Calendar aRound Evanston

Arts & Entertainment:

· Nov. 30, 6-9 p.m. Preview party for the Evanston Art Center's fifth annual juried Winter Arts and Crafts Expo. Evanston Art Center, 2603 Sheridan road. All proceeds benefit the ongoing education, exhibition and outreach programs of the Evanston Art Center. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. 847-475-5300 or www.evanstonartcenter.org.
· Nov. 30, 6-9 p.m. Bach Week Festival fundraiser will offer Baroque music and more at Monastero's Ristorante, 3935 W. Devon Ave., Chicago. Proceeds will benefit the 2008 Bach Week festival, May 2-11 in Evanston. Open to the public: $60 for adults, $20 for guests 17 and under. 847-648-0813 or www.bachweek.org.
· Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. Mudlark Theater Company, Evanston's own community theater, featuring actors too young to vote, presents "Ramona Quimby," at McGaw Y Child Care Center, 1420 Maple Ave. Suggested donations: $10 for adults and $5 for children. 773-512-4187 or amy@mudlarktheater.org.
· Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Dec. 2 at 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Native American artisans and traders from the Chicago area and beyond will be exhibiting and selling their work at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, 3001 Central St. Admission is included with entrance donation: Suggested donation: $5 for adults; $2.50 for seniors, students and children. 847-475-1030 or www.mitchellmuseum.org.
· Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. Abigail Washburn and Béla Fleck in their first full performance as a duo in concert Unitarian Church of Evanston, 1330 Ridge Ave. Tickets are $30. 847-864-1330.
· Dec. 5, 6 and 7 at 8 p.m., Block Cinema presents a Hitchcock series: "Spellbound," "The Birds" and "The Lodger" at the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, 40 Arts Circle Drive. Tickets are $6, for Block Museum members, and $4 for students with IDs and senior citizens. Films in the Reeltime series are free. Special events are $10; season passes $20. Tickets are available 30 minutes before showtime. 847-491-4000 or www.blockmuseum.northwester.edu/block-cinema.
· Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. "Breath control: The History of the Human Beat Box," This rare screening of award-winning documentary will be presented at BooCoo, 1823 Church St. Admission at the door is $5. 847-380-1602.

City:

Dec. 2, 2-4 p.m. State Representative Julie Hamos of the 18th District is hosting a Town Hall meeting to hear ideas for her 2008 legislative agenda. BooCoo, 1823 Church St. 847-424-9898 or Julie@juliehamos.org.

For Kids:

· Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. Mudlark Theater Company, Evanston's own community theater featuring actors too young to vote, presents "Ramona Quimby," at McGaw Y Child Care Center, 1420 Maple Ave. Suggested donation: $10 for adults and $5 for children. 773-512-4187 or amy@mudlarktheater.org.
· Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" will be shown at the Levy Center, 300 Dodge Ave. This free movie night is open to preteens and teens in grades 4-8. 847-448-8250.

Seniors:

· Dec. 7 at 10:45 a.m. Everyone is invited to play tailgate toss, ping pong or shuffleboard with members of the Silver Sneakers group at the Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave. Free but pre-registration is requested. 847-448-8250.
· Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. Mini-spa sessions for feet and face will be offered at the Levy Center, 300 Dodge Ave.

Community:

· Nov. 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Evanston Northwestern Healthcare will provide flu shots to the public at the Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave. Flu shots are $25. 847-448-8250.
· Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. One-man reading of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" by storyteller and teacher Greg Weiss at the Celtic Knot Public House, 626 Church St. Tickets are $20 per person and reservations are required. 847-864-1679 or www.celticknotpub.com.
· Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. Menorah lighting at Fountain Square. 847-869-8060.

Holiday:

· Dec. 1, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. St. Nicholas Holiday Craft Fair offers shoppers a wide variety of Christmas decorations, fleece hats and mittens, jewelry, scarves, wood and ceramic items, along with trees, wreaths, poinsettias and baked goods. Santa will be available to pose for pictures with children of all ages. Pope John XXII School cafeteria, 1120 Washington St. 847-864-1185, ext.23.
· Dec. 2, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. The 15th annual Alternative Gift Fair at Lake Street Church, 607 Lake St. The public is invited to shop for unique gifts, with the entire purchase amount dedicated to a humanitarian cause. There will be a kids' zone at some tables, with prices under $5.
· Dec. 2, 12-4 p.m. Christmas sale at First Congregational church house, 1417 Hinman Ave. 847-864-8332.
· Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. "An Evanston Symphony Christmas." Everyone is invited to begin of the holiday season with joyous songs at Evanston Township High School, 1600 Dodge Ave. Harry Porterfield of ABC 7 News-Chicago will act as master of ceremonies. This concert is made possible by a donation by Romano Brothers & Co. Tickets are $65 (family package) for two adults and three children, and individual tickets are $22 for adults, $10 for children. 847-864-8804 or www.evanstonsymphony.org.
· Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. "Holidays A Cappella: The Season of Light." Chicago A Cappella at the Music Institute of Chicago, 1490 Chicago Ave. www.chicagoacappella.org.
· Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 8 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 9 at 2:30 p.m. "Nutcracker on Ice." The Evanston holiday tradition, with eye-catching costumes and exciting special effects at Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St. Tickets are $8.50, reserved seats are $9.50, 847-448-8258.
· Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. The Lakeside Singers perform "A Christmas to Remember" at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave. Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for seniors and students and $10 for children under 12. 847-577-2121 or www.metropolisarts.com.
· Dec. 8 at 8:15 p.m.; Dec. 9 at 3:15 and 4:45 p.m. The Evanston Children's Choir's performs holiday songs in the lobby of Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St., at the presentation of the "Nutcracker on Ice." Free.
· Dec. 9, 1-4 p.m. Annual holiday open house at the Evanston History Center, 225 Greenwood St. This event is free and open to the public. 847-475-3410 or jennythompson@northwestern.edu.