MOVIES

‘Killing Them Softly’

Brad Pitt is very effective playing a hard-eyed mob enforcer in writer-director Andrew Dominik’s hardboiled crime tale about what happens to loose-lipped dim bulbs who rob a mob-sponsored card game. Lots of choice hard-edged dialogue. Now playing at several theaters. For showtimes, see Page H9. For Soren Andersen’s three-star review, go to www.seattletimes.com/movies.

TV

‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’

The 1964 animated special that features an elf named Hermey, the Abominable Snowman, the Island of Misfit Toys and is narrated by Burl Ives airs 8 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.

FOOD

Winter Beer Festival

Seattle’s biggest winter brew fest is finally here. The Winter Beer Festival features 75 IPAs, stouts and other big, boozy, seasonal beers made from local breweries. Tasting takes place Friday, from 5- 9 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. at Hale Hale’s Palladium, 4301 Leary Way N.W. $25 in advance or $30 at the door (800-838-3006 or washingtonbeer.com).

Cooking class

Holiday bites for your party. Chef Lisa Dupar of Pomegranate Bistro in Redmond shows you how to make seared diver scallop on whipped parsnip with fried ginger apple chips, cocoa nib vanilla bean mini Moon Pies and other holiday snacks. $35 includes samples . Held at Book Larder, 4252 Fremont Ave. N. Monday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (206-397-4271 or www.booklarder.com).

FESTIVALS, COMMUNITY

Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition

Choirs, caroling and general cacophony erupt every year on the first Friday of December as this benefit for Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank takes over the blocks around Westlake Park, 5 p.m. Dec. 7, 401 Pine St., Seattle; preregister to participate; free to attend, donations collected (www.pikemarketseniorcenter.org/figgy-pudding).

Green Lake Pathway of Lights

Stroll a 2.8 mile path around the lake lit by luminaria, with music, warm drinks and treats at four locations along the route, 5-8 p.m. Dec. 8, Green Lake Park , 7201 E. Green Lake Drive N., Seattle (facebook.com/GreenLakePathwayofLights).

POP MUSIC

Deck the Hall Ball

Ring in the season with rock: M83, The Killers, Metric, The Lumineers, Passion Pit, AWOLNation, Grouplove, Of Monsters and Men and The Joy Formidable. 3 p.m. Tuesday at KeyArena, 305 Harrison St., Seattle; $47.70-$127.70 (800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com).

Sweet Honey in the Rock

African-American at its center, the ladies of Sweet Honey radiate out to many cultures with “Celebrating the Holydays.” 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at The Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle; $25-$45 (206-838-4333 or www.thetripledoor.net).

LITERARY EVENTS

Ken Jennings

The Jeopardy trivia champ and Eastside resident has a new book out, “Because I Said So! The Truths Behind the Myths, Tales & Warnings Every Generation Passes Down to Its Kids.” Hear him at 7 p.m. Friday at the Elliott Bay Book Co., 1521 10th Ave., Seattle; free (206-624-6600 or www.elliottbaybook.com).

THEATER

‘Black Nativity’

This rousing holiday show featuring the Rev. Pat Wright and her moving and shaking Total Experience Gospel Choir brings Langston Hughes’ “Black Nativity” to fervent life. Thursday through Dec. 23, Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle; $22.50-$62.50 (877-784-4849 or stgpresents.org).

‘Oedipus el Rey’

Seattle troupe eSe Teatro “reacquaints audiences with the iconic tragedy through the lens of Chicano culture and ancient Mexican ritual.” Previews Wednesday-Thursday, opens Friday and runs through Dec. 16, ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., Seattle; $15-$20 (206-292-7676 or www.acttheatre.org).

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Seattle Symphony Holiday Pops

New principal pops conductor Jeff Tyzik takes the SSO on a holiday ride in a program of seasonal favorites. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Dec. 9, Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle; $19-$95 (206-215-4747 or www.seattlesymphony.org).

The Tallis Scholars

The British vocal ensemble, representing the gold standard in choral music, visits Seattle with a program that ranges from the 16th to the 20th century. Presented by the Tudor Choir at 8 p.m., Friday, Blessed Sacrament Church, 5041 Ninth Ave. N.E., Seattle; $25-$50 (206-323-9415 or www.tudorchoir.org or www.brownpapertickets.com).

DANCE

‘Nutcracker’

Spend an evening with the Sugar Plum Fairy, warring mice and a magical nutcracker in this Tchaikovsky masterpiece given even more of a classic touch by Kent Stowell and Maurice Sendak. Friday-Dec. 29, Pacific Northwest Ballet, McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St., Seattle; $25-$135 (206-441-2424 or www.pnb.org).

VISUAL ARTS

Patricia Rovzar Gallery

The gallery marks its 20th anniversary with a monthlong show, “Selections,” featuring new work from gallery artists plus pieces from artists new to Rovzar. Artist reception 6-8 p.m. Thursday. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Dec. 31, 1225 Second Avenue, Seattle; (206-223-0273 or www.rovzargallery.com).

Woodside Braseth Gallery

Jared Rue is a local name who is turning up everywhere; at Providence O’Christmas Trees; a Whim W’Him benefit auction; at an exhbition in Bangkok. See his new works, in a show titled “Broken Line,” at Woodside Braseth; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays through Dec. 15, 2101 Ninth Ave., Seattle; (206-622-7243 or www.woodsidebrasethgallery.com).