NEW EXHIBITS

*December 3-17
KIDS WITH CAMERAS
Photos by children from Macaldeniya School in Sri Lanka ; free; Gallery Visio, UMSL; for info, call 314-516-7922 or visit www.umsl.edu/~visio.

*December 3-January 3
GIFTED
An exhibit of original works by 16 area artists; phd Gallery, 2300 Cherokee; for info, call 314-664-6644 or visit www.phdstl.com.

December 4-31
MAKESHIFT
Printmaking exhibit by Kristen Bartel; reception 6-9 p.m.; Marbles Art Gallery, 1905 Park Avenue; for info, call 314-791-6466 or visit www.marblesyoga.com.

December 4-18
PHOTO IMAGING ED. ASSOC. INTERNATIONAL JURIED EXHIBITION
Reception, 5-7 p.m.; May Gallery, 8282 Big Bend Blvd., free.

Through January 19
EDIBLES
Painting exhibition by St. Louis Watercolor Society; at CJ Muggs Restaurant, 101 W. Lockwood; for info, visit www.stlws.org.

December 15-January 10
PPRC PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT-SITE 2
Featuring photos from participants of City Seeds Urban Farm; free; McMurphy's Grill, 614 N. 11 St. in St. Louis ; for info, call 314-231-3006 or visit www.stpatrickcenter.org/McMurphysGrill.aspx.

*December 18-January 12
NEW GLASS: NIKOLAJ CHRISTENSEN
PHOTOGRAPHY OF BOGATA BY RICK FORRESTAL
Booksigning and opening reception 6-10 p.m.; Third Degree East Gallery, 5200 Delmar; for info, call 314-367-4527 or visit www.stlglass.com.

*December 18-March 7
DOCUMENT
Series of ten paintings by Chicago artist Ian Weaver; free; Gallery 321, St. Louis Art Museum; for info, call 314-721-0072 or visit www.slam.org.

*December 18-March 14
MOTHER AND FATHER WORKED HARD SO I CAN PLAY
Placement of mischievous children's figures throughout the museum's period rooms, by Yinka Shonibare; free; St. Louis Art Museum; for info, call 314-721-0072 or visit www.slam.org.

FUN THINGS TO DO

December 1
POETRY READING AND WRITING DISCUSSION
Local award-winning poets Allison Funk and Jason Sommer; 7 p.m.; free; Gallery 210 at UMSL; for info, call 314-516-5590 or visit www.umsl.edu/~mfa.

December 1,6,8,13, 15
WEBSTER UNIVERSITY FILM SERIES
7:30 p.m.; Moore Auditorium, 470 E. Lockwood; for film listings, visit www.webster.edu/filmseries.

December 2
JAZZ LAB BAND
Professional-level big band music at its best; free; 7:30 p.m.; Meramec Theatre, 11333 Big Bend; for info, call 314-984-7639.

December 2-6, 9-13
THEATRE PERFORMANCE: "HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES"
Stage III, 470 E. Lockwood Avenue; admission $12, $6 seniors; for tickets or info, call 314-968-7128.

*December 3-6
DANCE ST. LOUIS PRESENTS "THE NUTCRACKER"
Performed by the Joffrey Ballet at The Fox; matinee and evening performances; tickets from $20; for info, call 314-534-6622 or visit www.dancestlouis.org.

December 3-6
HOLIDAY ROOMS IN BLOOM
Sponsored by St. Louis Florists Network in the historic Samuel Cupples House; tree lighting Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m.; 3673 West Pine Mall on St.Louis U. campus; for info, visit www.cupples.slu.edu.

December 3-20
AN O.HENRY CHRISTMAS
Musical by Avalon Theatre Company; various performance times; ArtSpace at Crestwood Court; for tickets or info, call 314-351-6482 or visit www.avalontheatre.org.

December 4
CLUB 524 TANGO/MILONGA
Beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m.; open dancing until midnight; COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue; for info, call 314-725-6555 or visit www.cocastl.org.

December 4-6
ST. LOUIS HOLIDAY MAGIC
Full-scale carnival, vendors and artisans, culinary demos, continuous live entertainment; at America's Center; for ticket info, visit www.stlholidaymagic.com.

*December 4-6
CHRISTMAS AT THE CATHEDRAL
Concert featuring Archdiocesan Choirs and Orchestra; 8 & 2:30 p.m. respectively; St. Louis Cathedral Basilica, 4431 Lindell Blvd.; for tickets, call 314-533-7662 or visit www.catherdralconcerts.org.

*December 5
CLASSICAL GUITAR: CEM DURUOZ
Turkish guitarist; 8 p.m.; tickets from $18; The Ethical Society, 9100 Clayton Road; for info, call 314-567-5566 or visit www.guitarstlouis.net.

December 5
BABES IN TOYLAND
Dinner and classic film presented by Laurel and Hardy Club; 6:30 p.m.;  Mei Hua Chinese Restaurant, 9626 Olive Blvd., open to the public; for info, call 314-962-3352 or visit www.stlouislaurelandhardy.org.

*December 5-6
AN AMERICAN CHRISTMAS CONCERT
St. Louis Women's Chorale; 8 and 3 p.m. respectively; Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, 100 E. Adams; for tickets or info, call 314-768-0949 or visit www.stlouiswomenschorale.org.

