Submitted by Melissa Howsam — Correspondent
Monday's blah, but your week doesn't have to be. So, here are some hip haunts and choice events to hit up:
TACKY CHRISTMAS SWEATER PARTY BENEFITING THE TRIANGLE SPOKES GROUP: Whether or not Santa knows if you’ve been naughty or nice is suspect. But just in case, lessen your odds for the lump of coal by slapping on a gaudy holiday sweater, and help a less fortunate tot land some wheels. Drop a Hamilton and score two drink tickets exchangeable for palatable PBRs and delish treats by Mulberry on Main chef Genarino Gubitosi. Isaac Hunter’s will also be offering $3 Evan Williams and $5 Gentleman Jack whiskey specials. So, you can mingle with Evan and Jack in some flashy, festive fuzz and get a lil fuzzy while affording bikes to tykes. Sounds like a pretty good mix of naughty and nice. When: Dec. 15, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. (come when you can and stay as long as you like). $10 minimum donation requested. More info | Isaac Hunter's Oak City Tavern
CHRISTMAS AT THE CRADLE: Maybe when you were three, learning the words to “Away in a Manger” was a red-letter day. Now, the only sleeping you imagine anyone doing in hay is if you get too merry on a hayride. But cradles can still rock, and Cat’s certainly will for the fifth-annual holiday hoedown. Line-up to include The Trekky Yuletide Orchestra, Chris Stamey, The Old Ceremony, Filthybird, Phil Cook and His Feat, The Tender Fruit, Yardwork, Cassis Orange and in the Year of the Pig. Hosted by Mr. Billy Sugarfix, with proceeds to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. When: Dec. 16, 8 p.m. Starting at $8. More info | Cat's Cradle
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS WITH VINCE GILL AND AMY GRANT Six geese of laying might sound golden, and seven swans of swimming sexy, but on the 12th day of Christmas your true love might be hard pressed to find 12 lords of leaping. Suppose it depends on where you hang out. But this weekend, hang out at DPAC as husband-and-wife duetting duo Vince Gill and Amy Grant swoon you with sweet songs of the season and stir 11 ladies to dance—and maybe if you’re lucky they’ll have nine drummers drumming and 10 pipers piping, too. When: Dec. 14, 7:30p. NOTE: Tickets are sold out but some may be available through secondary ticket sellers. More info
NUTCRACKER: CAROLINA BALLET: What if all things really were possible? Return to a time when your biggest problem was not having to be the donkey in the Christmas play—or whether or not Santa drank all his milk—as Carolina Ballet brings some fancy footwork to Robert Weiss’ “simply dramatic” staging of the Christmas classic and reminds us that sugarplums don’t just have to dance in our heads. When: Dec. 17-26, times vary. Tickets from $20. Buy tickets | Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY: Instead of futilely changing your Facebook profile picture to a cartoon, conjure up a real childhood memory while giving a tot one worth hanging onto—and doompadee doo over to ArtsCenter for Roald Dahl’s staging of sweet Charlie and his freakishly fantastic tour of the idyllic chocolate factory. Just don’t get too lost in Oompa-Loompa land that you start licking the walls. When: Dec. 10-19, times vary. $15; $10 Students; $13 ArtsClub. More info | The ArtsCenter
