The Must List: December 23-30

MUST TASTE
MiMi Gelato Grand Opening
Wednesday (12/23) · Local visual artist and Seattle mag spotlight award winner, Diem Chau’s takes a sweet detour in her latest project with husband Will Leonard called Mimi Gelato. “I know this is a little crazy, but my husband and I have started a gelato shop in Ballard!” wrote Chau in an e-mail to family and friends this week. We can deal with crazy if it means sampling MiMi’s natural and seasonal flavors (think: classics like pistachio and choc hazelnut with a smattering of seasonal twists including blood orange and pear). Who needs hot cocoa when you can have gelato in December? http://mimigelato.com/ target=_blank>MiMi Gelato, 2315 NW Market St, Ballard (open Wednesday-Sunday, noon-8 p.m.)

MUST COUNT
Seattle Audubon Society Bird Count
Saturday (12/26) · For the last 80 years, the Seattle Audubon Society has had its head in the clouds—for the annual bird count. This yearly event (part of a nationwide citizens’ effort) tracks species and numbers across the region, and is open to both serious bird nerds and novices. Don your binocs and earn your wings. $5. For participation information, visit seattleaudubon.org

MUST HEAR
“AWESOME”
Monday-Wedneday (12/28-12/30) · As part of Winterfest, Seattle’s beloved septet “Awesome” (which calls itself “part band, part art collective”) is bringing its musical/theatrical/fantastical antics to the Seattle Center for three nights and three different shows: Winter Waterland, Log Jam! and Flight to Mars (the titles are riffs on Fun Center attractions). At press time the content was t.b.d., but we’re told in addition to songs and clever bits “projections, video pieces and absurd puppetry are all likely candidates.” We’ve loved everything else by these endearing kooks, so no matter how weird it sounds, we’re going. 7 p.m. Free. Seattle Center House, 305 Harrison St.; 206.684.7200

MUST HEAR
PNB’s The Nutcracker
Through 12/30 · See it again or see it for the first time but don’t miss this classic holiday production. PNB’s Nutcracker is perhaps most famous for its sets and costumes designed by children’s book author and illustrator Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are). Brush up on Where the Wild Things Are if you haven’t read it in a while; some of the creatures’ cousins make surprise appearances in the show. Times and prices vary. McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 206.441.2424 PNB.org