Six things to do this week

'Christmas with Aaron Neville'

Aaron Neville returns to Stanislaus County for the second year in a row to perform his Christmas concert. The New Orleans native first gained fame in 1966 with his single "Tell It Like It Is." He went on to record the 1980s hits "Don't Know Much" and "All My Life" with Linda Ronstadt, and the 1990s solo "Everybody Plays the Fool." He also has performed with his brothers. Last year, Neville performed his Christmas concert at the Gallo Center for the Arts.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Turlock Community Theatre, 1574 E. Canal Drive

TICKETS: $32-$52

CALL: (209) 668-1169

ONLINE: www.turlocktheatre.org

'The Nutcracker'

Central West Ballet presents Tchaikovsky's holiday ballet, "The Nutcracker." The show features a cast of 100. The story centers on the young girl Clara, who receives a magical nutcracker doll that transforms into a handsome prince and carries her off to the Land of Sweets. Izabella Duran-Soriano, 11, and Morgan Turner, 11, alternate as Clara. Modesto Mayor Garrad Marsh plays Mother Ginger tonight only.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; through Dec. 23

WHERE: Rogers Theater, Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto

TICKETS: $15-$54; Sugar Plum Fairy parties following matinees for $6 (includes photos, autographs with cast, children's goody bags)

CALL: (209) 338-2100

ONLINE: www.galloarts.org

Expendables

Founded in 1997 in Santa Cruz, the Expendables play a mix of surf rock, reggae and punk. The band has toured with such bands as 311, Pepper, the Kottonmouth Kings, G. Love & Special Sauce and more. The Expendables recently released "Gone Soft," an acoustic album of older songs.

WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Fat Cat Music House & Lounge, 930 11th St., Modesto

TICKETS: $17.26

CALL: (209) 524-1400

ONLINE: www.fatcatmodesto.com

Santa Con

People 21 and older are invited to the second annual Santa Con pub crawl in downtown Modesto. Participants must dress up as Santa Claus and will get free entry to all participating bars. The crawl begins at the Fat Cat Music House & Lounge at7:30 p.m., moves to Tresetti's at 8, Café Deva at 8:30, Concetta at 9, Vito's at 9:30, Speakeasy at 10, Firkin and Fox at 10:30, and then concludes at Climax at 11. Santa costumes can be rented at Daydreams & Nightmares costume shop in Modesto.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Begins at the Fat Cat Music House & Lounge, 930 11th St., Modesto

TICKETS: Free

CALL: (209) 524-1400

'Santaland Diaries'

Prospect Theater Project revives its popular comic holiday production of David Sedaris' "Santaland Diaries/Season's Greetings." "Santaland Diaries" is an account of working as an elf at Macy's during the Christmas season, while "Season's Greetings" recounts a holiday letter from a family that hasn't had a great year.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Prospect Theater Project, 520 Scenic Drive, Modesto

TICKETS: $20

CALL: (209) 549-9341

ONLINE: www.prospecttheaterproject.org

'The Notcracker'

Strut Performing Arts presents its third annual staging of "The Notcracker," the group's updated twist on Tchaikovsky's classic holiday ballet, "The Nutcracker." This version includes hip-hop, tap and jazz, as well as classical ballet, and adds new characters such as butterflies. The show features a cast of about 115 dancers, ages 4 to early 50s.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto

TICKETS: $17

CALL: (209) 527-4697

ONLINE: www.thestate.org