Five things to do in Brooklyn this week!

Saturday

Dec. 16

This, that, and the otter

After catching one holiday special come to life in the afternoon, listen to local jug band the Salt Cracker Crazies perform the whole soundtrack of “Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas,” the Jim Henson-produced story of a furry four-piece who face off against the evil Riverbottom Nightmare Band in a battle of the bands.

6 pm at the Way Station [683 Washington Ave. between Prospect and St. Marks places in Prospect Heights, (347) 627–4949, www.thewaystationbk.com]. $5 suggested donation.

Sunday

Dec. 17

Cracking up

We know you can’t get enough of “The Nutcracker,” and this is your last chance to catch the dance classic in Brooklyn this winter! So head to Manhattan Beach, where the State Theater of Russia will kick out a traditional translation of Tchaikovsky’s ballet, complete with sugar plum fairies, battling mice, and gifts from around the world.

3 pm at On Stage at Kingsborough [2001 Oriental Blvd. at Oxford Street in Manhattan Beach, (718) 368–5596], www.onstageatkingsborough.org..$32–$37.

Sugar sweet: Ballerinas from the State Ballet Theatre of Russia will perform the dance of the sugar plum fairies at Kingsborough during a performance of “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 17.

On Stage at Kingsborough

Monday

Dec. 18

A latke love!

Indulge in fried potato treats at the annual Latke Festival! Dozens of Brooklyn restaurants will trying to out-do each other with creative interpretations of the traditional latke, along with dancing and drinks all night! Proceeds go to the Sylvia Center, which teaches kids to make better food decisions than you are likely to this night!

6–8:30 pm at Brooklyn Museum [200 Eastern Pkwy. at Washington Avenue in Prospect Heights, (718) 638–5000, www.latkefestival.com]. $55–$120.

Wednesday

Dec. 20

PC culture

Park Slope comedian and writer John Hodgman, the one-time embodiment of the personal computer, portrayer of eccentric billionaires, and definite judge in the court of podcasts, teams up with comedian and rapper Jean Grae for a variety show in which they choose subjects by spinning a wheel and welcome surprise guests.

8 pm at the Bell House [149 Seventh St. between Second and Third avenues in Gowanus, (718) 643–6510, www.thebellhouseny.com]. $15.

Thursday

Dec. 21

Flat feet

Dance away the longest night of the year with a gang of hoofers, fiddlers and pickers, parading down Flatbush Avenue as part of the Make Music Winter festival. You can learn the art of Appalachian flatfooting by showing up at 4 pm, and the parade will march down Flatbush starting at sundown (4:32 pm, yeesh!). An after-party at Morgan’s BBQ starts at 7 pm.

4:32 pm outside M&T Bank (354 Flatbush Ave., between Eight Avenue and Sterling Place in Park Slope, www.makemusicny.org). Free.