Top five picks for the weekend in Winnipeg

Well if you don't have tickets to the sold out 9th Annual JP Hoe Hoe Hoe Holiday Shows at the Park Theatre, you're not getting in.

But there are lots of other things happening in the city this weekend. So to help you schedule what's left of your free time this holiday season, here are SCENE's Top Five picks.  

Number 5 - Amero Little Christmas
Few people love Christmas more than Winnipeg musician Don Amero. And he's celebrating the season with his Amero Little Christmas show at the West End Cultural Centre.

He'll play, guests Red Moon Road will play, they'll probably even play together 'cause that's what happens when people get all caught up in the warmth and glow of the holidays.

Number 4 - Darryl Lenox at Rumor's

He's already started his run at Rumor's but there's still time to check out some standup courtesy of Darryl Lenox. He has opened for Chuck Berry, does humanitarian work with Third World Eye Care Society and pokes fun at the deteriorating eyesight that's afflicted him since his youth.

Lenox is onstage at Rumor's December 12-15 and according to his Twitter he brought personalized shot glasses to sell. Stocking stuffer anyone?

Number 3 - Family photos at the WAG

It's the season to spend time with family, so why not head over to the Winnipeg Art Gallery and take a peek into the lives of families other than your own?

All in the Family was drawn from the gallery's permanent collection. Work by photographers Sheila Spence, Diana Thorneycroft, Brent Hume, Donigan Cumming, Barbara Cole, John Massey and many others offer a glimpse into what a real modern family looks like...

Number 2 - The WSO plays Messiah
Still trying to get a Handel on the season? The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra can help. Two performances of George Frideric Handel's Messiah run December 15th at the Centennial Concert Hall and December 16th at the Western Manitoba Central Auditorium in Brandon.

The concerts feature guest conductor Ivars Taurins and guest artists like soprano Andriana Chuchman, alto Kirsten Schellenberg, tenor Isaiah Bell, bass Victor Engbrecht and the Mennonite Festival Chorus.

Here's hoping they serve egg nog at the intermission...

Number 1 - Fred Penner and Bret Michaels
Don't get excited, they're not playing together. That we know of...

But frankly, we have a tie - cause how do you choose between these two faces?

That's right, the incomparable Fred Penner plays not one but two shows at the West End on Saturday. The kids show is scheduled for 2:00 and the show for the grownups gets underway at 8:00. I expect a tipsy singalong might be what separates the two, but who can say?

And finally, ex-Poison frontman and reality TV start Bret Michaels plays McPhillips Station Casino on Sunday night.

You're welcome.