John McCutcheon at Gordon Center
In the minds of some folk-music aficionados, few can hold a fiddle to him. John McCutcheon, that is. A Grammy-nominated singer / songwriter, a master of a dozen instruments and a mentor to budding musicians, McCutcheon is a huge influence in the folk-music genre. On Saturday, he'll bring his hammer dulcimer, his guitar, other instruments and his acclaimed vocal talent to the stage at the Gordon Center for Performing Arts, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills. With more than two dozen albums to his credit, McCutcheon will have plenty of music to choose from. Tickets are $17. Call 410-356-SHOW.
'Uncle Scrooge' at Corner Theatre
What's the holidays without a theatrical twist on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol? The Fell's Point Corner Theatre is doing its bit to keep tradition alive with My Uncle Scrooge. The show, which will feature community actors, theater students and members of the FPCT Challenged Ensemble, runs tomorrow through Dec. 22. It's being narrated by Scrooge's nephew, Fred, and will have lots of mystery and special effects, says FPCT spokeswoman Beverly Sokal. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 7 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $6-$12. The theater is at 251 S. Ann St. Call 410-276-7837.
Songs of the season
If it's holiday music of the non-mall variety you crave, the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall is a choice place to be over the next few days. First up is the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's Sleighbell Pops, a family concert featuring tap-dancing Santas, selections from The Nutcracker, a narration of The Night Before Christmas and lots of Yuletide songs. Shows are 8 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $24-$56. At 8 p.m. Monday, the Canadian Brass performs holiday favorites with the BSO. Tickets are $30-$54. The Meyerhoff is at 1212 Cathedral St. Call 410-783-8000.
Tenors at the Meyerhoff, Lyric
Call it a case of dueling tenor trios. At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, you've got Three Mo' Tenors at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. Rodrick Dixon, Thomas Young and Victor Cook (left to right) will entertain with a mix of opera, gospel, jazz, blues and more. Tickets are $30-$48. Call 410-783-8000. Meanwhile, at 8 p.m. Wednesday, the Celtic Tenors will begin hitting the high C's at the Lyric Opera House, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. Niall Morris, James Nelson and Matthew Gisenan will perform traditional Irish folk tunes and Celtic songs, as well as classical and musical-theater pieces. Tickets are $36-$46. Call 410-481-SEAT.
Santa's Trolley
"Ding, ding, ding," goes the trolley. It's calling all aboard for a ride with Santa on Saturday and Sunday. But trips on Santa's Tinsel Trolley are only part of the weekend's activities at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum, 1911 Falls Road. Visitors also can see a 16-foot Christmas tree, watch trains run in a holiday train garden, listen to the tale of A Visit From St. Nick and enjoy holiday treats, holiday music and more. Events take place from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. both days. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for children under 12. Call 410-547-0264.
Relay / St. Denis holiday house tour
Never had a reason to visit the southwestern Baltimore County community of Relay / St. Denis? Now you have one. It's the Relay / St. Denis Historic Christmas House Tour, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. Six 19th-century homes and two churches will be on the tour. One home was built in 1807. The community, in case you didn't know, sits near the B&O; Railroad's historic Thomas Viaduct. Light refreshments will be served at the homes, and there'll be music at the churches. Tickets are $12, $10 for seniors. You can purchase them at the Relay Town Hall, 1710 Arlington Ave., or by calling 410-242-3218.
Grand opening of Grand Style Gallery
Hey, art lover, not doing anything tonight? Check out the grand opening of the Grand Style Gallery at 62 Village Square in the Village of Cross Keys. A reception takes place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. You can sip champagne, nibble hors d'oeuvres and meet the dozen or so artists whose works (oil paintings, watercolors, pastels and drawings) are christening the new space. And, you can chat with the gallery's three owners (Karen Rupert, Tristan Lane Sills and Jennifer Kohan), who call the opening a "lifelong dream." Free. Call 410-323-3100.