SANDPOINT – No time to wax eloquent, especially in a week that offers so many concerts, films, ballets, dances and exhibits.

We’d best jump right in:

Thursday, Dec. 8

‘Elf’

Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time: 6:30 p.m.

After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity. Starring Will Ferrell, James Caan and Bob Newhart.

Admission: $5

‘Toast the Trail’ Party

Venue: Pend d’Oreille Winery Tasting Room, 301 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.

Time: 4-7 p.m.

The Friends of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail host their annual year-end party as a chance to gather with fellow trail lovers to support the community’s lakefront walking path. Beer and wine, silent auction items and holiday gifts galore, plus the latest news about the future of the trail.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

Information: 208-290-2828 or online at: www.pobtrail.org

Friday, Dec. 9

‘The Messiah’ Christmas Oratorio

Venue: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 601 Lincoln St., in Sandpoint.

Time: 7 p.m.

Local singers and instrumentalists who make up the Pend Oreille Chorale and Orchestra perform Handel’s beloved Christmas classic, featuring 11 soloists. Additional performance on Dec. 11.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

Information: 208-263-0199

Sandpoint Contra Dance

Venue: Sandpoint Community Hall, 204 S. First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time: 7-10 p.m.

Celebrate the turn of the season and the joys of community by dancing with friends – those you already know and the new ones you’re about to meet! Live music will be provided by ‘Out of Somewhere’ and all dances will be called by Nancy Staub. Previous dancing experience is not necessary. First-time dancers are encouraged to arrive on time for an introductory dance at 7 pm. Bring clean, comfortable, non-marking shoes to dance in.

Admission: Suggested donation is $5 per person. Please bring finger food to share. Sponsored by Emily Faulkner, Lost Horse Press and Sandpoint Parks & Rec.

Information: 208-263-6751 sandpointcontra@gmail.com

POAC 100 Years of Photography Exhibit

Venue: Columbia Bank Community Plaza at the corner of Third & Oak (not the bank, but the building next to Farmin Park), in Sandpoint.

Time: 5:30-7 p.m.

Seventeen local photographers will be joined by Holly Walker’s students at Forrest M. Bird Charter School’s high school art class to showcase how integral photography is to the subject of fine art. Come see how the lens can see the same image differently, and how the use of photographic computer software can change the focal point of a composition.

Participating in this show are Kip Folker, Nancy Russell, Greg Sprungl, Lynne Campbell, Foster Cline, Clint Crawford, Don Fisher, Kathleen Cassidy, Dann Hall, Ross Hall, Lisa Turner, Alan Barber, David Kite, Sheryl Garrison, Dan Earle, Krista Aman-Widgren, and Val Burgess. Refreshments will be served.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

Information: www.artinsandpoint.org or call the POAC office at 208-263-6139.

Holiday Arts & Crafts Show

Venue: Bonner Mall, 300 Bonner Mall Way, in Ponderay

Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Enjoy holiday shopping with more than 35 vendors offering unique and special handcrafted gift items. Find greenery, candles, toys, art, hand knits, wooden cabinets and much, much more! It’s the one Arts & Crafts Show you don’t want to miss.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

Daniel Mills

Venue: Pend d’Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.

Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Daniel Mills, of the Coeur d’Alene based band Son of Brad, is an expert finger style guitarist, singer/songwriter.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

DJ Josh

Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time: 9 p.m.

Hey! The 219 is now non-smoking – come on by and breathe the air while you enjoy the music.

Admission: Free for those 21 and over.

Still Tipsy & The Hangovers

Venue: MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.

Time: 7-10 p.m.

It’s rockabilly time with one of Sandpoint’s favorite groups.

Admission: Free to those 21 and over.

Saturday, Dec. 10

Native American Film Series ‘What Was Ours’

Venue: East Bonner County Library, 1407 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.

Time: 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Advance screening of Vision Maker Media’s award winning documentary film that tells a story of hope and promise – perfect for the Christmas season. A discussion led by Jane Fritz, Director of The Idaho Mythweaver follows each film showing. The Native American Film Series is a partnership of The Idaho Mythweaver and East Bonner Co. Library Dist. and funded by Idaho Community Foundation, Idaho Humanities Council, TransEco Services and endorsed by the Bonner Co. Human Rights Task Force.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

For more information, visit www.ebonnerlibrary.org.

Holiday Arts & Crafts Show

Venue: Bonner Mall, 300 Bonner Mall Way, in Ponderay

Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Enjoy holiday shopping with more than 35 vendors offering unique and special handcrafted gift items.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

Scotia Road

Venue: Ice House Pizzeria, 140 W. Main St., in Hope.

