Good bets

PERFORMING ARTS

"Great Russian Nutcracker"

Local children join Russian dancers for this Christmas classic.

When: 7:30 p.m. today

Where: Bedell Performance Hall, River Campus

VISUAL ARTS

"Cape Girardeau: Then and Now"

Tom Neumeyer looks at Cape's images, past and present.

When: Friday through Jan. 11

Where: River Campus Art Gallery

LIVE MUSIC

The Intention

The Intention plays to benefit Toys for Tots at the Rude Dog's annual Christmas Charity show. Also performing Friday and Saturday.

When: 9 p.m. today, Friday, Saturday

Where: Rude Dog Pub

Promise to Burn

Fresh off a Bodog Battle of the Bands in St. Louis the PTB boys play three nights.

When: 9 p.m. tonight, Friday, Saturday

Where: Club Moxy

Bruce Zimmerman and the Water Street Band

Blues from Cape's blues king.

When: 9 p.m. today, Sunday

Where: Port Cape Girardeau

Open mic night and jam session

Fill leads the festivities.

When: 9 p.m. today

Where: The Camp at Main Street Bar

Tipping Holly and Uncle Bob's Band

Laid-back live music.

When: 9 p.m. Friday

Where: The Camp at Main Street Bar

Dirty 30s

Alt-country outfit has increased its local gigs lately.

When: 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday

Where: Broussard's

Brand X

Hard rock.

When: 9 p.m. Friday

Where: Schock's Pub, Scott City

Horizontal Orange, Ghosts on Fire, La Dispute and Adiah Domineer

Hard-touring hardcore band Horizontal Orange leads a full bill of bands.

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Enchanted Forest

Strange Brew and Afternoon Delight

Strange Brew knows how to jam.

When: 9 p.m. Saturday

Where: The Camp at Main Street Bar

Jobu

Big jam from Southern Illinois.

When: 9 p.m. Saturday

Where: Buckner Brewing Co.

Robert Randolph and the Family Band

Pedal still mastery and a killer live show.

When: 7 p.m. Dec. 20

Where: The Pageant, St. Louis

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Local players Stephanie Schaffner, Mel Gilhaus, Rachel Hendricks and Steve Schaffner perform with the orchestra in Memphis this year.

When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20

Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tenn.

MISCELLANEOUS

Luther's Walk in the Woods

Perry County's Lutheran Heritage Center and Museum celebrates its German heritage with a display of more than 30 themed Christmas trees.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Jan. 15

Where: Lutheran Heritage Center and Museum, Altenburg, Mo.

Christmas Holiday of Lights

Cape County Park and businesses and homes around the city decorate for the holidays.

When: All month

Where: Various locations

Monthly dance

Jerry Ford provides the music.

When: 7 to 10 p.m. today

Where: Arena Building

Christmas Cabaret

Cup 'N' Cork hosts a Christmas Cabaret with players from Southeast Missouri State University.

When: 7 to 9 p.m. Friday

Where: Cup N Cork

Christmas Candlelight tour

The Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site in New Madrid, Mo., invites visitors to a period tour of this historic home.

When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday

Where: Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site, New Madrid

Singles dance

Parents without Partners welcomes all for its monthly dance.

When: 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday

Where: Cape Girardeau VFW Hall

Candlelight Christmas

The Glenn House takes you on a candlelit tour.

When: 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Glenn House

Breakfast with Santa Claus

Let the kids have breakfast with the jolly one to raise money for Cape parks.

When: 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday

Where: 4-H Exhibit Hall, Arena Park

Pictures with Santa

Get free pics with Santa.

When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday

Where: 101 N. Main St.

Living Nativity

The Christmas story brought to life.

When: 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Saxony Lutheran Memorial, Altenburg, Mo.

Holiday Christmas Tours

The Glenn House invites guests for the holidays.

When: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday

Where: Glenn House

Santa Express

Take a ride.

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Where: Iron Mountain Railway

Oliver House tours

Jackson's Oliver House, built in 1896. puts on its Christmas best.

When: Tours at 1:30 p.m. every Sunday

Where: Jackson

Country church tour

View 25 country churches dressed for the holidays.

When: 3 to 9 p.m. Monday, Tuesday

Where: Saxon Lutheran Memorial, Altenburg

VARIETY

Celebrate Christmas with Mike and Robyn

Mike Dumey and Robyn Hosp sing and cut up in this tribute to the season.

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday

Where: Deerfield Lodge