Sunday, Dec. 14
'The Nutcracker on Ice' The Columbia Figure Skating Club presents its annual show featuring more than 100 performers ranging in age from 3 to adult and including many advanced-level skaters who have competed regionally and nationally at the Columbia Ice Rink, 5876 Thunder Hill Road. Shows at 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Admission is $13, free for ages 2 and younger. Information: 410-730-0322.
'It's a Wonderful Life' Howard Community College's Arts Collective presents the holiday classic at 3 p.m. at the Smith Theatre, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway. Tickets are $15, $12 for seniors and military, and $10 for students with ID. Information: 443-518-1500 or howardcc.edu/artscollective.
Dance performance Kinetics Dance Theatre presents "The Cracked Nut," a twist on the holiday classic "The Nutcracker," at 7 p.m. in the Slayton House Theatre, 10400 Cross Fox Lane in Columbia. Tickets $10. Information: kineticsdance.org.
Christmas concert The Columbia Pro Cantare Chamber Singers perform "A Christmas Noel" at 3 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Road in Columbia. Tickets are $17, $15 for seniors and students, $12 for children younger than 15. Frances Motyca Dawson directs. Information: 410-799-9321.
Concert The Alleluias, an interdenominational Christian choir, present a performance of the choral piece "Canticle of Christmas" at 3:30 p.m. at Alberta Gary Memorial United Methodist Church, 9405 Guilford Road in Columbia. Admission is free. Information: thealleluias.org.
Monday, Dec. 15
Faction action A session to create "Divergent Faction Rainbow Loom Bracelets" will be held for ages 11 to 17 at Elkridge Library, 6540 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge. The event is based on Veronica Roth's novel "Divergent," in which society is divided into five factions dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue. Create rainbow loom bracelets in the colors and style of your chosen faction. Registration required: 410-313-5077.
Tuesday, Dec. 16
On Judaism and Christianity In "Parting of the Ways: How Judaism and Christianity Became Two," Rabbi Susan Grossman will lead attendees on a journey over several centuries and three continents to explore early Judaism, the founding of Christianity as a Jewish sect, and the beliefs, practices and politics that led to a parting of the two faiths. The discussion will be held from 7:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. at Beth Shalom Congregation, 8070 Harriet Tubman Lane. Admission is $20, $15 for members. Information: 410-531-5115.
Menorah lighting Chabad of Clarksville invites the community to a public menorah lighting at 6:30 p.m. at the River Hill Village Center next to the Giant. Event features local dignitaries, live music, a raffle, doughnuts, dreidels, latkes and a 9-foot menorah. For directions and more Information, go to chabadclarksville.org.
Wednesday, Dec. 17
Savage meeting The Savage Community Association meets at Carroll Baldwin Hall, 9035 Baltimore Street, Savage, at 7 p.m. Information: Susan Garber at 301-661-1550 or buzysusan23@yahoo.com.
Thursday, Dec. 18
Pupsicles The Miller Library, 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, will host a screening of the film, "Snow Dogs," at 6:30 p.m. Free popcorn and drinks. Information: 410-313-1950.
Friday, Dec. 19
Live Nativity The First Baptist Church of Savage presents a Live Nativity at the Baldwin Commons, 6 to 8 p.m. This free event will have music and live animals as they re-create the birth of Jesus. All are welcome. Also Saturday, Dec. 20.
'Holiday Nutcracker' Highlights of Tchaikovsky's classic will be performed by members of the One for All Dance Academy at 6:30 p.m. at Slayton House Theatre, 10451 Twin Rivers Road in Columbia. Tickets are $8. Information: 410-262-8434.
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Saturday, Dec. 20
'Celebration of Song' The Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts presents a musical performance featuring the Young Columbians, Broadway Performance Prep and New Horizons at 3:30 p.m. at Howard Community College's Smith Theatre, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia. Free admission. Information: 410-381-0700.
Concert Paul and Lisa Fenstamacher, Denee Barr and Scott Sivakoff perform in a free Music Matters showcase from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Mad City, 10801 Hickory Ridge Road in Columbia. Information: 410-964-8671.
Future
Classical music The Sundays At Three concert series presents international award-winning pianist Wan-Chi Su performing Bach's Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue, Mozart's Piano Sonata in F major, Schubert's Piano Sonata in A minor, and Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12. Recital is at 3 p.m. Jan. 4 at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Road in Columbia. Tickets are $15, free for those 17 and younger accompanied by an adult. Information: 443-288-3179 or sundaysatthree.org.
Jazz concert Grammy-winning Latin jazz performer Paquito D'Rivera performs at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Jazz@the Lake Concert at the Jim Rouse Theatre, 5460 Trumpeter Road in Columbia. Tickets are $27 and available at instantseats.com/events/jimrousetheatre. Information: 410-997-2070.
Announcements for the datebook may be sent by mail to The Baltimore Sun in Howard County, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore 21278, by email to howard.events@baltsun.com or by fax to 410-332-6455.