The Nutcracker

Vashon Center for Dance will present Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” — a cherished holiday ballet for the entire family, at Vashon Center for the Arts. Performances will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 5 and 6; and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8.

A total of 97 dancers are in the cast of this year’s production.

The ballet’s Saturday matinee is billed as “sensory-friendly,” with accommodations that will make it especially enjoyable for seniors, little ones, and others with sensory needs. Get tickets to all shows and find out more at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Holiday films

See some of your favorite holiday films in the coming days and weeks.

“Hundreds of Beavers,” a supernatural winter-themed comedy set in the 19th century, will have a special screening at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at Vashon Theatre. Find out more and get tickets at vashontheatre.com.

“A Christmas Story,” the classic holiday film, will have a free screening courtesy of Vashon Park District, at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Vashon Theatre. A trio of jazz musicians from Vashon High School will play before the show.

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” starring Jim Carrey, will play for free at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Vashon Theatre, as part of Vashon’s WinterFest celebrations.

Another classic holiday film, “Elf,” starring Will Ferrell, will have a screening at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, at Vashon Theatre. Admission is by donation, with all proceeds benefiting Vashon High School programs.

“It’s a Wonderful Life,” starring Jimmy Stewart, will have a free screening at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at Vashon Theatre.

Aliens V. Cowboys

Advanced students of UMO School will present “Aliens V. Cowboys,” a thrilling showcase devised by the performance team themselves in consultation with the school’s instructors and coaches.

Shows take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Open Space for Arts & Community. Performers will include Raena Joyce; El Otto; Gwendolyn Barwick; Amelie Wiegner; Ava Ameling; Fen Eivy; Lena Baldwin-Snell, and Stevie Freitag.

This year’s show plays with the themes of Romeo and Juliet in the air and on the ground. Fights ensue, line dances take over, and love conquers all. Get tickets and find out more at openspacevashon.com.

Tales of Christmas

“A Patchwork of Favorite Holiday Tales,” a heartwarming solo show by Northwest storyteller Debbie Dimitre, will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Vashon Presbyterian Church. The show is a fundraiser for the programs of one of two chapters of Vashon’s P.E.O. — an international organization founded in 1869 that supports girls and women achieve their educational goals through scholarships, grants, and loan programs. Get tickets, $20, at the door on the day of the show.

Storm Large

Storm Large, a member of the eclectic pop band Pink Martini, will present a concert, “Holiday Ordeal,” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

Large shot to national prominence in 2006 as a finalist on the CBS show “Rock Star: Supernova,” where she built a fan base that follows her around the world to this day. She was also seen on the 2021 season of “America’s Got Talent.”

The show has mature content. Get tickets and find out more at vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Portage Fill

The Portage-Fill Harmonic Holiday Concert will take place at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at Vashon Theatre. Ticket sales, with a suggestion donation of $20, with benefit the Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness. Get tickets in advance at vashontheatre.com.

A Christmas Carol

An acclaimed solo performance of “A Christmas Carol,” starring actor Allen Fitzgerald, will be staged by Vashon Repertory Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at Vashon Center for the Arts. Find out more and get tickets at vashonrepertorytheatre.org.

Solstice Concert

Vashon singer and songwriter Kat Eggleston, along with piper John Dally, will open for Keltoi, a Seattle-based band that plays Scottish and Irish music, at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, at the Church of the Holy Spirit, at 15420 Vashon Hwy SW.

Keltoi is fronted by Rich Hill, known for his superb Gaelic singing.

Find out more about the band at keltoi.org. A $20 suggested donation can be made at the door on the night of the show.

The Rat Queen and her army, in a previous production of “The Nutcracker,” at VCA. (Dawn Stief photo)

Jonathan Kuzma, as Drosselmeyer, with toy soldiers, in a previous production of “The Nutcracker,” at VCA. (Dawn Stief photo)