BY JODI MAGALLANES
jmagallanes@etruth.com
Initiate the season with holiday song and dance events that gear up this weekend.
* Familiar favorites with a sense of humor are already onstage at the Battell Center Theatre, where "The Company" is winding up its annual performances of "A Merry Como Christmas, Singin' and Dancin' into the Holidays." Remaining shows are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the theater, 904 N. Main St., Mishawaka. Tickets are $9.50 for seniors, $10.50 for adults and can be reserved by calling 243-7704.
* Already familiar with the holiday dance classic "The Nutcracker?" Then stretch your artistic muscles by taking in the Conservatory of Dance's show "The Contemporary Nutcracker" at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. It's "Nutcracker" with a new attitude. The dancers will perform at Elkhart Memorial High School, 2608 California Road. Tickets are $8 and $12. To purchase call 235-8888.
* Elkhart Civic Theater opens the sequel to "Smoke on the Mountain," -- "Sanders Family Christmas" -- Friday through Dec. 12. Shows will be at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays at the Bristol Opera House, 210 E. Vistula Ave. Tickets are $15 or $13 for senior citizens and students and are available by calling 848-4116 or visiting www.elkhartcivictheatre.org.
* Ruthmere Museum offers sophisticated festivities at the ninth annual Holiday House Walk, slated for 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 5. Five seasonally-decorated homes in the city will be opened for tours. Lisa Evans, Sophie Carozza and the students of Suzann David will provide music. Wassail punch and cookies will be served back at the museum, where a visit by Father Christmas is also expected. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. For information or tickets call 264-0330.
* Reminding us that the holidays and humor aren't mutually exclusive, New World Arts is gearing up for a tongue-in-cheek play, "A Christmas Story" to be presented Dec. 4-20. Tickets are $10-$15. To reserve a seat call 975-0311. The theater is at 211 S. Main St., Goshen
* Patchwork Dance Company presents "Christopher's Christmas" at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at Elkhart Central High School, 1 Blazer Blvd., and 7 p.m. Dec. 5 and 2 p.m. Dec. 6 at O'Laughlin Auditorium, St. Mary's College, South Bend. Follow Christopher Mouse as he discovers the joy of the Christmas season. Tickets are available at Debbie Werbrouck School of Dance and Music locations or by calling 247-1590.
* Dance the night away at the fourth annual semi-formal WinterFest Ball, to take place from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Athenian Ball Room, 500 S. Main St. in Elkhart. $20 per person and $35 per couple ticket price includes special performances by That's Dancing. Purchase tickets by Dec. 11 by calling 295-7275.
* "I'll Be Home for Christmas" will be the theme of the Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra's concert at the Ruthmere Museum. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and 18 and will include a Christmas carol sing-along, hot chocolate and cookies. Tickets are $12 at Elkhart County Martin's Supermarkets, Ruthmere and by calling the symphony office at 293-1087.
* More for the kids, Premier Arts offers "Elves and the Shoemaker" Dec. 4-6 and 11-12 at the National New York Central Railroad Museum, 131 Tyler St., Elkhart. Tickets can be reserved by calling 293-4469.