Weekend Best Bets: Dec. 13-15

Courtesy of Tattersall Distilling

It’s Vernacular Dance, Charlie Brown

What: Chill: The Entire Charlie Brown Christmas Soundtrack, Played Live and Danced!
When: Dec. 13-15
Where: Amsterdam Bar & Hall, 6 West Sixth St., St. Paul

I attended this holiday concert last year—a contemporary-dance translation of A Charlie Brown Christmas, organized by choreographer, dancer, and Rhythmically Speaking artistic director Erinn Liebhard. Something about it stirred real, emotional reflection. In part: the muted wonder of St. Paul native Charles Schulz’ classic, and the Mr. Rogers serenity of Vince Guaraldi’s soundtrack. But also: the dancers’ innocence, the live band’s brassiness, and the Amsterdam’s communal, beer- and kid-friendly ambience.

With Care at Carver

What: Visit with Santa at Carver Junk Company
When: Dec. 13, 5-8 p.m.
Where: Carver Junk Company,

While adults check out locally made gifts, kids can make “Letter to Santa” ornaments in the Carver Junk Company workshop ($10 each). First, they handwrite a letter, then someone shrinks those letters in just a few minutes. Northstar Donut brings apple cider donuts. Did I mention Santa’s there?

A Toast to Five Years

What: Five Year Party at Eastlake
When: Dec. 13, 6-11 p.m.
Where: Eastlake Craft Brewery, 920 E. Lake St., Minneapolis

Midtown Global Market’s brewery, Eastlake, celebrates five years with a party, inviting over food-hall brethren Manny’s Tortas and Taco Cat. A wintertime imperial stout returns, a sour red ale debuts, the folk-rock Wailing Loons and the country Pleasure Horse perform, and screen printing takes place onsite.

Sugary Suite

What: Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy
When: Dec. 13-23
Where: State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis

Minnesota Dance Theatre’s annual take on Tchaikovsky and sugar plum fairies goes en pointe.

Another Sugary Suite

What: Ballet Minnesota: The Classic Nutcracker
When: Dec. 13-15
Where: The O’Shaughnessy, 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul

Ballet Minnesota returns for its 32nd year at the O’Shaughnessy, handcrafting costumes for another of many Nutcracker renditions in the Cities.

Merry Murder Mystery

What: I’ll Be Homicidal for Christmas
When: Dec. 13-Jan. 18
Where: The Mystery Café, 600 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis

A run-down comedian tries to jump-start his career with a televised Christmas special—but there’s shadiness afoot among the celebrity guests and variety acts. Tuck into three courses and maybe find yourself in the mix.

Mandalorian Lore

What: What If?: A Very Star Wars Cabaret
When: Dec. 14, 7 p.m.
Where: The Loft Literary Center, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis

Five writers of speculative fiction wax nerdy on Star Wars. It’s a fan-fiction reading and an airing of cultural criticism and maybe an interpretative dance performance? Featuring novelist Shannon Gibney, puppeteer and writer Luis Lopez, playwright and author Saymoukda Duangphouxay, and more.

Holiday Cheers

What: Tattersall Distilling Annual Holiday Market
When: Dec. 14, noon-5 p.m.
Where: Tattersall Ditilling, 1620 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis

Three pop-up bars serve seasonal cocktails while more than 50 local artisans and makers put up shop at Tattersall, making use of the new Clover Club expansion. They include Minnesota Leather Works, Great Lakes Clothing Co., Duluth Coffee Company, MN Nice Spice + MN Nice Gifts, and more.