The Washington Post fetes choreographer Brian Brooks for his “kinetic thrill and visual power,” while The New York Times outs its crush on former New York City Ballet star Wendy Whelan for her “riveting, interesting, unusual, intelligent” moves. La Jolla Music Society audiences may remember the two for “Restless Creatures,” their acclaimed 2015 collaboration — and on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m., they return with “Some of a Thousand Words,” an LJMS dance series entry of new solos and duets amplified by the live music of string quartet Brooklyn Rider. The performance is at the Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave. For further information, please visit ljms.org or call 858-459-3728.
Kalabash School of Music and the Arts thinks the best way to learn is by doing — hence its yearly art show and open mic, this time on Friday, Dec. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. What’s in it for you is a chance to get acquainted with one of the city’s most progressive educational music and arts institutions — the school’s philosophy says that kids are artists before they even begin to study, and there’s a sea of statistics to back it up (the key is to interfere as little as possible with the child’s method of artistic self-discovery). What’s also in it for you is a mug of hot tea or hot chocolate, but you should bring your own mug, as well as a blanket and pillow. Kalabash is located at 5725 La Jolla Blvd. For more, call 858-456-2753 or visit kalabasharts.com. A donation of $5 is suggested.
A concentric path leads both forward and back — and on Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. at UCSD’s Mandeville Auditorium, the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus will cast just such a passage with Concentric Paths, a program connecting the works of 20th-century French composer Francis Poulenc to those of his medieval countryman Guillaume de Machaut. The orchestra music of English composer Thomas Adès will also be presented in San Diego for the first time. Thomas Nee Commission recipient Tina Tallon will also debut a work for orchestra and electronics. The Mandeville is located at 9500 Gilman Drive. The symphony box office is at 858-534-4637, or e-mail [email protected].
The pesky ol’ Grinch has been a thorn in Whoville’s side for 20 years this year in The Old Globe Theatre’s holiday musical “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” Then again, the proud townfolk manage to turn him away every season as he tries to steal their gifts and generally make a mess of the holiday. Through Dec. 24, Cindy Lou Who will do the heavy lifting once again as her kindness turns the Grinch’s lump-of-coal heart to a diamond. The Globe is at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. Tickets and times are available at theoldglobe.org or 619- 234-5623.
George Bailey (as in “It’s a Wonderful Life”) emerged as an American Everyman as his bank failed and then rebounded on the strength of his guardian angel Clarence and the togetherness in Bedford Falls. As much as you love the movie, chances are you’ve never seen it alongside its live musical score — until now. On Sunday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m., the San Diego Symphony will perform Dimitri Tiomkin’s score alongside the 1946 film in a holiday offering sure to breathe new life into one of this country’s staple holiday films. The orchestra’s venue, Copley Symphony Hall, is at 750 B. St. downtown. Further information is at sandiegosymphony.org, or call 619- 235-0804. It all started in a piano store in a little Southern Utah town called St. George. Paul Anderson, owner of The Piano Guys, was looking for a way to market pianos — some chance introductions and social media like YouTube took it from there. The result is five guys playing classically influenced original instrumental music in videos that showcase incredible locations, such as the Seven Wonders of the World. Their musical and videography skills have yielded national accolades in each field — and on Monday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m., you’ll see and hear why. Don’t miss The Piano Guys with the San Diego Symphony at Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St. downtown. For more, see sandiegosymphony.com or call 619-235-0804.