Friday’s event at the Columbia Museum of Art couldn’t be more appropriately titled: “Rothko on Rothko.” Christopher Rothko, son of Mark Rothko, an expert on his father’s work, will have a discussion with Brad Collins, USC’s department of art chair, at noon at the museum. Rothko contributed to the companion book of “Mark Rothko: The Decisive Decade 1940-1950,” the museum’s current exhibition. Collins edited the book. Christopher Rothko, who has written extensively on his father’s work, edited “The Artist’s Reality,” a book on his father’s philosophical writing. The museum is at Main and Hampton streets. $25 and members only; www.columbiamuseum.org

USC Dance students will showcase original choreography in the production “Fragments of Light.” It opens Tuesday and runs through Friday at Drayton Hall Theatre. A semester’s worth of work will be exhibited on stage as dance students, under the direction of Cindy Flach, created the pieces. Eight were selected through an adjudication process for this show. From modern dance to street to contemporary ballet will be displayed. The program includes: “Distinguishing Diversity in Hip Hop,” by seniors Amanda Nelson and Laura Smith in collaboration with professional hip-hop dancers Saza Dimmick and Edson “BBoy House” Magana; Flames of Inspiration,” inspired by junior Camille Sellers’ 2012 Olympic experience; “Deadly Sin” by senior Hannah Brown, who addresses the seven deadly sins; and “Sweeping the Stage” by senior Alyson Amato, which draws from her two inspirations, painting and dance. The other student choreographers are Lauren Cabaniss, the runner-up at this year’s Miss South Carolina pageant, Kelsey Crum, Carmen Dent and Allison Eguchi. The performances are at 6 p.m. and tickets cost $12-1$18.

Following “Fragments of Light” at 8 p.m. each night, Wideman/Davis Dance, the dance program’s resident professional company, will perform “Based On Images.” The original choreography was inspired by images of Hurricane Katrina. $12-$18, and sold separately from the student showcase. Drayton Hall is at 1214 College St.; (803) 777-5112

Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” at 3 today at Township Auditorium, 1703 Taylor St. $15.50-$20.50 Sunday. (Student tickets cost $12.50, but are only available at the Township’s box office); www.thetownship.org

Columbia Classical Ballet will stage its version of the holiday classic “The Nutcracker” Friday through Dec. 2 at the Koger Center. Showtimes: 7:30 Friday, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Dec. 2. The Koger Center is at 1051 Greene St. $5-$32; www.capitoltickets.com or (803) 251-2222

“So You Think You Can Dance,” the touring version of the popular reality TV show, comes to the Township Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The top 10 finalists from season nine will show off their moves. The Township is at 1703 Taylor St. $39.50-$65; www.thetownship.org

The Lexington County Choral Society will sing the “Sounds of Christmas” at 7:30 Friday and Saturday at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church. The church is at 5503 Sunset Blvd., Lexington. $15-$20, and $6 for students; www.lexcochoralsoc.org

The Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County will host its annual Holiday Sales Show. The clay, glass, fiber and wood art, much of it handcrafted by more than 40 artists in the show, will be displayed in the center’s Douglas-Reed House. The show opens with a preview from 5:30-7 p.m. Friday. It will be open through Dec. 16. Hours: 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1:30- 6 p.m. Sunday. The FAC is at 810 Lyttleton St., Camden; (803) 425-7676, ext. 300 or www.fineartscenter.org

USC’s Concert Choir will perform two shows of its annual Christmas concert in the next week. The program includes sacred works, carols and Christmas songs, from baroque to contemporary. The first concert is at 7:30 p.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion St. The other is at 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at Shandon United Methodist Church, 3407 Devine St. Both concerts are free; (803) 777-5369

The Midlands Clay Arts Society is hosting its 12th annual holiday sale Thursday through Dec. 2 at Gallery 80808. There is an artist reception from 5-8 p.m. Thursday. Gallery hours: noon-8 Friday and Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Dec. 2. The gallery is at 808 Lady St.; www.facebook.com/MidlandsClayArts

The Columbia Children’s Theatre will stage the musical “The Christmas Doll” through Dec. 2. The production, Joan Cushing’s musical adaptation of Elvira Woodruff’s story, follows the journey of two orphans who escape a London workhouse. They meet colorful characters along the way. Showtimes: 7 p.m. Friday; 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. On Saturday, there will be a special Breakfast with Santa show beginning at 9 a.m. Guests will have breakfast and take photos with Santa. Tickets cost $12. The theater is in the Richland Mall, 3400 Forest Drive. $8; www.columbiachildrenstheatre.com or (803) 691-4548

As part of the Broadway in Columbia Series, Mannheim Steamroller, a band that puts a modern contemporary flair on Christmas classics, will perform at 4 today at the Koger Center, 1051 Greene St. $46-$66; www.capitoltickets.com or (803) 251-2222

The Carolina Band, also known as The Mighty Sound of the Southeast, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Koger Center. The band will play traditional Gamecock fight songs and cheers, as well as music from this season’s halftime shows. The Koger Center is at 1051 Greene St. $10; (803) 251-2222

The winner of the inaugural 701 CCA Prize will be announced at 8 p.m. Thursday. The celebration for the prize, given by 701 Center for Contemporary Art, starts at 7 p.m. Jim Arendt, James Busby and Tonya Gregg are the finalists. The Reggie Sullivan Band will perform at the party. An exhibition of the finalists’ work runs through Dec. 16. Dylan Critchfield-Sales, the current 701 CCA artist-in-residence, will open an exhibition of work in the 701 CCA loft as part of the celebration. It also runs through Dec. 16. 701 CCA is at 701 Whaley St. $20 for members, $25 for non-members; www.701cca.org or http://701ccaprize.eventbrite.com