Things to do this weekend: Dec 19 - 21

This week's featured shot from the TOC Flickr photo group comes to us from johnkershner. The title? Winter Ninja. Expect to see a lot of these this weekend.

Here are some things to do this weekend:

FRIDAY

COMEDY - Co-Ed Prison Sluts
The Annoyance's signature show, Sluts ran continuously for 11 drag-infused, clown-infested years. It's…a pretty filthy show, packed with everything from  anal sex jokes to oral sex ones. At the time, it was unlike anything Chicago comedy audiences had ever seen; nowadays it's still very shocking and funny, just a bit tamer in a world where South Park exists. But you'll still have a great time, and we dare you to resist singing along to the closing number. 10:01pm. Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N Broadway. (773-561-4665, annoyanceproductions.com). $15.

DANCE - Von Heidecke’s Chicago Festival Ballet Company: The Nutcracker
The Von Heidecke version is tasteful and elegant, with top-notch guest dancers in the main roles. This year’s production features a rechoreographed “Snow” scene, one of the most musically compelling sections of the well-known Tchaikovsky score. It’s the section of the ballet in which lovely young ladies in white scurry and spin like flakes in a gathering snowstorm. 7pm. McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn (630-942-4000, atthemac.org). $35 adults, seniors $33, kids $25.

FILM - Antonio Gaudí
We’re a little unclear on the holiday connection with the film Antonio Gaudí, but every December, the Siskel brings it back as a “holiday tradition.” Regardless, this poetic exploration of Gaudí’s buildings is a wonderful visual treat. 6pm. Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N State St at Randolph St (312-846-2600). El: Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple (rush hrs) to State/Lake; Red to Lake; Blue to Clark/Lake. $9, students $7, members $5.

GAY & LESBIAN - Think Pink Fridays
DJ Stinky Pinky spins at this evening of chill, hipster fun. 9pm. Wang's, 3317 N Broadway at Buckingham Pl (773-296-6800). Bus: 36 Broadway, 77 Belmont (24hrs).

MUSEUMS & CULTURE - The 25th Annual Music Box Christmas Show
Let the Christmas spirit seize you for this double feature. Catch two of the greatest holiday film classics of all time with Frank Capra’s 1946 It’s a Wonderful Life and the 1954 Irving Berlin–scored White Christmas. Santa warms the crowd before each show with Christmas carol sing-alongs. Evening screenings take place at 7pm, with the second feature beginning at 9:50pm, Friday through Sunday. Matinees are scheduled at 1 and 4pm Friday through Monday. Music Box, 3733 N Southport Ave between Grace St and Waveland Ave (773-871-6604). El: Brown to Southport. Bus: 80 Irving Park, 152 Addison. $10, double feature $15; times vary.

MUSIC - The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
SYGC describes itself as “a chambery, folky, punky band.” The bookish septet peddles the same clutch-it-to-your-chest ur-indie as Belle & Sebastian, where references abound to Motown, girl groups, twee and anything else in a sweater. 9pm. Double Door, 1572 N Milwaukee Ave at Damen Ave (773-489-3160, doubledoor.com). El: Blue to Damen. Bus: 50, 56, 72. $10.

THEATER - Hideout Christmas Dinosaur Panto
Jon Langford, Tim Tuten and other usual Hideout suspects show up as the venue’s third annual Brit-style holiday panto takes to the sea with the Darwin-themed “Mutiny on the Beagle.” Sally Timms directs. 7pm performances are family-friendly, but leave the kids at home for the late show. 7, 10pm. Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia Ave between Elston Ave and Throop St (773-227-4433). Bus: 72 North, 73 Armitage. $12, kids under 18 $5 (7pm only).

SATURDAY

ART & DESIGN - Holiday Punch Bowl Party
Help the nonprofit Roots & Culture Contemporary Art Center fund future programming while enjoying both “classic and exotic” varieties of its homemade punch and other “refined fare.” 7–11pm. Roots & Culture Contemporary Art Center, 1034 N Milwaukee Ave between Cortez and Noble Sts (773-235-8874, rootsandculturecac.org). El: Blue to Division. Bus: 56 Milwaukee. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. To RSVP or for more information, e-mail rootsandc@gmail.com.

COMEDY - Whirled News Tonight
The uncommonly witty and smart performers in this long-form improv show satirize current events by creating scenes based on articles that audience members literally rip from the week's papers. 8PM. iO Del Close Theater, 3541 N Clark St. (773-880-0199, improvolympic.com). $14.

DANCE - Ensemble Espanol Special Family Holiday Concert
The Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theater presents Concierto Familiar. This family-friendly program is presented in conjunction with Northeastern Illinois University’s Performing Arts Series and Office of Cultural Events. All three styles of Spanish dance and music will be represented: clasico Espanol, folklorico and flamenco. Highlights include premieres by associate artistic director Irma Suarez Ruiz and two former principals of the National Ballet of Spain, Paloma Gomez and Christian Lozano, as well as repertory staples by founder and artistic director Dame Libby Komaiko. 7:30pm. Steinberg Fine Arts Center Auditorium, 3701 W Bryn Mawr Ave at N Central Park Ave (773-442–4636). El: Brown to Kimball. Bus: 53 Pulaski (24hrs), 82 Kimball/Homan. $25, seniors and NEIU alumni $15, students $10.

FILM - White Christmas/It's A Wonderful Life
In case you haven’t noticed, it’s the holiday season. If you need a little help getting in the mood, you might head over to the Music Box for their Christmas Show, which includes White Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life, plus a Christmas carol sing-along. Music Box, 3733 N Southport Ave between Grace St and Waveland Ave (773-871-6604). El: Brown to Southport. Bus: 80 Irving Park, 152 Addison. White Christmas: 4, 9:50pm; It’s a Wonderful Life: 1, 7pm; $10 for one film, but you get into both for $15.

GAY & LESBIAN - Underwear Party
What could be more festive than hanging out with a bunch of ho ho homosexuals in their undies? 11pm. Jackhammer, 6406 N Clark St at Devon Ave (773-743-5772). Bus: 22 (24hrs), 151 (24hrs), 155. $5.

MUSEUMS & CULTURE - TubaChristmas
This 34-year-old tuba tradition takes place in dozens of cities around the world. Tubists are invited to sign up to participate, and once they do, they’ll perform in unison, led by the Marine Band’s retired conductor, Col. John R. Bourgeois, and legendary tubist and event organizer Harvey Phillips. CSO tubist Gene Pokorny will also be on hand. If you’re planning to play, registration begins at 11am and rehearsal starts at noon. 2:30pm. Palmer House Hilton, 17 E Monroe St between State St and Wabash Ave (812-824-8833, participant@tubachristmas.com; tubachristmas.com); Listening free, players $5. El: Red, Blue to Monroe; Orange, Green, Pink, Brown, Purple (rush hrs) to Madison.

MUSIC - Off Broadway
Punk purists scoff at the fact that power-pop bands were the closest thing Chicago had to punk during the late ’70s, but these skinny-tie bands, on their own terms, were damned fine for what they were. Off Broadway had a local hit single in early 1980 with “Stay in Time,” and should have been as big as Cheap Trick. The band’s success was fleeting and regional, but the city still remembers. 9pm. FitzGerald’s, 6615 W Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn (708-788-2118, fitzgeraldsnightclub.com). El: Blue to Oak Park. $12, $10 with food donation.

SPORTS & REC - Windy City Hoops Classic
We’re not sure how it came about that Valparasio chose to host the country’s No. 1 team (that’d be the Tar Heels of North Kakalaka) in the Second City; we’re just glad Chicagoans get a chance to see a legitimate Final Four contender in these parts (all apologies to our local D-I programs). The Crusaders have been taking it on the chin against schools like San Diego and Iona, so look away if you bleed brown and gold. 1pm. United Center, 1901 W Madison St between Wood St and Damen Ave (312-559-1212, ticketmaster.com). El: Blue to Medical Center. Bus: 19, 20 (24hrs), 50. $15–$100.

THEATER - The Hipmas Carol
Jive performance poets Tyler Bohne and Patrick Zielinski perform Hipmas—now in its ninth year—as if they’re two soused uncles who’ve just pushed away from the table, hoping to be asked to retell their story as they feign reluctance. Tapping into the power of Dickens by breaking it down to its prime elements, they infuse it with verbal jazz that descends from Lord Buckley’s Scrooge. 5, 8pm. HeadCheese Fat Boss Productions at Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, 777 N Green St at Chicago Ave (312-733-6000). El: Blue to Chicago. Bus: 8 Halsted, 66 Chicago (24hrs). $25, seniors and kids 12 and under $17.

SUNDAY

ART & DESIGN - The Animation Festival 2008
About 16 artists, including Chicago Underground Film Festival winner Martha Colburn and local filmmaker Jim Trainor, present animated shorts. Popcorn will be served. 7pm. Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219 S Morgan St between 32nd St and 32nd Pl (lumpen.com). El: Red to Sox/35th. Bus: 8 Halsted, 35 35th. FREE!

DANCE - Selina Trepp: Private Dancer featuring Ayako Kato
Trepp, a visual artist known for providing video-projected visuals for A Cushicle’s weekly musical gigs at rodan, challenged dancer-choreographer Kato to move to a tune far off the track from her usual taste. Kato often collaborates with her husband, Jason Roebke, whose free-jazz/experimental soundscapes add a sensitive, abstract layer to Kato’s emotional expressiveness. For this work, Trepp made a video of Kato dancing to Tina Turner’s song “Private Dancer.” In this installation, the video is projected onto a disco ball and refracted throughout the gallery. 1–4pm. Old Gold, 2022 N Humboldt Blvd between Armitage Ave and Palmer Sq (773-653-9956, oldgoldexhibitionsandevents.com). El: Blue to California. Bus: 52 Kedzie/California. FREE!

GAY & LESBIAN - Lerman Holiday
New York parodist Ben Lerman teams up with local homo joke throwers for an evening of queer comic antics. 8:30pm. Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N Broadway between Lawrence Ave and Ainslie St (773-561-4665). El: Red to Lawrence. Bus: 36 Broadway, 81 Lawrence (24hrs). $10.

MUSEUMS & CULTURE - Do-It-Yourself Messiah
Instead of just soaking up a holiday performance, this event lets you be a part of one. Interested crooners will be seated according to voice range to sing along to Handel’s Messiah. Supporting the vocalists are a full orchestra, four soloists and a renowned conductor. Tickets are sold out, but, if you arrive an hour early on performance night, you can likely nab tickets from the lobby’s turn-back table. 3pm. Civic Opera House, 20 N Wacker Dr at Madison St (312-670-6888, ticketmaster.com). El: Orange, Pink, Purple (rush hrs), Brown to Washington; Blue to Monroe. Bus: 20 (24hrs), 60 (24hrs), 157. entrance is free but ticketed.

MUSIC - Hamid Drake & Michael Zerang
Formidable local percussionists Hamid Drake and Michael Zerang begin their annual winter solstice concerts at 6am. But it’s worth the ungodly wake-up call for the increasingly rare opportunity to see two of the local improv scene’s most respected musicians together. Because only natural light is used, the predawn moments of the show are performed in the dark, and neither musician is afraid to improvise prayers in Arabic, Hebrew or English. So the morning lends itself to a grander, ritualistic purpose. 6am. Links Hall, 3435 N Sheffield Ave at Clark St (773-281-0824, linkshall.org). El: Red to Addison. Bus: 22 Clark (24hrs), 152 Addison. $20 (advance tickets are available at Bookworks).

SPORTS & REC - Razor’s and Windy City Cyclists spin class
We’ll let the organizers from Windy City Cyclists, our fair city’s gay and lesbian biking club, tell you what’s in store for these Saturday-morning sessions: “If there was ever a sport designed for gay men and women, it’s spinning. Think about it: dance music, lycra, sweaty bodies, showers, brunch…a perfect combination.” Join them for these weeklies to keep off the winter “insulation.” Please note, beginners should roll in about 15 minutes early to get acclimated. 10:30am. Cheetah Gym, 5248 N Clark St between Foster and Berwyn Aves (windycitycyclingclub.com, billeise@gmail.com). Sun 21 at 10:30am, Dec 28 at $10 per session.