Today

Smuin Ballets/SF. ``The Christmas Ballet, 2002.'' 2 p.m. Closing performance. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. $35-$40. (650) 903-6000.

Friday

San José Dance Theatre. ``The Nutcracker'' (Tchaikovsky/Ferla). 7:30 p.m. San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd. $14-$40. (408) 998-2277.

Saturday

San José Dance Theatre. ``The Nutcracker'' (Tchaikovsky/Ferla). 2 and 7 p.m. San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd. $14-$40. (408) 998-2277.

Dec. 8

San José Dance Theatre. ``The Nutcracker'' (Tchaikovsky/Ferla). 1 p.m. San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd. $14-$40. (408) 998-2277.

South Bay

San Jose State University School of Music and Dance. ``Images in Dance.'' 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Spartan Complex 219, San Jose State, San Carlos and Fourth streets. $6-$10. (408) 924-5041.

Peninsula

Dance Connection. ``The Nutcracker'' (Tchaikovsky/Ginanni). 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday. Spangenberg Theater, 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto. $12-$16. (650) 852-0418.

Foothill College Dance Department. ``Dance for America.'' 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Smithwick Theatre, Foothill College, 12345 El monte Road, Los Altos Hills. $20-$50. (650) 948-4444.

Peninsula Youth Ballet. ``The Nutcracker'' (Tchaikovsky/Takahashi). 2 p.m. today, Saturday and Dec. 8. San Mateo Performing Arts Center, 600 Delaware St. $12-$25. (650) 631-3767.

San Francisco

Dance Through Time. With the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band. ``Dance-Along Nutcracker.'' 2:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., San Francisco. $12-$20 afternoon shows, $40 Dec. 7 gala. (415) 978-2787.

Janice Garrett & Dancers. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and Dec. 12-14. ODC Theater, 3153 17th St. $18, $50 benefit reception Dec. 7. (415) 863-9834.

Living Like Weasels. Solo show performed by Anne Bluethenthal. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 6 p.m. Dec. 8. Dance Mission Theatre, 3316 24th St. $16-$18. (415) 273-4633.

SQUAD. Dances by Diane Shields. Previews 8 p.m. Thursday. Opens 8 p.m. Friday. Then 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Through Dec. 14. Thick House, 1695 18th St. $15-$20 sliding scale. (415) 401-8081.

East Bay

Ballet Petit. ``The Nutcracker'' (Tchaikovsky/Peabody). 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday. Chabot College, 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward. $10-$12.50. (510) 796-7492.

Danville Ballet Company. ``Winter Ballet Gala 2002.'' 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Dec. 8. Del Valle Theatre, 1963 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. $18-$20. (925) 943-7469.

Santa Cruz/ Monterey

Cabrillo College Dance Department. ``Dance is a Performing Art.'' 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Cabrillo Theater, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. $5-$10. (831) 479-6331.