Latina Scrooge back on stage

Plenty of holiday events to get you in the spirit

Holiday arts events continue with the opening of Ballet Austin’s sparkling “The Nutcracker,” Teatro Vivo’s delightful “Cuento Navideño” and a new holiday show, “A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Music of Vince Guaraldi” at Antone’s. — a selfish and self-consumed businesswoman who has lost touch with her culture and her family and thus lost her connection to her community. But a surprise visit from the ghost of her former business partner — the once equally greedy Teodora — sets Evangelina on a journey to look closely at the choices she’s made.

A different member of the community will make a surprise appearance at each show in a walk-on role. Among those luminaries: Travis County District Clerk Amalia Rodriguez-Mendoza, Austin City Council member Mike Martinez and playwright Erica Saenz.

Today through Dec. 16, Rollins Studio Theatre, Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive. $15-$20. 4765664; www.teatrovivo.org

Forty-seven years ago an animated television special based on the Peanuts characters from Charles Schulz’s comic strip made its debut and became a holiday tradition for many.

Without a doubt “A Charlie Brown Christmas” endeared with its delightful yet realistic characters. But the show’s jazzy piano melodies — composed by Vince Guaraldi — catapulted Charlie Brown and his friends into the pop culture lexicon and became instant Christmas classics.

Now, pianist and Austin Chamber Music Center director Michelle Schumann recreates Guaraldi’s signature piano, acoustic bass and drums sound in a pair of concerts at legendary blues club Antone’s.

4 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Antone’s, 213 W. Fifth St.

CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH WILLIAMS Yvonne Flores as Teodora and Mary Alice Carnes as Evangelina Cruz in Teatro Vivo’s “Cuento Navideño,” a modern Latino take on Charles Dickens’“A Christmas Carol.” The show plays at the Long Center today through Dec. 16.