Dance
Smuin Ballet
The annual Christmas show put on by Smuin Ballet could be a perfect fit for this short-attention-span world. The program starts out with classical ballet and then soubresauts all over the place: Eartha Kitt's "Santa Baby," Hanukkah klezmer, Louis Armstrong, tap and swing dance, and a Diana Krall version of "Winter Wonderland," among other directions.

New choreography by Amy Seiwert and Robert Sund is on the bill, with costumes including Christmas tree outfits. Performances happen through Dec. 13 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts at 500 Castro St., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8, and Sunday at 2. Tickets are $41/$56.

For more, go to smuinballet.org or call 650-903-6000.

Music
Aux Cajunals
Zydeco, hillbilly swing, R&B and country music come to Tateuchi Hall at the Community School of Music and Arts this Sunday when the Aux Cajunals band plays two free shows.

Musicians Suzy and Eric Thompson, with Agi Ban, bring in fiddle, accordion, guitar and triangle sounds as part of the school's free Family Concert Series. Concerts are planned at 2 and 4 p.m. Dec. 13 at 230 San Antonio Circle in Mountain View, with seating first-come, first-served.

For more information, go to www.arts4all.org or call 650-917-6800, extension 314.

Gryphon Carolers
"O Come All Ye Faithful" is transformed into a part-gospel, part-disco number. "Joy to the World" gets sung in bossa-nova style. There's always something different at the annual holiday concert held by the Gryphon Carolers and All Stars.

This year's show is at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Spangenberg Theatre at 780 Arastradero Road in Palo Alto. Original arrangements by the group's co-founder, Ed Johnson, will be featured, along with new compositions by fellow founder Carol McComb.

Tickets are $15 general and $10 for seniors and children under 12, with premium seating also available for $25/$18. Tickets will be sold at Gryphon Stringed Instruments at 211 Lambert Ave. in Palo Alto until 4 p.m. the day of the concert; they'll also be available at the door and online at www.gryphoncarolers.com.

Film
'Living in Emergency'
On Monday, Dec. 14, a one-night screening of "Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders" will be shown at movie theaters around on the country, including several on the Peninsula.

The documentary film depicts the chaos, danger and sacrifice of the physicians working through the humanitarian aid organization Doctors Without Borders in war-torn countries such as Congo and Liberia. After the film, ABC journalist Elizabeth Vargas of "20/20" will moderate a panel discussion broadcast from New York City. The panel includes Tom Krueger, a surgeon featured in the film, and Sophie Delauney, executive director of Doctors Without Borders.

Local showings are at 8 p.m. at the Century Cinemas 16, 1500 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View; and at the Century 20 Downtown Redwood City, 825 Middlefield Road. Tickets are $15. For more about the film go to www.livinginemergency.com.

Art
Holiday fair
Fleece hats and hand-woven scarves may sound especially appealing nowadays in the brisk weather. These are some of the crafts by area artists on sale at the Artifactory Cooperative's holiday fair, set for this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec, 11-13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Other items on offer will include Ukrainian eggs, blown glass, ceramics and candles, decorated gourds, hemp soap, jewelry, silk and microfiber clothing and leather items. The fair is at Hoover House (aka "The Girl Scout House"), 1120 Hopkins Ave., Palo Alto.

Call 650-625-1736 or e-mail TheArtifactory@aol.com.