Short operas and carols brighten the weekend

Double-header at UAA

The University of Anchorage Opera Ensemble, in collaboration with Anchorage Opera, will present two one-act operas this weekend in what appears to be a double premiere for Anchorage. Gustav Holst's dramatic "Savitri" is a chamber piece about love and death. Georges Bizet's "Dr. Miracle" is a comic bonbon along the lines of Offenbach's entertainments about love and food, among other things. Mari Hahn directs a troupe that includes Kira Eckenweiler from last year's "Hansel and Gretel." Like that production, these two one-acts have been given an Alaska twist. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at the UAA Fine Arts Building. Tickets are available at uaatix.com.

Community carol fest

Anchorage Lutheran Church presents their annual Community Carol Sing at 7 p.m. Saturday. Just show up and be prepared to sing some of your favorite Christmas music — or at least listen. There'll be a reception with Christmas cookies after the singing. Admission is free, though donations are accepted to keep these programs coming and pay for cookie dough. The church is located at 1420 N St., near Westchester Lagoon and Inlet View School.

Holiday fun and music

Merry Christmas from Wells Fargo, which is covering the admission to the Anchorage Museum starting at noon on Sunday. Activities include a free cup of hot chocolate, a "kid friendly tour" of the "Camouflage" exhibit at 12:30 p.m., a winter art lab from 1 to 4 p.m. and lots of holiday music. The Anchorage Concert Chorus will perform at 1 p.m. and the Alaska Children's Choir will sing at 2 p.m. Want to hear more? The Anchorage Concert Chorus will present their ever-popular Holiday Pops concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at Atwood Concert Hall. Tickets are available at centertix.net.