Here's what's going on this week:
Thursday, December 19

• Tonight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hispanic Community Center (675 N. Clinton Ave.) is a Public Information Meeting on the La Avenida Phase II Streetscape Improvements.
  

  The Phase II project will extend the Phase I improvement north from Avenue D to Norton Street. The meeting will include a presentation by the design team to introduce the project and present their inventory and analysis findings and preliminary plans. After an initial question and answer period the design team will be available to discuss the project in a small group setting. The project design team will be available to explain the project, answer your questions and record your feedback.

  [source: City of Rochester website, 2013-Dec-18]

• Tonight at 8 p.m., the Dryden will screen The Farmer's Wife (Alfred Hitchcock, U.K. 1928, 107 min., DCP) with live piano accompaniment by Philip C. Carli (and another friggin' digital projection … WTF?)
  

  Widowed landowner Samuel Sweetland, in an attempt to find a new wife, creates a list of the most eligible women in his neighborhood. Enlisting the help of his trusted housekeeper, he sets out to woo them—with catastrophic results. In his handling of this subtly charming comedy of manners, Hitchcock continues his virtuoso camerawork and deft direction of talented actors.

  [source: Dryden website, 2013-Dec-16]

Friday, December 20

• Updated: This evening at Smugtown Mushrooms (127 Railroad St.) is a Winter Solstice Gathering from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. [source: Facebook, 2013-Dec-19]
• From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. is the Drew Frech Duo Holiday Concert at Bernunzio Uptown Music. [source: Bernunzio Uptown Music website, 2013-Dec-16]
• Updated: At the Little Theatre at 7 p.m. is a screening of Nebraska (Alexander Payne, U.S. 2013, 115 min.) This has been "upgraded" to a regular feature run so you can see it all week too.
  

  "Nebraska" is a father and son road trip, from Billings, Montana to Lincoln Nebraska that gets waylaid at a small town in central Nebraska, where the father grew up and has scores to settle. Told with deadpan humor and a unique visual style, it's ultimately a story of a son trying to get through to a father he doesn't understand.

  [source: Little Theatre website, 2013-Dec-16]

• The Dryden will screen Bill Cosby: Himself (Bill Cosby, U.S. 1983, 105 min., 35mm) tonight at 8 p.m.
  

  In his distinct conversational style, Bill Cosby brings a Hamilton, Ontario, audience to hysterics as he discusses a range of topics, including weekends, drugs, dentists, and of course, the peculiar activities of his family. A precursor to The Cosby Show, Bill Cosby: Himself is close to the real thing, as his insightful brand of stand-up comedy is presented with a candor that can usually be attained only through a live performance.

  [source: Dryden website, 2013-Dec-16]

• Starting around 9 p.m. tonight at the Lovin' Cup is wicked fun, saxophone-driven, percussive groove-rock band The BuddhaHood for their CD Release Party with great classic rock/soul band Anonymous Willpower. [source: Lovin' Cup website, 2013-Dec-16]

Saturday, December 21

• Tonight from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Flying Squirrel is the Odd Kids Comedy Playground.
  

  Local artists and comedians will come together for a 90 minute show, hosted by Rochester-based comedy troupe, The Odd Kids. This show will feature our own special blend of alternative comedy, including characters, sketch, and a local music feature.

  [source: Flying Squirrel website, 2013-Dec-16]

• Nuts and Bolts Comedy Improv performs at The Space tonight at 8 p.m. [source: The Space website, 2013-Dec-16]
• Tonight at 8 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m., the Dryden will screen It's a Wonderful Life (Frank Capra, U.S. 1946, 130 min., 35mm)
  

  James Stewart and Donna Reed find their way through rough times in Bedford Falls (modeled after nearby Seneca Falls, NY) by way of a loving, dedicated relationship and a little heavenly intervention. As Stewart's and Capra's, first work after their military service, the film takes the post-war malaise often seen in film noir and turns it on its head, constructing a narrative of faith and perseverance.

  [source: Dryden website, 2013-Dec-16]

• Starting around 9 p.m. at the Lovin' Cup is The Music of Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas, and an After-Party with the Ruckus Juice Jug Stompers. [source: Lovin' Cup website, 2013-Dec-16]

Sunday, December 22

• Tonight starting at 7 p.m. at the MuCCC is First Fruits/New Beginnings.
  

  This unique variety show will celebrate the spirit of Christmas, the Principles of Kwanzaa, and the Glory of the Winter Solstice in one night of immeasurable fun! Musicians Hosea Taylor and Tony Graham will lead the eclectic new Rochester Band "Pre-Verb." Spoken word performers will include Jahaka Mindstorm and Lisa Johnson and Poetic Stuff; among others. [source: MuCCC website, 2013-Dec-16]

• Over at the Bug Jar starting around 9 p.m. is Adrienne Mack-Davis, John Vadas, and Jenna Giuliani. [source: Bug Jar calendar, 2013-Dec-16]

Monday, December 23

• Tonight at Skylark is jazz with the Colin Cannon Quartet starting around 10 p.m. [source: Freetime website, 2013-Dec-16]

Tuesday, December 24

• ShakeCo Radio Theater presents Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at the MuCCC this afternoon at 2 p.m.
  

  Hearkening back to the days before television, Shakeco Radio Theater will endeavor to recreate the mood and styles that once dominated the airwaves. Shakeco's fourth Annual production of "A Christmas Carol" is presented as a dramatic reading of the classic tale.

  [source: MuCCC website, 2013-Dec-16]

• Tonight at 8 p.m., the Dryden will screen Larceny, Inc. (Lloyd Bacon, U.S. 1942, 95 min, 35mm).
  

  Edward G. Robinson takes a break from his legendary tough-guy persona in this sharply witty crime/comedy crossover. Robinson plays Pressure Maxwell, a released con stuck between going straight and the prospect of an elaborate bank robbery. Under the influence of his beautiful daughter (Jane Wyman), Pressure's newfound legitimate business takes off, but old habits (and old friends) die hard and he finds himself forced into going through with the heist. With a stand-out supporting cast including Anthony Quinn, Broderick Crawford, and a very young Jack Gleason, Larceny, Inc. at once parodies and celebrates the great American gangster flick.

  [source: Dryden website, 2013-Dec-16]

Wednesday, December 25

• Starting around 9 p.m. tonight at the Bug Jar is The Grinders, Deathcamp, Televisionaries, loud, fast rock from El Destructo, and a special appearance by Ian Decay, and A Christmas Story read by Jon Lynch. [source: Bug Jar calendar, 2013-Dec-16]