On stage
If you’re seeking something to do this holiday season that’s certain to thrill the entire family, check out the Holiday Pops concerts by the Akron Symphony.
Concerts take place at The Chapel in Green at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; at the Akron Civic Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Thursday; and at the Medina Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. Friday.
To learn more, call the Akron Symphony at 330-535-8131 or visit www.akronsymphony.org.
In the holiday spirit
Visit the Christmases of Akron’s past during holiday tours at a couple of local landmarks.
Perkins Stone Mansion, the one-time home of Col. Simon Perkins, is offering tours from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 22. Admission is $6, $4 for seniors, $2 for students and free for members. The mansion is at 550 Copley Road.
Hower House, a Victorian mansion museum, is decorated to reflect holiday memories and is open for self-guided tours from noon to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. The house is at 60 Fir Hill on the University of Akron campus. It’s closed Dec. 24 to 26.
Admission is $8, $6 for seniors, $2 for students and free for children 6 and younger with an adult.
Hob(bit)nobbing
Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy of movies took in about $3 billion worldwide, and the third film won 11 Oscars, including for best picture. So you can imagine the anticipation for the Lord prequel, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, with Jackson again directing — and a 3-D version as well as 2-D.
If you’re not one to line up for midnight showings on Thursday (especially for a movie running close to three hours), look for the armload of presentations at local theaters on Friday.
Brother-sister act
Kent singer/songwriter Jessica Lea Mayfield and her brother David Mayfield will bring their Sibling Rivalry Tour to the Kent Stage on Friday. Jessica released her sophomore album Tell Me, produced by the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, last year to critical acclaim, and David released his debut solo album The David Mayfield Parade, also last year. The show is at 8 p.m. at the Kent Stage, 175 E. Main St., Kent. Tickets are $11.
In your market basket
The Haymaker Farmers Market in Kent is holding the last of its holiday markets from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Junction 211, 211 Cherry St., corner of Franklin Street in Kent.
Vendors will be stocked with items for making holiday meals and for giving as holiday gifts.
On Twitter
Some people say the apocalypse is coming on Dec. 21, citing the Mayan calendar. While we’re pretty skeptical, it got us wondering: Whom do you want to share the end of the world with? Use the hashtag #ohapoc and we’ll post them on Ohio.com.
