Monday Essentials: Shopping Night; Students Perform at State House

Here are some things to know about this week, Dec. 16-22, in and around Barrington:

Red Brick School, 50 Middle Highway, Barrington hosts a “Last Chance Shopping Night” on Thursday at 6 pm. Among the vendors on hand: Chickabrooms, Dancing Threads RI, Scholastic Books, Thirty One Gifts, Mary Kay, Ava Anderson, Stella & Dot, Honeyberries, Falk Jewelry, It Works, Bake Sale, Linda Lou & Barbra, too.

Three Barrington school musical groups perform at the RI State House this week as part of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) holiday concert series: Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 10:30 am, Hampden Meadows 4th and 5th Grade Choruses; Thursday, Dec. 19, at 9:30 am, Barrington Middle School 8th Grade Chorus; Thursday, Dec.19, at 10:30 am, Barrington Middle School Jazz Band.

Christmas at Blithewold holds the third of three traditional holiday story times on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 4 pm in the beautifully decorated living room. This year, Blithewold is featuring classic holiday stories that have been told and retold during Christmases through the years. Free with a regular mansion admission.

Take a guided tour of the holiday decorated mansion at Blithewood Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum in Bristol on Thursday at 11:30 am. Rates for the tours are family -- 2 adults, 2 youths, $40; adults, $16; AAA members, $15; seniors/military/students, $14; youths age 6 to 17, $5; children 5 and under, free. Tours depart from the front hall of the Mansion. 

Festival Ballet Providence presents four performances of “The Nutcracker” this weekend, Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 2 and 7 pm and Sunday at 1:30 pm, at the Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St., Providence. Buy tickets at www.PPACRI.org, by calling 401-421-ARTS, or in person at PPAC.