Wed 23 – The 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street may be upholding the status quo, but it got a jump on anxiety about the commercialization of Christmas before almost anybody else did. Aside from feeling more modern than It’s a Wonderful Life (made one year earlier), the movie also affords a glimpse of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade from 1946. The film screens at 2pm & 7pm at various movie theaters; check Calendar for showtimes. Tickets are $7.50-8. Call 818-761-6100.
Thur 24 – Entertainment options are scarce on Christmas Eve, but you can catch Peter Pan out in Dallas today thanks to an extended run. The 100-foot-tall space in the Threesixty Theatre offers plenty of room for Peter to fly around in, and the show is sure to be better than that movie version that came out in the summer. Peter Pan runs thru Jan 3 at 2450 San Jacinto St, Dallas. Tickets are $20-90. Call 214-880-0202.
Fri 25 – You don’t have to be poor to attend Lico Reyes’ annual Christmas Party for the Poor. In fact, the less fortunate might well appreciate people of means coming to mingle and help with passing out food and clothes. In any event, people of all walks of life can enjoy the games and entertainment 9am-2pm at the Alamo Ballroom, 1511 New York Av, Arlington. Admission is free. Call 817-454-4716.
Sat 26 – A social activist, diet guru, actor, and author who titled his autobiography Nigger, Dick Gregory is still doing the standup circuit at age 83, and he figures to have a perspective on our contemporary racial landscape that’s worth hearing. He takes the stage today thru Sun at Improv Arlington, 309 Curtis Mathes Way, Arlington. Tickets are $22-32. Call 817-635-5555.
Sun 27 – Christmas Day may be over, but there’s still time to catch A Cold Hearted Christmas at Texas Star Dinner Theater. This interactive murder mystery that sets A Christmas Carol in the Old West has its last go-around this weekend before giving way to the troupe’s New Year’s show. The play runs thru today at 816 S Main St, Grapevine. Tickets and dinner are $59. Call 817-310-5588.
Mon 28 – For many science fiction fans, a Doctor Who who isn’t a white guy would be the best Christmas present of all, but for now, we’ll have to content ourselves with Husbands of River Song. A Yuletide episode that includes a behind-the-scenes special will be broadcast 7:30pm today and Tue at Hulen Movie Tavern, 4920 S Hulen St, FW and AMC Grapevine Mills, 3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy, Grapevine. Tickets are $15. Call 817-546-7090 or 972-539-5909.
Tue 29 – The college bowls used to be all on one day. Now they’re spread out over two weeks. The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl this afternoon pits bowl-starved Cal and their Air Raid offense against Air Force, which came agonizingly close to a Mountain West championship this season. The game kicks off at 1pm at Amon Carter Stadium, 2800 Stadium Dr, FW. Tickets are $30-125. Call 817-810-0012.
Loved watching Dick Gregory in Arlington the day after Christmas. Watching him still perform at his age is definitely an inspiration for some of us old-timers!