Look Ahead: Local events and things to do this week, December 1-7

Dec. 1, 4

AIDS and the arts

Since 1988, December 1 has been designated World AIDS Day, to mark the progress being made to battle HIV and the need to prevent new infections and help those living with HIV. The Utah Museum of Fine Arts is marking the occasion by taking part in Day With(out) Art, in which art museums and galleries close their doors or shroud their artworks, to symbolize the losses to the world’s art community caused by AIDS. This year, UMFA will shroud John D. McLaughlin’s “#21-1958,” in the Global Contemporary gallery. On Wednesday, from 6 to 8 p.m., UMFA will screen “Red Reminds Me…,” a series of seven videos “reflecting the emotional spectrum of living with HIV today.” The screening is free, and includes historian presentations and a post-screening discussion. UMFA is located at 410 Campus Center Drive, Salt Lake City, on the University of Utah campus.

Dec. 2, 5, 6, 7

Christmas at the Eccles

The Eccles Theater, at 131 S. Main, Salt Lake City, has its Christmas lineup in full swing this week. Monday night, starting at 7 p.m., violinist Jenny Oaks Baker, with her family and other performers (including choirs and dancers), will perform a selection of holiday music. Thursday through Saturday, Utah composer Kurt Bestor puts on his 37th annual Christmas extravaganza, with violinist Caroline Campbell and soprano Lillian Breeze Manning as special guests. Showtimes for Bestor’s show are Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., and Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets for all of these are available at live-at-the-eccles.com.

Dec. 6-7

Get your craft on

Craft Lake City is conducting its annual holiday market, Friday and Saturday at Ogden Union Station, 2501 Wall Ave., Ogden. The event, marking its sixth year, offers more than 140 Utah-based artisans, vintage vendors, performers and STEM exhibitors — as well as food trucks, and beer and cocktails from local breweries and distilleries. Santa Claus will be on hand, for people to take free pictures with their own cameras. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $7 in advance at craftlakecity.com, $10 on the day of the event; kids 12 and under are admitted free.

Dec. 6-28

Ballet West’s ‘Nutcracker’ turns 80

Ballet West hits a milestone this week at the Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City, with its annual Christmas production of “The Nutcracker.” This year marks 80 years since Ballet West’s founder and first choreographer, Willam Christensen, launched what’s billed as the first version of the holiday ballet, performed to the music of Tchaikovsky. This year’s production debuts on Friday, and runs Saturday, then Dec. 8, 13-15, 18-24 and 26-28. Tickets and showtimes at BalletWest.org.