CALENDAR 

GARDNER - Set against a dazzling exotic backdrop, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Tony Award-winning classic is a stunning tale of learning to love and learning to change. Theatre at the Mount will perform the "King and I" on Dec. 7 and 8 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. at 444 Green St. For reservations and tickets, call (978) 632-2403. Anna (Shana Dirik) and The King of Siam (Tom Hastings) are pictured at a recent rehearsal.

7 FRIDAY

Kate Vincent and Aaron Engebreth of the Firebird Ensemble will lead an interactive discussion at 12:30 p.m. at Fitchburg State College. The talk is held in conjunction with their performance later in the evening at 8 p.m. The talk is free and open to the public. Call (978) 665-3347 or (978) 665-3709.

The Leominster High School Theatre Company presents "Grease" at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, Dec. 8, in the Aldrich V. Cousins Auditorium, at the high school, Granite Street, Leominster. Tickets are $10; $6 for students. Call (978) 534-7715, Ext. 339.

A Holiday Surf and Turf meat raffle will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Franco American War Vets, 300 Water St., Leominster. The meat raffle will feature 10 free turkey drawings plus lobsters, hams, shrimp, pork and more. Members and guests invited. Call (978) 534-6409.

The Christian Performing Arts Center will perform "It's a Wonderful Life" at 7 p.m. at Fitchburg High School, 140 Arn How Road. Call (978) 345-2915.

The Most Peaceful Night of the Year Christmas concert will be performed today and Saturday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at First Church Unitarian Universalist, 15 West St.,

Leominster. Call (978) 534-4635.

Firebird Ensemble presents a contemporary version of the classic "A Christmas Carol" at 8 p.m. in Percival Auditorium,

Fitchburg State College. Prior to the show, the Firebird Ensemble will hold a spotlight talk at 7:15 p.m. in Percival Auditorium. For ticket information, call (978) 665-3347 or (978) 665-3709.

Theatre at the Mount will perform "The King and I" at 8 p.m. at Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green St., Gardner. For tickets and reservations, call (978) 632-2403.

Matt and Shannon Heaton will perform traditional Irish music at 8 p.m. at the Bull Run Restaurant, Route 2A, Shirley. Call (978) 425-4311.

8 SATURDAY

A Christmas Craft and Flea Market fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at United Parish Hall, 39 Main St., Lunenburg. Featuring homemade cat items, holiday décor, Christmas gifts, flea market items and baked goods. A half-price hour will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Pat Brody Shelter for Cats. Call (978) 582- 0291.

The Drawbridge Puppet Theater, 1335 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg, presents "The Nutcracker" today at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9, at 1 p.m. For ages 4 and up. Tickets are $6. Call (978) 582-6565.

A holiday celebration will be held at Broadview Assisted Living, 547 Central St., Winchendon. Enjoy a holiday fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by the annual lighting of Broadview's facility, and tours and refreshments at 6:30 p.m. Gerri Wheeler, guitarist and vocalist, will provide entertainment at 6:45 p.m. Free. Call (978) 297-2333

The Fitchburg Art Museum presents its "Holly Berry Faire" from noon to 4 p.m. at the museum, Merriam Parkway. Find unique hand-made gifts created by local artists and artisans while enjoying beautiful art, live music and light refreshments with free gift bags for children. Call (978) 345- 4207, Ext. 303.

The JoAnn East Dance Education Centers will bring some extra magic to this year's holiday season with a performance of "The Polar Express" at 1 p.m. at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Route 2A, Fitchburg. An unwrapped toy canned good is appreciated for their charity drive. Tickets are on sale now and are available at the door. Call (978) 827-4990. A Christmas Goodies Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Parish Hall, Faith United

Parish, 820 Main St., Fitchburg. Cookies, cakes, pies, breads and goodies available.

First Parish Church Unitarian Universalist kicks off the holiday season with its fourth annual Pasta Dinner and Holiday Concert at the church, 923 Main St., Fitchburg. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the concert at 7 p.m., with a dessert reception to follow. Tickets for the dinner, concert, and reception inclusive are $8 per person, with a maximum of $20 per family. Call (978) 345-0933.

