I have as much mad love for the Omni Theater as any Fort Worthian, but I am shocked at the multiple sold-out notices appearing on the listings for the Omni’s showings of The Polar Express. If I’d seen that as a kid, I’d be terrified. CGI Tom Hanks, all moving around like an undead train conductor out of a Harold Lloyd flick, setting up a cozy cottage in the Uncanny Valley and making tasty Nightmare Cakes for all the boys and girls. Dude has hell of creepiness, in other words.

Anyway, here’s your weekend entertainment happenings. Enjoy.

(What would I suggest for family holiday entertainment? Well, I figure if you’re going to go creepy, skip The Polar Express and head straight for some mega-creepy: The 1959 Mexican epic Santa Claus. In it, Santa (who lives in a pentagram-studded crystal palace in outer space, not at the North Pole) must pull off his Christmas deliveries (helped by his assistant Merlin the Wizard, indentured child workers, and Big Brother-style observation gear which helps him spy on Earth’s children, even monitoring their dreams) while battling the demon Pitch for control of the children of Mexico. Amazingly, it’s even weirder than it sounds. The safest way to watch it is wrapped in the warmth of the legendary Mystery Science Theater 3000, and happily, some kind soul has put together some clips from the episode on YouTube. It must be seen to be believed. You’re welcome.)

Scat Jazz Lounge | Map
Shelley Carrol - Friday - 9:00 PM
Ricki Derek Holiday Show - Saturday - 9:00 PM
Trio Cubano - Sunday - 8:00 PM

Bass Performance Hall | Map
Texas Ballet Theater: The Nutcracker - Friday - 8:00 PM
Texas Ballet Theater: The Nutcracker - Saturday - 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM
Texas Ballet Theater: The Nutcracker - Sunday - 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM

McDavid Studio | Map
Nothing scheduled.

The Flying Saucer | Map
Sittin’ Duck - Friday - 9:30 PM
Protect & Swerve - Saturday - 9:30 PM
Mike Richardson - Sunday

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Lots of great stuff this weekend, but I’d like to highlight the Brave Combo Holiday Dance Party tonight at McDavid Studio in Downtown. Everybody’s favorite atomic-powered polka rockers will be blowing the roof off the Studio, undoubtedly, with their always frighteningly-entertaining celebration of polka and somewhat off-kilter holiday tunes. Don’t miss it.

Scat Jazz Lounge | Map
The Texas Gypsies - Friday - 9:00 PM
Red Young and his Organ Trio - Saturday - 9:00 PM
Trio Cubano - Sunday - 8:30 PM

Bass Performance Hall | Map
Texas Ballet Theater: The Nutcracker - Friday - 8:00 PM
Texas Ballet Theater: The Nutcracker - Saturday - 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM
Texas Ballet Theater: The Nutcracker - Sunday - 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM

McDavid Studio | Map
Brave Combo Holiday Dance Party - Frday - 8:00 PM

The Flying Saucer | Map
The Flavours - Friday - 9:30 PM
Villain Vanguard - Saturday - 9:30 PM
Mike Richardson - Sunday

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Obviously, there’s the Lone Star International Film Festival, which my colleagues have been covering nicely thus far.

In addition, there’s going to be a big party Saturday evening at The Carillion Group’s latest historic building redevelopment, the Sawyer Grocery Buildings at 201 South Main (corner of South Main & East Daggett). The party’s a four-in-one affair: a grand opening for the Sawyer Grocery Buildings, an appreciation of Wachovia which financed the project, a going-away party for Daniel Carey of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Fort Worth office, and a tenant party for residents of all the properties restored by the Carillion Group (which would be the Markeen Apartments, the Leuda-May Apartments, the LaSalle Apartments, and now the Sawyer Grocery apartments).

