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The Big Ticket

A Christmas Carol
Central High School drama students perform Dickens' cautionary tale. Thursday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m. Knoxville Museum of Art. $5.

WDVX Holiday Ho Ho Hoedown
Blue Highway, Pine Mountain Railroad and Mountain Heart. Thursday, Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m. Bijou Theater. $25.

White Christmas
The 1954 classic starring Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney and Danny Kaye. Thursday, Dec. 18 and Friday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m. Palace Theater. $5.

Smokin' Dave & the Premo Dopes
Three sets you've got to see to believe. Get there early. Friday, Dec. 19, 9 p.m. Blue Cats. $8.

The Ghosts w/ The Tim Lee Band
Clever pop rock for drinkin' with Jesus. Friday, Dec. 19, 9 p.m. Manhattan's. $5.

Art for the People Holiday Show
The best place for last-minute gifts. Thru Dec. 23, noon-6pm, Woodruff Building.

Vintage Toy Show
Another good place for last-minute gifts. Thru Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-6p.m. New City Merchants.

Modern Dance, Primitive Light
One of Knoxville's most enduring and unique holiday traditions is Circle Modern Dance's solstice-time performance of Modern Dance, Primitive Light. Held in the cozy, wooden confines of the Laurel Theater, the performance is a kind of reflection of the state of the world as filtered through the emotions of the choreographers and interpreted in the movements of the dancers. Featured performers include Mark G. Lamb, Kimberly Matibag, Angela Hill, Josh and Meg Beach and Mary Alford, plus young dancers from Studio Arts for Dancers and other familiar faces that make Circle special. Local musical talents Jodie Manross, Nathan Barrett and Nick Boulet will provide live accompaniment. This year, fire codes limit the "primitive light" aspect of the show to one flame, but in Circle's capable hands, the adjustment will be handled with humor and imagination. Performances always sell out, so avoid disappointment by buying an advanced ticket. (Paige M. Travis)
MODERN DANCE, PRIMITIVE LIGHT * CIRCLE MODERN DANCE * THURSDAY, DEC. 18, 8 P.M.; FRIDAY, DEC. 19 AND SATURDAY, DEC. 20, 7 & 9 P.M. * LAUREL THEATER * $12/$6 ADVANCE FROM DISC EXCHANGE AND DANCER'S SHOPPE; $15/$9 AT THE DOOR (IF AVAILABLE)

Montana Skies
The pairing of cello and guitar as sole instrumentation is a bit of an anomaly. However, like a deep-fried Snickers bar, the union makes perfect sense. The Montana Skies duo of Jonathan and Jennifer Adams began playing classical music together over a decade ago, but after a trip to the library to investigate repertoire, they discovered that music written for the instruments was as rare as the combination itself. The full sound of the cello beautifully complements the rhythmic finger picking of the guitar in an elegiac tone. The Atlanta-based couple plays warm, thoughtful interpretations of works ranging from Bach to the Beatles and incorporates their own compositions into performances. Maryville's Palace Theater hosts the haunting abnormality on Saturday as part of its commitment to provide musical variety for the community. (Clint Casey)
MONTANA SKIES * SATURDAY, DEC. 20, 8 P.M. * PALACE THEATER * $10 ADVANCE, $12 DOOR.

Valorie Miller
For years, Valorie Miller's name has been tied up with the wild-haired singer/songwriter Malcolm Holcombe for whom she played bass and significant other for a couple of years. Now taking charge of those six strings herself, the Asheville-based Miller (who has her own wild red hair) deserves the spotlight once and for all. Sounding like Norah Jones' sweet, Southern cousin, Miller creates an aural atmosphere that's distinctly female and natural without being overly hippie or touchy-feely. She funded her first record, 1996's Analog, with an NC Arts Alliance emerging artist's grant, and she's continued to meet high artistic expectations with Ghost Tracks and Sweeter than Salt. Holcolmbe has made himself at home on the Barley's stage; let's make Miller feel just as welcome. (P.M.T.)
VALORIE MILLER * MONDAY, DEC. 22, 9 P.M. * BARLEY'S * FREE.