WTDTW-04

What to Do This Weekend celebrates the season with some quintessential pleasures and an esteemed local author.
First, it's time once again to go nutty for "The Nutcracker." The Purchase Dance Corps — Purchase College's highly polished student troupe — presents the Tchaikovsky chestnut (at right), based on E.T.A. Hoffmann's tale of love and transformation, tonight through Sunday. 914-251-6200.
Meanwhile, you'll find hundreds of ceramic gift items this weekend at the Clay Art Center in Port Chester as the center offers its "Clay-Holiday: Annual Studio Tour and Sale." 914-937-2047, www.clayartcenter.org
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays with New Rochelle's Cynthia Ozick (right). The short-story writer, novelist and essayist will be reading at the Pelham Art Center Sunday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. as part of a new collaboration between the center and the Hudson Valley Writers' Center. It's also one of the many free cultural events taking place around Westchester County Sunday as my partner, ArtsWestchester, once again sponsors Free Arts Day.914-738-2525, www.pelhamartcenter.org; www.artswestchester.org

I've had the privilege of interviewing Ozick twice and have always been fascinated by her combination of formidable intellect and girlish charm.

I trust you will be, too.

Photos courtesy of Purchase College and the Pelham Art Center.