Getting It Up

WED 12/17t's all Wright if you don't remember the official name of the 100th anniversary of flight. On Wednesday, the Western Reserve Historical Society celebrates a century of "powered controlled sustained flight," but most folks will just say, "Happy Birthday Airplane." In addition to a birthday cake, the program includes The Wright Way to Fly, a performance by the Timeslider Theater Troupe, which places the audience in the pilot seat and details the efforts of the Wright brothers and other contemporary flight mavens who tried to get their dreams airborne. "At the nucleus of the celebration is our replica [of a] 1902 Wright brothers glider," gushes Kelly Falcone, the museum's director of public programs. Little ones, she adds, will walk away with souvenir Kitty Hawks to mark the occasion. Happy Birthday Airplane takes flight from noon to 2 p.m. at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, 10825 East Boulevard. Admission is free with general museum admission, which is $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors, and $5 for kids. Call 216-721-5722 for more information. -- Allen Miller

Dog Days

12/11-12/14

Anna Traut is like a fish in water when it comes to dog shows. "I've been going with my mom since I was little," says the 11-year-old. This weekend's Crown Classic Dog Show gives her another chance to show off Shelby, her six-year-old Shetland sheepdog. Last year, Traut and Shelby won second place in the Novice Junior category -- which qualifies Traut to dispense advice. Bathe and trim all unsightly hair on feet, nose, and ears, she says. Follow-up with a mousse application to the neck hair, then brush. "It's kind of like a beauty pageant," she says. It's also kinda like Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. The show runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the I-X Center (6200 Riverside Drive). Admission is $3 to $6; call 216-676-6000. -- Nadia Michel

Sounds of Christmas

12/11-12/21

It took Handel 21 days to write The Messiah; the Cleveland Orchestra will spend 10 days, starting Thursday, performing it and other holiday tunes at its Christmas concerts. The program features seasonal faves by Bach, Tchaikovsky, and Bizet, as well as music by the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus. "There are also sing-alongs and a visit from Santa," promises conductor Robert Porco. The concerts take place at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday through December 21 at Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Avenue. Tickets range from $28 to $68, available by calling 216-231-1111. -- Damian Johnson