Community at a glance

Today Sammons Center for the Arts presents Back to the Basics with The Clyde George/Duane Durrett Quartet featuring its unique jazz sound with a blues influence. The second set will feature the Dan Robbins Trio with special guest Drenda Barnett, a Dallas vocalist. As well as live jazz entertainment, the evening features complimentary valet parking, light appetizers, wine, beer, soft drinks and coffee. Seating is general admission. Regular ticket prices are $25, and members are $20. Doors open at 7 p.m. For more information, call 214-520-7788.

Today Pocket Sandwich Theatre presents 4 Out of 5 Doctors as its Christmas show, Holiday on Thin Ice. The show will be today at 6:30 p.m. For five years, the show has been a holiday season presentation at the theater. For ticket information and prices, contact the theater at 214-821-1860.

Today-Dec. 7 The NW Campus visual arts department is presenting its 2002 Visual Arts Student Exhibit winners in a group exhibition in the Lakeview Gallery on campus. The NW student winners include Barbara Arabian, Lynda Effertz, Kiki Ford, Rhonda Hanlon and Harry Stark.

Today-Dec. 8 Mondrian, 1892-1914: The Path to Abstraction is on exhibit at the Kimbell Art Museum. This is the first exhibit devoted to Piet Mondrian’s early career, from his student years in Holland as a painter of romantic landscapes to his emergence as an artist of international renown in cosmopolitan pre-World War I Paris. The exhibition features more than 100 paintings and drawings. The Kimbell, recognized as one of the finest museums in the country, is the only U.S. venue for this exhibition. For information, contact the museum at 817-654-1034.

Today-Dec 23 The Pocket Sandwich Theatre in Dallas offers Ebenezer Scrooge, a musical adaptation of the classic tale by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. The play tells the story of Scrooge, who does not believe in Christmas or giving to others. Scrooge is visited by ghosts and shown the way to friendship and holiday spirit. Show times are Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. Extra shows will be added at 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 10, 11, 17 and 18 and at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 and 22. For ticket prices, call the theater at 214-821-1860 or visit online at www.pocketsandwich.com.

Today-Jan. 5 The Amon Carter Museum is continuing its presentation of The Master Prints of Edward S. Curtis: Portraits of Native America. This special exhibition showcases 65 master prints selected by Curtis for an exhibit called The North American Indian, which traveled to Boston and several other U.S. cities in the first decade of the 20th century. The platinum prints on art nouveau mounts testify to Curtis’ standing as a major American photographer. For dates and more information on gallery talks, films, lectures and ticket prices for the exhibit, contact the museum at 817-738-1933 or visit online at www.cartermuseum.org.

Today-Apr. 27 The Amon Carter Museum Exhibitions and Public Programs is presenting Laura Gilpin and the Navajo: An Enduring Project. For more than 40 years beginning in the 1930s, Gilpin visited the vast Navajo Reservation and began documenting the people, landscape and culture through her photographs. Her photography reveals a moving record of the region and its people before both were dramatically altered by federal intervention, a world war and reorganization of the tribal government. Gilpin’s photographs reveal the trust, mutual respect and genuine affection that the Navajo people have for her. For more information, visit the museum’s Web site at www.cartermuseum.org or call 817-738-1933.

Dec. 4 Texas Wesleyan University’s Jazz ensemble, combo and faculty will perform in the NE Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, and seating will be on a first-come, first served basis.

Dec. 5-7 Misery by Stephen King and adapted by Simon Moore is at Circle Theatre. Expect the unexpected in this cruel thriller. Best-selling romance novelist Paul Sheldon is lucky to be alive, or is he? The viewer soon realizes that Sheldon is held victim to his greatest fan. The production is based on King’s personal experience with his own infamous “number one fan.” The play is rated R for violence and language. For show times, ticket prices, and more information, call 817-877-3040.

Dec. 5-22 It’s a Wonderful Life will be staged at Theatre Arlington. Based on the film directed by Frank Capra, this saga follows the triumphs and travails of ordinary George Bailey, who finally realizes his self-worth thanks to a visiting guardian angel. This winter show will warm the hearts of everyone. Rated G. Show times are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. and Sunday twilight shows at 5:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $9 for children under 11 and $13 for adults with discounts given for groups. For reservations or more information, call 817-275-7661.

Dec. 6-7 NE Campus’ Music Theatre Workshop presents Showtune Showcase, directed by Susan Mills Polster. The show will feature songs and scenes from some of Broadway’s greatest shows. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday in the NE Playhouse. Tickets are free to TCC students, faculty and staff, $5 for general public and $3 for other students and seniors.

Dec. 6-Jan. 5 Jubilee Theatre presents Travelin’ Shoes, a revival of its 1999 holiday musical hit and a tribute to the song stylists known as the Jubilee quartets. Quartet singing flourished from the ’20s to the ’60s in groups such as The Soul Stirrers and The Pilgrim Travelers and laid the groundwork for The Temptations. Call 817-338-4111 for reservations. Times are 8:15 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3:15 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Saturday matinees offer two-for-one tickets.

Dec. 15-17 Schola Cantorum of Texas offers its Christmas gift to the community: a series of free seasonal concerts. The program includes works by Mendelssohn, Handel and Luboff as well as traditional carols and Schola’s rendition of Malcom Sargeant’s Silent Night. Performances are 2 p.m. Sunday at Trinity United Methodist Chuch in Arlington, 7:30 p.m. Monday at St. Stephens Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church in Keller.