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SEASONAL

Admire Gingerbread houses made by the pros at Le Parker Meridien (opening Wednesday, near the hotel's 56th Street atrium). Baked goods giants like Magnolia Bakery, NORMA's and Rolling Pin Productions will fashion houses out of ginger, gum drops and icing, all to the theme of their favorite New York flick. Another reason not to miss it--proceeds go to City Harvest.

 See the non-conventional Nutcracker in the Lower--with salsa  and African dance (until Dec. 5, Abrons Art Center).

New York Choral Society kicks off its 52nd season with its annual holiday concert (Tuesday, Stern Auditorium).

Perennial favorite Radio City Christmas Spectacular--and its beloved Rockettes--is running all month.

 

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TALKS

Hear curators dissect Small Scale, Big Change: New Architectures of Social Engagement, an exhibit at MoMA that focuses on 11 architectural projects in underserved areas and the social obligations of architecture (11:30 a.m. Thursday, MoMA). MoMA community educator Jennifer Katanic will offer her insider views on the exhibit.

Anne Rice reads from new novel Of Love and Evil at Barnes and Noble Tribeca (7 p.m. Wednesday).

Ivana Lowell dissects her memoir Why Not Say What Happened? (Crawford Doyle Booksellers, 5 p.m. Thursday).

Enjoy a family-oriented tour and create your own artwork at the Guggenheim (11 a.m. Sunday, $30, materials provided).

 

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ART

The Museum of Arts and Design new exhibit, "The Global Africa Project," highlights textiles, fashion, art and furniture of African origin, and explores how African art affects the rest of the world. The exhibit has art from more than 100 artists ($15).

Check out the Museum of Natural History's new exhibit, "Brain: The Inside Story" (10 a.m.-5:45 p.m.).

See New York-inspired cartoons at "Denys Wortman Rediscovered: Drawings for the World-Telegram and Sun" (MCNY).

"Grain of Emptiness: Buddhism-Inspired Contemporary Art" tells the story  in many mediums (Rubin Museum of Art).

 

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DANCE

Ballet Hispanico celebrates its 40th season this week. The lineup includes works by legendary choreographers Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Maray Gutierrez and will honor the late Christopher Gillis with a performance of Farewell.(Dec. 1-7, tickets start at $10, Joyce Theater).

Learn the sultry tango in just a few  lessons at the 92nd Street Y ( 8 p.m. Saturday) and stay late (until 2 a.m.).

Catch Manhattan Movements and Arts Center's The Knickerbocker Suite,  a New York-themed production (weekend).

If you've been putting it off, now's the time to catch Cirque du Soleil: Wintuk, in its final season (through Jan. 2).

 

 

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EVENTS

If you were an X-Files fan (don't be ashamed) be sure to catch The Break of Noon, Neil LaBute's newest production, starring none other than David Duchovny. Mr. Duchovny plays the brooding John Smith, the only survivor of an office shooting who believes he has seen the face of God. (through Dec. 20, $79).

Score a deal at Tibet House's 8th Annual Benefit Auction (6 p.m. Monday, Christie's Auction House).

Browse the antiques of the Greenflea Market to find one-of-a-kind holiday gifts (10 a.m.-5:45 p.m., weekends).

Check out "Before Pythagoras: The Culture of Babylonian Mathematics" (noon-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, N.Y.U.).