This Weekend's Best Bets: Nov. 27-29

It’s a short holiday week but there’s plenty to do for everyone. Whether you plan on dining in or going out, putting up your own lights or seeing what others have done, listening to Christmas music or venting through acid rap, you’ve got options.

1. “18TH CENTURY ROCK BAND:” The music of Mannheim Steamroller has become synonymous with Christmas for the many fans of this symphonic-electronic group whose first Christmas album went platinum 6 times. Miller Auditorium added a second show due to the group’s popularity; Saturday, Nov. 28 at 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; $30-$70; more info here

2. NUNSENSE: The third musical in the Nunsense series, Nuncrackers is the story of a convent that films a version of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet to be shown on cable access. Audiences of all backgrounds can appreciate the humor of the quirky Sisters’ hijinks. Nuncrackers is put on by the Muskegon Civic Theatre and performed at Beardsley Theater Nov. 27-28 and Dec. 3-5 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 at 3 p.m.; $14-$18; more info here

3. SKETCHY SKETCHING: The Grand Rapids chapter of Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School will meet in Sazerac Lounge Saturday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. Featuring Good Little the Kid as the “lanky, lusty and limber” model for artists of all talents, the event will be followed by the debut of Shimmy Shack Burlesque; $10; more info here

4. FACE PAINT OPTIONAL: If spending the day with your family makes you want to break something, maybe the Insane Clown Posse show Friday, Nov. 27 at the Orbit Room will help release your anger. Come prepared for a full circus and 1600 liters of Faygo as the acid rap duo expresses their violent tendencies; doors open at 6:30 p.m.; $25-$28; more info here or read Revue’s article here

5. LIVELY LIGHTS: If seeing 14 houses with 200,000 lights synchronized to music interests you, head to Spring Lake for Holiday Road. It’s like that popular YouTube video, only live. The lights use 98% less electricity than normal Christmas lights, and the show is free; donations are accepted. The show runs from Nov. 26 to Dec. 26, Sunday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; free; more info here

6. CHANCIN’ IT: Chance Jones, a local band fronted by singer-songerwriter Joshua Burges, is releasing its latest album, The Incident of Primrose and West, at the Intersection on Friday, Nov. 27 at 9 p.m. The musical mixology of Chance Jones blends 60s and 70s rock in that way that sounds old but new; $5; more info here or read Revue's article here

7. AND TO ALL, A GOOD NIGHT: The Creative Arts Repertoire Ensemble of Grand Rapids will be performing the original ballet ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas based on the well-known poem by Clement Moore on Friday, Nov. 27 at 7 p.m., Sat, Nov. 28 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 29 at 3 p.m.; $8-$12; more info here

8. YOU CAN ALMOST SEE IT FROM SPACE: Michigan’s largest Christmas light display, Nite Lites, is celebrating its 12th year at Fifth Third Ballpark. Running Nov. 20 through Jan. 2 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Nite Lites features millions of lights on its mile-long animated drive-through display; $10 per vehicle; more info here

9. BETTER THAN AUNT HELGA’S: Held in the Ambassador Ballroom, the Amway Grand’s Thanksgiving Brunch features smoked salmon, carved prime rib, crab claws and of course, turkey. Seatings begin at 10:30 a.m. and run through 2:30 p.m.; $16.50- $38, including tax and gratuity; call the Amway at 616-774-2000 for more information

Good Bets: See the East Grand Rapids Tree Lighting ceremony Friday, Nov. 27 in Gaslight Village; more info here...It’s a jazz fusion reunion for 70s/80s bands Juniper Bear and Turning Point who will play one show only at the Wealthy Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 28; more info here...The Holland Civic Theatre is performing the classic A Christmas Story, opening Saturday, Nov. 28 and running through Dec. 12; more info here