What's on in Germany: December 16 - 22

BERLIN

Music/Dance

Yma Christmas Edition

Escape with Yma into her sensational world of holiday splendour. A mesmerising stage show of acrobatics and dance, "Yma" features stunning sets, magnificent costumes, and dazzling choreography. Succumb to the enchantment of a special Christmas edition this week.

Price: €34.89 - 100.89

Location: Friedrichstadt Palast, Friedrichstrasse 107

Times: Thursday, December 16 and Friday, December 17, 7:30pm; Saturday, December 18 and Sunday, December 19, 3:30 and 7:30pm; Tuesday, December 21 and Wednesday, December 22, 7:30pm; See schedule for dates through December 31

Tickets: 030 2326 2326

More Information: www.show-palace.eu

Dance

Shen Wei Dance Arts

Born in China, the New York-based choreographer Shen Wei studied Chinese opera from age nine. Twenty years ago, he co-founded China's first modern dance company. See his troupe of acclaimed dancers perform three works this week: the "Rite of Spring," the German premiere of "RE-[Part II]," and the world premiere of a piece inspired by the city itself "B.E.R.L.I.N."

Price: €12 - 49

Location: Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Schaperstrasse 24

Times: Thursday, December 16 - Saturday, December 18, 8pm

Tickets: 030 254 89 100 (€ 3 per order)

More Information: www.berlinerfestspiele.de

Children's Exhibitions

Fresh Ink

Kids aged four to eleven will delight in this imaginative new exhibition at Berlin's Labyrinth Children's Museum. Children's book author Cornelia Funke creates a literary adventure for the picture book set.

Price: €4.50, €13 (Family TIcket)

Location: Labyrinth Kindermuseum Berlin, Fabrik Osloer Strasse, Osloer Strasse 12

Times: Friday and Saturday, 1-6pm; Sunday, 11am-6pm; December 19 - May 6, 2011

Phone: 030 800 93 11-50

More Information: www.labyrinth-kindermuseum.de

COLOGNE

Events

The Super Christmas Market

Tired of gingerbread hearts and smoking santas, nurses, and fishermen? Here's a Chistmas Market of a different colour. Design Quartier Ehrenfeld's Super Weihnachtsmarkt features the wares of over 40 young designers. Pick up your holiday gifts here and you'll be a hit with all your friends and family members, plus you'll be supporting independent talent.

Price: Free

Location: Design Quartier Ehrenfeld, Heliosstrasse 37

Times: Saturday, December 18 and Sunday, December 19, 12-8pm

More Information: www.d-q-e.net

FRANKFURT

Theatre/Musicals

Evita

With text by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Weber, you'll want to bring your hanky to this epic production chronicling the rise and fall of Eva Peron. Presented in the original English version, Evita premieres Thursday night in Frankfurt. "Don't cry for me Argentina."

Price: €28.50 - 59

Location: Alte Oper Frankfurt, Opernplatz

Times: Thursday, December 16, 8pm; Saturday, December 18, 3pm; Sunday, December 19, 2 and 7pm; Tuesday, December 21 - Thursday, December 23, 8pm; Check the schedule for performances through January 2, 2011

Tickets: 069 1340 444

More Information: www.alteoper.de

HAMBURG

Events

Hamburg Christmas Parade

Dress up like a gingerbread man and cheer on your fellow Christmastime characters as they march through the streets of Hamburg, Saturday. A steady stream of nutcrackers, snowmen, angels, and ice princesses, passes from Mönckebergstrasse to the Rathausmarkt at 1 and 5 p.m.

Price: Free

Location: Mönckebergstrasse to the Rathausmarkt

Times: Saturday, December 18, 1 and 5pm

More Information: www.hamburg-tourism.de

Christmas Fair at the Altonaer Museum

"Dolls and Toys" is the theme of this weekend's Christmas Fair at the Altonaer Museum. And since this is the last weekend before the big holiday, why not stop by and pick up some cute handmade items for the little ones on your list?

Price: €3

Location: Altonaer Museum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte, Museumstrasse 23

Times: Saturday, December 18 and Sunday, December 19, 10am-6pm

Phone: 040 428 135-3582

More Information: www.altonaermuseum.de

Music/Concerts

Portuguese Folk Music - MICAPO Jubilee Concert

Classical guitar mingles with the sound of the accordion as MICAPO begins their set of traditional Portuguese folk songs. Celebrate with the 12-member band as they perform an anniversary concert Saturday in Hamburg.

Price: €3

Location: Museum für Völkerkunde, Rothenbaumchaussee 64

Times: Saturday, December 18, 8pm

Phone: 040 42 88 790

More Information: www.voelkerkundemuseum.com

MUNICH

Galleries/Museums

Picasso's Artist's Books

Not only did Picasso paint revolutionary canvases in hues of blue and rose, the pioneering artist designed over 150 books. See elements of 85 of his colourful tomes at the Museum Brandhorst.

Price: €7

Location: Museum Brandhorst, Kunstareal, Theresienstrasse 35a

Times: Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 6pm' Thursday, 10am - 8pm; through March 6, 2011

Phone: 089 2380 52286

More Information: www.museum-brandhorst.de

All About Beirut

In co-operation with Munich's Galerie Tanit and Beirut's Espace Kettaneh Kunigk, WhiteBox gallery presents the many different facets of Beirut in a new exhibition opening Thursday. Get a view of the city through the artistic lenses of 14 Lebanese artists.

Price: €15

Location: WhiteBox, Grafinger Strasse 6

Times: Thursday, December 16, 7pm (Opening); Thursday and Friday, 5-9pm, Saturday, 2-8pm (Regular Hours); through January 16, 2011

Phone: 0170 658 2615

More Information: www.whitebox-ev.de

Workshops

Tango Beginners Mini-Workshop

Get a head start on your New Year's resolutions and learn to dance the tango. Instructor Susanne Mühlhaus mastered the Argentine dance after a six-month stint in Buenos Aires. She teaches a beginner's workshop this weekend in Munich.

Price: €8

Location: Interim, Agnes-Bernauerstrasse 97

Times: Sunday, December 19, 7:30 - 9pm

More Information: www.sutango.com