22 Triangle events to check out this week

RALEIGH, N.C. — Our fun picks will help you get through the work week.

Enjoy ice skating outdoors in downtown Raleigh at the Ice Raleigh skating rink between 4 and 9 p.m.

Dream Theater, a progressive metal band, comes to DPAC tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Get fit while enjoying the company of other beer lovers at the nOg Rub Club. The group meets at the Raleigh Beer Garden at 6:15 p.m.

Flosstradamus is a musical duo consisting of DJs J2K and Autobot. See them at The Ritz in Raleigh at 9 p.m.

Enjoy the thrill of singing in front of others without all the intimidation at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro's PopUp Chrous. At each event, singers arrive and learn two familiar songs which are later performed and recorded with the help of funny and encouraging conductors.

Third Eye Blind will perform at The Ritz at 8 p.m.

The Chinese Lantern Festival is open Tuesday through Sunday nights at Booth Amphitheatre through January, so bundle up and take in all the lights.

Enjoy the PlayMakers Repertory Company's performance of The May Queen through Dec. 11 in Chapel Hill. Tickets are just $15.

A weekly Holiday Market at The Carter Building features art, jewelry, cosmetics, vinyl records, skin care, nail art, vintage clothing and more. The event runs 4 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday.

The 23rd annual Jingle Ball is tonight from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. This festive event is held each year to benefit the Salvation Army’s Christmas Cheer Program, which helps bring joy to thousands of children of Wake County by providing them with toys for Christmas morning.

The Milk Bar in Raleigh will host a Holiday Craft & Cocktail at 6:30 p.m. tonight. Enjoy your choice of cocktail from a specialty holiday menu while you create a chalkboard wood ornament. Materials are provided. Tickets are $25.

Tir na nOg will host a Brain vs. Liver Pub Trivia event featuring a game show, a "bad" comedy act and lots of beer. Admission for the 8 p.m. event is free.

It's also Drink for a Cause Night at Boxcar. From 4 p.m. until midnight, the bar and arcade will donate 15 percent of sales to the Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina.

The Aloft Hotel in Raleigh will host a Holiday Sip + Shop at 6 p.m. Bring new or gently used clothing to donate and enjoy swag bags, vendors, a cash bar and networking at the free event.

Don't miss Theatre in the Park's A Christmas Carol now through Dec. 18. Now in its 42nd year, the musical starring Ira David Wood III has become a Raleigh tradition.

The Bull City Holiday Food & Wine Soirée is a holiday food and wine market featuring North Carolina food and drink producers. It runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Rickhouse in Durham. You must be 21 or over to shop.

Jamie Lee, a cast member on the hit MTV series "Girl Code," will perform stand-up comedy at 8 p.m. at Goodnights Comedy Club. Can't make it to tonight's show? Performances will continue on Friday and Saturday nights.

Raleigh-based singer/songwriter Jeanne Jolly will be spreading holiday cheer Friday with the Jolly Holiday Revue. Things kick off at 9 p.m. at Southland Ballroom with her five-piece band comprised of guitars, bass, drums and vocals. Don't forget to wear your best holiday tacky outfit.

Catch Cinderella at Raleigh Little Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Shows run through Dec. 18.

The Oak & Dagger Public House will host an Ugly Sweater Party at 9 p.m. tonight. The event will feature a special cocktail menu of warm winter holiday classics and a prize for the winner of the ugliest sweater contest at 11:30 p.m.

Bulls, Bells & Barrels will take place Friday evening at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. There will be barrel racing, bull riding, flag team routines, rodeo clowns, pony rides, mechanical bulls and country Christmas shopping.

The Carolina Ballet presents The Nutcracker all weekend long at DPAC. Tickets start at $27.