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United Artists Circle Centre hosts a Dec. 2 screening of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” benefiting downtown beautification. The $5 tickets include pre-show refreshments and a silent auction. Details here.

Butler Ballet presents “The Nutcracker,” Dec. 2-5 at Clowes Hall. Details here.

Irish storyteller Niall de Burca is featured Dec. 3-4 at the Basile Theater at the Indiana History Center—with drinks to follow at Zing Restaurant. Details here.

Bobdirex presents “Silver Bells … Silver Screen,” Dec. 3-17, featuring holiday tunes and music from the movies, sung by a cast that includes Karlton D. Turner and Phebe Taylor. Details here.

John Prine performs Dec. 4 at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre. Details here.

Trombone great Wycliff Gordon is just one of the guests in a Dec. 5 show headlined by tenor sax player Gust Spenos at The Jazz Kitchen. Details here.
 

Dec. 6
Clowes Hall

Lest you think all of Indianapolis is holly and ivy, here’s a decidedly edgier evening: Legendary crime writer Elmore Leonard will be speaking as part of the Butler University Visiting Writers Series. In addition to such novels as “Get Shorty,” “52 Pick Up,” and “Mr. Majestyk,” the prolific Leonard is known for his no-nonsense approach to writing, as spelled out in his “Ten Rules of Writing.” (Example: “Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.”) Details on his visit here.
 

Dec. 3-23
Hilbert Circle Theatre

Sandi Patty is back as hostess for the downtown tradition, but this isn’t a complete redo of shows from Decembers past. This time around, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s holiday extravaganza has added an Irving Berlin tribute, with music from the classic film “White Christmas.” Plus, Les Arnold and Dazzle, seen in the ISO’s magical pops show “Mysterioso,” will attempt to bring a different kind of holiday magic to the proceedings. Details here.
 

Dec. 3-5
Pike Performing Arts Center

Actually, last year was a year without Frog and Toad: The licensing company for the low-key Broadway musical wouldn’t grant rights to Actors Theatre of Indiana because of an under-the-radar visit by a touring company of the show to Clowes Hall. And the holidays weren’t the same without the seasonal stories of the most soulful lily-pad-dwellers since Kermit.

That was then, though, and the rights have been worked out. Which means audiences will once again get a chance to see Bradley Reynolds and Don Farrell as the titular green guys, with support from Jon Lambert, Kyra Jeanne Kenyon, and Jessica Murphy. Once again, I’m leaping at the chance to take family to see it. Details here.

Dec. 3-12
The Cabaret at the Columbia Club

As crowded the holiday A&E season gets, there’s always room for another fun, alternative event. This one features the nutcase duo (which has built a reputation for alternative arrangements of popular songs) joined by Red Barron and his 13-piece big band, The Midtown Blowers—including Brent Wallarab and members of the Buselli Wallarab Jazz Orchestra. No matter how frightful the weather turns, this should be delightful. Details here.