Don't Miss It!

When tubas gather, is it a troupe of tubas? Or a tumult? Or a hurricane? No matter, "Tuba Christmas" and its companion "Holiday Cheer & All That Jazz" are among the December delights to our senses offered around Purdue. Enjoy this season of many holidays and good will. Don't Miss It!

This installment of Don't Miss It! provides information through winter break. The next installment is to appear Jan. 9, the opening day of spring semester.

DECEMBER 2

Purdue's Philharmonic and Symphony orchestras will, as always, provide a satisfying range of soothing and stirring sounds. 8 p.m. Long Center, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette. Details

DECEMBER 3

The "All-American" Marching Band will strut its stuff in the Lafayette-West Lafayette Christmas Parade. 5:30 p.m. Downtown Lafayette. Parade  |  Bands

DECEMBER 3-4

The 83rd Annual Purdue Christmas Show, in its four shows, will thrill the hearts of young and old once again. Noon, 4 and 8 p.m. Dec. 3; and 2 p.m. Dec. 4. Elliott Hall of Music. $. Details

DECEMBER 4

The Fall Concert Bands will strike up compositions from powerful to playful to please the ear. 2:30 p.m. Long Center, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette. Details

DECEMBER 5-10

It's a week of traditional and fresh enjoyment as Holidays at the Union includes the Christmas tree arrival, Holidays Around the World, musical performances and Breakfast with Santa. Details

DECEMBER 6 and 8

Chamber Recitals I and II from Purdue Bands & Orchestras will explore some exquisite ensemble pieces. Each at 7 p.m. in STEW, Fowler Hall. Details

DECEMBER 9

Purdue Bands & Orchestras is instrumental in the gala season with "Tuba Christmas" plus "Holiday Cheer & All That Jazz," a favorite pairing. 7 and 8 p.m. STEW, Loeb Playhouse. Details

DECEMBER 9-10

"Winter Works" by the Purdue Contemporary Dance Company features student dancers and choreography by Division of Dance faculty. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9; and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10. $. Details

DECEMBER 10

Ashley Bathgate, a rising-star cellist, will present "Bach Unwound," made up of new renditions of Bach's spellbinding Cello Suites. 8 p.m. STEW, Loeb Playhouse. $. Details

DECEMBER 3-JANUARY 8

Sports outlook. Mackey Arena says it plainly: It's time to play hard. And there's a lot of playing to do.

* Men's basketball. Eight home or nearby games in this stretch include the Crossroads Classic and three toughies in the Big Ten: Morehead State (2 p.m. Sat. Dec. 3); Cleveland State (noon Sat. Dec. 10); Notre Dame in Indianapolis (2 p.m. Sat. Dec. 17); Western Illinois (6 p.m. Mon. Dec. 19); Norfolk State (7 p.m. Wed. Dec. 21); Iowa (9 p.m. Wed. Dec. 28); Minnesota, TBA, Sun. Jan. 1); Wisconsin (1:30 or 4:30 p.m. Sun. Jan. 8). $. Men's basketball  |  Crossroads Classic

* Women's basketball. Seven homes games will gives the coaches -- and fans -- time to assess how a lot of talent fits together best: Colgate (2 p.m. Sun. Dec. 4); Central Michigan (7 p.m. Tue. Dec. 6); North Carolina Central (1 p.m. Sun. Dec. 11); Eastern Michigan (4 p.m. Sat. Dec. 17); IUPUI (noon Wed. Dec. 21); Michigan State (6 p.m. Wed. Jan. 4); Penn State (2 p.m. Sat. Jan. 7) Women's basketball 

* Track and field. The Gene Edmonds Open gets the indoor season going Jan. 6-7; times TBA. Lambert Fieldhouse. $. Track and field

A PEEK AHEAD

JANUARY 9

Exhibition openings: From Purdue Galleries, "Global Matrix IV: An International Printmaking Exhibition" using both the Ringel and Fountain galleries. Galleries. In the Rueff Galleries, the Delta Phi Delta Scholarship Award winners. Rueff

JANUARY 16

This is the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, and events surrounding the occasion will be announced.

JANUARY 20-21

The 26th annual Purdue Jazz Festival will celebrate big with some big-time guest artists. $ for some shows. Details

These and other events, plus other timely information, are listed in the Purdue Today calendars under "Events" at www.purdue.edu/newsroom/purduetoday.