Top Picks: Judah & The Lion's album 'Kids These Days,' the 'Sherlock Limited Edition Gift Set,' and more

Fathom Events programming includes Bolshoi Ballet's 'The Nutcracker' and 'White Christmas: The 60th Anniversary,' the documentary 'Song By Song: Lindsay Stirling' examines the electronic dubstep violinist and dancer's meteoric rise, and more top picks.

PBS

December 5, 2014

Dancing violinist

Lindsey Stirling is an electronic dubstep violinist and dancer who has combined her talents in theatrical YouTube videos that have drawn more than 800 million views. If you aren’t aware of this rising crossover pop phenom, check out her dozens of eclectic videos online or tune into arts cable network Ovation for a documentary on her meteoric rise, Song By Song: Lindsey Stirling. It premières Dec. 9 at 10 p.m. Check local listings.

American maverick

Can Syria heal? For many, Step 1 is learning the difficult truth.

The PBS program Rickover: The Birth of Nuclear Power tells the story of the life of Adm. Hyman G. Rickover, who led the quest for a nuclear-powered submarine in the 1950s and created the world’s first commercial nuclear power plant. As the debate on the use of nuclear power continues, Rickover’s work is an inextricable part of the conversation. It airs Dec. 9 at 8 p.m.; check local listings for rebroadcasting times.

Positively upbeat

Energetic folk-pop trio Judah & the Lion aims to produce dance-worthy music. Its new album, Kids These Days, meets that goal with up-tempo songs such as “Kickin’ da Leaves” and “Mason-Dixon Line.” The group may have its base in Christian music but “Kids These Days” mostly bounces with infectious positivity, not unlike the Millennial generation it represents.

Favorite sleuth

Sherlock Holmes never goes out of style, but this season the most stylish gift out there is the Sherlock Limited Edition Gift Set of the first three seasons on DVD and Blu-ray, starring the inimitable Benedict Cumberbatch (see opposite page for a review of his latest movie). The six-disc box set includes minibusts of the detective and his sidekick, original bonus features, and star interviews. It’s a “sure lock” for one of the best gift sets around this year. 

Holiday outings

Fathom Events will host a series of performances throughout December at select theaters in the United States. Add these to your list of holiday outings: live performances from the Met of “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” (Dec. 13 and 17); “White Christmas: The 60th Anniversary” (Dec. 14-15); The Royal Ballet’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” (Dec. 16); and Bolshoi Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” (Dec. 21). Check fathomevents.com.