Of Notoriety: Final weekend for Chicago’s ‘Twelve Dates,’ with Santa’s breakfast and Four Winds Holiday Cirque in spotlight

There’s still time to “rock around the Christmas tree” with frazzled main character Mary for one final weekend of shows for “The Twelve Dates of Christmas” at Chicago Street Theatre. Scene after scene of funny frenzy shares the good, the bad and the ugly of Mary’s dozen courtships throughout a year that culminates at the holidays. From doctors, chefs, bartenders, ex-convicts and dudes with fanny packs, Mary’s quest for true love is never a dull moment in this silly romp stage stocking stuffer. The remaining shows are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $22 or a $20 option for seniors 62 and older, students under age 21, and military. Located at 154 W. Chicago St. in Valparaiso, box office contact is 219-464-1636 or www.chicagostreet.org.

Acrobatic antics

Cirque Dreams Holidaze returns once again to the Four Winds Casino and Hotel Silver Creek Event Center to dazzle with a brilliant and whimsical family holiday spectacular. As the longest-running cirque holiday theatrical event, this annual tradition wraps a Broadway-style production around an infusion of contemporary circus arts.  As the lights dim and the music swells, audiences are artistically transported to a holiday storybook with fantasy fun characters brought to life. Imaginative and entertaining for everyone from children to seniors, Cirque Dreams Holidaze features a world-renowned cast of performers accompanied by an ensemble of aerial circus acts, sleight-of-hand jugglers, fun-loving skippers, breath-catching acrobatics, and much more.  An original music score includes new twists on seasonal favorites such as “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “Carol of the Bells” performed by singers, dancers, costumed penguins, toy soldiers and reindeer. Performances are at 7 p.m. CST Dec. 14 and 5 p.m. Dec. 15 on stage at Four Winds Silver Creek Event Center, 11111 Wilson Road, New Buffalo, Michigan. Tickets start at $25 at 866-494-6371 or fourwindscasino.com.

Artist celebration

Join in a toasting celebration of the Annual Members’ Exhibit, open now and continuing through Jan. 11 at Chesterton Art Center, 115th South 4th Street in Chesterton. The Artists’ Reception is from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 and free and open to the public. The annual exhibition highlights the diverse and exceptional talents of Chesterton Art Center’s members who represent a vibrant and growing creative community in the region. These participating local artists are key to CAC’s mission of fostering artistic expression and supporting regional talent. The exhibition features hundreds of artworks in a wide array of media, including painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, glass, wood, ceramics and more. Many pieces are available for purchase at a variety of price points for special gift opportunities. To learn more as well as information about art classes and other opportunities and membership options visit www.chestertonart.org or call (219) 926-4711.

Santa breakfast and show

The Women’s Association of Northwest Indiana is hosting its fourth annual Breakfast with Santa in the East Ballroom of The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster. A complete multi-course kid-friendly breakfast menu is served at 9:30 a.m. along with the opportunity for free photo opportunities with Santa in his sleigh. There are also 22 themed Christmas trees on display in the lobby atrium and raffle baskets, all of it to raise money for the Symphony Orchestra of Northwest Indiana. The $30 adult price and $25 per child price also includes admission to see the 11 a.m. special performance of “Dickens for Kids A Christmas Carol” across the lobby on the Theatre at the Center stage. Reservations required by calling 219-836-1930 Ext. 2 or call 219-836-0525.

Kingly Christmas

Jimmy Holmes is an award-winning world champion Elvis tribute artist from Demotte and he’s welcoming the holidays with an Elvis-themed Christmas concert in Hobart. He has traveled across the country and abroad showcasing his authentic tribute to the King of Rock. The complete entertainer, Holmes considers it an honor and a dream come true to be able to travel the world paying tribute to the greatest entertainer of all time, but loves to spend the holidays close to home. Concert is at 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at Art Theater, 230 Main St. in Hobart. Tickets start at $29 by calling (219) 942-1670 or brickartlive.com.

Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and the director of marketing at Theatre at the Center. He can be reached at Philip.M.Potempa@powershealth.org.