This weekend's best events, in no particular order, because no one needs to look at another list this time of year:
First Annual Do-It-Yourself Nutcracker
It's December, which means performances of The Nutcracker are around every corner. If you're aching to satisfy your winter ballet fix but long for something a little different, come out to the East Bay Dance Center on Sunday, Dec. 9 and 16, for its first-annual "Do-It-Yourself Nutcracker." Taking cues from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the show will feature scenes from The Nutcracker with the original music, danced by students and faculty from the Center. Many numbers will also involve audience participation — from more low-level scene involvement to full-on dance sequences. The event is suitable for all ages and dance levels. 3 p.m.; $15, $8 for children 12 and under. 510-336-3262 or EastBayDanceCenter.org/_special_events.htm — Azeen Ghorayshi
Hubert Keller
Bay Area culinary star Hubert Keller, who brought us San Francisco restaurants Fleur de Lys and Burger Bar, and who is well known for Secrets of a Chef, his PBS cooking show, comes to the East Bay to talk about his new book, Souvenirs: Memories, Stories, and Recipes from My Life. Keller has plenty to reminisce on. Growing up in Alsace, France, he awoke each day to the intoxicating scents wafting from his father's patisserie, where Keller and his siblings often helped with the baking. From the time he decided he wanted to be a chef, Keller sought out and was trained and mentored by some of France's most talented chefs; he and his wife later relocated to San Francisco and opened Keller's first Bay Area spot, Fleur de Lys, in 1986. It quickly became known as on the nation's top restaurants, using California's fresh, sustainable ingredients to present classic French and Mediterranean cuisine. His appearance at The Pasta Shop on Saturday, Dec. 8, includes edible samples and tastings from the book. 1:30 p.m., free. 510-250-6005 or RockridgeMarketHall.com — Alison Peters
Everything is Terrible
Remember the YouTube Video, "So Your Cat Wants a Massage?" The masterminds behind that and other expertly-mined VHS detritus from the 80s and 90s go by the moniker Everything is Terrible — and this year they're launching a 30-city holiday tour to share everything that's terrible about, you guessed it, holiday videos. From Nazi elves to erotic Santas, the self-described "psychedelic soldiers" of VHS have put together an hour-long film and live performance spectacular. Get ready to get weird at ABCo Artspace this Saturday, Dec. 8 at 10pm. — A.G.