Weekend Planner: Nutcracker Ballet and More

This weekend is finally here, so it's time to get out there and enjoy all the activities in and around West Bloomfield. The month of December always brings a wide variety of events for you to enjoy.  All week long we have been counting down the days to help you plan your weekend with options of events to attend.

Here's a recap:

Where: 

When: Saturday at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m, Sunday at 3 p.m.

Why go: Experience the magic of the Michigan Classic Ballet Company as they transport you into the Land of Sweets in their 22nd annual full-length production of The Nutcracker this weekend.  This magical holiday adventure will transform snowflakes into dancing maidens, toys into whimsical beings,  and bring the Sugar Plump Fairy to life.  Performed in the  auditorium this classic holiday ballet will bring memories to your family to cherish this holiday season.

Where: 

When: Sunday at 10:45 a.m.

Why go: Temple Israel invites you to celebrate Chanukah with them this weekend with a special concert by ShirLaLa. Shira Kline creates outrageously hip Jewish music for kids in her high energy performance. You'll hear songs like the Chanukah Bamba during this one of a kind Chanukah concert. The Temple is also offering an optional latke lunch.  If you are looking for some great Jewish stories to give for the holidays, there will also be a Chanukah Book Fair going on.

Where: 

When: Saturday at 10 a.m.

Why go: Gingerbread houses have been a tradition around the holidays for centuries. Did you know that in Bergen, Norway they create a city made out of gingerbread houses each year before Christmas? Through a hands-on interpretive program, you can learn all about the history and cultural background of gingerbread houses on Saturday.

But that is not all! Instructor Laurel Zoet, who is a gingerbread house competition participant, will also share with you all the "tricks-of-the-trade" as you decorate and complete a gingerbread home to take home.  What's really cool is you will not only learn how to decorate your house with candy, but how to enhance your cookie home with lights.

Where: 

When: Friday from 3-9 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; or Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Why go: 'Tis the season for holiday cheer and what better place to start your December out then the charming German holiday market, a.k.a. the Birmingham Winter Markt? Enjoy ice sculptures and demonstrations, live reindeer, horse drawn carriage rides, traditional German food and drink, plus live entertainment from a variety of local choirs, the Village Youth Theater, choruses and bands. Each day the entertainment changes, but vendors will be selling traditional holiday art, decorations and crafts, holiday greens and gifts and home accessories throughout the weekend. Children can also delight in the Santa House where they can tell Kris Kringle what they really hope to receive this year, or the Kinder Haus where they will have crafts and activities designed for kids all weekend long. 

Where: 

When: Sunday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Why go: Maybe a blood drive doesn't sound like the most fun or exciting activity you can do this weekend, but it is the season for giving. What's even better is giving blood doesn't cost anything, but a little time. The American Red Cross is in urgent need of blood donors. The organization needs to meet blood orders for local hospitals and currently has low supplies. Did you know that one pint of blood can save three lives or that every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood? This holiday season  is giving you a local opportunity to give the gift of life.