The Mix: Music Box Theatre sing-along, Andrew Bird in concert, Pasion Latina and more things to do Dec. 10-16

This year’s Music Box screenings of “White Christmas” won’t be like the ones you used to know. | Paramount Pictures

Holiday classics

As we’re learning this holiday season, a virus can’t get in the way of tradition. With that in mind, two favorite holiday movie classics are transitioning to drive-in experiences this season. The Music Box Christmas Shows — “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “White Christmas” — will receive four screenings each (Dec. 11-24) at Chi-Town Drive-In, 2343 S. Throop St. There’s also a recorded version of the Music Box’s holiday sing-along with house organist Dennis Scott, the Music Box Carolers and, of course, Santa Claus to enjoy before the show. Tickets: $41/car. The sing-along also is available in a stream to enjoy at home, for $7. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.

Steve Earle

A friend’s benefit

For the past five years, singer-songwriter Steve Earle has gathered his performer friends for a one-night-only concert to raise money for The Keswell School, an educational program for children and young adults with autism. This year the sixth annual benefit is a streaming event. John Henry’s Friends (the event’s namesake is Earle’s son) features virtual performances by Earle and his band The Dukes, Emmylou Harris, Graham Nash, Jackson Browne, Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires, Lucinda Williams and many others. To donate and access the event at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, visit luck.stream/johnhenrysfriends.

Ana Maria Martinez

World music

The music of the Spanish-speaking world is celebrated in “Pasión Latina,” a virtual concert starring and hosted by soprano Ana Maria Martinez. Performing some of their favorite music from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala, Argentina and Spain are tenors René Barbera, David Portillo and Mario Rojas, bass-baritone Richard Ollarsaba, soprano Denis Vélez and baritone Ricardo José Rivera. The free concert streams at 6 p.m. Dec. 13. Visit lyricopera.org.

Isaac Gomez

Finding holiday cheer

The second entry in the Steppenwolf NOW virtual stage series is Isaac Gomez’s “Wally World,” presented as a two-act radio play co-directed by Gomez and Lili-Anne Brown. In the funny and poignant play, it’s Christmas Eve at the superstore Wally World and employees are trying to find purpose in a place that has never seen purpose in them. The cast features ensemble members Cliff Chamberlain, Audrey Francis, Sandra Marquez and Karen Rodriguez with Danny Bernardo, Sydney Charles, Kevin Curtis, Leslie Sophia Perez, Marvin Quijada and Jacqueline Williams. The stream is available Dec. 16-Aug. 31. Tickets are $75 and include access to all six productions in the NOW series. Visit steppenwolf.org/now.

“Enigma” by Charles Pilkey

Walking tour

Spending more time outside? Take a stroll and check out the six new public art sculptures found on the streets of Wicker Park and Bucktown as part of this year’s Chicago Sculpture Exhibit, an organization with a mission to bring art to the neighborhoods. The pieces are Sunghee Min’s “Cube Red” (Paulina and North), Christopher Newman’s “Totem V” (Milwaukee and Damen), Benjamin Pierce’s “Through” (Honore and Milwaukee), Charles Pilkey’s “Enigma” (Honore and North), Fisher Stolz’s “Raptor” (Cortland and Ashland) and Jaci Willis’ “Dream Traveler” (Honore and North). The sculptures remain on display through next summer. Visit chicagosculptureexhibit.org.

Andrew Bird

Bird in nature

Andrew Bird’s annual holiday “Gezelligheid” concert of instrumental violin pieces is livestreamed not from his usual venue, the Fourth Presbyterian Church, but outdoors amid the mountains, oak trees and orange groves of Ojai, California. Bird has also released his first holiday album, “Hark!,” which features a mix of seasonal standards, original tunes and covers of songs by John Cale and John Prine. The concert livestreams Dec. 13 and is available on demand until Dec. 31. Tickets: $20. Visit andrewbird.net.

Heather’s Li’l Country Calendar by Heather McAdams

New year, new calendar

Usually Heather McAdams’ annual music-inspired calendar is celebrated with a fabulous show in December at FitzGerald’s. While there’s no show this year, nothing can stop the 2021 edition of Heather’s Li’l Not Very Country Calendar. Each month features a musical act and they are: Nick Lowe, Bonnie Raitt, D.L. Menard, The Residents, Tiny Tim, The Swingle Singers, Herby Remington, Janis Joplin, Dan Hicks, Francoise Hardy, J.J. Cale and The Delta Rhythm Boys plus a mix of trivia, quotes, bios and more. Find the calendar ($20) at Laurie’s Planet of Sound (4639 N. Lincoln), Burgoo (1736 W. Greenleaf) and Squeezebox (743 Main, Evanston). There is also a PayPal/mail option ($27); PayPal payments to chrisligon@hotmail.com.

Mary Houlihan is a Chicago freelance writer.