This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
• Ballet West launches its annual production of "The Nutcracker," starting tonight at Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City. Tonight's show happens at 7 p.m.; Saturday's shows are at 2 and 7 p.m.; the production runs through Dec. 26. Tickets on sale at ArtSaltLake.org.
• Heavy-metal pioneers Quiet Riot performs tonight at Liquid Joe's, 1249 E. 3300 South, Salt Lake City. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25, at Smith's Tix.
• Provo soul singer Amber Lynn performs a holiday show, tonight at the Chamber Theater, Sandy City Hall, 10000 S. Centennial Parkway. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15, at the Sandy Arts Guild's website.
• Alt-rock band Switchfoot headlines Alt 101.9's "Big Elfing Show," tonight at The Royal, 4760 S. 900 East, Salt Lake City. Opening: Dreamers, Penrose. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15, at Smith's Tix.
• Indie-pop band Wild Child performs tonight at Kilby Court, 741 S. Kilby Court (330 West), Salt Lake City. Opening: Walker Lukens. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $14, at Ticketfly.
• The Utah Symphony performs a program of Beethoven and Rachmaninoff, tonight and Saturday at Abravanel Hall, 123 W. 100 South, Salt Lake City. Pianist Jeffrey Kahane solos on Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 2, then the symphony performs Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 3. Also on the bill: Mozart's Symphony No. 19. Hans Graf conducts. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at ArtSaltLake.org.
• Pianist Dan Waldis leads "A Little Celtic Jazz With Your Mistletoe," tonight at the Leona Wagner Black Box in the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. 300 South, Salt Lake City. Also performing: Singer Melissa Pace-Tanner, saxophonist/wind instrumentalist Kevin Flynn, bassist Jim Stout and percussionist Dave Murphy. Show starts at 7:30. Tickets are $17.50, at ArtSaltLake.org.
• Comedian Jim Gaffigan performs on his "Fully Dressed" tour, tonight at Vivint Smart Home Arena, 301 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets, from $36.75 to $56.75, at Smith's Tix.
• Canadian electronic-music trio Dragonette performs tonight at Metro Music Hall, 615 W. 100 South, Salt Lake City. Opening: Gibbz. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15, at Ticketfly.
• Jam band Mokie plays a night of Jerry Garcia music, tonight at The State Room, 638 S. State St., Salt Lake City. Show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $13, at Ticketfly.
• Melodic death-metal band Children of Bodom performs Saturday at The Complex, 536 W. 100 South, Salt Lake City. Show starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 on the day of the show, at Smith's Tix.
• The Utah Jazz host the Denver Nuggets in NBA action, Saturday at Vivint Smart Home Arena, 301 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City. Game starts at 7 p.m. Tickets available at Smith's Tix.
• Emo alt-rock band Sleeping With Sirens performs Saturday at The Complex, 536 W. 100 South, Salt Lake City. Opening: State Champs, Tonight Alive, Waterparks. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $24.50 in advance, $30 on the day of the show, at Smith's Tix.
• Violinist Jenny Oaks Baker and her four performing children headline a show, "Carols of Christmas Past," Saturday at the Chamber Theater, Sandy City Hall, 10000 S. Centennial Parkway. Also on the bill: Irish singer Alex Sharpe, formerly of Celtic Woman. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20, at the Sandy Arts Guild's website.
• Hip-hop duo KnowMads performs Saturday at Kilby Court, 741 S. Kilby Court (330 West), Salt Lake City. Opening: Ethan, Zotti, Chief, Niq. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, at Smith's Tix and Ticketfly.
• The Choral Arts Society of Utah (conducted by Sterling Poulson) and the West Valley Symphony (conducted by Donny Gilbert) team up for their annual Holiday Pops concert, Saturday at Cottonwood High School auditorium, 5715 S. 1300 East, Murray. Also on the bill: Octappella. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance, via Smith's Tix, or $15 at the door; proceeds benefit The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program.
• Australian electronic duo Empire of the Sun headlines X96's "Nightmare Before X-Mas" concert, Saturday at Saltair, 12408 W. Salt Air Drive, Magna. Opening: Oh, Be Clever. Show starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $29.50, at Ticketfly.
• Alt-rock/folk band The Mother Hips performs Saturday at The State Room, 638 S. State St., Salt Lake City. Opening: Muddpuddle. Show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $21, at Ticketfly.