Events December 2009

Begins Dec. 1
"The Reach of Realism"

MIAMI
This exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art explores the traditions of Realism in the modern age through various media, such as photography and film, and features a group of international artists, including Ragnar Kjartansson, Uta Barth, Xaviera Simmons and Emily Wardill. www.mocanomi.org

Dec. 3-27
Black Nativity

ATLANTA A retelling of the birth of Christ, Black Nativity was one of the first shows written by an African-American (poet Langston Hughes) specifically for Broadway. Performed at the Southwest Arts Center, this celebration of gospel music, African dance, poetry and the Christmas spirit, depicts the story of the Nativity in the first act, while the second connects the story to a modern tale of a contemporary church revival. www.truecolorstheatre.org

Dec. 4-13
LA Auto Show

LOS ANGELES
Teens drove hot rods in the '50s and muscle cars in the '70s-and future ones may drive vehicles that use human DNA to change shape and color. At this auto show, check out concept cars in the Youth-mobile 2030 design challenge, as well as new vehicle debuts and alternative-fuel vehicles. There's even a Kids Fun Zone to get the next generation behind the wheel. www.laautoshow.com

Dec. 11-13
The Second City 50th Festival

CHICAGO
Laugh all you want, but comedy is serious business to Second City. This famous improv theater is celebrating its 50th birthday with panels, screenings and a reunion of the cast of the groundbreaking "SCTV," featuring appearances by the likes of Harold Ramis, Martin Short and Catherine O'Hara. www.secondcity.com

Begins Dec. 19
"Cartier and America"

SAN FRANCISCO
Don't let the fact they're not for sale (and no, you can't try them on) stop you from gawking at these gorgeous jewels. This exhibit at the Legion of Honor covers the House of Cartier from the Belle Epoque through the 1970s, featuring more than 200 objects, including diamond bracelets worn by Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard. www.famsf.org

Jan. 8-9
BCMFest

BOSTON
The best way to keep warm in winter is to keep moving. And there will be plenty of moving-that is, dancing- at this energetic festival, which presents Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton and other kinds of Celtic music performed by the likes of Colm O'Brien, Bento Boxty and Triptych. www.bcmfest.com

Jan. 1-3
Cirque de la Symphonie

MILWAUKEE Sure, classical music edifies and expands the mind and all that, but occasionally it gets a bit boring, what with all the seated, tuxedo-clad performers. Cirque de la Symphonie livens things up with acrobats, jugglers, strongmen and trapeze artists flying over your head, all choreographed to classical masterpieces played by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. www.mso.org

Jan. 7-10
Elvis Presley Birthday Celebration

MEMPHIS
The King of Rock and Roll's 75th birthday will be celebrated at his home, Graceland. The party includes special exhibits, conversations with people who knew him and an Elvis Birthday Pops performance by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Who knows? Maybe the birthday boy himself will show up. www.elvis.com

MOVING FORWARD

Start off 2010 by sitting back and watching others make spectacles of themselves.

THE FUNNY PARADE:
There's no telling what the participants in PHILADELPHIA'S incomparable Mummers Parade (www.phillymummers.com) will come up with-but there will be "comics" mocking current events and "fancies" looking pretty. More than 10,000 ornately costumed marchers and 18 string bands (no brass allowed) will be featured.

THE YOUTHFUL PARADE:
The Comerica Bank New Year's Parade (www.comericabankparade.com) in DALLAS features a dozen high school marching bands from around the country, two university bands and a contest for floats designed by middle school students.

THE CLASSIC PARADE:
The biggest New Year's Day parade in the US, the Rose Parade (www.tournamentofroses.com) in PASADENA, CA, will present equestrian teams, marching bands and, of course, giant floats made of flowers and natural materials.