So You Know

In the theaters: robbers, family, war

Want movie variety? You got it. A mixed bag of openings includes “Armored,” in which armored-car guards Matt Dillon and Jean Reno stage a holdup but are thwarted by a rookie guard; “Brothers,” in which Jake Gyllenhaal comforts his brother’s Afghan war widow (Natalie Portman) only to later find his brother (Tobey Maguire) is not dead; “Everybody’s Fine,” in which widowed Robert De Niro decides to visit his children after they all cancel Christmas trips home; and “The Messenger,” in which Iraq war vet Ben Foster is teamed with Woody Harrelson to inform next of kin that someone has been killed in action.

Beatles tribute, ‘Nutcracker’ on stage

Two local stages add to holiday offerings. “Yesterday and Today,” a Beatles tribute starring the McGuigan brothers, opens Friday at the Omaha Community Playhouse. And the final production of “The Nutcracker” before Omaha Theater Ballet disbands next spring will bow at the Orpheum.

Ladies’ nights at the Holland

It’s beginning to look a lot like a Chanteuse Christmas at the Holland Performing Arts Center. Omaha-based singer Heidi Joy will present her final “Holiday Joy” concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Jazz stylist Jane Monheit follows at 8 p.m. Friday with a show that mixes Christmas standards with songs from the Great American Songbook.

Will they do the fandango?

What do you get when you mix grand opera with Queen’s “A Night at the Opera”? The 10 Tenors, of course. One of Australia’s biggest cultural exports performs Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Holland Performing Arts Center. They will sing everything from arias and Christmas carols to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Invite Sookie and Bill into your home

Plenty of guys out there have wished they could take “True Blood” character Sookie Stackhouse home. Soon, they can. Figurines of Sookie and vampires Eric and Bill will be available this summer. And here’s more good “True Blood” news: The production team begins shooting the third season this week.

Operatic tunes, but no whips

Don’t get confused here. Il Divo isn’t going to whip it. That’s Devo. But Il Divo — a group of operatic pop vocalists — is releasing an album this week. It’s called “An Evening With Il Divo — Live in Barcelona” and looks to be the week’s top seller. So listen. Listen good.

Musicians help out Pine Ridge kids

Once again, a group of local musicians has gotten together to gather toys for children at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, one of the most poverty-stricken communities in the country. The new “Christmas for Pine Ridge: Vol. 2” CD includes music from Black Squirrels, Noah’s Ark Was a Spaceship, L.L. Dunn, Sarah Benck, Matt Whipkey, Michael Campbell, Kyle Harvey, Cursive and others. A listening party for the CD is Tuesday at the Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. No admission will be charged, but toy donations will be accepted.

DVDs? Depends on your mood

A little heavy, a little light. That’s what’s up with DVD releases this week. First, the heavy: Christian Bale stars in “Terminator Salvation.” Sadly, the movie wasn’t as entertaining as Bale’s crazy, expletive-ridden rant during its filming. Now the light: Ben Stiller is back in “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.” As far as we know, he was nice on the set.

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