The Vie Side: Christmas, New Orleans style

“Scrooge in Rouge” at Mid-City Theater

FRIDAY-SUNDAY / Bah Humbug: One of the wonderful things about the holidays is the sense of tradition. “The Nutcracker,” tree lightings, peppermint hot chocolate, and, of course, “A Christmas Carol.” However, Mid-City theater is deviating a bit from the classic with “Scrooge in Rouge,” a farcical version of the Christmas classic as a British variety show. Three actors play all of the parts and hilarity ensues, from the past, present, and future. The show will run for the next two weekends, so don’t miss this re-imagined classic. December 14-16, 21-23. $26/ticket.

FRIDAY / LMB: Nola Pick of the Week: This Friday at Tipitina’s Uptown, the queen of New Orleans groove herself, DJ Soul Sister, is bringing the holiday joy to your ears and hearts in droves with the Hot 8 Brass Band.  And this year’s Soul Glo Christmas Jam is not only going to provide a oracular treat for you, it’s going to dish out treats for women and children across the city.  The good and loving idea is to bring a holiday present to the show, which will then be distributed through the Metropolitan Center for Women and Children, so fill the duty of those Santa shoes, and dance in them at the same time. For ideas on gifts, go to http://mcwcgno.org/how-you-can-help.html. December 14, 9 PM. Tickets $10 GA.

Running of the Santas

SATURDAY / On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer: So we know you already have black and gold jerseys, sequined leggings, purple, green and gold from head to toe, and red dresses in your costume chests. You’re going to have to make room for a Santa costume for this weekend’s Running of the Santas. The bar crawl starts at Lucy’s and ends at Generations Hall with a three block “run” in between (got to get that cardio in). Tickets start at $15 and include a donation to “That Others May Live” foundation. December 15, 12 PM, $15-25/ticket.

SATURDAY / Whiskey Chaser: Three bartenders will be going head to head this Sunday at the Fair Grounds. They will not be racing, but they will be competing for the title of the Best New Orleans Bartender. Each bartender will make 500 samples of a Wild Turkey-based cocktail and the crowd will vote. The contest starts at 12:30 and goes until 3:30, so it’s a great opportunity to get back in the swing of holiday mid-day cocktail hour. Admission is included with Clubhouse admission at $10 at the door. December 15, 12:30-3:30 PM.

Anna Shults is associate editor of NolaVie.