Best of Toronto culture this week: Alvvays, ‘The Nutcracker,’ ‘Oraculum’ and more

Now until Dec. 14 at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Hot on the heels of its blistering season opener, “Roberto Zucco,” Buddies in Bad Times’ second show in its main-stage lineup is “Oraculum,” a new production that blends performance, puppetry and projection. It stars former “Canada’s Drag Race” performers Denim and Pythia with Buddies’ new artistic director, ted witzel, set to direct. —Joshua Chong
Saturday at Roy Thomson Hall
With the holiday season upon us, get into the spirit by indulging in the music of Tchaikovsky’s classical ballet “The Nutcracker,” as performed by the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, including such timeless pieces as “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and “Waltz of the Flowers.” Tickets can be purchased at https://my.tso.ca. —Asma Sahebzada
Tuesday and Wednesday at the Great Hall
Nova Scotian musician Joel Plaskett had to halt his nearly sold-out cross-Canada tour after he fell sick earlier this month, which led to the postponement of his two Toronto shows. With the return of his voice, he’ll head to the city for two intimate “storytelling” shows that will focus on his latest record, “One Real Reveal.” —Asma Sahebzada
Thursday at Revue Cinema
The program notes describe this low-budget 1984 postapocalyptic comedy from the heyday of low-budget postapocalyptic comedies as “Valley Girl” meets “Dawn of the Dead,” and that’s not too far off. The Revue will be hosting a rare screening of a 35mm print of this largely forgotten hoot, which wrings more genuine laughs out of the end-of-the-world scenario than that all-star Netflix travesty, “Don’t Look Up,” did. —Doug Brod
Thursday through Saturday at the Concert Hall
A little more than two years after Alvvays released “Blue Rev” — easily one of the best albums of the decade so far — the Canadian indie-pop titans are coming home for a three-night residency at the Concert Hall. The band, which last performed in Toronto alongside Alex G at the Bud Stage this past summer, will have support from local band cootie catcher. —Richie Assaly 
Friday to Sunday at Hot Docs
As Hot Docs re-opens, one of its first screenings will be “Your Tomorrow,” an documentary directed by Ali Weinstein that dives into Ontario Place’s final year as a waterfront park before it gets redeveloped into a private spa. The film, which was the second runner-up for TIFF’s 2024 People’s Choice Documentary Award — opens a discussion about the preservation of public spaces in Toronto. The Friday screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. —Asma Sahebzada.