Dance Party

We might be amid the Holidaze, but area clubs and venues are still hosting concerts and dance parties. Luckily, some of the performers this week have non-traditional takes on Christmas. John Waters will tell you what not to do during the holidays at his show at the Lyric, while Scott Weiland will do his take on classic Christmas songs at the 9:30 Club. Elsewhere: Winks, Judy Collins, Spank Rock, and a James Brown dance party. On Monday , Scott Weiland the lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots, who just performed at Pier Six last year, is out promoting his new Christmas album.

GHANA SWINGS Mix guitar, jazz, traditional Ghanaian instruments and dance rhythms, and you get the Kusun Ensemble. The group is based in Ghana, West Africa, and stops by Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts on Saturday for a performance of music and dance. ....................... The performance is at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts is at 801 Chase St., Annapolis. No tickets are required. For more information, go to marylandhall.org or call 410-263-5544. FREE BETTER RUNNING Get fixes on your form, learn to prevent injuries and more at Saturday's running clinics at St. Agnes Hospital's Human Motion Institute.

On a visit to Chicago Wednesday to tout Revlon cosmetics, she tossed out the first ball at the White Sox-Blue Jays game, and picked up a souvenir jersey from Carlton Fisk.Today, Downtown Julie Brown hits the Baltimore 'burbs, where she is hosting a dance party in a shoe department "with progressive attitude" at the Nordstrom in Towson Town Center that will open Sept. 11.What to wear? The 32-year-old responds, "I don't know. It's steamy? Hot? I'll probably wear what I usually wear, basically nothing."

Gay Pride festivals are in season. Washington's Capital Pride was last weekend, and so was Philadelphia's. Chesapeake Pride is coming up in mid-July at Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds. But this weekend, it's time for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Baltimoreans to celebrate. The Baltimore Pride festival , which officially kicks off Friday and ends Sunday, includes an opening garden party, a performance by Deborah Cox, a block party, a high-heel race and the annual parade.

Trips for 2012 Members of the Annapolis Senior Activity Center can stop by the Trip Desk for a preview of 2012 trips and make reservations and deposits. Trips include "Journey of Hope" in Gettysburg, Pa., and a visit to Washington to see the cherry blossoms followed by a luncheon cruise. Information: 410-222-1818. Support group The National Family Caregiver Support Program of the Department of Aging and Disabilities will hold a support group for men only from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, at the Arnold Senior Activity Center, 44 Church Road.

Sunday, Oct. 3 First Sunday Arts Festival Annapolis event features crafts vendors, artists, live music, street performers and sidewalk dining, noon to 5 p.m. in the first block of West and Calvert streets. Free. "Viva Flamenco" performs at 1 p.m. in the side lot at Stan and Joe's; the Annapolis Dixieland Band plays at noon in Wiseman Park; and in Whitmore Park, the Brothers and Sisters perform rock 'n' roll music from noon to 1:30 p.m. Information: 410-741-3267. 'Zirk der Ruhe' Theatrical performance featuring interactive razzle-dazzle, thrilling stunts and comedy takes place at 3 p.m. at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase St., Annapolis.

INSIDE TODAY WHAT THEY'RE SAYING TODAY'S SUN COLUMNISTS A GOP view of the Dems Bob Ehrlich isn't a big fan of Democrats or Baltimore, but there he was Tuesday night, doing commentary for Fox 45 on the city's Democratic primary. Why did the station go with the ex-Gov? Maryland baltimoresun.com/vozzella Ravens take aim at young QB The Ravens have a history of tormenting young quarterbacks, and you only have to look as far back as last season. Sports baltimoresun.com/preston OTHER VOICES Michael Sragow on The Brave One -- Movies Today Rick Maese on football -- Sports Michael Sragow on Mr. Woodcock -- Movies Today 5 THINGS TO DO TODAY 10th anniversary -- The Ottobar celebration features Glenmont Popes, a local rock band with a hard garage-rock and metal style.

The Columbia chapter of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women will sponsor its first "Crafty Extravaganza" from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Nov. 5 at Long Reach High School, 6101 Old Dobbin Lane, Columbia. Artisans and small-business owners are invited to participate in the holiday bazaar and craft show. The bazaar is open to the public. Information: 410-381-1342 or 410-531-1080. Center planning teen dance party The Columbia Association's Columbia Teen Center will hold a Harvest Dance Party from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday at the center, 5853 Robert Oliver Place in Oakland Mills Village Center.