MUSIC
Portland Youth Philharmonic
The philharmonic, led by Music Director David Hattner, plays its festive and family-friendly Concert-At-Christmas, an event that features its entire roster of 300 musicians and an orchestra of 100 alumni. The concert will feature Pyotr Tchaikovskys Slavonic March, Op. 31, played by an ensemble that includes PYP members who played under all five musical directors, including Jacques Gershkovitch (1924-1953). The PYP orhcestra explores the music of Italy with performances of Gioacchino Rossinis LItaliana in Algeri and Ottorino Respighis Fountains of Rome.
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway, www.portlandyouthphil.org, $24-$50
It Fell on a Holie Eve
The show features the Oregon Renaissance Band, 13 music specialists led by Phil and Gayle Neuman, members of The Trail Band. The holiday music features violin, sackbutts, viols, recorders, lute, dulcians, racketts, krummhorns, cornamusen, bagpipes and voice.
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, Community Music Center, 3350 S.E. Francis St., emgo.org, $12-$15
Ode to Joy
The Oregon Symphonys New Years celebration, now in its third year and led by Conductor Carlos Kalmar, features cabaret diva
Meow Meow in Ludwig van Beethovens Ninth Symphony and more.
7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, Dec. 29-30, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway, www.orsymphony.org, starting at $5
Straight No Chaser
The male a cappella group comes to Portland fresh off the release of its new album, The New Old Fashioned, which features an eclectic array of songs that explores multiple influential musical eras and unique medleys.
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St., www.portland5.com, $29.50-$62.50
MISC.
Holiday events
There are still some Christmas/holiday events and displays to enjoy in the coming days:
Oregon Ballet Theatres The Nutcracker, through Dec. 26
Peacock Lane, through Dec. 31
Portland Center Stages The Santaland Diaries, through Dec. 27
Pittock Mansions The Magic of Wintertime, through Jan. 2
The Grotto Christmas Festival of Lights, through Dec. 30
Michael Allen Harrisons Christmas at the Old Church concerts, through Dec. 26
Oregon Zoo Zoolights, through Jan. 3
Portland International Raceways Winter Wonderland, through Dec. 27
Whale Watching Week
Whale enthusiasts and outdoor lovers gather in Newport and elsewhere on the Oregon Coast next week for one of the best periods to catch the migrating gray whales, Dec. 27 to 31. For more than 30 years, trained volunteers with the Whale Watching Spoken Here program have helped visitors watch whales at 24 sites in three states in the Pacific Northwest. A good place to learn about things is visiting with rangers at the Depoe Bay Whale Center in Newport, which has information on the best places to see the whales. For more info, check out the whale watching page at www.oregonstateparks.org.
STAGE
Matt Braunger
The comedian with Portland roots, and co-founder of the Bridgetown Comedy Festival, comes back to town for one night only. He has appeared on MadTV, Conan, Up All Night, The Late Show with David Letterman and Chelsea Lately, and he now can be seen on Agent Carter.
9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, Mississippi Studios, 3939 N.E. Mississippi Ave., www.mississippistudios.com (check for tickets)
So You Think You Can Dance?
Its the live tour of the Emmy Award-winning Fox TV show, celebrating its 12th season and top-10 finalists from Team Stage Gaby Diaz, Edson Juarez, Jim Nowakowski, Hailee Payne and Derek Piquette and from Team Street Megan Alfonso, Eddie Eskridge, Virgil Gadson, Jessica Rabone and Jana Vankova.
7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway, www.portland5.com, $35-$79.50
