Annual Candlelight Tour of the East End Historic District Travel Galveston aboard a horse-drawn carriage on this tour of five historic homes plus one church. The homes were constructed between 1880 and 1931 and have been restored; in fact, one is now a bed and breakfast. Tickets for the home tour (as well as this weekend's production of A Christmas Carol) are available at the Grand 1894 Opera House, (409) 765-1894. $12.
saturday
december 7
A Collage of Choreography An evening of contemporary dance choreographed by a slew of gifted and flexible local talents, as presented by the Jewish Community Center dance department. Choreographers include Juliet Hicks, Darby Boyd, Rob Davidson and Sophia Torres.8 p.m. JCC, Kaplan Theatre, 551-7255. $10.
Sarah McLachlan KRBE/104 FM's acoustic concert series concludes with an intimate performance by the sincere Sarah McLachlan, yet another performer with a huge Internet following. 6 p.m. Art Institute of Houston, 1900 Yorktown. Tickets are free; the catch is you have to be the right caller at the right time to get yours -- and only 100 tickets will be issued. Call the station, 266-1000, for details.
Dickens on the Strand Fact and fantasy mingle on the island this weekend as Galveston celebrates Queen Victoria's London -- a period when bad food and worse teeth were the norm, as the promoters dare to point out. Among the new features this year is Frogmore Pond, a synthetic ice rink (made of silicon-coated polymer that won't melt) where Victorian-themed ice shows, including "candle dances," will be performed. There's also plenty of shopping, parades, costumed characters and more. Gerald Charles Dickens, great-great-grandson of the author and festival namesake, is the special guest. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. today; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (281) 280-3907. Dickens on the Strand admission, $8; dress for the occasion and get in free.
Holiday Musicales Moody Garden is into the Dickens on the Strand vibe, and the holiday season, too. Saturdays through Christmas, the park invites area choirs to perform adjacent to a 25-foot tree made of 900 poinsettias; performers today are from Blinn College, Katy Junior School, College of the Mainland and Alvin Community College. Dress Victorian-style and get in free to the Queen's Greenhouse at Kew (a.k.a. the Rainforest Pyramid); enjoy grub from a special menu for the "Queen's Late Night Supper"; or pose for photos in front of the poinsettia tree. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 1 Hope Boulevard, Galveston, (800) 582-4673. $6.
Battle Stations 1944 More than 80 history buffs will reenact the events that occurred as the Battleship Texas was prepared for the Iwo Jima invasion during World War II. This is a chance to tour the only battleship to serve in both world wars and to converse with uniformed WWII sailors and Marines. Presented by the San Jacinto State Historical Park and the Admiral Nimitz Museum in Fredricksburg. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Sunday. Call 479-4412 for more information. $5, adults; $2.50, children six18; free, children five and under.
Annual Movie Poster Sale The River Oaks Theatre is once again parting with remnants from recent features -- both American-made independents and foreign releases -- and some classics. This is a chance to get keepsakes from some of your favorites, or nab a gift or two for a movie buff on your holiday shopping list. Noon4 p.m. today and Sunday. 2009 West Gray, 444-FILM (number 037).
Gingerbread Nights Maybe some of you creative mothers out there have decided to construct a gingerbread house this holiday season. Kudos to you. Jim Miles, however, is a professional and wasn't content to stop with a single-family dwelling. The executive chef of the Houstonian has incorporated 250 pounds of flour, 300 pounds of sugar, 30 pounds of butter, 300 pounds of powdered sugar and 400 pounds of candy into an entire Alpine village, which is on view as of today in the Great Room Lobby. Admire his achievement, then, from 5:30-10 p.m., head over to the hotel bar for holiday drink specials; toast the world's overachievers and take a moment to relax before you embark on the frenzy that is holiday baking. The Houstonian Hotel, 111 North Post Oak Lane, 685-6763.
sunday
december 8
Finit Kaput Party After serving up art and learning opportunities to more than 35,000 grown men and women this year, the Orange Show is calling to a close yet another successful season. The party tonight features music by Texas Johnny Brown and Christmas yummies such as wassail and cookies. Plus, revelers get to make their own holiday cards. 7-11 p.m. The Orange Show, 2402 Munger, 926-6368. $7.
Blues for Food Some of Houston's best blues and zydeco acts are uniting today for a very worthy cause: food -- food for the needy and food for you! Bring canned and nonperishable goods to the Shakespeare Pub for a day of free barbecue and music from the likes of Joe "Guitar" Hughes, Wildred Chevis, Wilbert Thibodeaux, the Zydeco Dots, Mary Thomas and more of Shakespeare's esteemed regular performers. Big Roger Collins is the host, and donations benefit the Houston Food Bank. 2 p.m.-2 a.m. 14129 Memorial Drive, 497-4625.