Things to do in Helena this week: Piano benefit, Winter Ice Show, 'The Nutcracker'

Philip Aaberg will play a piano concert to benefit the Belmont Ski Education Foundation at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 512 Logan St. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students, and can be purchased at Birds & Beasleys, Piccolo Music, and Sweetgrass Music. A reception will be held in fellowship hall after the concert.

Premiere Dance Company's 27th annual production of “The Nutcracker” takes the stage at the Helena Civic Center at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16. Tickets can be bought online at www.helenanutcracker.com or at the Creative Arts Center, (406) 442-6519.

Helena Chamber Singers present Sounds of Christmas at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, doors open at 6:45 p.m. And 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, doors open at 3:45 p.m. Both concerts will be performed at the Plymouth Congregational Church, 400 S. Oaks. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and $8 for seniors, children 12 and under free. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Both concerts will be followed by a dessert reception and silent auction. Silent auction bidding begins 45 minutes before the concert and end 30 minutes after.

The Kenny James Miller Band from Kalispell will play at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, in the Lewis & Clark Taproom, 1535 Dodge Ave. There is no cover for this show. This is not your ordinary blues band, in fact, most people classify them as a rock band. They jam and follow each other wherever the music takes them.

The Helena Xpress Singers present The Spirit of Christmas! at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 512 Logan St. The free event includes appearances by The Last Chancer's Barbershop Chorus, The Continental Divide Tuba Society, Christmas ensembles and quartets, The Xpress Kid's Chorus, and Jolly Old Saint Nick. Collections will be taken of cans for Food Share and donations for musical education offered by the Helena Xpress Singer's organization.

Katie Roberts will perform in the taproom at Blackfoot River Brewing Co., 66 S. Park Ave., from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16. Fans say Roberts is an incredibly talented singer-songwriter whose lyrics and melodies make you want more. Every performance is unique in its own way.

The Last Chance Rounders will play on the heated stage at Broadwater Hot Springs and Fitness, 4920 W U.S. Hwy 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18. Last Chance Rounders bring out all the greats, including Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Creedence Clearwater Revival and more.

Snow Hop presents Britt Arnesen from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20. Come enjoy her vintage-style folk-hot picking and timeless songwriting at the brewery, 685 Barney St.

The Queen City Swing Band will play from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, at the Moose Club, 4750 N. Montana Ave. Queen City is a live 10-piece band playing all your big band favorites. The event is open to the public and there is no cover change.

Clancy United Methodist Church Children’s Sunday School will perform “Sing a Song of Christmas” at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16, at the Clancy UMC worship service, 6 N. Main St. in Clancy.

"Behold, a Savior!" annual Christmas cantata will be performed by the Clancy UMC Choir at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16, at the church. Directed by Mary Bair, the cantata will feature Mary’s Song solo by Karla Hardie and Joseph’s Song duet by Glen Gould and Mike Benson in the score subtitled “Songs and Stories of his Birth” by Jay Rouse and Rose Aspinall published by Lorenz Company. A community reception will follow.

Helena Figure Skating Club presents its 2018 Winter Ice Show "Sails and Sand a Holiday in the Sun" from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at the Helena Ice Arena, 400 Lola St. Tickets are available at the door, $10 for adults, $5 for students, seniors and military, 4 and under are free. The air may be chilly but the beach tunes and skilled performances will make it feel like a holiday in the sun.

There will be a Holiday Vendor Affair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Admission is free to browse more than 20 different direct sales and crafted products. Come down to the DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown on the Walking Mall to grab the perfect items to finish up your holiday shopping.

The Lewis & Clark Library, 120 S. Last Chance Gulch, will host a special children’s holiday story time at 10:30 a.m. Satururday, Dec. 15. The Holiday Story Time and Craft will feature a special holiday/winter story and a fun craft. This family fun event is designed for kids, pre-K thru 2nd grade. Craft supplies will be provided.

On Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday, Dec. 15, there will be an honor program at 10 a.m. at The Chapel at Fort William Henry Harrison, followed immediately by participants helping to place wreaths in the State Veterans Cemetery, as one of more than 1,400 worldwide wreath-laying ceremonies. Those attending plan to enter the second gate with a required photo ID, dressed for the weather. Last year more than 500 wreaths were placed in snow and bitter cold. This event is sponsored locally by Montana MIA/POW Awareness Association and coordinated by Linda and Dick Juvik. Everyone is invited.

The Montana Club is celebrating the season inviting guests to gather family and friends and join for “Dinner with Dickens” with the acclaimed Michael “Mokey” McNeilly performing his adaptation of “A Christmas Carol.” The merriment begins with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will commence at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19. Executive Chef Mike McWilliams’ menu of butternut squash soup, beet cured salmon, roast beef with root vegetables and Yorkshire pudding concluding with the Promenade of the Plum Bread Puddings will provide a more than fitting feast.

Cost is $65 and includes gratuity. Reservations are required and seating is limited. Call the Montana Club at 442-5980 or email mtclubevents@gmail.com.

Last Chance Audubon Society will be conducting its 42^nd Christmas Bird Count Saturday, Dec. 15, all over town and in the Helena Valley. Everyone is encouraged to come out for this event. Group leaders are all very experienced and enjoy the opportunity to share what they know. Participants can sign-up for a half-day or full-day in the field. Meet at 7 a.m. at Jorgenson’s Restaurant. For information, and/or to join the fun, contact Coburn Currier at 406-449-2475, email clcurrier@hotmail.com or click http://www.lastchanceaudubon.org/.