Ballet 5:8 presents Beyond the Nutcracker, a take on Tchaikovsky with a twist: there’s no Clara, but instead we meet Emma, a young girl growing up in the shadow of WWII. Artistic director Julianna Rubio Slager’s choreography gets away from some of the problematic imagery in the Chinese dance by using the motif of the lotus flower, which “rises through the mud into splendor, and signifies the rising of beauty from difficulties.” More than 300 dancers from the Ballet 5:8 school perform alongside professional company members. Performances are today at 2 and 7 PM and tomorrow at 3 PM at Lincoln-Way East High School (201 Colorado Ave., Frankfort); tickets are $25 ($15 children 12 and under) at 312-725-4752 or ballet58.org. (KR)
Gossip Wolf let us know this week about an art exhibition celebrating the 20th anniversary of Leaders 1354 (aka LDRS 1354), a local streetwear company. You can take in their work today and tomorrow at FourtuneHouse Art Center (4410 S. Cottage Grove), and if you already have a LDRS 1354 hat, bring it with you for a chance to receive a special anniversary patch. Hours are 2-6 PM; check out FourtuneHouse’s Instagram for more information. (SCJ)
For festive movies outside the norm, Facets has curated a Holiday Detour film series: “From classic noir, to screwball comedy, to gangster thrillers, we’re here to mix up your December viewing with films that use their seasonal setting a bit of genre flare to challenge the holiday canon.” Eastern Promises (2007) screened yesterday, but you can catch Blast of Silence (1961) tonight at 7 PM and/or The Silent Partner (1978) at 9 PM. The series continues into Sunday and then wraps up on December 31. Tickets are $12 or $10 for Facets members. (TA)
Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater presents its annual holiday concert tonight at 7:30 PM at Northeastern Illinois University Auditorium (3701 W. Bryn Mawr). The lineup includes two world premieres by company dancers: Abigail Mosquera in Por Barrio (which draws on the flamenco Solea por Bulerías drama style) and Jonathan Pacheco in the neoclassical Florecer. The concert will also feature audience favorites: Dame Libby Komaiko’s flamenco Zapateado, and Irma Suarez Ruiz’s Madrileño and El Baile de Luis Alonso. Tickets are $25 ($20 for seniors, children under 12, and NEIU students, faculty, and staff); reservations at ensembleespanol.org. (KR)
Legendary Chicago house DJ Honey Dijon visits her hometown tonight for a late night performance at Metro (3730 N. Clark), where she’ll be joined by DJ Heather and Shaun J. Wright. Check out Reader senior writer Leor Galil’s concert preview here. Advance tickets are sold out, but you might be able to purchase $35 tickets in person at the Metro’s box office. The music happens from 11:30 PM until 5 AM. (SCJ)