The Christian Performing Arts Center will perform "It's a Wonderful Life" at 7 p.m. at Fitchburg High School, 140 Arn How Road. Call (978) 345-2915.

Theatre at the Mount will perform "The King and I" at 8 p.m. at Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green St., Gardner. For tickets and reservations, call (978) 632-2403.

Wishbone Ash will perform 1970's rock at 8 p.m. at the Bull Run Restaurant, Route 2A, Shirley. Call (978) 425-4311. 9 SUNDAY 9 Chair City Pipers, a women's chorus and Riverbend, a vocal and instrumental folk group, will perform music of the season at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. respectively at the

Fitchburg Art Museum, Merriam Parkway. Call (978) 345-4207, Ext. 303.

The Christian Performing Arts Center will perform "It's a Wonderful Life" at 2 p.m. at Fitchburg High School, 140 Arn How Road. Call (978) 345-2915. The Fitchburg Art

Museum presents its "Holly Berry Faire" from noon to 4 p.m. at the museum, Merriam Parkway.Find unique handmade gifts created by local artists and artisans while enjoying beautiful art, live music and light refreshments with free gift bags for children. Call (978) 345-4207, Ext. 303.

Theatre at the Mount will perform "The King and I" at 2 p.m. at Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green St., Gardner. For tickets and reservations, call (978) 632-2403.

The Thayer Symphony Orchestra will perform a Holiday Concert at 6 p.m. at Leominster City Hall, 25 West St. For tickets and reservations, call (978) 466-1800.

Celebrate the joy of the season through voice, instrument and dance as the Shirley Meetinghouse Chorale performs their annual Candlelight Vespers at 6:30 p.m. at the Shirley Meetinghouse. Call (978) 425- 0056.

Rollstone Concert Series presents Wil Darcangelo in his fourth annual Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. at Rollstone Congregational Church, 199 Main St., Fitchburg. Tickets are $13 in advance, $15 at the door and can be purchased at Moran Square Diner, 6 Myrtle Ave.; Wraps Plus, 150 Main St., and Brendy's Hair Salon, 275 Main St., all in Fitchburg.

Dance2Swing presents The Velvet Elvis Band at 7 p.m. at the Leominster Eagles Hall, 456 Litchfield St. Special guest will be Mike Girard from The Fools. A group swing dance lesson will be held at 6 p.m. Admission is $12. Visit www.dance2swing.com .

10 MONDAY

The American Cancer Society will hold a "Look Good . . . Feel Better" seminar from 6 to 8 p.m. at Heywood Hospital, Gardner. Pre-registration required by calling (978) 630-6132.

The Chamber Singers and The Concert Choir will perform a holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. in Weston Auditorium, Fitchburg State College. Free; handicapped seating available.

11 TUESDAY

The Westminster Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. at 110 Main St. The focus of the meeting will be to gather information about the businesses that sprang up in Westminster in response to the widespread use of automobiles in the 20th Century. Everyone is invited to come and share what they know. Refreshments served. Call (978) 874-5569.

12 WEDNESDAY

The LaLeche League of North Central MA will meet at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Church, 1400 Main St., Leominster. Call Pam at (978) 516-0523 or Jen at (978) 345-8717.

The annual Senior Center Christmas Party will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at the Westminster Council on Aging, American Legion Hall, 127 Main St., Westminster. Goodies and salads appreciated. Call (978) 874-7402.

15 SATURDAY

Take a break from your busy holiday schedule to watch local skaters perform at the Wallace Figure Skating Club's annual Winter Exhibition at 10 a.m. at the Wallace Civic Center, Landry Arena, 1000 John Fitch Highway, Fitchburg. Free, goodies and raffles available. Call (978) 345-7054.

The Drawbridge Puppet Theater, 1335 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg, presents "The Nutcracker" today at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and Sunday, Dec. 16, at 1 p.m. For ages 4 and up. Tickets are $6. Call (978) 582-6565.

The Thayer Symphony Orchestra, along with the Salisbury Singers, presents a Holiday Pops Concert at 8 p.m. in the Stratos G. Dukakis Performing Arts Center, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Route 2A, Fitchburg. For tickets and reservations, call (978) 466-1800.