Rod Stewart will shake it in Toronto Dec. 15.Reuters
Matt Mays
The rocking East Coast longhair set the internet atwitter recently when his seat at the Buffalo Bills game at Rogers Centre was briefly expropriated by Mayor Rob Ford. That fleeting attention aside, Mr. Mays is known for electric grunge. However tonight he'll go at it with an acoustic guitar. Dec. 14, 9:30 p.m. $28.50. Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., 416-598-4226 or ticketfly.com.
The Nutcracker
Global warming has nothing on the Snow Queen and the National Ballet of Canada's sumptuous wonderland of a winter. The twinkling, two-act Russian Christmas story dates back to 1892. Gloriously costumed and elegantly choreographed, James Kudelka's vision warms hearts and heats up the box office too. Dec. 14 to Jan. 4. $25 to $165. Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W., 416-345-9595.
Deaf Comedy Jam
Two hearing-impaired guys walk into the Comedy Bar, and laugh at every gag. It's no joke – a sing-language interpreter will be on hand to relay the verbal hilarity of comedians D.J. Demers, Chris Locke and Ryan Belleville. Tonight's authentic signing promises to be a two-thumbs-up affair. Dec. 14, 9 p.m. $20. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor St. W., 416-551-6540 or comedybar.ca.
Elizabeth-Darcy
Here comes Hallie Burt and Kate Werneburg, the actors who have adapted Jane Austen's beloved Pride And Prejudice as a costume-changing two-hander. The site-specific play returns to Campbell House Museum, where audiences will follow the 19th-century love story and comedy as the action moves from room to room. To Dec. 29. $24.90. 160 Queen St. W., 416-597-0227 or totix.ticketpro.ca.
Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart is a dependable and warm performer. In the studio, he's switched things up: After years of covering standards and classics, the soul-rocker's latest album (Time) carries autobiographical lyrics and dabbles in the styles of his long, uneven career. Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. $70.50 to $169.50. Air Canada Centre, 50 Bay St., 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca.
Brad Wheeler