All-new 'Nutcracker'

The Cincinnati Enquirer calls the new production of "The Nutcracker" by the city's ballet company "a keeper." The show is filled with surprises, "unabashed balletic grandeur" and lots of action from the young dancers who feature prominently in the holiday classic. The Anchorage Concert Association has scheduled six performances in Atwood Concert Hall. Showtimes are 2 and 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23 and 24, and 1 and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 25. Tickets are available at centertix.net. 

All-Alaska gift ideas

The annual Crafts Weekend follows Thanksgiving at the Anchorage Museum. About 50 local artists selected in a juried process will be on hand with unique jewelry, pottery, woodwork, tiles by Edwin Mighell, glass plates by Guitta Corey, mittens by Nancy Nolfi, soap (yes, soap) and more. Meanwhile, the ReadAlaska Book Fair will also share space in the museum atrium area and balcony, with a chance to meet Alaskan authors, illustrators and publishers and check out their books. Admission is free for the event, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23 and 24, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25 -- however, museum members get a 10 percent discount on purchases at the bazaar. Public parking will be available under the museum for $1 an hour. 

Getz fest

Stan Getz, the phenomenal sax man whose Grammy-bedecked career stretched from gigs with Woody Herman to Huey Lewis, is the next composer featured in Rick Zelinsky's "Tribute to the Jazz Masters" Series. Jazz fans can get a double dose as Zelinsky and his exemplary crew with one performance at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 25, in the UAA Recital Hall, and another at the Tap Root, 3300 Spenard Road, at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29. Tickets to the UAA concert are $15 at uaatix.com and $10 cover at the Tap Root, to be paid at the door.