Nutcracker on Ice … I Mean, the Rocks— Amazingly, 2006 marks the 10 th year that the folks over at the Keshet Dance Company have staged their popular rock ‘n’ roll version of the classic holiday ballet. They will … they will … rock you. (Sorry, I hit the eggnog early this morning.)This year’s show features more than 100 dancers of all ages and abilities. It kicks off this weekend at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (1701 Fourth Street SW). Take the family over for a guitars-blazing, drums-crashing rendition that will make ol’ Tchaikovsky roll over in his grave. The show runs Friday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2, at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 3, at 2 and 6 p.m. $8 to $16, with kids under six getting in for half price. 724-4771, ticketmaster.com.
Culture Shock
Chapter Two — They’re pumpin’ out the Neil Simon again over at the Adobe Theatre (9813 Fourth Street NW). Over the last couple years, the good folks at the venerable North Valley theater have presented Simon’s Laughter on the 23 rd Floor and Last of the Red Hot Lovers . This weekend, they’ll unveil a new production called Chapter Two , directed by Michael Girlamo. The play is about the budding romance of a man whose wife has died and a woman getting over a bitter divorce. It runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., through Dec. 23. $12 general, $10 students/seniors, with group rates available. 898-9222.
Culture Shock
Art at the Expo— The seventh annual Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Festival opens its doors Friday, Dec. 1, running throughout the weekend inside the Manuel Lujan Exhibit Complex at Expo New Mexico. Two hundred artists and craftspeople from around the country will take part in the show, drawing in an expected crowd of 35,000 people. It’s worth elbowing your way in to sample the food, take in some live performances and, of course, buy some fine arts and crafts. The festival runs through Sunday, Dec. 3, and is open each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For details, call 292-7457 or go to www.riograndefestivals.com.
