Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend

Photo via Boston Ballet

Burlesque
Oh! You Pretty Things! David Bowie Covers & Burlesque

There are a lot of ways you can spend your Black Friday, and most involve waiting in lines or shoving through crowds to get a killer discount and to finish up your Christmas shopping. Of course, this only appeals to certain people. Traditional Black Friday bargain hunting isn’t for everyone, and some of us are looking for something a little more glamorous to do on Friday. Take a trip through the eclectic songbook of David Bowie with Niki Luparelli and The Gold Diggers accompanied by the Burlesque dancers of Oh! You Pretty Things! The show is filled with comedy, a nostalgic soundtrack from the famous glam rocker, and tons of gorgeous and talented dancers that “Ziggy Stardust” himself would approve of. Take a break from holiday-themed chaos that fills the city this time of year and enjoy this “Moonage Daydream.”

$20 advance, $25 at the door; Friday, Nov. 23, 8:30 p.m.; Oberon, 2 Arrow St., Cambridge; 617-495-2668; americanrepertorytheater.org

Dance
Boston Ballet: The Nutcracker

It wouldn’t be Christmas without some Tchaikovsky, and no matter how many times you’ve seen The Nutcracker, the Sugar Plum Fairy is still enchanting and the Mouse King is still creepy and terrifying. The story is a classic and the musical score brings perfectly falling snowflakes, glass ornaments, and cozy fireplaces to mind.  This time of year should be magical for all, and what better way to embrace the holiday than sticking to the classics? The Boston Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker opens this Friday.

$35-$172; Friday, Nov. 23-Sunday, Dec. 30; Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St.; 617-259-3400; bostonballet.org

Family
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical

You don’t have to be “a mean one” to have your heart warmed by this story. We’ve all heard Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas before, but it still seems to do the trick year after year. The classic story is now a musical, and there’s excitement in this show for everyone in your family—from Mom and Dad who’ve been begged for years to read the story to their little ones, to the adolescents on the cusp of being “too old” for this, and even nostalgic, young-at-heart adults. You can never really be too old, too mean, or too green and hairy to get into the spirit of the holidays. With Mayor Menino’s Holiday Special offering half-price tickets to holiday shows like The Grinch, Boston residents really have nothing to be grouchy about.

$35-$125; Friday, Nov 23-Sunday, Dec. 9; Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St.; 617-482-9393; citicenter.org/grinch

Music
Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Debut

There is a certain stigma that comes along with orchestras and philharmonics; what often comes to mind is the older crowd: dull and lacking some energy. However, there’s something refreshing about this orchestra. The future belongs to the youth and this group of musicians prove that the future lies in the safe hands of some talented and hardworking young individuals. Boston Philharmonic Maestro Benjamin Zander presents the debut of the Youth Orchestra this Sunday. The group consists of players 21 and younger who dedicate long hours of rehearsal time mastering their parts and getting a deep understanding of the music they play by studying under Maestro Zander. Boston is filled with musically gifted youth who are sure to make this performance inspiring and memorable.

$15-$30; Sunday, Nov. 25, 3 p.m.; Boston Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave.; 617-266-1492; bostonphil.org

Fitness
Ultimate Bootcamp Thanksgiving Workouts

Thanksgiving means candied yams, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes with gravy, and stuffing, and those are just the sides. Let’s not forget about that 15-40 lb. bird you have cooking in the oven. But somewhere between all the gorging, we give thanks for our friends, family, and our health, right…? Kind of ironic seeing as this will probably be the most carb- and calorie-loaded meal you’ll eat all year. For those of you who want to enjoy your holiday meal without the guilt, Ultimate Bootcamp is hosting Thanksgiving morning workouts in Watertown and Boston, a great way to start off your day of feasting. All proceeds from the fifth annual workout go to The St. Francis House, a day-shelter across from the Boston Common that offers its guests programs to help rebuild their lives. Attendees are also encouraged to bring along clothing donations for the shelter. Feel good about yourself while burning calories and helping out others this Thanksgiving, before the Tryptophan kicks in.

$25; Thursday, Nov. 22; 9-10:30 a.m. in Boston Common; 8:30-10 a.m. in Arsenal Park, Watertown; 617-787-1224; ultimatebootcamp.com