It's the jolly jive season, the time of year for thoughts and words that make the heart toasty and rouse the spirit into fits of joy, thankfulness, laughter, remembrance and all the other things that spill out of mistletoed greeting cards along with photos of Aunt Doris and her fat tabby Milt. But it's the sounds that turn those words into real "warm 'n' fuzzies," and there's no better purveyor of holiday toasty fuzz than the Turtle Creek Chorale, now celebrating its 24th anniversary. This holiday season join the 200 men of the chorale for their waft of homey steam "Makin' a list...checkin' it twice," a concert packed with goose-bumping holiday vibes plus outrageous hilarity with help from Flutes Unlimited. The two-hour holiday extravaganza begins at 8 p.m. at the Meyerson Symphony Center on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Or catch them at 8 p.m. at the Stemmons Auditorium, Wyndham Anatole, at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday. Be sure to bring an unwrapped toy (even warm 'n' fuzzy ones) for the chorale's 14th annual toy drive benefiting Children's Medical Center and Parkland hospital. Tickets range from $20 to $53 and can be ordered at www.turtlecreek.org or by calling 1-800-494-8497. --Mark Stuertz
Carol Craze
McGovern doesn't need your backup vocals
11/28
Our streets soon will be a colorful array of blinking lights and elaborate lawn scenes. Anxious shoppers vying for the best specials will overflow shopping centers and department stores. But the best part of this lovely season: Everywhere you go--whether to fill up your tank or catch a quick bite to eat--those infamous holiday carols will be there in full force, trying to trick you into humming along. Even if you have an accidental slip and unconsciously belt out a verse or two, it's better to let a professional such as Maureen McGovern coax you into the yuletide spirit. Called "The Stradivarius Voice," she's done it all, from Grammy-nominated hits to Broadway and countless appearances on recordings. She brings her talents to the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra's annual holiday concert celebration at Bass Hall from November 28 to November 30. Call 817-665-6000. --Desirée Henry
Ball's Out
12/3
Hilary Duff--the acting, singing, dancing golden calf of affluent suburban tweens--will be making her only metroplex appearance this year at KISS-FM's Jingle Ball on December 3 at Next Stage, 1001 NextStage Drive in Grand Prairie. And she'll be sharing the stage with Simple Plan, Black Eyed Peas, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey. Call 214-787-1061 or log onto www.1061kissfm.com. --Mary Monigold
Soul Mates
Gorshin does Burns on Gracie
12/2
He may have played a bad guy on television, but now he's playing God on the stage. Frank Gorshin ("The Riddler" on the original Batman series) stars as George Burns (1977's Oh God!) in Say Goodnight Gracie: The Life, Laughter & Love of George Burns and Gracie Allen for the Broadway Contemporary Series presented by Dallas Summer Musicals. The opening-night show is at 8 p.m. December 2. All performances are at the Majestic Theatre, and the play runs through December 14. Single tickets are on sale now and cost $10 to $53 at The Box Office at 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center or at any Ticketmaster outlet. For groups of 20 or more call 214-426-GROUP. The Majestic Theatre is located at 1925 Elm St. in Dallas. --Jenice Johnson