Time: 5:30-8 p.m.

Live music with one of the region’s most popular bands. Take a short drive and enjoy the sounds.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

Information: 208-264-5555

Marty Perron & Doug Bond

Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time: 9 p.m.

The 219 is now non-smoking – come on by and breathe the air while you enjoy the music of this fine duo.

Admission: Free for those 21 and over.

Brian Jacobs & Chris Lynch

Venue: MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., Sandpoint

Time: 7-10 p.m.

Brian Jacobs and Chris Lynch are teaming up for an exciting night of Live Music in Sandpoint! They are a fun duo with a great sound that will have you on the dance floor.

Admission: Free and open to those 21 and over.

Scratchdog String Band

Venue: Pend d’Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.

Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Since early 2015, Scratchdog String Band has been evolving a new music amalgamation described by some as Americana/Rockgrass. Based in Portland and touring throughout the West Coast and Midwest, this trip delivers a fresh blend of classic and contemporary acoustic music.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

Arbor Public Market

Venue: Cedar Street Bridge, corner of First & Cedar, in Sandpoint.

Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

whitworth University Christmas Festival: ‘Gloria’

Venue: Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave., in Spokane.

Time: Doors open at 7 p.m., concert starts at 8 p.m.

The 2016 Whitworth University Christmas Festival Concert, Gloria, features more than 100 student-musicians, including members of the Whitworth Choir, the Whitworth Women’s Choir and the Whitworth Men’s Chorus.

Admission: $20 adults, $10 seniors, available at the box office of Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, by calling 509-624-1200, or online and at all TicketsWest outlets.

Sunday, Dec. 11

‘The Messiah’ Christmas Oratorio

Venue: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 601 Lincoln St., in Sandpoint.

Time: 3 p.m.

Local singers and instrumentalists who make up the Pend Oreille Chorale and Orchestra perform Handel’s beloved Christmas classic, featuring 11 soloists.Admission: Free and open to the public.

Information: 208-263-0199

High Tea Fundraiser

Venue: Sandpoint Area Senior Center, 820 Main St., in Sandpoint.

Time: 2:30 p.m.

This special High Tea Fundraiser will benefit the DayBreak Center.

Admission: $25

Information: 208-263-6860

Holiday Arts & Crafts Show

Venue: Bonner Mall, 300 Bonner Mall Way, in Ponderay

Time: Noon-5 p.m.

Enjoy holiday shopping with more than 35 vendors offering unique and special handcrafted gift items.

Admission: Free and open to the public.?

Whitworth University Christmas Festival: ‘Gloria’

Venue: Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave., in Spokane.

Time: Doors open at 2 p.m., concert starts at 3 p.m.

Admission: $20 adults, $10 seniors, available at the box office of Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, by calling 509-624-1200, or online and at all TicketsWest outlets.

Monday, Dec. 12

‘The Nutcracker’

Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time: Doors at 6:30 p.m., performance starts at 7 p.m.

This one-night performance will take the entire family on a fantasy trip to The Land of Sweets, filled with breathtaking costumes, energetic dancing and an abundance of delightful surprises.

Admission: $30 for adults, $25 for POAC supporters and $12 for children 18 years old and younger, available at the POAC Gallery and Office, 302 N. First Avenue; Eichardt’s Pub, 212 Cedar Street; Eve’s Leaves, 326 N. First Avenue; Winter Ridge Natural Foods, 793 Lake Street and online at www.artinsandpoint.org.

Information: (208) 263-6139

Truck Mills Blues Jam

Venue: Eichardt’s Pub & Grille, located at 212 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Dec. 14

Beth Pederson & Bruce Bishop CD Release Party

Venue: DiLuna’s Cafe, 207 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.

Time: Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for dinner and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m.

Beth & Bruce’s long awaited CD is ready for Christmas, so they’re hosting a special concert on If you don’t know Beth & Bruce’s music, check them out online at: www.highmoonmusic.com/bethandbruce.html

Admission: $12 in advance, $15 on the day of show, available a DiLuna’s Café. Be sure to make reservations by calling 208-263-0864.

‘The Conversation’

Venue: Kyoko Sushi, on the Cedar Street Bridge, corner of First & Cedar, in Sandpoint.

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Catherine Earle was born and raised in France, where she attended Ecole Des Beaux Art. After moving to the United States, she studied watercolor under artist Zoltan Szabo and encaustic by Daniella Woolf.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

Information: 208-263-1592