Three musical acts will be performing - Tom Reynolds & the Jazz Explosion at 5:00 PM, Ginny Mac at 7:00 PM, and Banjo Bossa Nova & the Leuda May All-Stars at 9:00 PM. Rahr beer will be flowing and Brad Henserling of The Chat Room and (eventually) The Usual will be on hand mixing up the Prohibition-era cocktails he’ll be serving up when The Usual opens at last on Magnolia.

So, Saturday, November 15th, from 5:00 PM until “late,” stop by 201 South Main in the Near Southside for what’s sure to be a heck of a party.

Scat Jazz Lounge | Map
Paul Unger Quartet featuring Nina Katrina - Friday - 9:00 PM
Hildegunn Gjedrem - Saturday - 9:00 PM
Stolen Sweets - Sunday - 8:30 PM

Bass Performance Hall | Map
Stomp - Friday - 8:00 PM
Stomp - Saturday - 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM
Stomp - Sunday - 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM

McDavid Studio | Map
None Scheduled.

The Flying Saucer | Map
The Flavours - Friday - 9:30 PM
Villain Vanguard - Saturday - 9:30 PM
Mike Richardson - Sunday

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A busy weekend, and I’d like to call attention to a few things.

First, tonight is Near Southside First Friday on the Green at Magnolia Green Park. Bring your friends and family, along with blankets and chairs, for the second in Fort Worth South’s new series of live music events. Tonight’s First Friday will feature the Josh Weathers Band and JZ & Dirty Pool. The great Chadra Mezza & Grill will be providing food, which is always a big plus.

Magnolia Green is the mixed-use development bounded by Magnolia, Alston, Rosedale, and Hemphill. Magnolia Green Park itself is located on Lipscomb in the heart of the development, across the street from the Magnolia Green Townhomes by Village Homes.

I hope to see a lot of you there - I’ll be in attendance taking photos. Near Southside First Friday on the Green runs from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Admission is free but you can bring a pet toy for the Humane Society.

Secondly, another First Friday - this time, it’s First Fridays at the Modern. Live music and cocktails at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth in the Cultural District along with later hours for Cafe Modern. A docent-led, 20-minute tour of the galleries is available at 6:30 PM. The tour is free for Modern members and Star-Telegram Press Pass holders. Dinner at Cafe Modern will be served from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM and reservations are recommended. Music at tonight’s First Fridays at the Modern will be provided by the Sam Walker Trio.

Finally, I’ve added another venue to the list of places that will be covered in Curtain Call - Embargo in South Downtown (SoDo) is now on the list! Embargo is near the Convention Center on East 8th Street.

Scat Jazz Lounge | Map
Closed for private event. - Friday
Red Young Organ Trio - Saturday - 9:00 PM
Trio Cubano - Sunday - 8:30 PM

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Scat Jazz Lounge | Map
Shelley Carrol - Friday - 9:00 PM
Ricki Derek - Saturday - 9:00 PM
Trio Cubano - Sunday - 8:30 PM

Bass Performance Hall | Map
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: Petrouchka featuring Basil Twist, puppeteer - Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor - Friday - 7:30 PM
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: Petrouchka featuring Basil Twist, puppeteer - Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor - Saturday - 8:00 PM
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: Petrouchka featuring Basil Twist, puppeteer - Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor - Sunday - 2:00 PM

McDavid Studio | Map
None scheduled.

The Flying Saucer | Map
Pablo and the Hemphill 7 - Friday - 9:30 PM
Big Daddy - Saturday - 9:30 PM
Mike Richardson - Sunday

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Scat Jazz Lounge | Map
Ricki Derek - Friday - 9:00 PM
Red Young and Silvie Rider - Saturday - 9:00 PM
Trio Cubano - Sunday - 9:00 PM

Bass Performance Hall | Map
Tuna Does Vegas - Friday - 8:00 PM
Tuna Does Vegas - Saturday - 2:00 PM
Tuna Does Vegas - Saturday - 8:00 PM
Tuna Does Vegas - Sunday - 2:00 PM
Tuna Does Vegas - Sunday - 7:00 PM

McDavid Studio | Map
The Mother Truckers - Friday - 8:00 PM

The Flying Saucer | Map
The Waltons - Friday - 9:30 PM
Radio Kaos - Saturday - 9:30 PM
Mike Richardson - Sunday

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Big news this week is that today’s Modern ’til Midnight at, naturally, the Modern Art Museum. 6:00 PM to midnight. I’ll be there - and I recommend that you come as well. Modern ’til Midnight is always great.

