Jewish Food & Life Expo

Exhibitors from around the world display Judaica, art, gifts, crafts, jewelry and services Sunday at the 8th annual Mid-Atlantic Jewish Food & Life Expo at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. Food, live music, entertainment, free samples and hands-on demonstrations are included. Other highlights include unlimited free rides for children, tasting booths offering new kosher products, free phone calls to anywhere in the world, free arts and crafts projects, a surf machine, shofar making, challah braiding and Judaic paper cutting. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission in advance is $5, $4 seniors, $3.50 children; at the door, $6.50, $5.50 and $4. Call 410-764-1553.

Holiday party with Love Riot

Help celebrate Love Riot's release of a new album, "Heaven Can Wait," at a holiday party Saturday at the Eight by Ten Club, 10 E. Cross St. The Baltimore-based quintet comprises vocalist and guitarist Lisa Mathews, acoustic guitarist Mikel Gehl, violinist Willem Elzivir, bassist Mark Evanko and stand-up drummer Ron Campbell. Kyf Brewer opens. Show time is 10 p.m. and admission is $6, or $5 with a can of food for Moveable Feast, a group of volunteers that delivers meals to homebound people living with AIDS. Call 410-625-2000.

Celtic Christmas

Join Connemara in a Celtic Christmas celebration at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Baldwin's Station & Pub, 7618 Main St. in Sykesville. Connemara features vocalist Grace Griffith, violinist Cathy Palmer and vocalist Jody Marshall, who also plays the hammered dulcimer and keyboard. The trio will be accompanied on the keyboard by Paul Nahay. Tickets are $12. Call 410-795-1041.

Holiday traditions at the Meyerhoff

Performing a work that is synonymous with the season, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, under the direction of Edward Polochick, present Handel's "Messiah" at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday. Joining the BSO and Chorus are soprano Arianna Zukerman, mezzo-soprano Marietta Simpson, tenor Anthony Dean Griffey and bass-baritone Clayton Brainerd. The holiday celebration at the Meyerhoff continues at 3 p.m. Sunday with a concert by Baltimore's instrumental folk ensemble Helicon (pictured). Tickets for "Messiah" are $20 to $40; $18 to $40 for the Helicon concert. Call 410-783-8000.

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa show

Enjoy a collection of traditional tales featuring holiday celebrations of diverse faith and culture when the Children's Theater Association presents three one-act plays at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Baltimore Museum of Art, Art Museum Drive at Charles Street. The program includes O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi"; "The Fools of Chelm," adapted by playwright Steve Schutzman; and the story of "Imani," the Swahili word for faith, adapted by Vell Wheeler. Tickets are $7 in advance, $8 at the door. Call 410-366-6403.

'Amahl and the Night Visitors'

For a warm and inspiring story of a young disabled boy and his poverty-stricken, widowed mother, attend the Municipal Opera Company's performance of Gian Carlo Menotti's "Amahl and the Night Visitors" this weekend at the Fine Arts Theater, Baltimore City Community College, 2901 Liberty Heights Ave. Curtain time is 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $9-$15. Call 410-329-6874.

'Merry Tuba Christmas'

Celebrate a "Merry Tuba Christmas" with a holiday concert with more than 100 big, bold and brass tubas and euphoniums from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Harborplace Amphitheatre. Guest conductor is Harvey Phillips, the father of "Merry Tuba Christmas." In case of inclement weather, the concert takes place in the Gallery at Harborplace. Admission is free. Call 800-HARBOR-1.

'Stomp and Chomp'

This weekend, visitors to the Maryland Science Center not only get to see some of the biggest dinosaur fossils around, they'll also get an interesting perspective on just what humans ,, need to do when it comes to "boning up" on strong bodies and strong teeth. The National Museum of Dentistry and the American Dairy Association join the Science Center in presenting "Stomp and Chomp" from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Activities include film clips of "Amazing Teeth Feats," proper brushing and flossing techniques performed on gigantic choppers, an interactive "Bone Up on Calcium - Drink Milk" exhibit and stories and songs focusing on strong bones. Admission is $9.75, $8 seniors and ages 13-18, $7 ages 4-12 and military personnel, free for ages 3 and under. Call 410-685-5225.

Pub Date: 12/17/98