Winter Concert, Girls Basketball at the High School, History of New England's Christmas Past

• It's one of the musical highlights of the season: the Belmont High School's Winter Concert takes place at 7 p.m. in the Belmont High School auditorium. It's free and the public is invited.

• Postponed last night due to the snow storm,Belmont High School Girls' Basketball is holding its home opener this afternoon at 5:30 p.m. in the Wenner Field House vs. Melrose. 

• Join the Belmont Historical Society for a free, illustrated lecture "The Spirit of Christmas Past: Four Centuries in New England" by Ken Turino at 7:30 p.m. at the Belmont Public Library's Assembly Room. This lecture traces the development of Christmas from the time it was outlawed in 17th century New England through the beginning of the 21st century when all the trappings of a traditional Christmas were in place. Turin is manager of Community Engagement and Exhibitions at Historic New England.

• Belmont High School senior Cathryn Tang teaches her popular art classes at the Beech Street Center on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.  Come try your hand at various media such as charcoal, watercolor, etc. The classes are free, but please sign up at the front desk to assure a seat as the it is limited to 25.

• Brad Pitt turns 50 today while the Rolling Stone's Keith Richards is 70 (!). He must be a vampire. Also on this date in 1892, Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker Suite" premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia.