A&E

Now widely known as The Harlem Nutcracker, it was one of several suites Ellington and Strayhorn wrote for Columbia, as well as film scores and other work. “One of the things that he and Columbia Records talked about was him and Billy Strayhorn doing a sort of Nutcracker Suite” just in time for the Christmas 1960 record-selling season, Marcus Shelby said.

Annual fundraiser for Healdsburg Rotary Club to fund scholarship programs for Healdsburg High School students: an “all you can eat” crab dinner, a silent auction and a live auction MC’d by local personalities. Villa Chanticleer, Dec. 14, plus more events this week.

Steve Castelli, a model car enthusiast and drag racer, had a toy vehicle collection that was legendary; with the assistance of his daughter, Tina Castelli, the Healdsburg Museum assembled these mechanical wonders, "a tribute not only to Steve, but to forward motion itself.”

“Toys on the Go” is the new exhibition at Healdsburg Museum, featuring everything that goes. The Christmas Model Train returns as well, from enthusiast Wayne Padd, updated for this year’s show. Opens Dec. 5 ...

Busy times as the holidays approach: a 5k fun run, a fun play at the Raven, chances to dance or listen to jazz, a classic film and a tree-lighting in the Plaza. All that and more..

The Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce is making a big deal about the holidays—like most chambers generally do. There are champagne soirees, wreath-making classes, a holiday hit records festival at Little Saint, the Merry Healdsburg tree-lighting in the Plaza and if one can wait long enough, a New Year’s Eve Celebration at Coyote Sonoma...

Audiences headed for a performance of the Raven Players’ production of Cinderella who are expecting anything along the lines of a Disney musical are in for a bit of a surprise, says drama critic Harry Duke...

When we think of the blues, the last instrument we expect to be part of the genre is the ukulele. That is unless it’s uke master Jake Shimabukuro, whose latest project is a blues album with Mick Fleetwood...

A workshop on the art of wreath-making, crafting personal holiday pieces chock-full of fragrant Sonoma County evergreens. Learn during the two-hour class, and leave with a handcrafted wreath. $145 including premium wines and gourmet culinary snacks from Chef Charlie Palmer, on Nov. 21 and Nov. 23.

The trio Kalos play their own version of Celtic music on Wednesday night at the Raven - not only the to-be-expected tunes from Ireland and Scotland, but music from elsewhere in Britain, from the north of Spain and France, from Nova Scotia and Quebec, Acadian music and Appalachian as well.