*December 6
RIDERS IN THE SKY HOLIDAY CONCERT
Western music and wit by America's favorite cowboys; 7 p.m. at Third Baptist Church, Grand & Washington; for tickets, call 314-534-1111 or visit www.metrotix.com.

December 6
LIGHTS, LATKES, ACTION
Wine and cheese tasting event celebrating Jewish womanhood; 7:30 p.m.; at Chabad of Chesterfield, 1639 Clarkson Road; for info, visit www.chabadofchesterfield.com.

December 6
HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR
St. Louis Brass Band performs at Florissant Civic Center Theatre, 1 James Eagan Drive; 2:30 p.m.; for tickets, visit www.stlbb.org.

*December 6
FREE @ 3: PRE-BALLET
For Preschool and Kindergarten dancers; free intro to classical ballet; 3-4 p.m.; COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue; for info, call 314-725-6555 or visit www.cocastl.org.

December 6
SYMPHONIC BAND
Sounds of the season and more; free; 3 p.m.; Meramec Theatre, 11333 Big Bend; for info, call 314-984-7639.

*December 6, 13, 20, 27
FAMILY SUNDAYS: WINTERY WONDERLAND
Winter-inspired family activities and entertainment INSIDE the St. Louis Art Museum; 1-4 p.m.; hot cocoa plus pastry chef demo on Dec. 6; free; for info, call 314-721-0072 or visit www.slam.org.

*December 8
UMSL HOLIDAY CONCERT
Featuring four UMSL performance groups; 7:30 p.m.; free; A-B Performance Hall in the Touhill at UMSL; for info, call 314-516-5980 or visit www.touhill.org.

*December 10
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE & CRAFT SHOW
6-8 p.m.; free admission; Contemporary Art Museum; 3750 Washington; for info, visit www.contemporarystl.org.

*December 11-12
HOLIDAY HIT PARADE
First concert of their 23rd season by Gateway Men's Chorus; 8 p.m.; Edison Theatre on campus of Washington University; for tickets and info, call 314-289-4169 or visit www.gatewaymenschoruse.org.

December 11-13
THE LITTLE DANCER- TRAVELS THROUGH TIME
COCA Family Theater Series; matinee and evening performances; COCA, 534 Trinity Avenue; for tickets and info, call 314-725-6555 or visit www/cocastl.org/fts.

*December 12
BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA HOLIDAY CONCERT
8 p.m.; The Sheldon; tickets from $42; for info, visit www.thesheldon.org.

December 12
MERAMEC CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES: HORN QUARTET
Free; 3 p.m.; Humanities West 102 on St. Louis Community College at Meramec's campus; for info, call 314-984-7639.

*December 13
MERAMEC ORCHESTRA AND CONCERT CHOIR
Seasonal favorites; 3 p.m.; free; Meramec Theatre, 11333 Big Bend Rd.; for info, call 314-984-7639.

December 18
CEREBRAL GROOVE
Performance poetry and music by Venice Gas House Trolley; 7 p.m.; Mad Art Gallery, 2727 S. 12th Street; for info, visit www.madart.com.

December 18
THIRD FRIDAY OPEN HOUSE
Create your own holiday gifts; live music by River Rats; demonstrations, cash bar; 6-10 p.m.; Third Degree Glass, 5200 Delmar; for info, call 314-367-4527 or visit www.stlglass.com.

*December 18
ART AFTER 5: VIRTUOSO VARIATIONS
Performance by virtuoso soloist Daniel Lee and pianist Peter Henderson; 7 p.m.; free; Grigg Gallery, St. Louis Art Museum; for info, call 314-721-0072 or visit www.slam.org.

December 18-20
50th ANNIVERSARY SCREENING: SOME LIKE IT HOT
7:30 p.m.; Moore Auditorium, 470 E. Lockwood; for info, visit www.webster.edu/filmseries.

December 19
METROPOLITAN OPERA: LES CONTES D'HOFFMAN
Noon; tickets $22 (members $15); St. Louis Art Museum Auditorium; for info, call 314-721-0072 or visit www.slam.org.

December 20
ALEXANDRA BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER
2 & 6 p.m.; Purser Center at Logan College; 1851 Schoettler Rd. in Chesterfield; for info, call 636-519-1955 or visit www.chesterfieldarts.org.

*December 21
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT CONCERT
Performed by the Bach Society Chorus and Orchestra; 7:30 p.m.; Powell Symphony Hall; for tickets, call 314-652-BACH or visit www.bachsociety.org.

*December 27
KWANZAA: CELEBRATING HISTORY AND HERITAGE
Free, family-friendly readings, music and dance; 3-5 p.m.; St. Louis Art Museum galleries and auditorium; for info, call 314-721-0072 or visit www.slam.org.

December 31
FIRST NIGHT - ST. LOUIS
Wonderland of art, activities, music and more for families; event begins at 6 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m.; Main Stage at Grand and Washington Blvds.; admission buttons required ($8 adults; $4 children IN ADVANCE); for info, visit www.firstnight-stl.org.

JUST A SHORT DRIVE

*December 4-5
BIG RED BOX
Sales tax-exempt exhibition and sale of original art and fine craft by juried members of The Best o
f Missouri Hands; free gift wrap and refreshments; Fri, 4-9 p.m.; Sat., 10-5; The Foundry Art Centre, 520 S. Main in St. Charles; for info, visit www.foundryartcentre.org.