Also, for the metalheads out there, local rockers No Scope (my friend Bobby being one of the guitarists) are having a release party for their new album, Hindsight 2012, at the Ridglea Theater on Friday.

Scat Jazz Lounge | Map
Paul Unger and Friends - Friday - 9:00 PM
Carla Norris-Hopkins Jazz Quartett - Saturday - 9:00 PM
Trio Cubano - Sunday - 9:00 PM

Bass Performance Hall | Map
Texas Ballet Theater: Mozart’s Requiem - Friday - 8:00 PM
Texas Ballet Theater: Mozart’s Requiem - Saturday - 2:00 PM
Texas Ballet Theater: Mozart’s Requiem - Saturday - 8:00 PM
Texas Ballet Theater: Mozart’s Requiem - Sunday - 2:00 PM

McDavid Studio | Map
“Dreaming of Birdland” - The UNT One O’Clock Lab Band’s Tribute to Maynard Ferguson - Friday - 7:30 PM
“Dreaming of Birdland” - The UNT One O’Clock Lab Band’s Tribute to Maynard Ferguson - Friday - 10:00 PM

The Flying Saucer | Map
The Flavours - Friday - 9:30 PM
Villain Vanguard - Saturday - 9:30 PM
Mike Richardson - Sunday

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Scat Jazz Lounge | Map
Marc Devine Quartet featuring Denia Ridley - Friday - 9:00 PM
Corner Pocket - Saturday - 9:00 PM
Trio Cubano - Sunday - 9:00 PM

Bass Performance Hall | Map
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: Caminos Del Inka featuring Jesus Castro-Balbi, cello - Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor - Friday - 7:30 PM
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: Caminos Del Inka featuring Jesus Castro-Balbi, cello - Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor - Saturday - 8:00 PM
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: Caminos Del Inka featuring Jesus Castro-Balbi, cello - Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor - Sunday - 2:00 PM

McDavid Studio | Map
No events scheduled.

The Flying Saucer | Map
Sittin Duck - Friday - 9:30 PM
Beerfest - Darth Vato - Saturday - 9:30 PM
Mike Richardson - Sunday

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Scat Jazz Lounge | Map
Ricki Derek & the Vegas Six - Friday - 9:00 PM
Tatiana Mayfield Quartet - Saturday - 9:00 PM
Trio Cubano - Sunday - 9:00 PM

Bass Performance Hall | Map
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: Three Phantoms in Concert: Music of the Night - Friday - 8:00 PM
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: Three Phantoms in Concert: Music of the Night - Saturday - 8:00 PM
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: Three Phantoms in Concert: Music of the Night - Sunday - 2:00 PM

McDavid Studio | Map
Gretchen Peters with opener Jimmy George - Friday - 8:00 PM

The Flying Saucer | Map
Chris Miller - Friday - 9:30 PM
Big Daddy - Saturday - 9:30 PM
Mike Richardson - Sunday

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Scat Jazz Lounge | Map
Donna Hightower with the Marc Devine Trio - Friday - 9:00 PM
Ricki Derek and the Vegas Six - Saturday - 9:00 PM
John Ellis with Snarky Puppy - Sunday - 9:00 PM

Bass Performance Hall | Map
Bernadette Peters - Marvin Laird, conductor - Saturday - 8:00 PM

McDavid Studio | Map
An Evening with Sara Hickman - Friday - 8:00 PM

The Flying Saucer | Map
Sittin’ Duck - Friday - 9:30 PM
The Waltons - Saturday - 9:30 PM
Mike Richardson - Sunday

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