Top 10 things to do this week

Don't start hibernating yet. Fun awaits!

1) SANTALAND DIARIES

It’s been more than 20 years since David Sedaris introduced “The Santaland Diaries,” his essay about his experience working as the Santa Claus helper named Crumpet the Elf. Four years later, that piece created for NPR’s “Morning Edition” was adapted into a one-man play by Joe Mantello.

Since then, “The Santaland Diaries” has become a popular holiday program. The Human Race Theatre Company is currently presenting Sedaris’ hilarious tale at Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St., Dayton. Scott Stoney directs the play, which features Tim Lile as Crumpet.

Leave the kids at home for this adult production, which opened on Dec. 8. “The Santaland Diaries” is presented through Saturday, Dec. 17. Show times are 7 p.m., with shows at 5 and 9 p.m. Saturdays. Cost: $24. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

2) HOMETOWN HOLIDAY

For the seasonal SuperPops concert, Hometown Holiday, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra has invited a variety of special guests. The concert at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets in downtown Dayton, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9 and 10, features jazz-rock ensemble Felita LaRock & Moment’s Notice, the Kettering Children’s Choir, the Holiday Festival Chorus and Sinclair College Concert Handbell Choir. Cost: $29-$79. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

3) SURREALIST BALL

When Lisa Patrick-Wright was looking for a theme for last year’s fundraiser for STRONG, she took inspiration from the famed 1972 French party called the Surrealist Ball. The second annual event is presented at The Mansion, 713 W. Grand Ave., Dayton, from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Performers run the gamut from local performance artist Laurana Wong and contortionist Zachary Craft to DJ Yes Body and electronic act Echo Mecca. Cost: $40. Proceeds benefit STRONG, which works to prevent and treat physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Call 937-723-6747 or visit www.daytonsurrealistball.com.

4) THE BAND PERRY

The Band Perry was extremely successful on Republic Nashville, releasing a platinum debut album and gold-certified follow-up, scoring seven Top 10 singles along the way. Earlier this year, the country group left Republic for a joint deal with Interscope Records and Mercury Nashville. The Band Perry is headlining the K99.1 FM Country Bands Together concert at the Nutter Center, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Fairborn, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Frankie Ballard and A Thousand Horses will also perform. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Cost: $25 to $78. Call 937-775-4789 or visit www.nuttercenter.com.

5) JAY PHAROAH

Jay Pharoah had one more year left on his contract with “Saturday Night Live” when he was let go as a cast member just before the current season began. Rather than sit round Manhattan and lick his wounds, the native of Norfolk, Va., hit the road for a stand-up tour. Pharoah is performing at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, 88 Plum St. at The Greene in Beavercreek, through Sunday, Dec. 18. Show times are 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $23 to $53. Call 937-429-LAFF (5233) or visit www.daytonfunnybone.com.

6) MISTLETOE MAGIC MARKETPLACE

Fine arts, repurposed items, crafts and gourmet food are just some of the attractions at the Mistletoe Magic Holiday Marketplace at Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St., Dayton, on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10 and 11. The second annual holiday sale, presented by Cloud Productions, also features artist demonstrations, direct sales representatives and a visit from Santa Claus. Mistletoe Magic Holiday Marketplace is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $5, free for children 12 and younger. Call 937-416-3667 or visit www.daytonconventioncenter.com.

7) LITA FORD

Although she took a break from music from 1996 to 2007 to raise her two sons, Lita Ford’s full immersion into motherhood never softened the hard rocker. Since returning to the stage nearly a decade ago, she has continued to create the high-powered brand of guitar rock she pioneered in the late 1970s as a member of female rockers the Runaways. Ford, who released the album “Time Capsule,” earlier this year, performs with special guests Trixter at BMI Speedway, 791 E. Main St., Versailles, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Door open at 5 p.m. $25 in advance, $35 at the door. Call 937-526-9547 or visit www.bmispeedway.com.

8) MIKE SUPER

Mike Super was able to elevate himself about the pack of contemporary illusionists on NBC. He was a top 12 finalist on “America’s Got Talent” and took the grand prize in the network’s “Phenomenon.” Victoria Theatre Association’s Projects Unlimited Star Attraction Series presents Super at the Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Cost: $25-$50. Call 937-228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

9) ‘A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS’

In Charles M. Schulz’s popular 1965 animated television special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” the Peanuts characters explore materialism, friendship and the true meaning of Christmas. A local production of Eric Schaeffer’s stage adaptation is presented at Sinclair Community College, Blair Hall Theatre, 444 W. Third St., Dayton, Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 15 through 18. Gina Kleesattel is director and Katherine Frauman is music director. Show times are noon Thursday, noon and 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $8. Visit www.sinclair.edu.

10) CATHIE RYAN

Celtic singer Cathie Ryan is only doing nine dates on her end-of-the-year tour, “The Winter’s Heart: An Irish American Christmas.” Luckily for local fans, one of those concerts is at Plaza Theatre, 33 S. Main St., Miamisburg, at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14. The program includes ethereal hymns, holiday favorites and Irish jigs and reels. Cost: $25. Proceeds benefit We Care Arts in Kettering, which provides art therapy workshops for people with physical, mental and emotional handicaps. Call 937-979-0920.

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