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The first half of the show, “Classical Christmas,” is a blend of ballet and contemporary movement accompanied by classical and traditional tunes. Standout numbers include “Noel Nouvelet” by choreographer-in-residence Amy Seiwert, a stunning duet full of effortless lifts and unexpected dismounts; and “Gratias (From Mass in C Minor)” by Smuin, a fluid trio in which Terez Dean was the equal of her two male partners in power and presence. Smuin builds its bench, each year including new works by emerging choreographers within the company. One of the new pieces this year comes from dancer Rex Wheeler, in his second season with Smuin. His piece, “We Three Kings,” suffered a little from a slippery floor on opening night in Mountain View, but was a lively and enjoyable number for three couples.

Lords of Acid: 8 p.m.-midnight Feb, 24, UC Theatre Taube Family Music Hall, 2036 University Ave., Berkeley, A Belgian-American post-industrial/techno band with special guests, Orgy, Genitorturers, Little Miss Nasty, Gabriel and The Apocalypse, $27.50, www.theuctheatre.org, Marie and Rosetta: March 6-31, Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, aqua green python ballet flats Stirring up churchgoers in the morning and the Cotton Club at night, Sister Rosetta Tharpe became a musical legend, With growing competition on the 1940s gospel circuit, she auditions a new partner with a voice made in heaven, $40-$100, www.theatreworks.org..

That left Shchedrin’s quirky “Carmen” Suite, introduced after intermission. The Russian composer wrote the score in 1967 as a one-act ballet for his wife, ballerina Maya Plisetskaya (it opened at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre that year with choreography by Alberto Alonso from the Cuban National Ballet.) Shchedrin includes all the major themes from “Carmen,”as well as melodies from several other Bizet works, but he reshuffles the order and tempos. His orchestrations, for strings and a large percussion battery, recall “Carmen” in weird approximations. We first hear the “Habanera” played on tubular bells; later, the theme returns in full, played on a marimba. The entire suite lasts 45 minutes, and it contains several inspired moments. But much of it simply sounds diluted. Despite Salerno-Sonnenberg’s best efforts, the performance seemed longer, and nowhere near as exciting, as Bizet’s original.

Smuin: “The Christmas Ballet.” Dec, 6 through Dec, 10, “Classical Christmas” and “Cool Christmas.” Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, aqua green python ballet flats 500 Castro St., Mountain View, $25-$84, www.smuinballet.org or 650-903-6000, Menlowe Ballet: “It’s a Wonderful Nutcracker.” Dec, 8-10 and Dec, 15-17, Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton, $28-$55, http://www.menloweballet.org or 800-595-4849, Kerry Irish Productions Inc.: “An Irish Christmas.” 7 p.m, Dec, 20, Featuring Scott Doherty and Tyler Schwartz, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View, $35-$60, http://mvcpa.com or 650-803-6000..

The mela (fair) and grand parade are expected to bring in more than 150,000 attendees on Saturday, Aug. 15 and Sunday, Aug. 16 at the intersection of Walnut and Mowry avenues in Fremont. The fair will feature a kids carnival, health fair and bazaar, with more than 100 dance groups showcasing their talents and competing for the honors to be called the best dance group in the Bay Area. The fair will also feature more than 200 booths with art, crafts, ethnic outfits and literature from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.