7 Days of Fun: Gary Allan, Tacoma City Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker,’ Lily Tomlin, holiday concerts and more

First seen on “America’s Got Talent,” Lindsey Stirling released her debut album in 2014. In addition to being a violinist, she is a dancer and performance artist. She will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle. Tickets are $31-$65.50 and available through stgpresents.org

In its first year at its new venue, the Tacoma City Ballet will present “The Nutcracker and the Tale of the Hard Nut” at the Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center, 31510 Peter von Reichbauer Way S., Federal Way. It will open Friday (Dec. 15) and continue through Dec. 23. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday and Dec. 21-22; and 3 p.m. Dec. 23. Tickets are $34-$104. For more information, call 253-835-7010 or go to fwpaec.org

After gaining prominence in 1996, country artist Gary Allan has released nine albums and produced four No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs list. He will perform at 8:30 p.m. Friday (Dec. 15) at the Emerald Queen Casino, 2024 E. 29th St., Tacoma. Tickets are $50-$110 and available through Ticketmaster.

Bring a flashlight and explore the grounds of the Pacific Bonsai Museum, 2515 S. 336th St., Federal Way, at the annual Bonsai Solstice. Native American flute artist Gary Stroutsos will perform at the family-oreinted event from 4-7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free, though donations to the museum are suggested. For more information, call 253-353-7345 or go to pacificbonsaimuseum.org

With a career spanning 40 years, Curtis Salgado has come from co-fronting the Robert Cray Band to leading his own band and recording nine solo albums. Touring in support of his latest album, “The Beautiful Lowdown,” he is coming to the Cultural Event Center, 5602 S. Washington St., Tacoma, for an 8 p.m. show Saturday. Tickets are $20-$25. Go to dannopresents.com for more information.

Symphony Tacoma’s performance of “Messiah” will feature Symphony Tacoma Voices and solo vocalists Christina Kowalski-Holien, Melissa Plagemann, Wesley Morgan and Charles Robert Stephens. The evening of classic music will start at 7:30 p.m. Friday (Dec. 15) at St. Charles Borromeo, 7112 S. 12th St., Tacoma. Tickets are $30-$48 and available by phone at 253-591-5894 or online at broadwaycenter.org

Featuring the voices of 55 members, the Northwest Repertory Singers’ holiday concert — “Celebrate! Rejoice! Sing!” — will present favorites performed over the past 16 seasons. Highlights include music with brass ensemble, harp, oboe, percussion and a finale for choir, instruments and the audience. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday with pre-concert lectures at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Mason Methodist Church, 2710 N. Madison St., Tacoma. Tickets are $17 or $20, children under 12 are free. For more information, call 253-265-3042 or go to nwrs.org

With six Emmys, two Tonys, a Grammy and Kennedy Center Honors awards, comedian Lily Tomlin has worked five decades in television, theater, movies, animation and video. She will perform at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma. Tickets are $39, $59, $89, $110 and available by phone at 253-591-5894 or online at broadwaycenter.org

This story was originally published December 15, 2017 at 6:44 AM with the headline "7 Days of Fun: Gary Allan, Tacoma City Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker,’ Lily Tomlin, holiday concerts and more."