*Now through Wednesday, Dec. 26, the Milwaukee Ballet will present its annual holiday performances of “The Nutcracker,” choreographed by Artistic Director Michael Pink. The performances run about two hours long with both matinees and evening shows at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. in Milwaukee. Tickets start at $30.62. For more information about show times and ticket prices, visit www.milwaukeeballet.org.
*Now through Monday, Dec. 31, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee are hosting an online toy drive, the “Click for St. Nick Online Toy Drive,” to benefit children throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Individuals can purchase holiday gifts to be donated to Boys & Girls Clubs members, and area businesses and organizations can purchase gifts or sponsor a Boys & Girls Club holiday party. For more information about the toy drive, visit http://www.boysgirlsclubs.org/toys.aspx. For more information about available sponsorships, contact Erin Hareng at erinh@boysgirlsclubs.org.
*Saturday, Dec. 22, the Milwaukee Art Museum will host the Brioso Christmas concert in Windhover Hall. The free concert, scheduled for 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., will feature holiday songs of Brioso, part of Barcel Suzuki Strings Academy. The art museum is located at 700 N. Art Museum Dr. in Milwaukee. For more information, visit www.mam.org.
*Saturday, Dec. 22, Turner Hall Ballroom will host the annual Holiday Charity Gala in support of Hunger Task Force. The event will include music by DJ Seoul K, free refreshments and beverages, a raffle and a cash bar. A photo booth and pictures with Santa will also be featured at the event for a small donation. A minimum donation of $20 is suggested upon arrival but any amount will be accepted. The gala will run from 7 p.m. to close at Turner Hall Ballroom, 1034 N. 4th St. in Milwaukee, and formal attire is preferred. For more information, visit www.feedmilwaukee.org.
*Tuesday, Dec. 25, the 23rd annual 1290 WMCS Salvation Army Christmas Family Feast will be held at the Delta Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave. in Milwaukee, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The meal, free and open to the public, will feature ham, turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes, yams, green beans, dinner rolls, desserts and beverages. Attendees will be able to take part as long as supplies last. Last year’s event provided food for 10,000 people. For more information, visit usc.salvationarmy.org.
*Thursday, Dec. 27, Shank Hall will present a benefit concert for Hunger Task Force. The concert will showcase the songs of Testa Rose, Blue In the Face, and KB & the Dungarees, and each band will pay tribute to the Rolling Stones in support of the rock group’s 50th anniversary this year. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the music begins at 8 p.m. Admission costs $10 plus a nonperishable food item. Shank Hall is located at 1434 N. Farwell Ave. in Milwaukee. For more information, visit www.shankhall.com.
*Sunday, Jan. 6, Easter Seals and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) Lady Panthers will present Box Out for Autism, a basketball clinic for kids with autism ages 3 to 18 and their siblings. The clinic will feature basketball drills and teamwork with additional support provided by staff members from Easter Seals’ autism department. The clinic will be held at UWM’s Klotsche Center, 3409 Downer Ave. in Milwaukee, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost is $5 per child. Each participant will receive a T-shirt. Families must register by Dec. 26, and online registration is available at www.eastersealswise.com/basketball. For more information, contact Nitaro Collins at 414-604-5092 or nitaroc@eastersealswise.com.
*Tuesday, Jan. 8, BoardStar will host a workshop focused on Nonprofit Sustainability. The workshop will help board directors analyze their business model and make strategic decisions to ensure the sustainability of their nonprofit organization. The event will cover how to determine the value of programs useful for clients and programs that bring in revenue as well as how to create both mission impact and financial viability among other topics. The workshop will be held at Pathfinders, 4200 N. Holton, Suite 400 in Milwaukee, starting at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $35 for BoardStar members and $50 for nonmembers, and the event will include light appetizers. For more information or to register, visit www.boardstar.org or call 414-367-8270.
