BEST BETS: Feb. 3 to 9, 2012

'Blood Countess' with live music

Jamey Leverett's "The Blood Countess" gets a reprise at Nazareth College Arts Center Friday to Sunday. The full-length performance by Rochester City Ballet is inspired by accounts of the 16th-century Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Bathory (played by Tara Lally, shown), who purportedly killed more than 600 women and bathed in her victims' blood in a quest for eternal youth. The show premiered last May, but this time it will be accompanied by live music from the Grammy Award-winning Ying Quartet and pianist Elinor Freer. Leverett both choreographed and wrote the ballet. Her narrative includes an encounter between the countess and a young Dracula. Performances at the Nazareth College Arts Center are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $40 to $65. Visit artscenter.naz.edu to buy tickets.

Harlem Globetrotters bring comedy to the court
The Harlem Globetrotters come to the Blue Cross Arena at 2 p.m. Saturday. Get ready to whistle along to their theme song, "Sweet Georgia Brown." The Globetrotters were started in the 1920s on the South Side of Chicago, where all the original players grew up. Today, a new generation of stars carries on the tradition with basketball exhibitions that combine athleticism and comedy. The Globetrotters were initially a serious competitive team, but eventually they became known more for entertainment. They surpass every other team in the history of sports for number of games played. For more information or tickets, visit harlemglobetrotters.com or ticketmaster.com.

'Shrek' at Auditorium Theatre
"Shrek The Musical," based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film that started it all, brings the hilarious story of everyone's favorite ogre to life on stage. In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre, not a handsome prince, shows up to rescue a feisty princess. The musical features a score of 19 all-new songs, big laughs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery. It's at the Auditorium Theatre through Sunday. Visit ticketmaster.com or rbtl.org.

Get dancing with the RPO
Gear up for Valentine's Day with Lindy Hop Champion and "So You Think You Can Dance" choreographer Carla Heiney as Conductor Jeff Tyzik and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra bring you the best in swing music and onstage energy. Heiney’s choreography has been featured in season six of Fox's hit show "So You Think You Can Dance," in which she created a routine for contestants Ryan and Ellenore. Heiney currently teaches and choreographs the Advanced Lindy performance group at City College of San Francisco; she specializes in the Lindy Hop. Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theatre. Visit rpo.org.

Celebrate winter at Ganondagan
Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor plans its annual Native American Winter Games & Sports celebration Saturday. Visitors to the annual event cheer on dogsled races, see how traditional maple sugaring is done and watch as Native artists make wooden toboggans by hand. Storytellers will weave tales by the fireside in the bark longhouse, and traditional food will be available for purchase. Snowshoers can don their gear and hit Ganondagan's trails. (Snowshoes will be available to rent for $5 for adults, $3 for children younger than 12.) The day's activities are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For details and directions, visit ganondagan.org.

On the big screen
Set in 1988, "Big Miracle" tells the story of a small-town newspaper reporter (John Krasinski) who writes about three California gray whales trapped in the Arctic Circle, which unites a Cold War-era United States and USSR in an effort to rescue them. Drew Barrymore also stars. In "Chronicle," three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery. Soon, though, they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides. "The Woman in Black" tells the story of a young lawyer (Daniel Radcliffe) who travels to a remote village where he discovers the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals. Find movie times.

Longing for days on the boat?
We've been pretty lucky weather-wise this winter, but it's still no July day on a Finger Lake. This weekend, boat enthusiasts can check out the latest boats and accessories at the 30th annual Greater Rochester Boat Show & Sale. The event is at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center today through Sunday. More than 300 watercraft of every imaginable stripe will be on display and for sale, from cruisers and performance boats to pontoons and canoes. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for seniors. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Visit rochesterboatshow.com for details.

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