Jason Robert Brown, the Caucasian Rhythm Kings, and guests
For fans who didn't get enough of Jason Robert Brown at the recent Boston benefit for the North Shore Music Theatre, dust off your passport and cross the pond. The singer, songwriter, pianist, and Tony Award-winning composer-lyricist of ''Parade," ''Songs for a New World," and ''The Last Five Years" performs at the New Players Theatre with his band the Caucasian Rhythm Kings. The concert includes selections from his theater repertoire, new material, Christmas tunes, and songs from ''Wearing Someone Else's Clothes," Brown's new debut solo album. Special guests are musical-theater divas Joanna Riding and Frances Ruffelle, and gospel singers. Shows are Dec. 7-11 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $26-$30.
New Players Theatre, The Arches near Charing Cross, 011-44-208-70-033-2626 , www.seetickets.com.
'Antiques & Fine Art at the Armory'
Do you fantasize that the thingamabob and thingamajig in your attic are rare treasures that will support you in retirement (let's not even
think ''pile of junk")? If you want to see the real things, visit this year's show at the Seventh Regiment Armory. Approximately 80 fine arts dealers from all over the world set up temporary shop with sculpture, paintings, decorative arts, fine jewelry, garden antiques, metalware, and antique pottery. Bobby Fischer wannabees should check out Elizabeth Gann's antique and custom-made chess sets. Lectures include ''Show Rarities and Great Buys" on Dec. 10 at 1:30 p.m. (free with admission). The show is 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 8, until 8 Dec. 9, until 7:30 Dec. 10, and until 6 Dec. 11 and 12. Admission $15.
Seventh Regiment Armory, Park Avenue and 67th Street, 212-472-1180, www.wendyantiquesshows.com.
Hong Kong Ballet's 'Nutcracker'
Everyone should own a nutcracker that morphs into a soldier and prince to save you from an army of mice. Alas, until that time, the next-best thing is to see the ballet. Clara receives that nutcracker as a Christmas gift in Stephen Jefferies's Edwardian-set production for the Hong Kong Ballet. The company's 40 dancers leap, twirl, and defy gravity to Tchaikovsky's score for two hours in ''The Nutcracker," complete with the ''Waltz of the Flowers" and ''Chinese Dance." Post-performance activities include an autograph session and a ''Make your own Nutcracker Prince" session. Tickets are $100-$300 for adults and half-price for seniors, students, and people with disabilities.
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, www.urbtix.hk and www.hkballet.com.
Mr. Christie Quebec Winter Carnaval
The first large winter carnival in Quebec was in 1894, but the first official edition of the Quebec Winter Carnival was in 1955. For this 50th year, traditions include Bonhomme, the mascot and living incarnation of a snowman who wears a belt and red hat. These garments are tied to Quebec history and folklore from the 19th century when the belt was used to tie jackets at the waist for warmth (folklore has it that the belt supported the kidneys). Festivities include opening and closing ceremonies, snow sculptures, parades, slide runs, ice fishing, concerts, horse-drawn and dogsled rides, skating, and the Ice Tower. A one-time admission of $8 includes most activities at the 17-day carnival. A detailed program is to be available in January.
Place Desjardins on the Plains of Abraham and other venues, 866-422-7628 , www.carnaval.qc.ca.
SALZBURG AND VIENNA Jan. 20-Feb. 5 Mozart was 5 when he started composing while traveling with his father through Western Europe. The young prodigy earned quite a bit of money for the family, and on one occasion when he was sick, his father reportedly was more concerned about the loss of income than his son's health. At 35, and one of the most prolific of composers, Mozart died in Vienna in 1791. He is regarded as one of the most significant composers of European classical music. Austria fetes the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth with a yearlong celebration that includes opera, concerts, exhibits, forums, and festivals. On Jan. 27, Mozart's birthday, a gala concert will be held in his birthplace of Salzburg on the hour he was born. The composer's violin and fortepiano will be played at the gala.
Jan. 27 concert is at Great Festival Hall, Salzburg. www.mozart2006.net.
Events sometimes are canceled, rescheduled, or sold out; call or check online to confirm. Contact June Wulff at jwulff@globe.com or travel@globe.com.
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