City Week: December 16 - December 22

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17 Peter and the Wolf's Isaac Mizrahi narrates Sergei Prokofiev"s children"s classic, â??Peter & the Wolf. New York City Opera"s George Manahan will conduct the Juilliard Ensemble. Dec. 17-19, 1071 5th Ave., 212-423-3500; times vary, $10+. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Alan Gilbert conducts members of the New York Philharmonic as part of the CONTACT! series. 1000 5th Ave., 212-535-7710; 7 p.m., $20. Joffrey Ballet School's The school presents a new rendition of The Nutcracker, created by Gelsey Kirkland and Misha Chernov. Ends Sunday, John Jay College, Gerald Lynch Theater, 899 10th Ave., 212-254-8520; 7 p.m., $20+. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18 Clay Festival 5's The Clay Festival celebrates its fifth year by showcasing 20 works by New York ceramic artists. Dec. 18, St. Anthony"s Church, at Houston and Sullivan streets, 212-226-5249; 12-7 p.m., free. Jerome Robbins Theater's Choreographer Aszure Barton explores the human psyche in Busk. Baryshnikov Arts Center, 450 W. 37th St., 646-731-3200; 8 p.m., $25. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19 Church of St. Ignatius Loyola's Benjamin Britten"s â??Ceremony of Carols features carols from around the world and from our own tradition. 980 Park Ave., 212-288-2520; 4 p.m., $40+. Dizzy"s Club Coca Cola's Percussionist Duduka Da Fonseca and pianist Helio Alves lead a concert of samba jazz and bossa nova. Ends today, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Broadway at West 60th Street, 5th Fl., 212-258-9595, www.jalc.org; 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., $15+. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21 Avery Fisher Hall's The National Choral Council presents the 43rd annual Handel"s Messiah Sing-In with music director Martin Josman. 10 Lincoln Center Plz., 212-875-5656; 8 p.m., $32+. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22 Jazz Standard's Drummer Francisco Mela performs with pianist Vijay Iyer and bassist Larry Grenadier. 116 E. 27th St., 212-576-2232; 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. today and tomorrow, $25.