A SCATTERED LIFE

Have you decided that the holiday season is just one big exercise in manipulation? Do you assume that every Christmas joy comes with strings attached? Well, what better way to prove it all than by visiting the Bob Baker Marionette Theater (1345 W. 1st St., L.A.; reservations required, [213] 250-9995) to see the return of “The Nutcracker” to the L.A. stage that has specialized in wooden performances since 1961. . . . Nativity scenes are big right now (go figure), but for a very different take on newborn imagery check out the “Big Babies” exhibit at the Art Murmur Gallery (129 E. 6th St., L.A., [213] 623-2332), where artists Jim Caron, Yaya Chou and Pamela Grau Twena use infant portrayals to explore modern gluttony, cultural disconnect and the inherent injustice of diaper rash. . . . There’s going to be a “Lotta Love” on Saturday evening at the Synergy Cafe ([310] 482-3490) in Culver City, where a charity tribute to the late Nicolette Larson will feature Rosemary Butler and many friends and family members of the singer who died 10 years ago. . . . Our L.A. birthday this week: John Densmore, the drummer of the Doors as well as an author, playwright and sometime actor, turns 63 on Saturday. Densmore is a student of exotic percussion, so let’s all keep the beat on his birthday by checking out the Saturday night show by the sublime Youssou N’Dour at UCLA’s Royce Hall (see The Guide’s music section for the full story).

-- Geoff.B[email protected]