Try This: Toe-tapping holiday fun

Dance Fusion Northwest presents its fourth annual production of “Christmas Stories.” Segments from hip-hop to jazz are threaded together by an original tale of a young mother and her daughter who hope to find Christmas Eve in the midst of financial struggles.

When: 2 and 7 p.m. today.

Where: Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E. 18th St., Vancouver.

Admission: $12, $6 for students, free for ages 4 and younger.

Telephone: 360-521-9973.

Web: http://dancefusionnw.com

The musical theater production is among several options for getting out and about this weekend.

2. Pleasant puppetry

Dragon Theater Puppets presents the tale of “Rumplestiltskin” as part of the Uptown Village Association’s Christmas in the Village. When the miller’s daughter enters the king’s talent show, she claims that she can spin straw into gold. But Rumplestiltskin is the only one who knows the transformation trick and he won’t share his secrets without a price. The show is recommend for all ages.

When: 6 tonight.

Where: Compass Church, 1812 Main St., Vancouver.

Admission: Free.

Web: http://uptownvillage.com

3. A sleigh of steam for Santa

The ninth annual BNSF Santa Steam Train, featuring the 1938 SP&S 700 steam locomotive, will pull into Vancouver for a holiday celebration. Santa will greet visitors and give out gifts for children. There also will be holiday music, refreshments and treats near the decorated train. There will be a local Toys for Tots toy drive during the event, with donations of newly wrapped toys encouraged.

When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today.

Where: Near the Vancouver Amtrak station, 1301 W. 11th St., Vancouver.

Admission: Free.

Telephone: 360-418-6303.

4. A holiday classic

Audiences can join Clara and the Nutcracker Prince as they defeat the Mouse King, then travel to the Land of Snowflakes and the Kingdom of Sweets, where toy soldiers, flowers and snowflakes come alive. This will be the 16th annual production of “The Nutcracker” by Columbia Dance, which features more than 70 local dancers, from beginning students to company dancers.

When: 2 and 7 p.m. today, 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, and 1 p.m. Monday.

Where: Royal Durst Theater, 3101 Main St., Vancouver.

Admission: $18, $15 for seniors and students, $10 for children 10 and younger.

Telephone: 360-737-1922.

Web: http://columbiadance.org.

5. ‘Anchorman’ is kind of a big deal

Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) and his San Diego crew, sportscaster Champ Kind (David Koechner), swinging reporter Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) and rather dim weatherman Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), move to New York City with an offer to join Global News Network, the nation’s first 24-hour news station. But Ron is given the graveyard shift with his wayward pals while absurdly good-looking Jack Lime (James Marsden) has the anchor position, so Ron goes off script. “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” is rated PG-13.

Where: Battle Ground Cinema, 1700 S.W. Ninth Ave., Battle Ground; Cinetopia Mill Plain, 11700 S.E. Seventh St.; Cinetopia Vancouver Mall 23, 8700 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive; various Regal Cinema locations.

Cost: Varies by location.

Telephone: Battle Ground Cinema, 360-666-7200;Cinetopia, 360-213-2800; Cinetopia Vancouver Mall 23, 360-448-4100; Regal Cinemas, 800-326-3264.

Web: http://battlegroundcinema.com, http://cinetopia.com, http://regmovies.com.