FYI

Production of ‘Nutcracker’ opens Nov. 30

Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theatre will present its production of “The Nutcracker” Friday, Nov. 30 to Sunday, Dec. 2 and Friday, Dec. 7 to Sunday, Dec. 9 at the University of Houston-Clear Lake Bayou Theater.   The classic show tells the story of a young girl and her dream journey with her Christmas gift, the Nutcracker.   Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30; Saturday, Dec. 1; and Friday to Sunday, Dec. 7-9, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1-2 and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 8-9.   Tickets range from $25 to $35 and can be purchased by calling the box office at 281-480-1617 or visiting bahbt.org. Group discounts are available.   University of Houston-Clear Lake Bayou Theater is located at 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston.     Christmas tree lighting set in Pasadena   The city of Pasadena’s annual Christmas tree lighting event will be from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7 at City Hall.   According to the organization, “Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will personally throw the switch to Pasadena’s large Christmas tree. There will be free coffee from Starbucks (while supplies last), cookies, hot chocolate, live entertainment from local performers, bright lights, a large circle of decorated trees and hay rides.”   The event is free. City Hall is at 1211 Southmore, Pasadena. For more information, call 713-477-0175, visit www.ci.pasadena.tx.us/default.aspx?name=prk.event-christmastreelighting or email bsitzman@ci.pasadena.tx.us     Junior League hosting charity ball Dec. 8   The annual Holiday Charity Ball, sponsored by Junior League of Galveston County Inc., will be held Saturday, Dec. 8 in the Davidson Ball Room of Tremont House in Galveston.   The event will run from 7-11:30 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to dance to the sounds of the Mambo Jazz Kings.   Tremont House is at 2300 Mechanic St., Galveston.   For more information, call 832-724-6943, visit www.jlgalveston.org or email Stevycurbow322@gmail.com.     Freeman Branch Library opens art exhibit   Clear Lake Freeman Branch Library is currently hosting an exhibit by artist Eugenia Algaze Garcia through Feb. 27, 2013.     A total of 21 original art pieces, all with hidden symbols, will be on display. According to a press release, works feature qualities of beauty, cheer and playfulness on ink and clayboard. Each work is designed to inspire viewers to look at surroundings in a fresh way.    Freeman Branch Library is located at 16616 Diana Lane, Houston.  For more information, visit www.hcpl.net.     Festival of Lights continues at Moody Gardens   The Festival of Lights continues through Saturday, Jan. 5 at Moody Gardens Convention Center.   One of the region’s largest holiday celebrations, the event features more than one million lights, 100 sound-enhanced animated light displays and live nightly entertainment.   Also on site is the area’s only outdoor ice skating rink.   The festival runs from 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 16-17;  Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 22-24, Nov. 29-Dec. 1 and Dec. 6-8; and nightly from Thursday, Dec. 13 through Saturday, Jan. 5. Tickets cost $6.95.   Moody Gardens Convention Center is at 7 Hope Blvd., Galveston. For more information, visit www.moodygardens