be there

Thurs., Dec 16

Carousel Cinema; 1305 Battleground Ave., Greensboro; 336.230.1620; www.carouselbattleground.com; 9 p.m.; $6.25 - $9, plus $2.50 charge for 3-D screening

Tron Legacy premieres at the Carousel with a big party leading up to the midnight 3-D release. Celebrate in the lobby with door prizes and Tron-inspired blue lightcycle mixed drinks. Sponsored by YES! Weekly, GameStop, and Krazy Dog Music.

Wed., Dec 15

Christmas Castle

Castle McCulloch; 3925 Kivett Drive, Jamestown; 336.887.5413; www.castlemcculloch.com; 6 p.m.; $12.50, $8 children

Enjoy an evening with Santa’s family and friends at Castle Mc- Culloch’s Winter Wonderland holiday trail. Ice skaters, elves and carolers perform throughout the indoor/outdoor Christmas trail. Grab a hot chocolate to keep you warm. Shows start every 10 minutes.

Fri., Dec 17

Christmas Party with Kevin Lee

Rider’s in the Country; 5701 Randleman Rd., Randleman; 336.674.5111; www.ridersinthecountry.net; 8 p.m.; $10, $5 members

Customer Christmas party featuring live music from Nashville recording artist Kevin Lee. Barbeque plates with all the fixings are included with admission. Proceeds will be donated to Feeding Area Local Children.

Sat., Dec 18

Winston-Salem Shuffle

Krankies Coffee; 211 East Third St., Winston-Salem; 336.745.6660; www.ws-shuffle.org; 7:30 p.m.; $3 - $5

Bring your talent! The Winston- Salem Shuffle provides a forum for any genre or performance type. Come out and compete with your original or public domain material for a chance to win cash prizes. It costs $3 to watch and $5 to compete.

Sun., Dec 19

Drive-Through Nativity

Lutheran Church of Our Father; 3304 Groometown Rd., Greensboro; 336.299.4061; 6 p.m.; www.sedgefieldpresbyterian.org; FREE

Drive through six scenes from the Christmas Story staged with real people and live animals. The live nativity is presented together by the Lutheran Church of Our Father and Sedgefield Presbyterian Church. Donations of canned and non-perishabe food will be accepted for those in need.

Mon., Dec 20

Laser Holidays

Natural Science Center of Greensboro; 4301 Lawndale Dr., Greensboro; 336.288.3769; 4 p.m.; www.natsci.org; $3

A festive holiday laser show in the state-of-the-art omnisphere theater. Bring the whole family and immerse yourself in the digital holiday lights across the 40-foot dome. Catch the show daily at 4 p.m. Seating is limited.

Tues., Dec 21

Idea Exchange

Center for Design Innovation; Suite 2105, 301 North Main St., Winston-Salem; 336-727-4310; www.centerfordesigninnovation.org; 5:30 p.m.; FREE

Area “light writers” will mark the winter solstice by comparing images exploring photographers’ uses of light and lighting.

The Idea Exchange is an open, public forum that meets monthly to consider creative processes, digital techniques, business strategies and other interests.

Wed., Dec 22

Stories for Clara

The Green Bean; 341 S. Elm St., Greensboro; 336.691.9990; thegreenbeancoffeehouse.blogspot.com; 8 p.m.; $5 suggested donation

Stories for Clara is a benefit reading for Clara’s House, a Greensboro shelter for battered women and their children. Brian Clarey, Vishal Khanna and Eric Wilson will read from their works about being fathers. Books from Clarey and Wilson will also be available for purchase.