Calendar

Every Thurs.–Sun., Nov. 25–Dec. 18. Dan Cooney directs this local professional theater company in the 2007 musical version of the 1983 movie comedy about a boy living in 1940s Indiana who longs for a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Music and lyrics by U-M alumni songwriting team Pasek and Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land). Book by Joseph Robinette. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 3 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), Encore Maas Mainstage, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $54 (seniors & youth under 18, $52) in advance at theencoretheatre.org and at the door. $20 student rush tickets (if available) an hour before showtime. 268–6200.

Dec. 2–4, 10, 17, & 28. Seasonal events at lavishly decorated Gordon Hall, the 19th-century mansion built by Dexter founder Judge Samuel Dexter. Dec. 2: A fundraiser (6:30 p.m.) for the museum featuring hearty hors d’oeuvres, spirits, and desserts and a look at the Christmas Vintage Collection, Milt Campbell’s huge assemblage of Department 56 collectible holiday houses, buildings, and figures that were once traditionally seen in the windows of Huron Camera in downtown Dexter throughout the holiday season. Dec. 3: Santa (9 a.m.–3 p.m.) is on hand to talk with kids, who also can make their own gingerbread house to take home. Dec. 4: Christmas Tea (1 & 4 p.m.), a light lunch with tea sandwiches and desserts. Also, the museum hosts an open house ($5 per adult) to view the Christmas Vintage Collection, 6–8 p.m. on Dec. 10, 17, & 28. Various, Gordon Hall, 8311 Island Lake Rd., Dexter. $75 on Fri., $5 on Sat., $30 on Sun.; reservations required for Fri. and Sun. by calling 395–4106.

Fathom Events. 973–8424 (Ann Arbor 20), 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $11.50–$12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomevents.com/events and at the door. Ann Arbor 20 (4100 Carpenter), & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline), different times.

Dec. 4 & 7. (Jim Henson & Frank Oz, 1982). Groundbreaking animatronic fantasy about an elf-like creature who embarks on a journey to repair millennium-old damage done to his world. Ann Arbor 20 only. 3 & 7 p.m.

Daily Nov. 23–Dec. 24 (Mon.–Sat. noon–8 p.m. & Sun. noon–6 p.m.). All kids invited to sit with Santa; photos available for purchase. Dec. 11 is “Pet Photo Night” (6–8 p.m.) for 4-legged, leashed, friendly pets that weigh less than 60 lbs. A session for kids with special needs is held before the mall opens on Dec. 4, 9–10:30 a.m. Note: Santa takes breaks 3–4 p.m. Briarwood Von Maur court. Appointments encouraged at simon.com/santa. 769–9610.

Daily, except Dec. 5, 12, 19, 23–26, 31, Jan. 1. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Sea Monsters (11:30 a.m.) follows a curious dolichorhynchops (an extinct species of marine reptile) as she travels through the most dangerous oceans in history, meeting long-necked plesiosaurs, giant turtles and fish, sharks, and the most dangerous sea monster of all, the mosasaur. The Sky Tonight (12:30 & 2:30 p.m.) is an exploration of the current night sky, with tips on how to find the cardinal directions, constellations, and planets on your own. Mars: One Thousand One (1:30 p.m.) tells the story of what humans might face with the first manned journey to Mars. Various times, MNH, 1105 North University. $8. Limited capacity. 764–0478.

Dec. 2–4. The nation’s largest synchronized skating competition, featuring over 200 teams of all levels from across the U.S. 5:30–7:30 p.m. (Fri.), 8 a.m.–9 p.m. (Sat.), & 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. (Sun.), Ann Arbor Ice Cube, 2121 Oak Valley Dr. 1-day pass: $15 (students & seniors, $10). Weekend pass: $25. 213–6768.

Dec. 3 & 4. This German immigrant pioneer homestead comes alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of a rural 1880s Michigan Christmas as costumed guides lead tours of the 2-story brick farmhouse, 1840s log house, and outbuildings (with a blacksmith at work at the forge). Also, lace and other fiber craft demonstrations, sales of holiday greens and baked goods, and a “Christmas Market” with handcrafted gifts. Reading of The Night Before Christmas on Sun. only at an afternoon time TBA. Carolers and live music. Concessions. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Waterloo Farm Museum, 13493 Waterloo-Munith Rd., Grass Lake. $5 admission (seniors, $4; kids ages 5–12, $2; age 4 & under & members, free). (517) 596–2254.

Re-creation of a mid-19th-century Christmas, with period decorations, cooking on the woodstove, kids activities, and live holiday music. Sale of fine art and handmade crafts from local artists and crafters. Costumed interpreters provide tours of the restored 1844 Ticknor-Campbell farmhouse and its grounds. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Cobblestone Farm, 2781 Packard (next to Buhr Park). $2 (discounts available for seniors & kids).

Dec. 3 & 4. Ten local woodturners show and sell their bowls, pens, vases, ornaments, as well as paintings and notecards. Also, demos. Coffee & cookies. Partial proceeds benefit the Webster Historical Society and the Virtual Dialysis Support Center. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Sat.) & 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (Sun.), Crossroads Community Center, 5501 Webster Church Rd., Dexter. Free admission. eperry@umich.edu.

Every Mon., Sept. 12–Dec. 12. All invited to join this independent 30-member local women’s chorus to sing an eclectic program including classical, folk, Broadway, pop, and jazz. Ben Gaughran directs; Joshua Marzan accompanies. Concert on Dec. 16 (see listing). 10–11:30 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, 1432 Washtenaw. Free to visitors ($125 per semester for those who join). womenschamberchorus.com, 665–9271.

All invited to bring pets to meet Santa. Bring cats in carriers and dogs on leashes. All proceeds go to HSHV. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Huron Pet Supply, 5060 Jackson, $10 (digital) & $15 (4x6 print). 661–3575.

Every Sunday, except Dec. 25. A chance to view LSNC birds of prey and its Critter House animals, which include frogs, turtles, snakes, and other species native to Michigan. Noon–3 p.m., LSNC, 1831 Traver. $5 suggested donation ($20/family). lesliesnc.org, 997–1553.

Every Sat. & Sun. through Dec. 18. Conservancy staffers show off some animals native to Eurasia, including a reindeer, a wolf hybrid, and a shire horse (2 & 4 p.m.). Also, a zookeeper talk with a Burmese python (3 p.m.) and a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. 1–5 p.m., Creature Conservancy, 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $13 (kids ages 2–12, $11; under age 2, free) at the door; $1 discount for advance purchase at thecreatureconservancy.org. 929–9324.

Every Sat. & Sun. Conservancy staffers show off some animals native to Eurasia, including a reindeer, a wolf hybrid, and a shire horse. Also, a zookeeper talk with a Burmese python (3 p.m.) and a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals, including sloths, muntjacs, and more. 1–5 p.m., Creature Conservancy, 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $13 (kids ages 2–12, $11; under age 2, free) at the door; $1 discount for advance purchase at thecreatureconservancy.org. 929–9324.

Dec. 4 & 18. Ballroom dancing to recorded music, including fox-trots, waltzes, cha-chas, rumbas, tangos, swing, and more. No partner necessary. Preceded at 5 p.m. by a beginner and at 6 by an intermediate/advanced lesson. 7–9 p.m., Michigan Union ballroom. Mask encouraged. $5. ballroomdance.club/schedule.