, call 360-753-8586, or go to olytix.org or balletnorthwest.org. Meanwhile, STUDIO WEST DANCE THEATRE’s performances are at 7 tonight, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday at the Minnaert Center for the Arts at South Puget Sound Community College, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20.50 for seniors and students, $16 for youths at 360-753-8586 or olytix.org. To learn more about the productions, read Molly Gilmore's story at www.theolympian.com/living.

TONIGHT-SUNDAY -- Holidays with an edge: PRODIGAL SUN PRODUCTIONS presents its first holiday show, which includes a play. "YES, YES, NO, NO" by award-winning playwright Tony Kushner, plus songs by the FOREVER YOUNG ROCK & ROLL CHOIR and a David Sedaris monologue. It’s a fundraiser for the Midnight Sun. There are three shows -- at 8 tonight and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday -- at the Midnight Sun Performance Space, 113 N. Columbia St., Olympia. Tickets are $12-$18 on a sliding scale at the door or $13 at brownpapertickets.com/event/298313.

TODAY-SUNDAY -- Christmas on stage: Holiday theater offerings are in full swing. Here is what’s playing: This is the last weekend to catch “NUNCRACKERS: THE NUNSENSE CHRISTMAS MUSICAL” at Capital Playhouse, 612 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $28-$39 at 360-943-2744 or capitalplayhouse.com. Harlequin Production’s “A CHRISTMAS SURVIVAL GUIDE” takes a wry and knowing look at the stressful season. The play runs through Dec. 31 at the State Theater, 202 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Tickets are $12-$38. Go to harlequinproductions.org. Based on the children’s classic by Kenneth Grahame, Olympia Family Theater’s “WIND IN THE WILLOWS” is playing at the Minnaert Center for the Arts at South Puget Sound Community College, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia. It runs through Dec. 23 with performances Thursdays-Sundays. Tickets are $9-$16 at 360-753-8586.

TONIGHT -- Healing music: You can hear great local bands and help raise money for the family of homicide victim CASEY HEATH starting at 9 tonight at the Urban Onion on Legion Way. Organizers have asked local businesses to donate items and services, and those will be raffled off. The event, which will be all ages until 11 p.m., will feature the bands FITZ OF DEPRESSION, the DIRTY BIRDS, and C AVERAGE. There is a $5 cover at the door, and all proceeds benefit Heath's family.

SATURDAY -- Old-fashioned fun: Celebrate the holidays in the decorated 1923 Lord Mansion, home of the State Capital Museum, at the HISTORIC HOLIDAY CELEBRATION on Saturday. Have your picture taken with Santa by the Christmas tree in the parlor. Families will enjoy a special miniatures display; a petting zoo, including pony rides; musical performances; and a family style hayride through the historic South Capitol neighborhood. The event runs from noon–3 p.m.; the museum is at 211 21st Ave. SW, Olympia. Admission is $7 per person or $25 for a family of four. Learn more at washingtonhistory.org.

SATURDAY -- Tots sing the tunes: Capital Playhouse’s KIDS IN KONCERT is presenting its annual Holiday Concert at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. This traditional holiday concert rounds out the holiday season after KIK’s performance for the Downtown for the Holidays’ “Living Christmas Tree” at Sylvester Park, and the lighting of the holiday tree in the State Capitol Rotunda. The 16-year-old choir is comprised of children ages 8-18. For more information on KIK, contact Capital Playhouse at 360-943-2744. Admission to the concert is by donation at the box office the day of the show. Get more information on the show at olympiafilmsociety.org or 360-943-2744.

SATURDAY -- Ho, ho, ho: The SOGO Brass Choir brings the HO HO HO to two holiday concerts Saturday that also will feature the Puget Sounders Barbershop and vocalist and Olympia High School alum Elliot Weeks. The concerts, featuring traditional and not-so-traditional holiday music, start at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday at First Christian Church, 701 Franklin St. SE, Olympia. Admission is $10 for adults and seniors; $5 for students; $25 for a family. Get more information at 360-561-2056 or studentorchestras.org.

SATURDAY -- African rhythms: Looking for something to warm you up this weekend? Head over to the Olympia Ballroom on Saturday night for an evening of African music. Olympia’s own CROW DRUMMERS, SEAN GASKELL and MUKANA MARIMBA will each perform their distinct styles of Africa-based music at this all-ages show. Admission is $10; $8 for students. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and the show starts at 8 at 116 Legion Way SW, Olympia. For more details, go to olympiaballroom.com.