Second Annual Musicians Class Reunion, 8 p.m. Saturday, Main Street Saloon, 1481 S. Main St., Akron. $10, 330-724-8855, www.mainstsaloon.com, www.akronlofi.com.
This show will bring together 10 bands of area veteran musicians and friends. Performers include: Chimo! Mesh, Max Wheel & the Sheades, Von Zeppelin, The Oxnards, Full Effect and many more. Plus, if a gaggle of area musicians playing instruments isn’t enough to keep your attention, Zamara the Shapeshifter will unleash her Oriental fan, blues-jazz and, my favorite, weapons dancing all over your eyeballs.
2) The Cleveland Orchestra presents the Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker, tonight through Dec. 2 at the PlayhouseSquare State Theatre, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, $10-$85, 216-771-8403, 216-241-6000, 866-546-1353.
Thanksgiving has passed and you know what that means: The holiday season is in full swing (Consume! BecauseJesuswantsyoutobuystuff!!), which brings us to … “Nutcracker” time!!. One of this year’s area editions of the traditional holiday ballet will feature The legendary Joffrey Ballet’s take on the legendary Tchaikovsky ballet with help from the Cleveland Orchestra and some local dancers.
3) The Nutty Nutcracker presented by Ballet Theatre of Ohio, 7 p.m. Friday, Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., $20-$42, 330-253-2488.
Oh, yeah, more holiday nuts getting cracked, but wait! This isn’t the traditional take on the classic (which the Ballet of Theatre of Ohio is also performing at the Akron Civic), this is the “nutty” version, a spoof of the well-worn favorite. This is a one-time only performance, so if you’re wondering who might pop up out of Mother Ginger’s skirt, get thee to the Civic!
4) Wadsworth Community Band and Choir present a Community Christmas Celebration, 4 p.m. Sunday at the O.J. Work Auditorium, 151 Main St., Wadsworth. Free.
Friends and neighbors with varying musical expertise and experience gathering together to jam on holiday favorites. Wow, folks getting together at the holidays voluntarily, sounds positively old school. George Bailey would approve.
5) Voices of Canton Madrigal Dinner, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday at the Canton Woman’s Club, 822 Market Ave. N. $45. For reservations, call 330-352-4098 or go to www.voicesofcanton.org.
Hey, I can’t argue with an event that promises me wine, women and song! And there will be a “traditional meal fit for a king and singers in madrigal garb,” which is a bonus. The event is at the Canton Woman’s Club, so please don’t immerse yourself too deep into the period wardrobe and music and start demanding wenches serve you mead.
