Plan Ahead: Next Week

Art. “Down From the Shimmering Sky: Masks of the Northwest Coast,” a major traveling show of more than 145 contemporary and historic masks by First Nations artists, runs Wednesday through May 6 at the Southwest Museum at LACMA West, 6067 Wilshire Blvd. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, noon-6 p.m.; Fridays, noon-8 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Adults, $10; students and seniors, $8; children under 6, free. (323) 933-4510.

* Dance. The familiar Moscow Classical Ballet “Nutcracker” returns to the Southland on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday and Dec. 23 at 2 and 7:30 p.m., Dec. 24 at 11 a.m. and Dec. 26 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. $10 (children) to $55. (626) 449-7360.

* Film. The annual holiday slew of big films and Oscar hopefuls continues next week with the opening of “Angela’s Ashes,” “Any Given Sunday,” “Man on the Moon” and “Snow Falling on Cedars” on Wednesday and “Galaxy Quest,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and “Titus” on Dec. 25.

* Pop. Rapper Kool Keith takes to the stage Dec. 23 at the House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood, for a “Black Elvis Kristmas.” With Styles of Beyond and Blood of Abraham. 6:30 p.m. $20. (323) 848-5100.