NUTCRACKER
Although I've seen Pacific Northwest Ballet's fine production of this Tchaikovsky ballet heaps of times, I'm still a sucker for Nutcracker's courtly choreography, sumptuously colored costumes, and the vivid (and recently repainted) sets by Maurice Sendak. I've relived Nutcracker's tale of gently evaporating youth through the disfigured lens of many empty pint glasses. Save your liver and go to the ballet instead. Nutcracker runs through Sun Dec 28; see www.pnb.org/season/nutcracker/nutsched.html for a complete schedule. McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 441-2424, various times, $19-$96.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 28
SPU CHRISTMAS CONCERT
And so it begins: the annual orgy of Xmas concerts. The orchestra and various choirs of Seattle Pacific University sing the usual holiday ditties. I needn't name them; squint your eyes, envision snow, and some Santa-shaped vestigial organ embedded deep your brain should do the rest. Recital Hall at Benaroya, Third Ave and Union St, 292-2787, 4 pm, $15-$18.
MONDAY NOVEMBER 29
KAMIGAKARI
This duo of Beth Fleenor (clarinet) and Mark Oi (electric guitar) play original music by John Tchicai, Charles Mingus, Sun Ra, Jimmy Giuffre, Wayne Shorter (I vote for "House of Jade"), and others. Gallery 1412, 1412 18th Ave at E Union, 8 pm, donation requested. TUESDAY NOVEMBER 30
UW WIND ENSEMBLE
Some classical fans dismiss the symphonic band tradition (think of colossal marching bands sitting down and playing symphonies instead of "Tequila"), but these ensembles thrive on complex, challenging music. Despite a corny concert title, "H20," there's some alluring music on the docket: Ralph Vaughan Williams' Sea Songs, Percy Grainger's transcription of "Ye Banks and Braes O' Boonie Doon," and that old standby Gustav Holst ("Hammersmith"). Best known for The Planets, Holst could be considered a musical gateway drug to this cultic subgenre. With the UW Campus and Concert Bands. Meany Theater, UW campus, 543-4880, 7:30 pm, $8/$10.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 1
UW CHAMBER SINGERS AND CHORALE
These two outfits team up to present a passel of choral music "composed for contemporary peoples and cultures of long ago who may be forgotten." On the program: several pieces by Estonian composer Veljo Tormis, Stephen Leek's Past Life Melodies (which features some arresting overtone singing), the now-obligatory September 11, 2001 piece (this time by Greg Jasperse), and much more. No other event since the assassination of JFK has prompted such an outpouring of contemporary classical music. Someone should stage a festival on September 11, 2051 to find out if any of it was any good. Meany Theater, UW campus, 543-4880, 7:30 pm, $8/$10.
CHRISTIAN FREDERICKSON
The violist of experimental ensemble Rachel's performs a rare solo recital. Frederickson tackles J. S. Bach's Suite No. 5 in C minor and the luridly chromatic Suite No. 1 in G minor by Max Reger. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888, 8 pm, $7/$12.
FLOYD STANDIFER GROUP
Trumpeter Standifer and his group serve up well-stewed, savory bop standards. New Orleans Restaurant, 114 First Ave S, 622-2563, 8 pm, free.
